Some earlier engraved rehauts were hollow block letters, but they look very clean. Real Rolex rehauts aren’t always aligned perfectly, but they should be close. The minute lines might not exactly bisect each letter, but if any minute line is so far off that it’s not even touching a letter, that’s a pretty conclusive sign of a fake. Fake watches often re-use the same (or partially the same) serial numbers. If it starts with ER6J, K28, K25, Q66, S19, S28, S29 or S39 your eyebrows should also be raised. Rolex is copied in so many ways, and it’s really not easy to differentiate a real from a fake unless you have a trained eye.
Self-Winding or Mechanical Movement
- There can be notable differences between genuine Rolex packaging and that used with counterfeits.
- Genuine Rolex movements use a free-sprung balance with visible Microstella screws on the balance wheel.
- Closely examine the dial detailing to spot any variation in the design of the hands or the dial as a whole.
- A fake Rolex watch comes with documentation that has printing errors, spelling mistakes, missing elements, and looks rushed.
- There have been cases where fake Rolex watches have been confiscated at airports during security searches along with being confiscated at the mall.
In the world of high-end timepieces, Rolex stands out as a beacon of luxury and unmatched quality. Each watch is a masterpiece, featuring the renowned Oystersteel – a 904L grade stainless steel renowned for its exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion. This isn’t just any steel; it’s a material so robust it’s also used in the aerospace and chemical industries. They craft their own exclusive blends of precious metals to guarantee that the look and function of your watch are preserved for a lifetime. If your Rolex was made after 2002, check for a very small crown etched into the crystal at 6 o’clock (above). Post-2005 models also have engraved rehauts reading “ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX” with a serial number at 6 o’clock.
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Rolex uses a combination of finishes on its timepieces, and they can be very difficult for counterfeiters to achieve. Research on the type of finish used on your preferred model, and try to see if the actual piece you want to buy matches it. For example, a Rolex Yachtmaster in steel and platinum would have a platinum bezel with a sandblasted background and polished raised numerals. The Rolex Day-Date’s Presidential bracelet has semi-circular links that alternate between polished and satin finishes. Rolex watches are made out of high-quality materials all the way through.
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Note that on vintage Rolexes, cheap aftermarket crystals are common, so bad magnification alone isn’t a guarantee of inauthenticity. Also, as noted below, If you’re looking at a Sea-Dweller manufactured before 2017, it should not have a cyclops. It’s easy to see how the manufacturers of these fake watches are able to build what they have for the money they’re asking, but it’s worth coming back to an earlier point to understand the implications.
- – They would also be open to you taking the watch to Rolex, or an authorized Rolex dealer, for authentication.
- If you want to learn how to distinguish a fake Rolex from an authentic one, a good place to start is researching the reference number.
- That is still a lot of money to be wasting on a watch that you know won’t last you nearly the same amount of time as if you were to get a real Rolex.
- Similarly, watches from Rolex’s Day-Date collection are exclusively made with precious metals, specifically gold or platinum, and any made with other materials are likely to be fake.
- Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces.
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So, if you know someone who has a real Rolex, ask them if you can feel the weight of theirs so you have something to compare to. Or if you have a genuine watch by another luxury brand such as TUDOR (Rolex sister company), Omega or TAG Heuer, then compare with that for an initial view. Real Rolex watch weight is also very specific, all watches of the same model are identical, for example a true Rolex Submariner should weight 155 grams. The allure of owning an authentic Rolex watch, be it the iconic Rolex Submariner, the sophisticated Datejust, or the world-traveler’s choice, the GMT-Master II, is undeniable. These masterpieces offer a blend of luxury, prestige, and timeless style, bringing immense satisfaction to their wearers.
Lumed Hands on an Unlumed Dial
- Fake Rolex watches are often sold on sketchy websites where you may be asked to put in some personal information.
- Doing so will ease your concerns of authenticity and condition, and you can be sure that you will be given proper assistance.
- Grey Market Magazine’s Managing Editor, Powerfunk is a Boston-based watch collector, an expert enthusiast, and head moderator of the very popular r/rolex subreddit.
- If the date changes slowly or more than 15 minutes late, however, the timepiece may be a fake.
- Last year, this became easier than ever to do thanks to Rolex’s new Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, of which The 1916 Company is a part.
- Spotting any discrepancy here, such as uneven lettering or blemished finishes, should immediately trigger doubts about the watch’s legitimacy.
- ❌ Fake – If you spot any discrepancy in the dial, such as a blemished finish, uneven lettering, misspellings or smudges, it should immediately trigger your doubt about the watch’s originality.
Additionally, modern Rolex watches made in 2001 and later have a tiny laser-etched coronet/crown (LEC) on the glass at 6 o’clock. This feature is hard to replicate, and its implementation varies across different Rolex models. Therefore, researching when the LEC feature was applied to a specific Rolex model is advisable. Rolex watches have a smooth, continuous movement of the second hand, often described as a sweeping motion. There is one design / model which is an exception to this, the Rolex Oysterquartz, which runs on a quartz movement instead of a self-winding or mechanical one, and does exhibit a ‘ticking’ motion and sound.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex with Weight & Materials
And what most people don’t realise is that it’s taken Rolex over a century to get to this point. Fifty or so years ago, Rolex was just an upcoming manufacturer of affordable watches for professionals that sat in the shadow of its much older and more accomplished competitors. Through innovation, clever thinking and a whole lot of luck, the Rolex we know today is one of gargantuan proportions. So, the only way to avoid falling prey to this ‘super fake’ Rolex market is to buy Rolex watches from a qualified and authorised watch dealer. ❌ Fake – A smooth, brushed, or plain crown indicates that the watch could be fake.
Cyclops
While not having those bars and dots is not a single sign of a fake piece, if you’re looking at a recent Rolex model, that extra design or marking on the crown should be there. A stuttering second-hand makes a small ticking noise instead of remaining silent. The only exception is the Rolex Oysterquartz, which uses a quartz movement rather than a mechanical one, resulting in a ticking sound. ❌ Fake – If you spot any discrepancy in the dial, such as a blemished finish, uneven lettering, misspellings or smudges, it should immediately trigger your doubt about the watch’s originality.
Gold Watches
While it’s almost impossible to spot the most advanced modern fake Rolexes without examining them closely in person, the vast majority of fakes will have tells that can be spotted if you’re aware of some fundamentals. ” is a question that doesn’t have a short, conclusive answer, but we’ll try to make it less daunting. So without further ado, here’s our updated guide to spotting a fake Rolex.
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The ceramic bezel doesn’t shimmer; Rolex coats its bezels with a fine layer of platinum dust for exactly this reason – something the counterfeiters can’t copy (yet). Looking at the bracelet, you can see tiny gaps where it meets the case. And on the crown and pushers, the finely brushed and polished finish to the jagged, knurled surfaces isn’t as sophisticated. These are all things you’ll need to examine really closely to pick up, and it’s the same story with the movement. Rolex movements are mechanical and self-winding, while replicas are usually quartz or battery-powered.
Because counterfeiters became so adept at copying it, Rolex discontinued the hologram. However, you can now be sure that any seller claiming that a watch with a hologram was made after 2007 is almost definitely peddling a replica. Counterfeiters often don’t bother to vary the numbers, instead printing the same digits on each replica. A simple Google search for the serial and model numbers of the watch you’re considering should reveal whether it is actually a mass-produced fake. For example, a Submariner model number for a Yacht-Master,” says Abe Diveroli, of Primetime305.
Luxury Watch Knowledge Test
There are numerous tips and indicators for spotting a fake Rolex watch. As the most counterfeited luxury watch brand, the quality of these fake watches has improved to a level previously unseen in the luxury world. This means that counterfeiters have become highly skilled at replicating Rolex timepieces, with some counterfeit watches being almost impossible to detect without the help of highly trained experts. While there are still many obvious tells that can give away a fake Rolex, the increasing amount of sophisticated counterfeits on the market is concerning. Rolexes are made with high-quality materials, either patented oyster steel or patented gold/platinum alloy, so they tend to be heavier than counterfeit ones.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex: The Ultimate Guide
Yes, unfortunately fake Rolex is an ongoing challenge with numerous examples of counterfeit operations and instances where fake Rolexes have made headlines. They aim to protect their brand integrity and ensure customers receive genuine products. Jewellers and pawnbrokers also play a part in recognising copies as well as identifying stolen watches.
Your watch can be confiscated
The gears and springs inside a real Rolex are assembled with an unwavering commitment to precision and showcase flawless execution. ✔️ Real – Many Rolex watches have a date on the dial, magnified with a Cyclops lens. This signature magnifying lens adorns the crystal over the date window. An authentic Rolex has the Cyclops lens bulging outward in a convex shape above the date display, enhancing the date with 2.5 times magnification.
What is a “Floating M” Rolex Submariner?
Genuine Rolex watches have their serial and model numbers deeply engraved into the metal between the lugs attaching the band to the body — whereas fakes often just have them etched on with acid. The watch’s serial number, which can be used to determine its production date, is located on the six o’clock side. Obviously, if you’re buying a watch sight unseen on eBay or another online platform, you’re not going to be able to see it in visit website person. But if you’re out shopping and a Rolex catches your eye, getting hands-on with the watch is pretty valuable when it comes to determining its authenticity — especially if you’re dealing with a modern Rolex. Navigating the nuances of luxury timepieces requires more than just a keen eye – it demands expertise. Our dedicated team of specialists verifies every detail, offering you the peace of mind that comes with certainty.
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While the average person on the street may not realize that you are wearing a fake Rolex, collectors and those in the know may realize and your reputation can be damaged. Rolex takes their watches seriously and the selling of fake Rolex watches is considered criminal activity. Whether you are aware that you are wearing a fake Rolex or not, your watch can be taken away by the authorized dealers and by service centers. – They would have a guarantee of authenticity and warranties on the watch. These serve to assure you that they have reviewed each watch for authenticity and quality before putting them up for sale. With a burgeoning counterfeit market, Rolex replicas have become better and more difficult to detect.
Waterproof, Not Just Water Resistant
Another telltale sign on how to tell if Rolex is fake is the sapphire crystal, the glass that covers the dial on your watch. Modern authentic Rolex watches are outfitted with a scratchproof sapphire crystal to protect the face of the watch. What’s more, on Rolex date watches, there’s a magnifying lens on top of the date window to amplify the number for greater legibility. This lens, dubbed the Cyclops, is also made from sapphire crystal and it magnifies the date 2.5 times.
✔️ Real – The dial of a genuine, brand-new Rolex showcases impeccable precision in every aspect – the fonts, spaces between letters, spellings, etc. The alignment of the markers, printing on the dial, and lustre on the dial all result from Rolex’s elaborate design process to achieve visual and functional harmony. Tiger River Watches & Jewelry only buys & sells pre-owned luxury watches. Another red flag is any spelling mistakes, crooked or misplaced text, different font style or size, misaligned hour and minute markers, or awkward spacing of features. Rolex watches are exquisitely designed and crafted, with remarkable attention paid to every detail, no matter how small.
“Buy the seller, not the watch” is an enduring mantra among watch enthusiasts for a reason. Wanting to make a watch and being able to make a watch are not exactly the same thing, and if this were a decade or so ago, we wouldn’t be having this conversation at all. If it feels like there’s been a recent swell in the rise of fake watches, that’s because there has, and it’s all to do with the way technology has changed.
