How to Determine if an Apple Watch Is Original: 6 Important Criteria

Modern counterfeiters copy everything that is popular including high tech products like Apple smartwatches.
Our tips will help you determine whether the product in front of you is genuine or a fake.

Box Design

High quality cardboard, no damage and the official logo are essential indicators of genuine Apple Watch packaging. Inside there should be another box containing the watch itself. Carefully examine the text: counterfeiters often use altered names such as iWatch.

Contents

If the box includes a power adapter it is a clear sign of a fake. All modern Apple models starting from Watch 6 come with a wireless charger and the USB cable included cannot be detached.
The strap is made of two parts from high quality fluoroelastomer with an aluminum clasp.
Fakes have straps made of plastic or artificial leather both of which are low quality: plastic irritates the skin while leather causes excessive sweating.

SIM Card Slot

Genuine Apple Watches do not have a SIM slot or microSD card slot. The watch syncs with the iPhone wirelessly and requires no additional software on the phone. If these slots exist or if an app must be installed for iPhone access it is definitely a fake.

Watch Case

Authentic Apple Watches have a sealed back cover and are waterproof. Chinese copies usually have a removable back because SIM or memory card slots are placed there. For this reason they are not water resistant.

Interface

The overall appearance can be copied in detail but fakes do not run watchOS because the code for Apple’s operating system is closed. Counterfeits usually run Linux or Android. You can easily check this by trying to download any app from the App Store.

Checking Authenticity by IMEI or Serial Number

Finally you can verify whether the watch is genuine by visiting the official Apple website and entering the serial number (for eSIM models enter the IMEI). These numbers are listed on the box or on the watch itself. If it is a replica the number will likely not be found in the database and the website will indicate that.