How to spot a fake

High-quality Hermes counterfeits exist and some require genuine expertise to identify. The most reliable protection is buying from authenticated resale platforms. Fashionphile, Rebag, and the major auction houses authenticate every piece they sell. For private purchases, specialist authentication services including Entrupy, which uses AI and microscopic imaging, and Authenticate First provide reliable independent authentication

Physical tells on Hermes include the stitching, which is done by hand with a specific saddle stitch technique that is visible and consistent, the hardware, which should be heavy and precisely machined, the date stamp, which records the year and workshop of manufacture, and the leather grain and finish, which are specific to each leather type.

CollectorGrade take

The date stamp inside an Hermes bag is not authentication by itself. Counterfeits include fake date stamps. Authentication requires examining the totality of the bag, including stitching quality, hardware precision, and leather characteristics, in combination.