Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

'Replica' watches are easily spotted by Birmingham auction expert

17th October 2007 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Replica’ watches are easily spotted by Birmingham auction expert

The proliferation of so-called ‘replica’ watches being sold on the internet is not a problem for an established auctioneer in Birmingham.

Fellows & Sons has been based in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, UK, for 131 years.

It puts on four sales of wrist and pocket watches every year.

The latest one is on Monday 22nd October 2007, starting at 11am.

And the firm employs experts to ensure only genuine watches make it into the sale.

Craig Struthers recently joined the firm as a watch cataloguer. He said the ‘replicas’ sold on the internet are normally easily spotted.

“When appraising watches you need to look very closely at the case, movement and dial, and imperfections need to be pointed out” he said.

“These are of upmost importance to watch buyers and collectors alike, as is originality. The movement is also an important aspect, as over the years many watches may not have been regularly serviced or repaired by the inexperienced.

“That said, wrist watches in poor condition have a value, if only for a particular part even as vintage spares can be very difficult to source.”

Craig added that Fellows doesn’t get a huge number of fakes coming in, but they are becoming a little less obvious to spot on first glance, with some companies utilizing genuine parts.

It is not always the well known or higher price antique watches that sell well at auction. There are good quality antique watches in the lower price range that are popular with collectors, as well as watches that may sell over estimate purely on rarity or condition.


NOTES TO EDITORS:

•A Fellows spokesman is available for interview. Call Mary-Ann Long on 0121 212 5500. Or e-mail mary@fellows.co.uk

•Pictures are available on request

•Fellows & Sons is one of the UK’s oldest auctioneers, and is based in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, UK. It was established in 1876 and remains a family business. It is rapidly becoming known as one of the UK’s most technologically advanced auctioneers, using the latest digital marketing techniques and internet bidding technology to open up real life auctions to buyers across the world