A fake master calendar is a replica watch that copies a triple calendar or full calendar. It shows the day, date, and month. Many also include a moonphase. The movement is a Chinese automatic or quartz. Prices run from $40 to $500.
What a Master Calendar Does
A master calendar, also called a triple calendar, displays three date elements. The day window sits at 12 o'clock. The date window sits at 3 o'clock. The month window sits at 9 o'clock. A moonphase or 24-hour subdial sits at 6 o'clock. Jaeger-LeCoultre made the Master Calendar famous. The real watch costs $10,000 or more.
How Replica Calendars Work
Most fake master calendars use a Chinese automatic movement. The movement has a calendar module. The module sits on top of a base movement. The module advances the day, date, and month. The date changes at midnight. But the day and month may not change at the right time. The moonphase is often a 24-hour day/night disk. It does not track the actual moon.
Common Problems
- Date changes at noon, not midnight.
- Month wheel jumps two months at once.
- Moonphase disk turns once per 24 hours.
- Day window is misaligned.
- Crown has three positions, but one is fake.
What to Check Before Buying
Ask for a video of the date change. Watch the day, date, and month windows. Check if the date flips at midnight. Check if the moonphase moves one step per day. Ask for the movement name. Common movements are Seagull ST16, Hangzhou 6460, or Miyota 9015 with a calendar module. A genuine master calendar has a precise movement. A fake one often has a loose module.
Legal Note
In the US, selling counterfeit watches is illegal. Buying one for personal use is not a crime in most states. But customs can seize the package. The risk is on the buyer.