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Identifying a Hublot Replica

There are currently two different types of Hublot replica watches that can be found online:a) “Cheap” replicasb) “High-end” replicasThe two categories are based on the level of accurate imitation; as well as the typical askingprice. This situation is especially true for the “Big Bang” line; Hublot’s most popular (and mostreplicated) line.

“Cheap” Replicas:

These should be relatively easy to identify. I’ll use the “Stainless Steel/Ceramic” model as anexample:

REAL FAKE

a) The real Big Bang uses proprietary “H-shaped” screws; while the fake uses regular screws.b) The real Big Bang has a multi-part case construction (Kevlar layer in the middle) while thefake is made of only steel (sometimes with black PVD or gold-plated finish; depending onmodel).c) The ceramic bezel on the real Big Bang is thicker and wider than that on the fake one; whichis usually in PVD steel.d) The pushers and crown on the real Big Bang have rubber ends, while the fake’s are only insteel.e) The Hublot font, as well as the size and font of the numerals and indices are different.f) The straps will usually be different; and even the fake rubber straps usually lack the tworecessed stripes.g) (visible from back of the watches) the two will have completely different movements.

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“High-end” Replicas:

these types of replica watches are much harder to distinguish, because the manufacturers havegone to great extents to replicate the real Big Bang as accurately as possible.Here’s an example, using the full “Stainless Steel” model:

REAL

FAKE

We see here that unlike the “cheap” replicas, this one appears identical to the real one: the same“H-screws” are used, the same hour-markers and indices are used, the pushers and crown havethe rubber ends, the strap has the same pattern, and virtually all dimensions are identical. Sohow do we distinguish the replica from the real thing? The answer is: from

the movement.

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although not easy, this is one of the only ways to visually distinguish between an original “BigBang” and a replica. If one takes a closer look, we can see several differences:a) The absence of a “fine-adjuster” mechanism on the fake Big Bang:REAL FAKEb) The central part of the rotor has a saw-like appearance on the replica:REAL FAKEc) The “HUBLOT GENEVE” text is engraved on the rotor of a real Big Bang but stickered on tothe rotor of a fake one. Also, the “H” logo under the rotor is much bolder on the replica:REAL FAKE*while the black screws on the replica movement might appear as a big difference, the truth inthe matter is that Hublot also used black screws on earlier production models, so unfortunatelywe can’t use this as a distinguishing factor.