First things first, let’s talk about the *feel* of the thing. I know, sounds kinda wishy-washy, but a genuine Citizen, even a cheaper one, usually *feels* solid. Does it feel flimsy? Lightweight in a way that makes ya go “hmmm”? That’s a red flag right there. Also, check the finishing. Are the edges smooth? Is the dial clean and crisp? Sloppy work is a dead giveaway. Trust your gut!
Then there’s the whole font thing. Now, I’m no font expert (lol), but Citizen *tends* to be pretty consistent with their fonts. If the lettering on the dial looks off, or the printing is blurry, that’s not a good sign. Google some pics of the real deal model and compare them closely. Ya gotta be a bit of a detective here!
Now for the back of the watch. This is where things get interesting. A *real* Citizen should have a serial number and the model number engraved (not just printed!) on the case back. Is it missing? Big problem. Is it there, but kinda looks like it was scratched on by a toddler with a dull spoon? Even bigger problem. Google that serial number and model number, see what pops up. If it’s a completely different watch or nothing at all… well, you know.
And listen, about those “Mint New-Old-Stock Citizen Diver” deals you see online… yeah, be SUPER careful. Apparently, those are often fake, especially the ones that look suspiciously like Rolex divers (seriously, why would a Citizen try to look like a Rolex? Makes no sense!). If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
I bought a watch once off eBay that was supposed to be a rare Seiko. Turns out, it was faker than a three-dollar bill. The seller was probably just sitting on a pile of fakes and hoping to fool someone. Learn from my mistakes, people!
Honestly, if you bought it for a ridiculously low price… I mean, maybe you got a steal, but maybe you got burned. Look, if you’re still unsure, take it to a reputable watchmaker. They can pop the back off and take a look at the movement. That’s the real test. A genuine Citizen movement will be, well, genuine. A fake? It’ll be some cheap, generic thing.
