If you want a Breguet reference 3358 and you have seen it advertised as a fake, replica, or first copy, the practical advice is short: do not buy it, and put your budget toward a genuine example or a legally branded alternative. Counterfeits of this reference copy the dial layout from photographs, but they cannot copy the movement, the solid gold case, the engine-turned finishing, or the paperwork. The result is a watch that cannot be serviced by the brand, has no resale value, and can be seized at the US border and destroyed. If the 3358 is beyond your budget today, save for it or buy a dress watch from a brand that sells its own designs. That is a better outcome than a counterfeit that looks right in a listing photo and wrong on your wrist.
The reference in plain terms
Reference 3358 sits in the Breguet Classique family: a round, thin dress watch in precious metal with a guilloché dial, blued steel hands, and a restrained case. Production details differ by variant and year, so no single specification sheet describes every example. Treat any figure you read online as a starting point, then confirm the exact variant against brand records or a watchmaker who handles Breguet regularly.
Signs a 3358 is not genuine
- Base metal or gold-plated case that shows wear through to a different color on the edges and lugs.
- Dial printing that is thick, uneven, or missing the fine engine-turned pattern under magnification.
- Caseback stamps that are shallow, misaligned, or share a serial with the movement but not the papers.
- Generic movement with no brand engraving, no proper finishing, and no service history.
- A seller who refuses to let a watchmaker inspect the watch, or who only communicates through marketplaces with stock photos.
Checks worth paying for before you commit
- Ask for photographs of the caseback, the movement, and the hallmarks at high resolution.
- Confirm the serial numbers on the case, movement, and any paperwork match.
- Request an extract from the brand records where the maker offers one for vintage pieces.
- Have an independent watchmaker open the case and check the calibre, the metal, and the dial.
- Buy from a seller who provides a written return window and a warranty that survives the sale.
Parameter bands to expect
Classique dress watches of this generation usually measure in the low to mid 30 millimeter range, with a thin profile that slides under a shirt cuff. Precious metal is the norm, meaning yellow gold, white gold, or platinum, and the strap is normally alligator with a buckle in the matching metal. Water resistance is modest and meant for splashes, not swimming. Any listing that claims oversized dimensions, a steel case, or diver-level water resistance for a 3358 is describing something else.
Pitfalls that cost buyers money
- Prices far below the market for a genuine example. A low price is the primary signal of a counterfeit.
- Papers that look printed rather than stamped, or that name a different reference.
- Photographs reused from other listings, which you can check with a reverse image search.
- Sellers who ask for payment outside a platform with buyer protection.
- Listings that avoid the word counterfeit while using codes like first copy, mirror, or AAA.
FAQ
Is it illegal to buy a fake Breguet in the US?
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal offense, and imported fakes can be seized and destroyed by customs. The safe path is a genuine watch or a watch that does not pretend to be a Breguet.
Will Breguet service a counterfeit 3358?
No. Brand service centers work on genuine pieces and will decline a counterfeit, which leaves you with a watch that no authorized watchmaker will touch.
Do counterfeit 3358 watches hold value?
They do not. There is no collector market, no parts support, and no precious metal content to recover, so resale sits close to zero.
How do I verify a genuine 3358?
Match the serial numbers across case, movement, and papers, confirm the metal hallmarks, and have a qualified watchmaker inspect the calibre. Buy from a dealer who offers a return window.
Bottom line
A genuine Breguet 3358 is a quiet, well made dress watch that rewards patience. A counterfeit is a copy of its photograph. If a listing for this reference looks too cheap, reads like a replica advertisement, or comes from a seller who will not allow an inspection, walk away and keep saving.