Additionally, knowing which material a specific Rolex model is made of can also help spot a fake. For instance, certain models like the Milgauss, Explorer II, and Deepsea have only been produced in stainless steel, and any made with other materials are replicas. 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. Rolex watches with a date window have a magnification lens called a “cyclops” that magnifies the date by 2.5 times.

The weight of the watch

It’s in the interest of those people that the watches they’re buying are as close to the original as possible, and so they collectively form a net that catches these mistakes. If you can get away with the former, it’s certainly not going to be the latter. And if you get all the benefit without all the spend, what money you do have can be spent exclusively on the quality of the product.

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From the band of the watch to the inner workings of the hands and gears, each item of a Rolex is made with the best metals available. In fact, it’s also the world’s most valuable watch brand according to global reports. However, with its status and great demand comes a vigorous counterfeit market — therefore one can easily be duped into buying a fake Rolex watch. Fake – Imitation Rolex models lack sophisticated seals and robust casings and are not resilient against water. The only way to find out is by subjecting the watch to a water pressure test. However, you must take caution before doing it because – First, if the watch is fake, a water pressure test will ruin it, and you won’t be able to return it.

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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 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.
• If the two colors appear to bleed into each other or the colors split anywhere else on the bezel besides the numbers 6 and 18, then that watch is a fake Rolex.
• Rolex’s cyclops provides a distinctive 2.5x magnification, and the date should fill up the cyclops window nicely.
• Before the engraved rehauts, Rolex serial numbers were engraved on the case between the bottom lugs.
• 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.
• And while the fake Rolexes of decades past were easy to spot — like when they were hanging from the liner of Times Square hustler’s trench coat — modern replicas are a bit more advanced.
• Many fakes use cheap quartz movements, so if it ticks only once per second, unless it’s an Oysterquartz or a Texano (not likely) it’s surely fake.

“Waterproof” and “water resistant” both refer to an ability to keep moisture out of the case, with the former denoting higher performance underwater. The majority of Rolex watches in the Oyster line should hold up at a whopping depth of 100 meters (328 feet). The dial of a Rolex is a prime spot for finding inconsistencies that might indicate a fake. This is where most of the writing is located, and the appearance of the text can be a dead giveaway of a counterfeit. Just because a Rolex has had parts replaced, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s fake.

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If you don’t know what you’re looking for here, first of all, I don’t blame you, second of all, you should just take your watch to a trusted watchmaker or dealer. Be mindful of who you trust your watch with – I’ve heard at least one tale of a sketchy watchmaker who pocketed a client’s original Rolex dial, returning the “serviced” watch with an aftermarket one. Unfortunately, many of those buying/selling inauthentic watches have no idea they’re fake. We’ve even had customers reach out claiming their strap doesn’t fit properly, only to send us pictures of it paired with an inauthentic Rolex.

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Here again, the finishing isn’t as good; the right type of graining or brushing has been used in the right places, but looking at it through a loupe shows coarser, less consistent work on the fake. Edges aren’t smooth, still bearing burrs from the machine that milled them out, and things like screw-heads lack the mirror polish that you’re paying for on a real Rolex. Faking an entire movement isn’t easy; chronograph calibres in particular are challenging to assemble, so even when you’ve gone to the effort of reproducing every component, getting it to work isn’t exactly a piece of cake. Advances in milling and rapid prototyping machinery mean that all of the above can be achieved with minimal hand-craft involved (which remains one of the un-fakeable defining characteristics of a real ). Today, the hermetic construction of the Oyster case guarantees Rolex watches to be waterproof up to 100m / 330 feet, and up to 3,900m / 12,800 feet for the Rolex Deepsea, their saturated diving watch. As of 2022, Rolex has released their most water-resistant watch yet, the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, which has a depth rating of 11,000 meters (36,090 feet).

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• When you’re comparing models, the authentic Rolex will reveal its identity through serial and model numbers engraved with laser precision.
• In fact, it’s also the world’s most valuable watch brand according to global reports.
• Perhaps you’ve heard of rapid prototyping, 3D printing, that sort of thing?
• If you’re shopping for a pre-owned Rolex it’s best to choose a trusted grey market dealer with a good reputation and an authenticity guarantee.
• Gone are the days when a fake watch was just something you picked up from a market on holiday for $10 (£8) and wore until one of the hands fell off – usually within a few weeks.

Watchfinder was able to point these subtle details out by comparing the fake side-by-side with a real Daytona; but if one isn’t to hand, spotting all the tell-tale signs just got a thousand times harder. Partly, that is an unavoidable consequence of the explosion we have seen in demand for Rolex’s key models. Your best defense against buying a fake is to purchase your Rolex from a reputable dealer. Doing so will ease your concerns of authenticity and condition, and you can be sure that you will be given proper assistance.

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It’s precisely for this reason that we’ve gone the extra mile to craft an informative video for you. At Bob’s Watches, we’ve put these super clones under the microscope, comparing them side-by-side with authentic Rolex watches. Our enlightening video, “How to Tell a Fake Rolex,” is more than just a guide; it’s a window into the meticulous world of Rolex craftsmanship, ensuring you have the confidence and knowledge to spot the differences with ease.

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In most cases, they also fail to replicate the Rolex engraving, which comes as a seal of authenticity. Rolex produced only a handful of quartz watches throughout its history, such as the Rolex Oysterquartz, between the 1970s and the 2000s. So, it’s pretty unlikely to find a Rolex with quartz and not mechanical movement. Another thing to look for is the finishing of the movement, which is only visible upon opening the case.

Do you know how to tell the difference between a fake Carter watch vs real Cartier watch? The vast majority of fake Rolex watches in the world are cheap, easy-to-spot knockoffs. It’s a very obvious fake,” says Matthew Bain, a Miami-based watch expert who operates Matthew Bain, Inc. At the heart of every authentic Rolex watch lies a mechanism that is a testament to superior watchmaking- a movement crafted with an unwavering commitment to precision. The intricate dance of gears and springs inside a real Rolex is meticulously assembled, ensuring each watch bears the Rolex engraving as a seal of authenticity.

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“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.

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As one of the most coveted luxury watch brands in the world, Rolex uses only the most durable and high-quality materials. Any authentic Rolex feels substantial and solid, whether it’s made from the heavy-duty Oystersteel or the lighter-weight RLX Titanium or platinum. A good starting point when assessing if a Rolex is genuine is to pay attention to the watch movement.

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On a fake Rolex watch, this lens might be of lower quality, misaligned, or may not magnify the date properly. This feature is unique to Rolex, so if you are looking at another luxury brand featuring one, then also do question the authenticity. All Rolex watches made from 2002 onward have a tiny etched crown logo at the six o’clock position, which can take a magnifying glass to make out clearly. As of 2002, Rolex started including a tiny micro-etching of the Rolex crown, aka the “coronet,” on the crystal at the 6 o’clock position. Extremely difficult to see without a loupe and almost impossible to replicate properly, this mini marking is a hallmark of authentic Rolex watches. Another marking of authenticity sits under the sapphire crystal on the rehaut, which is engraved with “ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX” all around, along with the serial number engraving 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.

That’s because the high precision of a Rolex movement is actually broken down into eight tiny micro-ticks per second, making it look like a continuous motion. Since the weight of any watch depends on multiple factors, it’s important to note that you can’t judge the authenticity of a Rolex by its weight alone. All lettering on the face of a Rolex watch should have an exquisitely crisp appearance. It should be centered and perfectly aligned without inconsistent spacing, blurs, splotches or misspellings.

• The art of identifying an authentic Rolex is akin to enjoying fine art; you must absorb and appreciate every detail.
• But even if you’re not going the Rolex CPO route, you can still take some steps to protect yourself.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Hence, if you come across a watch with a fluted bezel made of platinum or stainless steel, it is undoubtedly a fake Rolex.

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• This same source can alo validate that the watch has not been reported stolen.
• Another marking of authenticity sits under the sapphire crystal on the rehaut, which is engraved with “ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX” all around, along with the serial number engraving at 6 o’clock.
• And if it’s real, you can have it serviced and brought back to tip-top shape.
• This feature is unique to Rolex, so if you are looking at another luxury brand featuring one, then also do question the authenticity.
• Another thing to look for is the finishing of the movement, which is only visible upon opening the case.
• The packaging of a genuine Rolex reflects the brand’s impeccable standards, displaying its commitment to quality and attention to details like stitching, perfect box corners and accurate embossing.

It used to be commonplace for Rolex to replace worn-out parts when performing a service, and that was also what most customers wanted. You just want to make sure that any parts that were replaced are disclosed in the sale because all-original Rolexes are generally more valuable. Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches are of course famous for their water resistance.

If you’re not certain that it appears bigger when looked at straight on, the watch is probably fake. Rolex movements are self-winding and mechanical, as opposed to quartz or battery-powered. This is a bit tricky to check, since Rolex is adamant that only brand-certified watchmakers can access the movement. Rolex’s commitment to sleek, unadorned elegance extends all the way to the backs of their watches.

Counterfeiters tend to fake the most popular Rolex models of their day, primarily because they are liquid, and these are what they fake most accurately. The most common faked Rolex models seem to be the Datejust and Submariner, followed by the GMT-Master II and Daytona. With that level of feedback, it’s no wonder that the fakes are getting closer and closer, and it doesn’t cost the manufacturers a penny. The end result is that it is cheaper, faster and more accurate than ever to quite simply scan an original shape and duplicate it to a high level. You still don’t get that last few percent of hand-finished quality offered on the genuine, but for the average consumer, that difference is virtually invisible. However, navigating the nuances of the watch industry requires more than knowledge.

Watches with too-good-to-be-true prices can be spotted right away, but more sophisticated counterfeits can be more challenging to identify. Remember, a Rolex is made to the highest standards – if even a minute detail comes across as sub-par, you can be to learn more certain that it’s not the real deal. Some fake clasps are pretty convincing these days, but let’s tackle one that can be pretty quickly dismissed. A quick search of “62523H” reveals that code belongs on a two-tone Jubilee bracelet, not a steel Oyster.

Its patented system of screwing down the bezel and case back against the middle case, was meant to protect the movement from water and dust. If your Rolex watch features a date complication on the dial, the date should change in one smooth sweep at 12 o’clock. A slight deviation of around 5 minutes is considered normal and falls within the specifications. However, if the date changes gradually or slows down significantly, this could be a sign that the watch is a counterfeit.

Closely examine the dial detailing to spot any variation in the design of the hands or the dial as a whole. Fake – Imitations have dotted or blurred serial numbers due to inferior etching techniques. This usually leaves behind an acid-etched or sandy texture, and the lines are a little messy.

• Watchfinder used to be able to identify about 80 per cent of bogus timepieces by sight alone but now that’s just 20 per cent.
• And for true aficionados, seeking out specialists who live and breathe Rolex can add that extra layer of confidence to your purchase.
• The paperwork is well-printed, with sharp text and accurate information.
• Some earlier engraved rehauts were hollow block letters, but they look very clean.
• The Triplock crown, which bears the Rolex crown logo above three dots, was first used on the Rolex Sea-Dweller, in 1970.
• Fake – If the bracelet style is mismatched with the particular Rolex model or the style you bought, chances are it is a counterfeit.

They are typically much cheaper than a real Rolex which can make having a Rolex more accessible to the general public. However, there are very good reasons why you shouldn’t buy a fake Rolex. – The most recent Rolex Daytona Platinum watch (ref ) was introduced in 2023 with a transparent caseback to show the new Caliber 4131 movement.

Do also try to run your finger over the lens – you should feel a bump which is dead-centered over the date. Look for high-quality photos from multiple angles and detailed descriptions. If a seller refuses to provide additional pictures or answer questions, walk away.

Holding a genuine Rolex in your hand is an experience of substance in every sense – the weight of the watch is a representation of the premium materials and meticulous assembly that go into its creation. Crafted from only the most exceptional metals and components, each genuine Rolex bears a certain heft, a reassuring reminder of the brand’s commitment to excellence and durability. This substantial feel is the result of an uncompromising approach to quality, where everything from the case to the bracelet is designed to meet the highest standards of luxury watchmaking. Despite this, we caution against the DIY approach of water-testing a Rolex at home. The risks outweigh the benefits, especially if the authenticity of your Rolex is in question. Submerging a potentially counterfeit watch could cause irreversible damage, closing the door on any possibility of a return.

The low-quality black writing, combined with the poor embossing of the Rolex logo, are more signs of a fake. The rehaut plays an important role in knowing how to spot a fake Rolex. Since 2008, all Rolex rehauts have had the “ROLEXROLEXROLEX” engraving. The serial number should be at 6 o’clock, so if the “ROLEXROLEXROLEX” writing goes all the way around with no break for a serial number at the bottom, that’s a sure sign of a cheap fake.

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.

– Rolex Sea Dweller and military models, and older Lady Datejust models may have engravings such as “Stainless Steel”, “Registered Design”, and the model name and water resistance level on the back. – If the timepiece is genuine, but is vintage or in need of repair, it may also not withstand a pressure test. While not having these dots or bars is not a single indicator of a fake, if you know you are looking at a recent model of a Rolex, that extra design is supposed to be there. The “Cyclops” magnifying lens, or the lens that magnifies the date of the watch, is one of the hardest hallmarks to replicate. When looked straight on, the date should be magnified, about 2.5 magnification to be exact.

One exception to this is the Rolex Oysterquartz, which runs on a quartz movement instead of a mechanical one. If you’re considering a specific reference, spend 10 minutes researching its unique features. Compare the watch’s details—such as dial layout, engravings, and case design—to images of verified examples. With few exceptions, if a Rolex has no lume on the dial, it shouldn’t have lume on the hands, either. Sometimes collectors and resellers of genuine Rolexes do “dial swaps” and forget to match the hands, but in general, lumed hands on an unlumed dial are a red flag. If you’re shopping for a pre-owned Rolex it’s best to choose a trusted grey market dealer with a good reputation and an authenticity guarantee.

The weights of Rolexes vary slightly, depending on the model, size, materials and year of production — older models generally weigh less than modern ones. But the weight difference between two real watches of the same model and size is negligible. In contrast, that between a fake and a genuine Rolex can be significant. They also have “Rolex” engraved on them, although the placement of the engraving differs depending on the piece. Rolexes manufactured before 2007 included a hologram of the crown logo on the caseback.