First off, let’s just say, if it seemed too good to be true price-wise at Gabriel Brothers, it probably *is*. Think about it, Apple doesn’t exactly discount their stuff by, like, 80%. So, if it was sitting there next to the discounted sweatpants looking like a steal, alarm bells should have been ringing.
Now, here’s the thing. Finding out if it’s a genuine Apple product can be a bit of a pain, but there are some things you can check. The serial number is your best friend here. It’s usually engraved somewhere, often on the back of the watch itself, or you can find it deep inside the settings menu on the watch (Settings > About, if memory serves). If you *can’t* find a serial number *at all*, well, that’s a HUGE red flag. Pop that bad boy into Apple’s website (there’s a “check coverage” tool on their site somewhere) and see if it registers. If it comes up as a legit Apple Watch, you’re probably good. But if it says “serial number invalid” or something equally unhelpful, bummer.
And, I dunno, I think the *feel* of the thing is important too. Apple stuff *feels* premium. Does it feel cheap and plasticky? Are the buttons wobbly? Does the screen look kinda… washed out? These are all warning signs. And the UI. Omg, the UI! A real Apple Watch’s interface is smooth as butter. If the fake one is laggy, glitchy, and looks like it was designed in 1998, I think it’s safe to say it’s not an Apple Watch.
I’ve heard stories about people’s wives (weirdly specific, right?) who buy these fake watches *on purpose* to turn them into jewelry when they break. I guess there’s some kind of artistic value there? But honestly, if you were trying to get a real Apple Watch and got stuck with a fake, that sucks big time.
