Five counterfeit watches, found in the luggage of two passengers, were seized by officials of the Cagliari Customs Office working at Elmas airport, together with soldiers from the Guardia di Finanza.
The objects had been purchased in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates: skilfully counterfeited, they can be traced back to the prestigious brands Audemars Piguet (2 pieces) and Rolex models Daytona (1 piece) and Date Just (2 pieces).
The appraisals have shown that both brands appear to be well reproduced but, although apparently identical to the originals, the watches have lower quality characteristics than those of the original production.
The value of the five watches, if their authenticity had been recognised, would have been around 74,000 euros, 40,000 of which for Audemars Piguet alone, while for collectors the value could have reached up to 126,000 euros.
The two travelers were fined.
(Unioneonline/ss)
