$28.7M of Fake Audemars Piguet Watches Seized at Texas

[malarky_hk]

Stumbled across this article while searching for something else. Hats off to the border agents for not allowing this fake crap to get on the market.



U.S. Customs and Border Protection Import Specialists and Officers Seize Counterfeit Watches Valued at $28.7 Million

(Monday, July 09, 2012)

Laredo, Texas – The Import Specialist Enforcement Team (ISET) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Laredo Port of Entry recently seized a commercial shipment of counterfeit watches and other watches used to facilitate the importation carrying a combined retail value of $28.7 million.

In the enforcement action, a CBP import specialist at World Trade Bridge selected a shipment of watches for an enforcement examination. In the course of their examination, CBP officers and import specialists discovered possible infringement of the Louis Arden and Audemars Piguet design trademarks, which are trademark recorded with CBP. CBP subsequently on June 29 seized 10 boxes containing 1,120 watches found to be infringing on the Audemars Piguet design trademark as well as 28 boxes containing 3,080 watches determined to be used to facilitate the importation of the violative watches also were seized. The combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price, had the Audemars Piguet trademark been genuine, was $28.7 million.

“This is one of the highest valued seizures in terms of MSRP in the history of the Port of Laredo,” said Sidney Aki, CBP port director, Laredo Port of Entry. “Our ISET team has proven its excellence and its continued vigilance helps companies, especially those that register their trademarks with CBP, feel confident that their intellectual and property rights are protected.”

[Welshwatchman]

4,000 Fakies.

More like $80,000 at cost $500,000 at "retail".

Still, I'd love to be at the crushing.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

CBP subsequently on June 29 seized 10 boxes containing 1,120 watches found to be infringing on the Audemars Piguet design trademark ... The combined manufacturer’s suggested retail price, had the Audemars Piguet trademark been genuine, was $28.7 million.

$25,625 each? Come on, realistically that has a street value of probably $100k tops. Good riddance to garbage and to the importer/dealer. Unfortunately, the proliferation of fakes causes our watches to cost slightly more as manufactures spend more on anti-fake campaigns, litigation, and technologies.

[MonBK]

had the Audemars Piguet trademark been genuine, was $28.7 million.

[ChristianN]

Hmm.. I'm not always sure what I'm reading when it comes to these things; are they talking about actual fakes or watches imported by someone else thus making them violoate the TM in the US?

[Lgear080]

would like to see what the quality of the fakes looked like.

[Hairdude1]

Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by ChristianN

Hmm.. I'm not always sure what I'm reading when it comes to these things; are they talking about actual fakes or watches imported by someone else thus making them violoate the TM in the US?

Actual fakes.

Originally Posted by Lgear080

would like to see what the quality of the fakes looked like.

Bah. looks like no matter how much perfume you spray on it. Way to go CBP!

[Bulliondesk]

lol. "had the Audemars Piguet trademark been genuine, was $28.7 million" they weren't.. so that's a moot point. Journalism today is a such a joke..

[ChristianN]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Actual fakes.



Bah. looks like no matter how much perfume you spray on it. Way to go CBP!

Then yey, hope they got smashed to pieces.

As for the fake vs real value - if even 10% of these where passed off as genuine to some poor bloke on ebay that's $2,8 million....

[nick c]

[texex91]

FAKES

[Demonoid]

Its sad when people want to show off and the go ahead and buy a fake watch. Besides they are trash. If you cant afford the real thing dont cut corners.

[Glenn422]

Im so happy reading this

[jamilf]

Hate fakes. They do a big disservice to ppl who buy real APs!!

[Genesis]

I'm glad they got them...Unfortunately there will be a whole bunch more along shortly...

[Mickey®]

Great!

[Nidal]

Some fakes take an expert to identify. Makes you wonder the true cost of the original. I'd say a 8500$ sub costs 2 k to manufacture A to Z.

[Nidal]

I want to see the online Replica Rolex market demise.

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by Nidal

Some fakes take an expert to identify. Makes you wonder the true cost of the original. I'd say a 8500$ sub costs 2 k to manufacture A to Z.

There are loads of posts about that I'd be surprised if Rolex hasn't gotten their cost well below that....

[brkanand]

Just imagine the number of fake Rolexes going around! Scary!

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Nidal

I want to see the online Replica Rolex market demise.

Might as well wish for no more fake Gucci, RayBans, hell even Viagra.

[ddczre]

I just picked up my first AP Diver from David today. Feel very comfortable its real w warranty, sealed, AD stamped etc.
i started looking online for what a bracelet would run and stumbled across this site with amvideo of the fakes! Man, they appear identical and thats really scarey. Take a look.

http://puretime.co/puretube/mobile/a...f90958e6c.html

And to imagine they are putting in Swiss movements as well. Blew me away.

Daniel