Real vs. Fake: JUNYA WATANABE MAN x New Balance 1906L “Black” Authentication Guide

8th August 2025 EDT FEATURES

Real vs. Fake: JUNYA WATANABE MAN x New Balance 1906L “Black” Authentication Guide

How to distinguish an original JUNYA WATANABE 1906L from its replica, according to SNKRDUNK's professional authenticators.

Real vs. Fake: JUNYA WATANABE MAN x New Balance 1906L “Black” Authentication Guide

JUNYA WATANABE MAN x New Balance 1906L "Black" Retail US$

The New Balance 1906L is a new model that reconstructs the popular 1906 silhouette as a penny loafer design. Since its initial release in September 2024, this model has sparked fierce competition with each new colorway release.

The JUNYA WATANABE MAN x New Balance 1906L “Black” collaboration launched in October 2024, featuring a distinctive leather upper construction instead of the typical mesh material used in inline New Balance models, creating a more loafer-like aesthetic.

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Despite its retail price of nearly 50,000 JPY, the collaboration sold out immediately at retailers on release day and remains a highly traded model on secondary markets. However, the model’s popularity has unfortunately led to counterfeit versions appearing in the resale market.

This authentication guide focuses on the key verification points that professional authenticators use to distinguish genuine from fake pairs. These represent only a portion of the comprehensive authentication methods employed, but they do provide valuable reference points for consumers purchasing from secondary markets.

Authentication Points

▪︎Tongue “JUNYA WATANABE MAN” Microscope Comparison

The first authentication point involves examining the “JUNYA WATANABE MAN” text on the tongue. Under microscopic analysis, authentic pairs display fine dot printing patterns, while counterfeit pairs show solid block printing without the detailed dot structure.

▪︎Interior Tag UV Reaction

The interior tag provides another crucial authentication point when examined under UV light. Authentic pairs exhibit clean, well-defined logo reactions under UV illumination, whereas counterfeit pairs show blurred or smudged logo reactions that lack clarity.

▪︎Side Panel “1906L” Logo Comparison

The “1906L” logo on the side panel serves as a key identifier. Authentic pairs feature clean silver and grey coloring with precise ink placement, while counterfeit pairs display only white coloring with misaligned ink application.

▪︎Outsole “Durance” Text

The outsole text provides a straightforward authentication check. Counterfeit pairs contain typographical errors in the “durance” text that are not present on authentic versions.

▪︎Upper Material IR Camera Analysis

Infrared camera examination of the upper material reveals distinct differences. Authentic pairs show varied reactions with both white and black areas under IR light, while counterfeit pairs display predominantly black reactions across the entire upper surface.

▪︎Heel NB Logo

The New Balance logo on the heel area offers another authentication point. Authentic pairs feature a glossy finish with clean, square-edged borders, whereas counterfeit pairs lack the glossy finish and display wavy or irregular edge formations.

▪︎Upper UV Light Reaction

UV light examination of the upper material can reveal authentication clues. Counterfeit pairs often display dotted line patterns that become visible under UV illumination, which are not present on authentic versions.

▪︎Penny Keeper Detail

The final authentication point involves the penny keeper tag embroidery. Authentic pairs feature grey “New Balance” embroidered text, while counterfeit pairs display white embroidered text.

Conclusion

These authentication points represent only a portion of the comprehensive verification methods used by professional authenticators. The manufacturing quality of counterfeit products continues to improve, making it increasingly difficult for non-experts to identify fake products using personal methods.

Professional authentication services that employ highly accurate verification processes by trained experts remain the recommended approach for secondary market purchases.

The sophistication of counterfeit manufacturing requires specialized knowledge and equipment, including X-ray analysis, IR cameras, UV light examination, and microscopic inspection to ensure accurate authentication. As counterfeit technology advances, relying on professional authentication services becomes increasingly important for consumer protection in the secondary sneaker market.

What is SNKRDUNK Lab?

At SNKRDUNK Lab, we’re dedicated to combating the social and economic issues caused by counterfeit goods. We’re doing this by improving our authentication technology and raising public awareness about fakes.

By strengthening our partnerships with local and global experts and research institutions, we’re combining technology, data, and human expertise to set the new standard for authentication.

Our Main Activities

Investigating and Researching Counterfeit Goods
SNKRDUNK currently maintains an authentication accuracy rate of 99.97%. We will continue to conduct research and investigations, utilizing Japan’s largest database of counterfeit products to stay ahead of the curve.

Improving Our Authentication Technology
By introducing and researching various tools, including X-ray, infrared, and microscopes, we are enhancing our technology to ensure we can authenticate every single item.

Communicating for Public Awareness
We will regularly publish market reports based on our partnerships with external organizations and experts, as well as on insights and research findings gathered from the field.

Read more about SNKRDUNK Lab here.

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