The date numerals should be nicely centered within the white box; fakes are often off-center, like the two images on the left below. So, if the poor-quality fakes are purchased for not very much by people who know what they’re buying, who’s purchasing the more accurate fakes? The reality is that the evolution of technology means a fake watch can indeed be very accurate, almost imperceptible. Of course, this naturally gives rise to the notion of cost difference, which we’ll get onto in a moment. But as far as the outside of the fake watch goes, considerable time and effort is spent on making it as close to the original as possible, and as time goes by, that becomes closer and closer to identical. The Swiss watch industry is an absolute giant, making up a third of the entire global market.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex with Weight & Materials
That’s pretty impressive for a sector that prides itself on the rarity and exclusivity of its product. Overall, Switzerland is producing some 20m watches per year, and it’ll be no surprise that, by market share, Rolex caps that, producing around a million watches annually. The relatively new program sees the authenticity of used Rolexes certified by the brand itself and includes a two-year guarantee, giving you no doubt that you’re purchasing the genuine article. But even if you’re not going the Rolex CPO route, you can still take some steps to protect yourself. Things have changed a lot since then, obviously, so here are Manjos’s tips on how you can protect yourself from buying a fake when it’s time to make your big Rolex investment. Rolex’s commitment to sleek, unadorned elegance extends all the way to the backs of their watches.
Luxury Watch Brands Knowledge Quiz
Knowing the basics about Rolex bezels, especially for the watch under scrutiny, can be helpful when checking for authenticity. Hence, if you come across a watch with a fluted bezel made of platinum or stainless steel, it is undoubtedly a fake Rolex. Knowing the signs of how to spot a fake Rolex can be particularly helpful when shopping for pre-owned watches. This comprehensive guide outlines several key indicators that distinguish a real Rolex from a fake one. Additionally, comparison photos of a genuine Rolex Submariner LN and a replica are included to provide visual examples of the differences between the quality of the two watches.
Rolex Submariner No Date Black Dial 124060 – Used
A good starting point when assessing if a Rolex is genuine is to pay attention to the watch movement. The seconds hand on a real modern Rolex ticks 8 times per second (or 5-6 times per second on a vintage model), creating a “sweeping” visual. 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.
How to Research the Rolex Reference Number
A clear back that exposes the watch’s movement is an almost certain indicator of a non-genuine piece, and when you come across such a discrepancy, it’s a strong indication that the watch may not be a true Rolex. If a Rolex feels suspiciously light, or if its materials don’t convey the sturdiness expected from high-end craftsmanship, it’s probable that the watch is an imitation. Trust your senses as much as the aesthetics; a genuine Rolex not only looks the part but feels it too.
If possible, see the watch in person
More often than not, the only interaction people have with fake watches are with the ones that don’t look particularly convincing. It’s true that these extremely low-quality products make up the bulk of the fake watch production, but there is an element of bias going on. Only the fake watches that are noticeably bad register as being fake, and that can lead to a false sense of security when it comes to understanding the wider problem. Authentic Rolex watches come with thorough documentation, including a warranty card, owner’s manual, and sometimes a certificate of authenticity.
Lumed Hands on an Unlumed Dial
Therefore, if the watch in question has the crown logo in any other location or is missing the crown logo, it is likely not a genuine Rolex. The dial is the centerpiece of any watch and is usually the first thing people notice. On a Rolex watch, the dial is crafted to the highest standards with every detail meticulously placed and in perfect alignment. Serious watch-nerd stuff, though, is what you’re paying for – even if what you thought you were paying for was just a brand name and one of the most desirable watches on the market. It’s the level of hand-finishing and the dedication to quality that marks the real thing out from the fake.
What Does “Oyster” Mean on a Rolex Watch?
- When you’re comparing models, the authentic Rolex will reveal its identity through serial and model numbers engraved with laser precision.
- A few vintage ladies’ models actually do say “stainless steel” on the back, and very old Rolexes often have serial/model numbers on the back.
- Sapphire crystal measures 9 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale, followed by Diamonds on 10.
- 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 ).
- However, their popularity has also fueled a shadowy market of incredibly convincing counterfeit replicas, capable of deceiving even the most seasoned collectors.
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches are of course famous for their water resistance.
Imitations, however, often falter under such scrutiny, as they lack the sophisticated seals and casings that characterize a true Rolex. It’s this resilience against the elements that not only enhances the value of a Rolex but also stands as a measure of its authenticity. Should you find the date on your Rolex looking a little shy, the lens lying flat without that characteristic magnification, it’s time for a second glance. This could be a sign that the watch in your hands is masquerading as something it’s not. The art of identifying an authentic Rolex is akin to enjoying fine art; you must absorb and appreciate every detail. The Cyclops is no minor detail – it is a defining trait of a watch that stands out in the crowd, ensuring the date doesn’t just whisper but speaks clearly to the wearer.
- This is obviously harder for people to find, and so even higher-grade fake Rolex watches often have a little tint in the Cyclops which can be spotted under certain angles and light conditions.
- At 12 o’clock is te Rolex logo, the crown, and then at six o’clock, you can find the serial number.
- The artistry involved in the genuine Rolex dial, hands, and hour markers is nothing short of immaculate, a standard that fakes often fall short of reaching.
- Discovering a poorly constructed imitation Rolex can be straightforward, often revealing itself through lackluster details that fall short of the genuine article.
- This feature is hard to replicate, and its implementation varies across different Rolex models.
- This attention to detail results in a watch that doesn’t just looks good but also functions exactly like the original.
- These replicas have been praised for being capable of mimicking the appearance and feel of luxury watches, but at a fraction of the cost.
- 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.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex Bezel
Our high-quality Rolex models feature a double core silicone “O” Rings, made of solid tube rubber create an airtight seal, providing decent IP65 water resistance (rain/spash proof). The advantage of sapphire glass that is used in our Rolex Replica designer Watches over regular glass is that the sapphire crystal is much harder, and thus very hard to scratch. Sapphire crystal measures 9 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale, followed by Diamonds on 10. It’s crucial to remember that while this hand stacking order is a critical indicator, it’s not the sole determiner of authenticity.
Red Flag Serial Numbers
If you read this guide and still have any doubts about a watch you own, look up good watchmakers in your area and take it in for a service. Cheap labour and minimal overheads may make fake watches a lot cheaper than Swiss originals, but the most accurate fakes are still far from cheap, costing many hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars. The most complex part that requires the most skilled labour to make, the movement, is still a long way off the originals.
Swiss Movement
Although this is not publicly available, official stockists and reputable second hand luxury watch traders can verify the authenticity of a Rolex using this database. This same source can alo validate that the watch has not been reported stolen. 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.
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Definitely, to see the difference you would need an authentic watch to compare, and better an unworn one, because a properly worn watch will have a worse finishing after a while if not polished regularly. This is the inner ring that connects the dial to the glass or the bezel, and it has “Rolex” written all the way around, and it’s laser-etched. At 12 o’clock is te Rolex logo, the crown, and then at six o’clock, you can find the serial number.
Therefore, anything that appears to be aesthetically off, even slightly, warrants closer inspection. In the photos below, you can see visible discrepancies on the dials of a real Rolex (left) and a fake Rolex (right). If that sounds ridiculous, consider that the fake Rolex here, examined in detail by Watchfinder, is being made with real 904L steel – the same top-grade metal used in the real watch. It will use real ceramic in the bezel, real sapphire crystal, and has the exact same locking construction to the bracelet.
Weight and size difference between real and fake Rolex watches
- 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.
- When buying a vintage Rolex the ‘box papers’ are highly useful because they assist the buyer in establishing whether the watch is authentic or not.
- Well, I can’t tell you what to think or how to feel, but I can tell you how I do.
- For any inquiries or guidance through our selection, we invite you to reach out.
- Polished watches, which have had scratches on their cases and bracelets buffed away by a watchmaker, tend to hold less value than unpolished watches.
Our dedicated team of specialists verifies every detail, offering you the peace of mind that comes with certainty. Every watch in our curated collection is a testament to authenticity, backed by our commitment to transparency and excellence. For any inquiries or guidance through our selection, we invite you to reach out. Our experts are on hand, ready to assist you in securing not just a watch, but a piece of horological heritage. To achieve this water resistance, the cases of authentic Rolex watches have certain hallmarks. Additionally, the cases are equipped with screw-down winding crowns to keep the water out.
In most cases, buyers of Rolex replicas are not subject to legal consequences. However, selling, manufacturing, or importing imitations that infringe on Rolex’s intellectual property can lead to legal issues. This guide is for those of you who are in a hurry, as you might need a 10-second Rolex watch authentication guide. Check out the side-by-side images below to see other significant differences between the real Rolex Submariner and a counterfeit version.
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That’s why the most accurate fakes are often considered to be the ones with closed case backs. Those are huge numbers in relation to the watch industry, but generally luxury watches aren’t worn by the majority of people, so you would expect that in terms of fakes, it sits fake rolex pretty low down in the overall priority of things. As it happens, despite the relatively high cost of luxury watches compared to other fashion items, it still sits in the top five of the most faked things in the world, making up 7% of all the products produced by fakers.