Fake LM?

[SeikoSoMatic]

This 5606-7270 caught my eye for its fabulous look and condition.

I was briefly tempted to make an offer, but then I compared the pictures to the original catalog photo, and to other examples on the internet.

I suddenly realized this is probably a high-quality fake.
There are undisputable differences in details to the original that convince me that this watch is not genuine.

This I would say is (unfortunately) next-level quality, as far as counterfeits go.

But as always you have to be sceptical when a "vintage" piece looks newer and even better than NOS.

The saying "too good to be true" comes to mind.

Here and here the original blue version.

The giveaways are the day/date window without the cutaway into the chapter ring, and the case info text at the bottom.
The case codes are with pointy "A"s and all pushed together.

On the original the dial markings are with spacing and flat-top "A"s, and a T-dial rather than R-dial.

Here is a catalog picture of the model the way it's supposed to look, disregarding the original facetted crystal.

Opinions?

[Fergus]

My thoughts are, based on the case back seal corrosion pitting, that its a reworked case original.

With a new movement and incorrect crystal.

[tempelkim]

Yes, definitely wrong crystal. Should have a faceted one. The rest I think is 'original' - why would one fake a green golden LM? The cutout in the bezel seems to be unique to the blue model. The green one does not have it. See page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f511315548 for example.

[SeikoSoMatic]

May 10, 2021 8:15:11 GMT -8 tempelkim said:

Yes, definitely wrong crystal. Should have a faceted one. The rest I think is 'original' - why would one fake a green golden LM? The cutout in the bezel seems to be unique to the blue model. The green one does not have it. See page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f511315548 for example.

In the catalog from 1973 the green one does have it. Also see here.

It's interesting to see that apparently some didn't, though. No case text visible in your example, unfortunately.
Maybe it isn't a "fake"?

[aac58]

May 10, 2021 8:23:30 GMT -8 SeikoSoMatic said:

May 10, 2021 8:15:11 GMT -8 tempelkim said:

Yes, definitely wrong crystal. Should have a faceted one. The rest I think is 'original' - why would one fake a green golden LM? The cutout in the bezel seems to be unique to the blue model. The green one does not have it. See page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f511315548 for example.

In the catalog from 1973 the green one does have it. Also see here.

It's interesting to see that apparently some didn't, though. No case text visible in your example, unfortunately.
Maybe it isn't a "fake"?

Maybe there are several variations on this model. I have a green dial with the cutout in the chapter ring, and also with a golden day/date frame instead of black.

Ah! And with the wrong crystal too! Thank good I don't really like faceted crystals 

[SeikoSoMatic]

That's the one in the catalog, without the facetted crystal.
And yours has the correct case codes, it looks like.

[aac58]

As you said, flat A tops and a 7560-T dial.

[SeikoSoMatic]

FWIW, the seller has withdrawn the item.