Is this a real Alpina?
Hey everyone, I have stumbled onto quite a detective case, as my first post on Watch Crunch. I bought this green dial Alpina watch at the "Alpina Store" at Amazon.com, and I had some serious problems with identifying its authenticity. The Reference Number this Ebay store is advertising belongs to a black dial Alpina Startimer that is a Limited Edition watch (i.e. only 1,883 of these watches exist), which is AL-525KBG4SH6. However, this model number turned out to be totally incorrect. The actual title of this product on Amazon.com is Alpina Limited Edition Startimer Pilot Heritage Swiss Automatic STYLE AL-525KBG4SH6.
On direct observation of the watch I purchased, the correct Reference Number (AL-525X4SH6) for this watch is engraved around the movement at the back of the watch. Also, there was no "Limited Edition" engraved on the back, which was used in the promo photos on the Alpina Store. More so, Citizen's Watch reps (the real owners of this brand name) never answered my call, and the Amazon reps were even worse with people barely able to speak English and by disconnecting the call numerous times. I contacted many seller's on Ebay, and they said it was purchased through Costco as an "overstock" item. What to do? I really love the style of this watch, but I could not find it on the authentic Alpina websites (US and European). Needless to say, I returned the item, as it was a whopping $1000. There are LOTS of these now being sold on Ebay, and seller feedback about this item also seems nefarious, especially by having purchased it from Costco. Of course, a suspicious sign of a counterfeit is the unusually low prices (often 50%-60% discounts) being offered from Ebay sellers.
Hmmm, can anyone help me locate the true identity of this watch? I suspect it is a counterfeit watch. The engraving looks cheaply done, and it appears to only exist on "secondary markets, for such a new model/design. I would appreciate any input on this item. Thanks for the help! #alpina
I love collecting watches. I really enjoy interacting with other collectors. I also like providing information to protect unwary consumers/collectors from purchasing inauthentic watches. We are all in...
I've seen many members post pictures of watches from Costco. My guess would be grey market dealers via Amazon.
I've also seen members of a different forum post up pics of various other luxury brands bought at Costco.
Longines, Tudor, Tag, etc.
This is no different than any of the luxury brands sold on military bases at the Base Exchange's.
I'd also guess there's was the "limited" edition variants, and then just regular variants.
Benrus, Marathon, and many other brands have done this before.
I could be wrong though.
Pretty sure Bulova has done this as well.
The "limited" Lunar Pilots/Mil-Ships and the main line LP's/Mil-Ships.
I've seen many members post pictures of watches from Costco. My guess would be grey market dealers via Amazon.
I've also seen members of a different forum post up pics of various other luxury brands bought at Costco.
Longines, Tudor, Tag, etc.
This is no different than any of the luxury brands sold on military bases at the Base Exchange's.
I'd also guess there's was the "limited" edition variants, and then just regular variants.
Benrus, Marathon, and many other brands have done this before.
I could be wrong though.
Thank you so much, SY. Yeah, I thought that Amazon would be properly vetting these types fo grey market dealers, but Amazon (once again) fulfills its sketchy business practices. I mean, toilet paper? books? Sure, no problem. But I'll never again be buying any watches on Amazon, that's for sure. If you see the actual product description on the "Alpina Store", it looks very official and therefore, deceptive. Very, very tricky.... Fortunately, I quickly returned this item. ;)
I guess I will never know the true identity of this watch, but if it turns up for $150-$200 I wouldn't mind making a purchase, but not at any price above that. Unbelievable, Bezos really makes you work hard to stay live in the Amazon. lol. Thank you so much for your input!
Pretty sure Bulova has done this as well.
The "limited" Lunar Pilots/Mil-Ships and the main line LP's/Mil-Ships.
I need to look more into Bulova. And I am sure they offer nice Limited Editions, but this particular watch is anything but limited...if anything, it is limited to the grey markets you spoke of. :)
Welcome to the fun on wc!!