The best fake Rendez-Vous Back of the Moon watch for most buyers is the version with a Swiss ETA or Sellita base movement and a properly set moonphase module, not the cheapest quartz or decorated automatic. Focus on three things: the moonphase disc (does it track the lunar cycle or just spin?), the case profile (Rendez-Vous cases are slim and curved), and the seller's ability to show real photos and a short video of the moonphase changing. Skip listings that reuse brand catalog images and promise '1:1' without movement details.

What 'Rendez-Vous Back of the Moon' Means in the Replica Market

Jaeger-LeCoultre's Rendez-Vous line is a women's collection with elegant round cases, textured dials, and complications such as moonphase. 'Back of the Moon' is not an official model name. Sellers use it to describe a replica with a moonphase display, often at 6 o'clock, and a caseback that may show a decorated rotor or a closed back with engraving. Because the name is unofficial, two sellers can list very different watches under the same phrase. Verify dimensions, movement, and moonphase type before you compare offers.

What to Look For

Movement

  • Swiss ETA 2824-2, Sellita SW200, or a high-grade Asian clone (Seagull ST21, Hangzhou 6300) with a moonphase module.
  • Quartz moonphase replicas exist, but the hands often tick and the moon disc may jump once a day instead of advancing gradually.
  • Ask for a photo of the movement or a short video with the caseback open. A closed caseback is not a deal breaker, but it limits what you can check.

Moonphase

  • A real moonphase completes one cycle in about 29.5 days. A day/night disc completes one cycle in 24 hours.
  • Check the moonphase aperture shape: Rendez-Vous styles use a curved or circular window, not a generic rectangular cutout.
  • Look for printed stars and a moon that sits behind a gradient sky. Flat stickers and dull printing are common on low-grade fakes.

Case and Dial

  • Case size: 34 mm to 38 mm for most Rendez-Vous styles. A 40 mm case will look wrong on a small wrist.
  • Lug shape: short, curved lugs that hug the wrist. Sharp or long lugs are a sign of a generic case.
  • Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating. Mineral glass scratches and shows more glare.
  • Dial finish: sunray, guilloché, or mother-of-pearl. Look for clean printing and aligned markers.

Strap and Clasp

  • Leather strap with alligator grain or a satin finish. Cheap straps have plastic edges and smell like glue.
  • Deployant clasp or pin buckle. Check that the clasp engraving is crisp and the strap fits the lug width.

Parameter Bands to Compare

  • Case diameter: 34 mm to 38 mm (women's), 38 mm to 40 mm (unisex oversized).
  • Case thickness: 9 mm to 12 mm. Slimmer cases match the Rendez-Vous profile.
  • Water resistance: 30 m to 50 m. Do not swim with a replica unless a watchmaker has tested the seals.
  • Movement: Swiss automatic or high-grade Asian automatic with a moonphase module. Avoid no-name quartz if you want a sweeping seconds hand and a gradual moon disc.
  • Power reserve: 38 to 42 hours for ETA/Sellita base movements.
  • Moonphase cycle: 29.5 days. Test by advancing the time forward 24 hours and watching the moon disc move a small step.

Common Pitfalls

  • Buying from a listing that uses 'back of the moon' as a buzzword but shows a day/night disc in the photos.
  • Trusting 'Swiss made' on a replica. Swiss made has a legal definition, and most replicas do not meet it.
  • Paying extra for '1:1' without seeing the movement, caseback, or moonphase in motion.
  • Ignoring customs risk. Counterfeit watches can be seized, and buyers may face legal consequences depending on local law.

FAQ

Is a fake Rendez-Vous Back of the Moon watch legal to buy?

In the United States, buying counterfeit goods is illegal in many contexts, and customs can seize shipments. The legal risk falls on the buyer and seller. Treat any purchase as a personal risk decision.

How can I tell a real moonphase from a day/night disc?

Advance the time by 24 hours. A day/night disc moves a full half cycle or switches completely. A moonphase moves only a small fraction of its 29.5-day cycle.

What should I ask the seller before paying?

Ask for the movement name, case diameter and thickness, crystal material, water resistance rating, and a short video that shows the moonphase advancing. Ask whether the watch is in stock or built to order.

Will a replica Rendez-Vous hold value?

No. Replica watches are not investment pieces. Resale is limited, and condition and movement type matter more than the model name on the listing.