Chanel Handbag - Fake or Real? How do I check the serial number?

Unfortunately, there are fake Chanel handbags aplenty. 9 out of 10 of the Chanel handbags we inspect are fakes! There's nothing worse than paying a lot of money for a fake, which is why we help you distinguish a fake from an original handbag. With our guide, we'll show you how to identify if your luxury handbag might be a counterfeit. We hope to provide more tips on this topic than other blogs. Feel free to leave us your feedback.

 

Where can I get a Chanel bag and how much does it cost?

First and foremost, it should be noted that Chanel handbags are sold exclusively in their own boutiques; bags cannot currently be purchased from the Chanel online shop. Chanel also never offers sale discounts or sells second-choice products. If you are offered an original, brand-new Chanel handbag for sale, rest assured that the seller is not acting on behalf of the Chanel brand nor is they authorized by Chanel.

There are numerous platforms / second-hand shops and websites where used bags can be purchased.

We also offer a beautiful selection of authentic Chanel handbags in our shop. Just click here: Chanel Bags

We are always on the lookout for a bargain, but you should never lose sight of reality: Why would someone offer a hardly worn, very well-preserved, original Chanel bag for less than half its new price? No seller incurs more loss than necessary.

Chanel usually increases prices annually, so a medium-sized bag now costs more than €8,000. Nobody sells such a model in acceptable condition for under €2,000.

Keep your eyes open when buying second-hand!

 

What materials does Chanel use for handbags?

We have compiled a selection of frequently used materials here. Chanel also uses other materials, such as goat leather, deer leather, tweed, canvas, denim, velvet, or plexiglass.

Bags made from these materials can also be reliably checked for authenticity by us.

Generally, it's important to note: The material never smells chemical, never like plastic or otherwise unpleasant.

1. Lambskin

The lambskin used is incredibly soft, smooth, velvety, and has a buttery-soft sheen.

It is obvious that it is a luxury product, as only the finest materials are used. If your bag is smooth but not baby-soft, you have the right to be suspicious.

2. Caviar Leather

Caviar leather, on the other hand, is made from grained calfskin. It feels textured and is much more robust compared to lambskin.

Among Chanel handbag fans, the grained surface of the leather is the most popular choice. If you run your hand over a genuine Chanel bag, you should be able to feel the raised small dimples.

3. Untreated Calfskin / Glazed Calfskin

Untreated calfskin is thick, more robust, and more durable than lambskin, yet still smooth and fine. Here too, it's quickly apparent that only high-quality, undamaged leather has been processed. 

Glazed calfskin has a beautiful subtle sheen. If your bag is a vintage model, the leather will certainly show slight scratches/abrasions, as this leather is very susceptible.

4. Patent Leather

The patent leather used exhibits a polished sheen, is structured, feels good to the touch, and shines. It does not feel "plastic-like." This leather also requires intensive care and will certainly show small imperfections in worn vintage models.

5. Exotic Leather

This can include python, alligator, or lizard leather. The leather is very delicate, and we recommend having its authenticity checked in any case, unless you purchased the bag directly from Chanel.

 

Interior of the Chanel Handbag

Not only the exterior is made of high-quality leather, but also the lining. An authentic Chanel bag has a tight, snug lining. Feel how the leather fits seamlessly, is smooth, and feels very high quality. If the lining shows wrinkles, creases, bubbles, or bumps - in short, if it is not perfectly smooth and taut - you should be suspicious.

Even with vintage bags, the leather does not feel stretched out and does not stand away, or if so, only minimally.

The Seams of the Chanel Handbag

An authentic Chanel bag has a high stitch count so that the quilting doesn't puff up. You can easily find the stitches in the fields or the outlines of each quilted diamond.

Count the stitches on each side. If there are fewer than 8, you have a fake bag. A genuine bag has 8 to 12 stitches on each side of the diamond.

The latest Chanel bags have at least 9 stitches per side. Older Chanel bags have 8.

However, there is no authentic Chanel bag in the world with fewer than 8 stitches per side. A low stitch count means puffier diamonds, which indicates it's a fake.

Quilting / Seams of the Chanel Handbag

The typical Chanel quilting features a very high stitch count in its seams. This is necessary so that the diamond pattern does not look puffed up – which is often the case with counterfeits. Therefore, always pay attention to the stitch count!

• The stitches are never interrupted, double-stitched, or knotted.
• Never fewer than 8 stitches are placed per diamond.
• Rule of thumb: 10 stitches per inch (always tightly sewn, never loose threads)
• Pay attention to the back! Here too, there are no interruptions in the seams.
• Robust, color-matched thread is used (except for some very high-priced special models or limited editions).
• With heavily used vintage bags, the diamonds/pattern may slightly distort. However, this never happens with newer bags.

Hardware / Logo / Metal Elements of the Chanel Handbag

It is always high-quality metal: ruthenium, shiny silver, brushed, matte, pale, or antique gold finish. The logo inside the bag must match the color of the logo on the outside, and the screws used also do not differ in color. The hardware is always engraved with a CC or the Chanel lettering.

On authentic Chanel handbags and wallets, the right C overlaps the left C at the top edge of the logo. At the same time, the left C overlaps the right C at the bottom. The CC lock should be centered and symmetrical, the ends are flat, and the edges of the CC are also slightly softened at the edges. The fake CC often has sharp, angled edges.

Back of the Chanel Lock

The back of the lock is a gold/silver, rectangular plate attached with two equally gold/silver screws on both sides. Chanel uses Torx screws (flat). Phillips screws are never used. The inscriptions "Chanel" and "Paris" are evenly spaced, very clear and distinct, and cleanly stamped in a uniform font and size. (Chanel on the left / Paris on the right)
 

Strap of the Chanel Handbag

The chain straps are heavy, the metal is smooth, without scratches or dents, and the color is never faded.

With fake bags, it is often very light, and the metal can even rattle slightly. Note also that with Chanel, the metal elements are always well closed (no / very small gaps).

With fakes, the leather straps are machine-stitched, sometimes with crooked seams or unevenness; this is never the case with the original.

Authenticity Card / ID Card of the Chanel Handbag

• The accompanying ID card is always black and as sturdy and firm as a bank card – not a thin plastic card. The card should be 8.5 cm long and 5.4 cm high. It should not show any unevenness, stains, printing errors, or illegible areas. These indicate fake authenticity cards.
• The embossed numbers on the authenticity card include 6 to 8 digits and match the numbers and font on the hologram / sticker / serial number inside the bag.
• An original ID card does not show a so-called rainbow effect. The gold edge should not scratch off easily. It should be consistently clean, clear, and neat.

TIP: If in doubt, enter the serial number into Google; counterfeiters often use the same serial number multiple times. However, for Chanel, the serial number is unique, meaning it is only assigned once. Compare your bank card/credit card with the Chanel ID card. The stability of both cards should be roughly identical.

Check Hologram/Serial Number Inside Chanel Bag

Does every Chanel bag have a serial number?

Since 1984, every Chanel bag has had a serial number inside. This is usually located in the lower left corner or on a zipper pocket.

IMPORTANT: The serial number is always identical to the one on the ID card.

ATTENTION: Since 2021, every Chanel bag has a microchip sewn in, which can be read. No ID card with a serial number is issued anymore.

What does the serial number indicate?

The serial number indicates, among other things, the year of manufacture of the bag:

1984-1986: 6 digits

1986-2005: 7 digits (1st digit stands for the year of manufacture 0-9)

From late 2005 onwards: 8 digits (1st + 2nd digit stand for the year of manufacture)

 

List of Chanel Serial Numbers

TIP: Counterfeiters are now also producing deceptively authentic-looking invoices – does the invoice date match the bag's alleged manufacturing year?

What does the Chanel hologram look like?

1984-2000:

The glued sticker features many small CC logos in the background.

From 2000 onwards:

The serial number is on a white sticker, which is covered with a thin film that has an X-perforation. This is intended to prevent manipulation by peeling it off. The sticker has two small golden CC logos above the serial number. On closer inspection, you can also see small "golden speckles." On the right side of the sticker, "CHANEL" is printed vertically in black.

Stamp of the Chanel Brand Name

On every Chanel bag, the brand name is cleanly and evenly stamped on the lining. Depending on the model, the brand name Chanel is also stamped on an attached pouch made of the same leather. The color of the brand stamp should perfectly match the color of your bag's hardware.
If your bag's hardware is gold-colored and the stamp is silver or a different color, it is not a genuine Chanel bag, but a replica.

Dust Bag of the Chanel Handbag

If your Chanel bag was manufactured in the 2000s or later, the dust bag should be black. In the 80s and 90s, the dust bag was white.

The material of a genuine Chanel dust bag is hard cotton and is inscribed with a white "Chanel" in the center. If the brand name is crooked, untidy, or poorly printed, you should be very, very suspicious. Sometimes the fake dust bag is so poorly made that the cords are made of shoelaces.

Your Chanel Handbag Stands on Its Own

Your empty handbag should be able to stand upright. If it repeatedly tips over, then doubts are justified, unless it is a WOC (Wallet on Chain) model.

Conclusion Chanel Handbag

There are so many good fake Chanel bags on the market, and many of them look great and authentic, are made from high-quality materials, and smell authentic too. But even a top-notch fake can still have one or more flaws. Sure, the leather might be real lambskin or caviar leather, but you'll spot flaws on the hardware or the authenticity card.

The flaws might seem small and insignificant, but they are a clear sign that it is not a genuine, top-class, incredibly expensive, and luxurious Chanel handbag, revered throughout the world.

If you are unsure, visit our website and purchase our authenticity authentication service.