A fake Breguet 3317 is a counterfeit copy of the Breguet Classique reference 3317, a hand-wound gold dress watch with a small seconds dial at 6 o'clock. Real examples use a hand-engine-turned guilloché dial, a solid gold case with correct Swiss hallmarks, and a Breguet-signed mechanical movement visible through a sapphire caseback. Counterfeits usually substitute a stamped or printed dial pattern, a gold-plated brass or steel case, and an unbranded or loosely engraved movement. The gap shows up fastest in the dial texture, the caseback engravings, and the weight in the hand.
What is the Breguet 3317?
The 3317 sits in Breguet's Classique line, the collection that carries the brand's traditional guilloché dials and thin dress-watch proportions. It is a manually wound watch, typically around 35 to 36 mm, with a silvered dial, Roman numerals, blued hands, and a sub-dial for seconds. Production spans the 1990s and 2000s, which is why secondary-market listings vary widely in case metal, dial finish, and paperwork.
What gives a fake Breguet 3317 away?
- Dial texture. Genuine guilloché is cut by a rose engine, so the lines catch light and shift as you tilt the watch. Fakes print or stamp the pattern, and it looks flat under a loupe.
- Hands and markers. Blued steel hands on a real piece have a deep, even tone and crisp edges. Counterfeit hands often look painted, with soft tips and uneven length.
- Caseback engraving. Reference numbers, case numbers, and gold hallmarks should be sharp, correctly spaced, and consistent with the metal.
- Movement finish. A real Breguet movement is signed, decorated, and adjusted. Fakes hide generic bridges or use decals that peel.
- Crystal and crown. Sapphire versus mineral glass is easy to test with a drop of water or a scratch check. The crown should carry a clean signature and operate smoothly.
Do fake Breguet 3317 watches use real gold?
Almost never. Most counterfeits use gold-plated brass or stainless steel, which is why they feel light and why the plating wears through at the lugs and crown. A jeweler's acid test or a quick X-ray fluorescence reading settles the question in seconds. Solid gold cases also carry precise hallmarks that fakes rarely reproduce correctly.
How much should a Breguet 3317 cost?
Authentic 3317 examples trade in the five-figure US dollar range depending on metal, condition, and box and papers. Counterfeits sell for a few hundred dollars, so an asking price far below market is the single clearest warning sign. Any seller who explains a low price with an estate story or a missing box deserves extra scrutiny.
What are the risks of buying or reselling a counterfeit?
Counterfeit watches are seizable goods in the United States, and US Customs and Border Protection can detain or destroy shipments that infringe a trademark. Selling a copy as genuine exposes you to fraud and trademark claims, plus civil damages. Buyers also lose warranty coverage, parts availability, and realistic water resistance, because counterfeit gaskets and cases are not tested to the claimed rating.
How do you verify a Breguet 3317 before buying?
Ask for macro photographs of the dial, caseback, hallmarks, and movement, then compare them against catalog images of the same reference. Request service records and original papers, and confirm the serial number with an authorized Breguet retailer or a qualified watchmaker. For any high-value purchase, pay for a third-party authentication or an escrow arrangement before money changes hands.
FAQ
Is a fake Breguet 3317 water resistant?
Do not assume it is. Counterfeit cases rarely seal properly, and even light hand washing can fog the dial.
Can a watchmaker service a counterfeit Breguet?
Some will, but parts for unbranded clone movements are inconsistent, and authorized Breguet service centers will refuse the watch.
Does the 3317 have a display caseback?
Many examples do, which is a useful check: a genuine movement should be signed, decorated, and finished to a high standard.