How to Tell a Fake Rolex From a Real One — The Ultimate Guide
So you’re considering buying a Rolex. Maybe it’s your first luxury watch, or maybe you’ve just never bought a pre-owned luxury watch before. Whatever the case, you want to make sure that what you’re paying for is the real deal. We want to help!
“Rolex is a widely known status symbol, with over 700,000 of its timepieces pumped out annually. It’s also one of the most counterfeited watch brands out there.”
~ Megan Willett | Business Insider
In our last post in this series, we shared some crucial tips on how to tell a fake Richard Mille from a real one. These tips remain relevant for a Rolex, and any luxury watch:
Tip #1: Always ask for documentation!
Luxury watches should always be accompanied by warranty documentation, a sure sign of authenticity.
Tip #3: Get an expert opinion
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a fake Rolex and a real one without an expert eye.
In recent years, criminals have gotten a lot better at creating convincing know off luxury watches.
If you’re considering an expensive watch, you may want a second opinion.
Tip #3: Buy from a trusted and credible dealer!
Peer to peer purchases are increasingly popular these days, but this kind of interaction won’t cut it for luxury watches like Rolex.
You’ll do better to buy from an established and trusted reseller or dealer.
These tips are relevant to any luxury watch brand.
But what about a Rolex?
The good news is you should be able to tell a fake Rolex from a real one, as long as you’re careful about it.
Here are a few pointers to make sure you’re on the right path.
“To a watch enthusiast like myself, fake watches are embarrassing,and can be heartbreaking for the person who accidentally and unknowingly buys a fake, and sometimes laughable in appearance. Whether a cheap knock-off that happens to bear the Rolex Crown, or a finely crafted but intentional fake, these are watches that buyers (usually) try their best to avoid and worry about accidentally acquiring.”
Pay Attention to the Details of the Rolex Watch
The simplest way to tell a fake Rolex from the genuine article is to pay attention to the watch movement.
The second hand on a real Rolex watch moves along smoothly, without any ticking or stuttering. A fake will stutter along the watch face. If it appears smooth, put the watch to your ear — any ticking indicates a fake Rolex.
Feel the weight of the watch.
Rolex watches are made with high quality (and heavy) materials and will feel like it.
Fakes often use cheap alternative materials, leading to a much lighter weight watch.
Take a close look at the watch’s crown, case, hands bezel, and bracelet — if anything looks like it is shoddy, the watch is most likely shoddy.
You can also look at the winder — real Rolexes typically have complex designs and grooves with its signature 904 steel.
Read more: The Rolex Buying Guide
These are a few specific giveaways to look for if you are trying to tell a fake Rolex from a real one:
The serial number. The real deal will show clear and deep lines for the serial number engraving, while fakes may fade with time.
The cyclops feature. The signature feature of the Rolex watch is difficult to replicate, so the cyclops on a fake Rolex may not magnify the date like that of a real Rolex.
The caseback. Except for a few rare models, Rolex watches do not feature a clear caseback. Counterfeiters try to get overly fancy and go overboard with a clear caseback.
The stampings. As with the serial number, the stampings on the front of a fake Rolex may look faded, uneven or even misspelled.
The etched crown logo. From 2002 onward, Rolex started engraving the crystal case with a tiny crown logo next to the 12 o’clock mark.
Of course, if you’re still not sure if you’re dealing with a fake or a real Rolex, you can always insist that the seller dunk the watch in water — all Rolex luxury watches are made to be 100% airtight.
Happy shopping!
