A genuine Hermès is recognised by the consistency of a set of details, never a single clue. High-end counterfeits imitate the shape well; they almost always betray the artisan's hand. Here's what our leather experts check systematically.
The essential checkpoints
- The saddle stitch. Hand-sewn with two needles, slightly slanted and perfectly regular. Stitches that are too perfect (machine) or irregular are a red flag.
- The leather. Distinct, consistent grain (Togo, Epsom, Clémence…), with a characteristic feel and smell. Leather that's too stiff, plasticky or odourless raises concern.
- The "HERMÈS PARIS MADE IN FRANCE" stamp. Clean, fine, perfectly aligned. Blurry or too-deep characters are suspect.
- The blind stamp. The dating letter (sometimes in a square/circle depending on the era), consistent with the model and the wear; its logic must agree with the rest.
- The hardware. Gold- or palladium-plated, heavy, engraved "HERMÈS", burr-free. Riri zip stamped, clochette, padlock and keys numbered and matching.
- The finishes. Regular painted edges, feet (on the Birkin), lining and alignment all flawless.
The most common pitfalls
A good counterfeit may nail the stamp or the shape, but stumbles on the whole: saddle stitch too regular, light hardware, an inconsistent blind stamp, poorly painted edges, odourless leather. And the accessories (box, clochette, receipt) are copied too — they never prove authenticity on their own.
Having your piece authenticated
A visual check gives a strong presumption, but only a physical appraisal settles it — all the more so on Hermès, a heavily targeted segment. At Ecrila, every bag is checked by hand before any firm offer — discover our appraisal approach. If the examination reveals a counterfeit, no offer is made and the piece is returned to you free of charge.
Once reassured about authenticity, see how much your Hermès bag is worth on resale or present it directly to obtain a buyback.