Prada Symbole (PR 17WS): Anatomy of a Superseller and its Counterfeits
People love Prada Symbole PR 17WS glasses, they are a fashion classic. To know if yours are the real deal, you have to look at several things. Check the packaging, the box and everything. Look at the details engraved on the frame, and look for the word 'PRADA' written with laser on the right lens, it's tiny. Also look at how the hinges are made, if they are strong. The weight and how they feel to the touch will tell you a lot, if they're light or feel weird, be suspicious. And if the price is too cheap, it's almost always a sign that they're fakes. Be wary of big bargains.
Why are Prada Symbole PR 17WS so sought after and famous?
People see the sunglasses Prada Symbole PR 17WS as more than just glasses, they are like a symbol of good taste, of being modern. Its design is bold, it has that unique touch of Prada, that's why fashion conscious people and many celebrities liked them so much. Many people made them fashionable. Their success comes from the fact that they are a good mix of the usual, good work, with a very modern style. They quickly appeared in magazines, on Instagram, everywhere, come on. They became very well known, people loved them a lot. The problem is that because they were so in demand, many counterfeiters began to copy them.
What we like the most about Symbole: their design.
The best thing about the Prada Symbole PR 17WS is their design, you see them and you know they are those glasses, you recognize them instantly. They have a geometric shape, with strong angles that then meet with softer curves, creating a very unique and striking silhouette. And that triangular Prada logo, it's not there by chance. They put it on the temples in a very thoughtful way, so it is part of the glasses themselves, it gives a touch of luxury that is noticeable, but without being exaggerated. And the colors? There are many to choose from, from the usual black that everyone likes, to bolder colors. That's why they go with everything, they are very easy to use.
The materials and how well they make them
The Prada Symbole PR 17WS are very cool glasses. They don't just look good. The quality is incredible, that goes beyond the look. They make them with great care, each pair is like a little work of art. They use premium acetate, a strong and lightweight material, it also has a deep shine. The lenses are cut with great precision. They don't just dress you, they take care of your eyes, they give you 100% UV protection. So your eyesight is well protected. The hinges are sturdy, they stand up to everyday wear. They make the glasses fit comfortably, plus they last a long time. That's Prada's commitment to craftsmanship and durability.
Fake Eyeglasses: You Have to Know How to Spot Them
The Prada Symbole PR 17WS have been very popular, to be honest. But this also brings something bad: lots and lots of fake glasses on the market. These people who make them are ripping off consumers. It also takes credibility away from luxury brands. And the most serious thing is that these fake glasses can damage your health. Many people buy them and don't know that they are a copy. So, knowing which is the original and which is the imitation is key nowadays for any buyer. It's a big problem, a bundle of money every year, and it affects almost every luxury.
Your eyesight is at risk
Look, the worst danger of buying Prada Symbole glasses that are counterfeit is that they can do a lot of damage to your eyes. The originals give you 100% UV protection, that's for sure. But the copies have no filter at all, zero. So, with that dark glass, your pupil gets very big. Harmful UV radiation enters directly into your eyes, no problem. This can cause cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye problems that are no joke at all.
What's going on with Prada and how they cheat the customer
Fake glasses don't just hurt the buyer. They also lower Prada's reputation. They take away that idea that it's something exclusive. Imagine the bummer for the consumer: he thinks he's getting a luxury item. But what he gets at home is a product with very cheap materials, poorly finished and with no guarantee of anything. It is a full-fledged scam. Your money disappears. The brand suffers damage that costs a lot of work to fix.
Guide to Know If Your Prada Symbole PR 17WS Are Original
If you want to know if your Prada Symbole PR 17WS are counterfeit, you have to look at every detail very closely. Counterfeiters, no matter how hard they try, almost never make a luxury product look and feel as perfect and good quality. We tell you what to look for calmly.
The original case and packaging: The first clue.
You don't even need to see the glasses, the packaging already gives you plenty of clues. The real Prada Symbole come in a strong box. The logo and label are perfect, no stains or flaws. Inside, there is a good case, mostly hard and soft to the touch, with lining and the logo engraved or printed very well. It also comes with a cleaning cloth, with the logo of the brand, and several papers. This includes the certificate and warranty. Take a good look: everything must be of good quality, the printing, the seams of the case. There can not be a single loose thread. Sometimes the box smells a little funny, that's a sign too.
Mount details: Engravings and serial numbers.
Get a good grip on the frame and look at it with a magnifying glass. On the right temple, on the inside, you will see engravings. They say"PRADA Made in Italy" and the model code (for example, PR 17WS). On the left side, you will see the size (like 53[]19) and the length (e.g. 140). There is also the CE marking. Be careful! These markings must be very clear. The handwriting must be perfect, without any error, as if it was done by hand with great precision. Many real glasses have a unique serial number. They laser engrave it very discreetly on the temple or bridge. That's a point that copiers have a hard time getting right. Sometimes the plastic feels cheap, that already tells you something is wrong.
Lenses: Clarity, UV protection and PRADA logo.
The lenses of the original Prada Symbole l enses are amazing. You see super clear with them, they don't distort anything and have no bubbles to bother you. The best thing is that they protect you from the sun one hundred percent. There is a very important detail here: look for a tiny laser engraving that says 'PRADA', very discreet. It's usually at the top, on the right lens. It's so fine and so precisely done that you almost never see it at first glance, and hey, it's never, ever a sticker. If you see bad lenses, that don't protect you from the sun, or with the logo printed in any way, or that don't even have a logo, don't hesitate: they are fake. Besides, the originals feel very comfortable, they don't squeeze you.
Hinges and finishes: Quality doesn't lie
The real Prada Symbole have solid metal hinges, they are very resistant, they work smoothly, they have no strange looseness. Their screws are of very good quality, they fit perfectly. And the overall finish of the frame is perfect! You don't see any burrs or mold lines anywhere, no bad polished things either. They made each joint with great precision, you can really feel it. The imitations, on the other hand, have plastic or cheap metal hinges, they are more rigid, the screws move, and the finishes are very ugly, it's a shame to see them.
The certificate of authenticity and warranty card.
Don't forget: the original Prada Symbole glasses always come with a certificate of authenticity and a warranty card. These papers are not just anything, no; the printing has to be first class, with no erasures or mistakes. Many times, the certificate has a stamp or a serial number, you can check it. All the information has to be the same as the model of your glasses. Counterfeiters try to copy them, of course, but the paper is of low quality or the printing is bad, that gives them away right away.
Weight and feel: Premium feel
When you grab a real Prada Symbole PR 17WS, you instantly notice a very unique weight and feel. The acetate is high quality, giving them a solidity and luxurious feel that is almost impossible to copy. They are robust, yes, but they are also very well balanced. The fakes are light as a feather, very flimsy, they feel like plastic or cheap material, that shows they use second hand parts.
Price: If it's too good to be true....
Price, my friend, almost always tells you if something is fake. Prada Symbole PR 17WS are luxury, so they are priced according to the design, materials and brand, they are usually between 250€ and 350€. If you see a deal way, way below that normal price, it's almost always a fake. So you know, don't trust those "too good to be true" bargains; in luxury, they're almost never the real thing.
| What to look for | Prada Symbole PR 17WS for Real | Prada Symbole PR 17WS Counterfeits |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging | Quality box and case, well done logos, logo cloth, all leaflets. | Packaging looks weak, logos blurred or poorly done, no accessories or very low quality. |
| Engraving | Says "PRADA Made in Italy", model (like PR 17WS), size, CE. All clear and well made. Sometimes it has serial number with laser. | They have no engraving, or it looks blurry, poorly written or with weird handwriting. No serial number. |
| Lenses | Look flawless, have 100% UV protection, laser engraving 'PRADA' is small on the right lens. | They look distorted, no real UV protection, the 'PRADA' is missing, or printed ugly, or is a sticker. |
| Hinges and Finish | Metal, very strong, run smoothly, screws good. Finishes flawless, no imperfections at all. | Plastic or cheap metal, stiff, screws loose. Very sloppy finish, mold lines showing. |
| Weight and Feel | They feel very solid and luxurious, have the weight of good acetate. | They are very light, feel flimsy, plastic-like and cheap. |
| The Price | They are expensive (250€-350€), that's what a brand this good is worth. | Very, very low prices, much less than they are really worth. |
How to get real Prada Symbole glasses without the scares.
To get real Prada Symbole PR 17WS, you have to think carefully about where you buy them. That way you don't fall for fakes, you know they are authentic, and you have peace of mind. It is best to buy them only in stores that have a permit.
Authorized stores and opticians you already know.
If you want to get everything right, go to an official Prada dealer or an optician's shop, such as Óptica Bassol. This is the best idea. These stores work with the brand, so they assure you that each pair of glasses is 100% original. They offer you a good service if you need something later, they give you the manufacturer's warranty and even give you professional advice, they know what it's all about. It's worth it, really!
Buying on the Internet without problems: how to know if the seller is trustworthy
If you are going to buy online, keep an eye out, like a detective. Take a good look at the seller: make sure the website has a good reputation, read the comments, make sure they are good, of course, and that their rules for returning things are very clear. A trustworthy website has a SSL certificate, it is the little padlock you see in the browser, and it gives you secure payment methods. Don't trust if the prices are very cheap, it looks like a lie, or if they don't put contact details. And an important tip, do not use unofficial marketplaces or second-hand sellers that do not guarantee anything, it is better to be safe.
"That something is authentic is not only a matter of the brand. It's a promise that it's good quality, that it's going to last and, with sunglasses, it's something very important to take care of your eyes."
Authentic eyewear: take care of your style and your eyes.
Look, these Prada Symbole PR 17WS are not just glasses. They're a way of dressing, of being stylish. They are also important for your eyes to be well protected. Quality is what you deserve, always. You have to know how to tell the difference between real glasses and fake ones. So your money doesn't go to waste. An original product complies with what Prada asks for, it's the real thing. If you buy something fake, it is bad for your eyesight. Always look at the box, the frame, the lenses and, most importantly, where you bought them. At Optica Bassol, we always give you 100% original products, with a guarantee on everything. Don't let anyone cheat you with your look or your health. Your eyes deserve it, give them the best.
