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.
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Up until very recently, the only Rolex date models that did not have a Cyclops lens were the Sea-Dweller and Deepsea. But that changed at Baselworld 2017 when Rolex introduced the new Sea-Dweller with a Cyclops lens. Now, the only Rolex date watch without a Cyclops lens is the Sea-Dweller Deepsea. For instance, Rolex watches exclusively use 904L stainless steel and 18k gold.
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- Fake watches often re-use the same (or partially the same) serial numbers.
- 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 number of fake watches uncovered by pre-owned dealer Watchfinder & Co is rising – with Rolex replicas accounting for about half of the knock-offs in circulation.
- If you’re considering a specific reference, spend 10 minutes researching its unique features.
- 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.
- The difference between Swiss and Japanese grade designer watches is the steel grade that is being used, as well as the manufacturing process and machinery.
- The printing on the dial, the luster on the hands, the alignment of the hour markers – every component on a genuine Rolex is the result of an elaborate process designed to achieve visual and functional harmony.
However, when searching for genuine Rolex timepieces, nothing beats buying from a trustworthy source since all the homework has been done on your behalf. While platforms like eBay and Craigslist have become household replica watches names for online shopping, they function primarily as intermediaries connecting buyers with sellers. This means they don’t take responsibility for the authenticity of the items sold through their sites.
How to Research the Rolex Reference Number
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.
- If you spend a lot of money buying a fake Rolex, you could easily have all that money wasted if your watch is taken away.
- It’s very common for old watches to be missing paperwork; that’s understandable.
- 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.
- These serve to assure you that they have reviewed each watch for authenticity and quality before putting them up for sale.
- The most important tip Manjos shared, and this is one you may have heard before, is to buy the seller before you buy the watch.
- 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.
- 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.
Swiss & Japanese
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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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.
Check the wear and tear
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.
Bezel Feel
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. A watch made in 1960 will not have a valid warranty, but the card will still have the serial number. Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry.
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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. Cheap clones use mineral glass, which is 10 times more fragile than sapphire. Sapphire crystal measures 9 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale, followed by Diamonds on 10. Others in the community won’t buy watches from you if they know you are selling or even own fakes. Typically, those who buy Rolex watches want their purchase to be known by collectors and other professionals.
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“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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The winding crown on a Rolex is always on the right side of the case for easy access — assuming it’s worn on the left wrist. The one exception is the left-handed GMT-Master II, which was introduced in 2022 to accommodate left-handed wearers. The Yacht-Master, for instance, has a much thicker minute hand than most models, while a Daytona’s hands are a bit longer, reaching all the way to the hash marks, and are rounded at the end. Counterfeiters often use whatever parts are available to save money, hoping the buyers will overlook this detail. The second hand on a real Rolex should appear to the naked eye to rotate smoothly around the face.
High-Quality Materials and Heavy Weight
- The gears and springs inside a real Rolex are assembled with an unwavering commitment to precision and showcase flawless execution.
- And on the crown and pushers, the finely brushed and polished finish to the jagged, knurled surfaces isn’t as sophisticated.
- This is a bit tricky to check, since Rolex is adamant that only brand-certified watchmakers can access the movement.
- Rolex watches have a smooth, continuous movement of the second hand, often described as a sweeping motion.
- If you can get away with the former, it’s certainly not going to be the latter.
Counterfeiters are only getting better with time, and fake Rolex appears quite convincing these days. Fake – If you admire a Rolex’s case back and find a nice engraving or logo on it, you’re likely looking at a duplicate. Rolex prides itself on its solid case backs, a tradition that speaks to its minimalist ethics and underscores its luxury craftsmanship. Authentic Rolexes are carefully placed within the box, often with protective coverings and supports to secure the watch.
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Real – Rolex’s commitment to minimalism extends to the back of the watches. Real – One of the most significant hallmarks of a genuine Rolex is its solid case back. 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. The reference number of a Rolex watch, also known as the model number, contains essential information such as the age of the watch, model, material, and bezel type. This information helps you compare the specific watch with its reference number to ensure that everything matches the description. If a deal on a Rolex purchase appears too good to be true, it probably is.
- If you see the quality of the watch is inappropriate like the dial has incorrect font or spellings, the lume is imperfect, or there are markings on the case and the bracelet, understand it is a replica.
- Each Rolex watch boasts its own set of unique identifiers, with reference numbers that tell the story of its design and heritage.
- As we touched on, Rolex watches are made with the best materials on the market.
- Closely examine the dial detailing to spot any variation in the design of the hands or the dial as a whole.
- While some counterfeits are easy to spot, others can be well-designed with the intent to deceive buyers.
- A fake Rolex watch comes with documentation that has printing errors, spelling mistakes, missing elements, and looks rushed.
Sell My Rolex Watches Now
Real – The second hand of a genuine Rolex moves in tiny ticks, which appear as a smooth, seamless glide around the face of the watch without pause. However, this insane popularity has given rise to a parallel market of highly convincing counterfeit replicas that fool even the most experienced collectors. If you own a Rolex want to get a fast cash loan from a London pawnbroker or you are looking to sell your Rolex, then please get in touch. We are experts in luxury timepieces can guide you into this exciting world.
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.
The Bracelets and Straps of Authentic Rolex Watches
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 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.
- Sometimes counterfeiters mix and match parts from genuine Rolex watches and fake ones, making distinguishing the two even more difficult.
- However, when searching for genuine Rolex timepieces, nothing beats buying from a trustworthy source since all the homework has been done on your behalf.
- A Rolex’s serial number is found where the bracelet meets the case of the watch, below 6 o’clock.
- Our specialists verify every detail, offering you the peace of mind that comes with certainty.
- Consider Bob’s Watches, where every sale is accompanied by an iron-clad assurance of authenticity.
- However, this is not a characteristic of authentic Rolex design, and such transparency should signal caution.
- Briefly research the Rolex model and its signature characteristics to avoid confusion.
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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.
If you’re contemplating a pre-owned Rolex, the significance of confidence in your purchase cannot be overstated. At Bob’s Watches, we stand as a defender against the uncertainties of the secondary watch market. Here, the fear of counterfeit watches dissolves, thanks to our rigorous authentication process that ensures each watch is the epitome of the genuine craftsmanship Rolex is celebrated for. 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. Depending on the model, there’s the Twinlock or Triplock screw-down winding crown, with two or three sealed areas, respectively.
Any diversion from that and you know the watch you’re holding is a fake. If you have ever wondered how Rolex makes watches, remember that it uses a combination of finishes on each timepiece, which scammers cannot achieve. The low weight directly represents the compromising approach to quality, where the counterfeiter has used low-quality materials and cheap engineering to imitate a Rolex. The weight is due to the use of the finest materials and precise craftsmanship of the components that go into its creation. The metals used in making the Rolex watches have a certain weight, making the watches feel solid and substantial on your wrist.