A fake Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 67651 exposes itself in five places: the eight bezel screws, the tapisserie dial texture, the caseback engravings and serial number, the diamond bezel setting, and the paperwork trail. Because the genuine 67651 is a quartz watch, the usual "sweeping seconds hand" test means nothing here. Verify the serial number with the brand before any payment changes hands.
What is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 67651?
The 67651 is the quartz Royal Oak in a 33 mm case, offered in steel, rose gold and white gold with diamond-set bezel options and an integrated bracelet. Reference data lists the movement as the quartz calibre 2713. Its smaller size, iconic octagonal bezel and wide secondary-market spread make it a frequent counterfeiting target.
How do you spot a fake Royal Oak 67651?
Counterfeit 67651s usually fail at the same six checkpoints. Work through them in order, because the cheap tells surface before the expensive ones.
1. The eight bezel screws
Genuine AP bezel screws are white gold, hex-head, and sit flush with the bezel surface. Their slots align on a radius drawn from the center of the case, cut to a consistent standard. On counterfeit cases the slots face random directions, the heads sit proud or sunken, and the hex opening looks stamped rather than milled.
2. Dial texture and printing
The tapisserie pattern is stamped into the dial blank with crisp, evenly spaced pyramids that catch light from every angle. Fakes use shallow molded or printed texture that looks flat under a loupe. Check the applied logo and its letter spacing, the date aperture edges, and the "SWISS MADE" line at six o'clock.
3. Caseback engraving and serial number
A real caseback carries the reference (for example 67651ST), the metal code, the caliber and a unique serial, all cut to the same depth and finish. Counterfeits often reuse one serial across many watches or laser-etch the text too faintly. Ask for a sharp macro photo of the caseback before you commit.
4. The diamond bezel
Factory diamonds are matched for color and clarity and set with uniform prongs and spacing. Cubic zirconia substitutes photo brighter and whiter than diamonds and show chipped edges up close. A jeweler with a thermal or reflectivity tester confirms the stones in minutes.
5. Bracelet, clasp and finishing
Genuine links taper gradually, bracelet screws are finished, and the clasp logo is deep and sharp. Counterfeit bracelets feel light, taper incorrectly, and carry shallow clasp engraving. Run a fingernail along the bevels, since real cases have a polished chamfer and fakes leave a soft rounded edge.
6. Movement behavior and weight
The 67651 is quartz, so a ticking hand proves nothing. What matters is the date change, the crown feel, and whether the watch matches a documented caliber. Genuine cases in the same metal also weigh more than counterfeit equivalents.
Can you verify a Royal Oak 67651 serial number?
Yes. Audemars Piguet can confirm a serial against its production records and issues an Extract from the Archives for a fee. A service history from an authorized AP center is stronger proof than any box or paper set. Fakes cannot pass this step because their numbers never appear in the manufacturer's database.
Why do 67651 fakes look convincing online?
Listing photos hide exactly the details that matter: screw alignment, tapisserie depth and engraving quality. Sellers also mix genuine stock images with counterfeit product shots. Request timestamped photos and a short video of the watch running, and pay only through a service with buyer protection.
Is buying a counterfeit watch legal in the United States?
No. Counterfeit goods infringe trademarks and can be seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on import. Counterfeit watches also cannot be serviced by the brand, and authorized watchmakers do not stock parts for them. Resale value on a counterfeit is effectively zero.
What should a genuine 67651 include?
- Certificate or digital warranty registration matching the serial number
- The correct reference and metal code on the caseback
- Uniform, matched diamonds in the bezel
- A successful serial search with the brand
Quick verdict
Focus on screws, dial texture, caseback engraving and the diamond setting. Those four checks eliminate most counterfeit 67651s on sight. If a seller refuses a serial check or an independent inspection, walk away.