Renowned for combining heritage, exquisite craftsmanship, and exceptional value retention, these watches can be great investment pieces. If the date changes slowly or more than 15 minutes late, however, the timepiece may be a fake. You won’t find a transparent caseback that lets you see the inner workings of the watch except on some very rare pieces from the 1930s. If a watch stops working while you’re out for a swim, best to just leave that fake at the bottom of the sea. Only an expert — and luckily, 1stDibs has many — can really be trusted to determine whether or not a watch is genuine.
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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.
Top Signs To Spot A Fake Rolex
Furthermore, Rolex also uses a patented rose gold alloy with some platinum mixed in that the brand calls Everose. For Rolex platinum timepieces, only 950 platinum will do, which is comprised of 95% pure platinum. The term Rolesor refers to the use of both gold and stainless steel on a particular model. On the other hand, Rolesium refers to the use of both platinum and stainless steel on a specific watch.
Rolex
- This also comes back to modern customers preferring all-original watches.
- This usually leaves behind an acid-etched or sandy texture, and the lines are a little messy.
- 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.
- The global appeal of Rolex watches has set a gold standard for quality and elegance in the world of timepieces.
- 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.
- Cheap clones use mineral glass, which is 10 times more fragile than sapphire.
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 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.
Serial & Model numbers
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.
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A yellow gold or steel Twinlock crown has a bar, while a platinum Rolex model has a single dot. A white gold Triplock crown features a larger dot between two smaller ones than the platinum model, which features a small dot between two larger ones. When searching for indications of a counterfeit Rolex, there are various features on the watch case that reveal its authenticity or lack thereof. As previously mentioned, authentic Rolex timepieces are made of the finest quality materials, which is typically the most apparent indication of whether a Rolex watch is genuine or fake.
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The difference between the weight of a real Rolex and a fake Rolex can vary, but will still be noticeable. From 2002 onward, Rolex started engraving the crystal with a tiny crown logo next to the 6 o’clock mark as an anti-counterfeiting measure. Counterfeiters often fake this, but they make it too visible, so counterintuitively, seeing this laser-etched coronet in photos is actually a red flag. A skilled photographer can capture a real LEC with the right lighting though, as shown below, and legit LEC’s are more pointillated and less “foggy” than fake ones. It can be difficult to know how to spot a fake Rolex without an expert eye. In recent years, criminals have gotten a lot better at creating convincing knockoff luxury watches (and Rolexes in particular).
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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.
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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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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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✔️ 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.
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Encountering a Rolex with a quartz movement should raise immediate concerns. Throughout its illustrious history, Rolex has produced only a handful of quartz timepieces, making them an anomaly rather than the norm. These imitations may initially look convincing, but upon meticulous inspection, they fall short. The cloned movements miss the mark on the exquisite finishing touches and the dependable accuracy that Rolex is renowned for -the very attributes that make a Rolex much more than just a timekeeper. The devil is in the details, and with Rolex, each element is an example of precision engineering. Should you ever encounter a Rolex that doesn’t meet this high standard, with components that seem anything less than top-notch, it’s likely you’re looking at an imposter.
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.
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As we touched on, Rolex watches are made with the best materials on the market. With stainless steel, gold, and platinum pieces, Rolex watches have high-quality materials that are not likely to be found on fake watches. ✔️ Real – Rolex maintains a high standard not just in watchmaking but also in the way the watches are presented. 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. The watches are meticulously arranged inside the box, typically with protective coverings and supports to keep them securely in place. Moreover, authentic Rolex timepieces include thorough documentation, including the manual, authenticity certificate, warranty card, etc.
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- Any authentic Rolex feels substantial and solid, whether it’s made from the heavy-duty Oystersteel or the lighter-weight RLX Titanium or platinum.
- Thus, they have seconds hands that move at a much faster rate, creating a smooth, sweeping effect.
- Imitations, however, often falter under such scrutiny, as they lack the sophisticated seals and casings that characterize a true Rolex.
- The Rolex crown logo itself is very detailed, finely crafted and well-proportioned, with five symmetrical points of the crown — no more and no less.
- 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.
- Now, the only Rolex date watch without a Cyclops lens is the Sea-Dweller Deepsea.
- ✔️ Real – All Rolex watches boast a construction, certified through rigorous water pressure testing, ensuring they are waterproof.
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. Of course, you’re not expected to understand the finer horological points, but you do want to take comfort in knowing they’re there. 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.
A big red flag is ink bleeding, which results from the cheaper printing methods employed for Rolex replicas. As counterfeiting technology and methods advance, understanding the intricacies of genuine Rolex watches becomes increasingly important for prospective buyers. Fake watches are a billion-dollar industry, with an estimated 30 million to 40 million introduced to the market each year, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Founded in 2007, Gear Patrol is the definitive buying guide for enthusiasts. Our independent experts test the best in cars, tech, home, outdoors, style and watches. We combine hands-on testing, decades of experience and original photography to craft reports, reviews and guides.
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- Rolex swears by 8 uncompromising gold standards, ensuring the watches reach unprecedented accuracy, technical brilliance, and distinction.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Trust your senses as much as the aesthetics; a genuine Rolex not only looks the part but feels it too. Discerning the authenticity of a Rolex can often come down to the subtle art of examining its serial and case reference numbers. When you’re comparing models, the authentic Rolex will reveal its identity through serial and model numbers engraved with laser precision. These markings are so finely cut, they dance and reflect the light, reminiscent of a meticulously carved diamond edge. Their numbers may appear dotted or blurred, the result of inferior etching techniques, leaving behind a granular, acid-etched texture that you can spot in our comparison photos.
- The dial of a Rolex is a prime spot for finding inconsistencies that might indicate a fake.
- These imitations may initially look convincing, but upon meticulous inspection, they fall short.
- Counterfeits might use cheaper materials that are visibly of lower quality upon closer inspection.
- Their numbers may appear dotted or blurred, the result of inferior etching techniques, leaving behind a granular, acid-etched texture that you can spot in our comparison photos.
- As previously mentioned, authentic Rolex timepieces are made of the finest quality materials, which is typically the most apparent indication of whether a Rolex watch is genuine or fake.
- 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.
- A skilled photographer can capture a real LEC with the right lighting though, as shown below, and legit LEC’s are more pointillated and less “foggy” than fake ones.
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.
- These markings are so finely cut, they dance and reflect the light, reminiscent of a meticulously carved diamond edge.
- So if you see a tiny 1940’s Rolex cocktail watch, for instance, it’s probably real.
- For instance, certain Rolex watches such as the Milgauss, Deepsea, vintage Sea Dweller, some gold Lady Datejusts, and military Submariners do have specific patented markings on their caseback.
- When shopping on online marketplaces, it’s essential to do thorough research on the seller.
- 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.
- ✔️ Real – Every Rolex has the serial number engraved between the lugs at the 6 o’clock position of the dial.
The global appeal of Rolex watches has set a gold standard for quality and elegance in the world of timepieces. However, their popularity has also fueled a shadowy market of incredibly convincing counterfeit replicas, capable of deceiving even the most seasoned collectors. Join us as we dive into essential tips and expert insights to navigate this challenge, ensuring your Rolex watch stands as a true testament to your discerning taste and the brand’s unparalleled craftsmanship. Since the turn of the millennium, Rolex has added a subtle yet distinctive authentication feature to its watches. Beginning in 2002, the brand started to add the crystal over the dial with a small crown logo, precisely placed at the 6 o’clock position.
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.
In addition to the top tips for spotting a fake, it’s also important to keep a few things in mind to ensure you’re buying authentic Rolex watches. While that will never be a concern when buying Blue and cheap gold submariner from Bob’s, it’s still useful to arm yourself with some knowledge. So, we’ve compiled a quick rundown of the anatomy of authentic Rolex watches with some basic guidelines to keep in mind.
The font size may vary slightly, since it depends on the dial’s diameter, which can be as small as 24mm on women’s Rolexes and as large as 44mm on men’s models. When checking the font on the face of a Rolex you’re considering, compare it with authentic pictures of the same model. It first made its debut in 2015 on the Everose Yacht-Master and later became available on gold Daytona models. We hope that you find this quick guide to the anatomy of authentic Rolex watches to be useful.
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. Starting on the outside, you can see that the printing of the dial text is marginally less precise. The shade of red for “Daytona” above the six o’clock subdial is too bright. The hour markers, five-pointed crown and hands don’t catch the light as they should; their edges aren’t crisp and, when you zoom in, you can see evidence of machining which the genuine watch would never display. 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.
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