Answer
A fake Audemars Piguet 26401TI fails on weight, movement, dial texture, and engravings. A real 26401TI on a rubber strap weighs about 110 grams. A steel fake weighs 150 grams or more. The caseback shows the Calibre 3126/3840. Fake movements have wrong finishing, wrong rotor engraving, or a different balance wheel location.
Weight and Case Material
The 26401TI case is grade 5 titanium. Titanium is 45% lighter than steel. A real watch head weighs about 90 grams. A fake in steel feels heavy. The case has a matte gray finish. Polished areas appear on the bezel screws and chamfers. Fake cases have a shiny chrome look or uneven brushing.
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Bezel and Screws
The bezel is black ceramic. It has eight hex screws. The screws are titanium and sit flush. The slots in the screw heads align with the case edge. Fake bezels use plastic or coated steel. The screws may be glued or misaligned. The ceramic feels smooth and cold. Plastic feels warm and scratches.
Dial Details
The dial has a "Mega Tapisserie" pattern. The squares are raised and have a matte grain. Fake dials have flat squares or a printed grid. The AP logo is applied in white gold. It has sharp edges. The date window at 3 o'clock has a black background. The date font is specific: the "1" has a flat top, the "4" is open. Fake date wheels have a different font or the date sits high in the window.
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Movement and Caseback
The 26401TI has a sapphire caseback. The movement is Calibre 3126/3840. The rotor is 22k gold with a "AP" logo and "Audemars Piguet" engraving. The balance wheel runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The chronograph seconds hand sweeps 8 times per second. Fake movements run at 21,600 vph (6 beats). The rotor may be steel with a sticker. The engraving on the caseback is shallow. Real engraving is deep and crisp.
Serial and Reference Numbers
The caseback has two numbers: a serial number and a reference number. The reference is "26401TI.OO.A027CA.01" for the rubber strap version. The serial is a six-digit number. The numbers are engraved, not printed. Fake numbers have the wrong format or use a generic number like "123456".
Strap and Buckle
The strap is black rubber with a "AP" pattern. It has a titanium pin buckle. The buckle has "Audemars Piguet" engraved on the back. Fake straps smell like plastic or have a glossy finish. The buckle is steel, not titanium.
Price and Source
A real 26401TI sells for $28,000 to $40,000 on the secondary market. A price below $15,000 is a red flag. No authorized dealer sells this model new. It was discontinued. Buy from a trusted seller with papers and service history.