Hermes. A sonorous name with an immense radiance. The Birkin and Kelly models are most sought -after on the market and are even considered solid investments. No wonder that the prices for copies have risen sharply in the past few years. Of course, this also calls for counterfeiters caught for decades that try to earn money with copies and rely on the ignorance of potential customers. In addition to the fact that the bags are considered a sign of maximum elegance, they were used as props over the years, even in countless film productions. Most recently, Jonah Hill showed a strong preference for black Hermès Birkins in the Netflix production "Don’t Look Up". The one he led Bag Symbolically stands for everything that can be achieved in the earthly world and plays a special role in satire. The Bag Even towards the end, it was given a donation for his own scene, in which she dignified as an ambassador of mankind to the infinite width of the universe. The pockets are still in the center of pop culture and thus also honor the glamorous legacy of their namesake Jane Birkin and Grace Kelly.
You are in possession of one Bag Or have a copy of their sights and want to be sure that this is an original? Then we look forward to being able to share our experiences and to be able to offer you a few key data for orientation and ensuring authenticity as part of this blog article.
1. Form & mass of a Hermès Bag:
The sought -after Hermès bags Birkin and Kelly are designed to keep your attitude independently on your four feet. Falsifications often do not offer the stability of an original and fall around after being switched off.
Exact masses are subject to the pockets in their different sizes. It is worth considering here: Small deviations from the original masses can be a reason for concern in the event of supposed Hermès bags.
"The fact that the size of the two models are named according to their masses is helpful. A Birkin 40, for example, measures exactly 40 centimeters in its width."
2. The material of a Hermès Bag:
Hermes When choosing the materials, it is careful to only use the highest quality leather types. The different, exquisite leather types range from soft Taurillon Leather up to exclusive Barenia Leather that has its origin as a saddle leather and is therefore considered to be extremely constant.
It is recommended before buying a Hermès Bag to pay attention to the type of leather used, sellers should offer the necessary know -how here. The use of different materials also leads to different market prices from Hermès bags. Anyone who has a waxing eye here can also find bargains. You can find an overview of the most famous Hermès leather types in our blog "Little Hermès Leder Guide".
Hermès bags such as the popular models Kelly or Birkin were made with the intention of guaranteeing a long service life and durability. Should your Hermès Bag Not valuable, this could already be an indication of a fake. Because even in used Condition If the materials serving as the basis are beyond any doubt and radiate that.
Hermès Kelly and Birkin bags are always made of form stable and should also be used in used Condition be. The leather clochettes of real Hermès bags are made of one piece. If the small storage options for the keys consist of two parts, this indicates a fake.
Our Hermès Birkin, Kelly and more:
3. The handles of a Hermès Bag:
The handles of a real one Hermes Bag should neither be difficult to work nor feel too easy. Especially with bags in otherwise good Condition Caution is required.
Junge Hermes Under no circumstances should bags have bent handle or handles. If this is the case, the Bag a faulty transport in a fake packaging that is too small. An absolute no-go in real Hermès bags.
4. The interior of a Hermès Bag:
The handbags Birkin, Kelly, Constance, Bolide, Evelyne and Kelly Herbag Always have an interior equipped with leather. If you hold a copy of textile food in your hands, it is a fake. Models such as the Hermès Victoria, on the other hand, have a textile feed, so there is no rule for all Hermès pocket models. After all, it is mandatory for the models mentioned.
5. The seams of a Hermès Bag:
The seams of Hermès bags are characterized by the use of yarns in one color. Figures can be exposed by the careless use of several thread colors. Likewise, the seams are the work of absolute precision and should show a constant stab length and height. However, real Hermès bags are the result of elaborate manual work and therefore only close to perfection. As soon as the impression is created by machine stamped seams, caution is advised. However, you will not be crooked with any real Hermès Bag find.
6. The hardware of a Hermès Bag:
Hermès bags are not only characterized by the use of excellent types of leather, the hardware used is always first class and the result of hours of craftsmanship. The following also applies here: If metal elements feel too easy or the engravings are unclean, caution is advised. Original copies always have a high material impression and exact processing details. The hardware generally comes in two variants: gold platted or with a palladium finish. There are less frequent products with 24 carat gold coating, silver palladium, ruthenium, lobnished and guilloche, a palladium variant with diamond embossing.
The materials used are very resistant due to their high value And should not show any signs of corrosion. Falsifications are economical and show rust and other reactions, especially with these rather expensive components. Occasionally, the hardware can have started something due to strong use. In the event of scratches or abrasion on the edges, make sure that scratches appear dark on palladium coated hardware. If golden color shines through, this indicates the use of brass or similar, compared to cheap metals.
Birkin Bags come with a padlock, that the Bag closes and enjoyed great popularity. These small closure mechanisms have had a few special features since 2000. In particular the serial number and the Hermès engraving on the underside of keys and Lock are recurring details that stand out from counterfeits. However, the exact composition of the characteristics has changed several times over the past few years. That is why it is difficult to make precise statements. One of the most common fake serial numbers places number 121 on the Lock dar, Although there are also original copies with this number. The locks of older pockets carry a Hermès logo and a single -digit number that matches the key.
The feet on the underside of a Bag cannot simply be unscrewed. Real Hermès bags have metal feet that are firmly anchored and usually leave a solid impression even after years of use. In addition, the feet of real Kellys and Birkins have a finish in the same color as the closure.
Our Hermès Birkin, Kelly and more:
7. The Logo Stamp a Hermès Bag:
A real Hermès Birkin always has a logo stamp on the front in the upper area. The stamp must have the following form "Hermès Paris Made in France" distributed over three lines. Exceptions are Birkin Bags, which were manufactured before 1965. You lack the addition "Made in France". The stamp is placed on the upper edge. If the stamp is placed in the middle between the closure and the upper edge, this is an indication of a fake. In general, the following applies here: If there are impurities in color or inequality in the embossing, it may be a plagiarism. Hermès attaches great importance to a perfect execution, especially with such details.
8. Datacodes, blind stamps & certificates:
While the bags of many other providers in the luxury segment with one authenticity card This is not the case with Hermès bags. Couants with alleged certificates are in circulation, as well as fake invoices. These papers, which are often supplied in orange envelopes, can be an indication of a fake and should be considered with the greatest caution! An original invoice, if still available, is usually in a white envelope with a Hermès logo. The Hermès bags themselves, on the other hand, have a unique code, which is attached in the form of a stamp on the leather on the underside of the handles, straps, brackets or closures. For the first time, such a blind stamp was used in 1945. The years have been counted in alphabetical order since then. Starting in 1945 with a simple “A”, a circle was introduced in 1971, which was replaced by a square in 1997. Since 2014, the years have been counted again in their original form, without further symbols.
The following list offers an overview and helps the exact year of manufacture of one Bag to find out:
No frame |
Circle |
square |
1945 a |
1971 a |
1997 a |
1946 B |
1972 B |
1998 B |
1947 C |
1973 C |
1999 C |
1948 D |
1974 D |
2000 D |
1949 e |
1975 E |
2001 E |
1950 f |
1976 f |
2002 f |
1951 g |
1977 G |
2003 g |
1952 h |
1978 H |
2004 h |
1953 I |
1979 I |
2005 I |
1954 J |
1980 J |
2006 J |
1955 K |
1981 K |
2007 K |
1956 l |
1982 L |
2008 L |
1957 m |
1983 m |
2009 m |
1958 N |
1984 N |
2010 N |
1959 o |
1985 O |
2011 o (rarely Jo) |
1960 p |
1986 p |
2012 p |
1961 Q |
1987 Q |
2013 Q |
1962 r |
1988 r |
2014 R (from the end of the year without a circle) |
1963 S |
1989 S |
2015 S (without a circle) |
1964 t |
1990 t |
2016 t (without a circle) |
1965 u |
1991 u |
2017 u (without a circle) |
1966 V |
1992 V |
2018 V (without a circle) |
1967 W |
1993 W |
2019 W (without a circle) |
1968 x |
1994 X |
2020 x (without a circle) |
1969 y |
1995 y |
2021 y (without circle) |
1970 Z |
1996 Z |
2022 Z (without a circle) |
In the large part of the cases, the code only specifies the year of production. There are additives for Hermès bags made from exotic leather types. Should you buy such a Bag Interest from abroad, the import regulations of your country must be observed. Customs authorities may question the import of such bags. In the case of plagiarism.
Some Hermès bags from the 90s have additional symbols. A horseshoe character, for example, shows a specialization, a shooting star confirms that the Bag was made for the personal use of a Hermès artisan. However, these additives are not the rule.
If you are still worried or have any questions, we will be happy to help you. We also offer the option of your Hermès Bag to check for authenticity in the house. Simply sit down with us via e-mail Or like to contact you by phone, hopefully we can also clear up the last doubt about the authenticity of your piece of jewelry.
More information about our Authenticity Check You can also find here. :)