Invicta Watches began in 1837 in Switzerland with founder Raphael Picard, who picked the name because “invicta” is the Latin word for “invincible,” according to the company website. The brand was reestablished in 1991 under the name Invicta Watch Group and offers men’s and women’s watches in both dress and sports styles. As with many luxury brands, some unscrupulous people and manufacturers sell Invicta watch replicas, but a few methods can help determine if an Invicta watch is authentic.

Know your price point. Invicta watches typically retail from $295 and up, as of 2010. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Insert a small flat tool, such as a standard screwdriver for eyeglasses, between the notch on the case back and the watch to open the case back, or have an authorized watch repair store do it for you. Examine the inner workings of the watch. If they say “Made in China” or someplace similar, the watch is most probably a fake. Set the case back on the watch, line up the notches and press gently to pop it into place.

Examine the metal clasp on the strap. It should have “Invicta” stamped on it in clean, clear lettering. Fake watches often miss this step or the lettering looks sloppy or off-centered. In addition, the watch itself should be made of high-quality material and all stitching should look clean and even on watches with leather straps.

Check the packaging. All Invicta watches should come in a box, which is usually yellow or clear plastic with the word “Invicta” stamped clearly on the box. In addition, Invicta watches are shipped with a “Certificate of Authenticity.” If there is no certificate with the box or the seller does not have one, the item is probably not authentic.

Ask for detailed photographs and information before purchasing Invicta watches online. The seller should have several clear, up-close photographs of the watch and packaging from several angles. Ask for more photographs and request pictures of important details, such as the Invicta logo on the watch strap. If the seller is reluctant to offer more pictures or answer questions about the authenticity of the watch, use caution when purchasing the item.