This is a bit tricky to check, since Rolex is adamant that only brand-certified watchmakers can access the movement. 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. 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.

Weight and size difference between real and fake Rolex watches

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. These watches may seem fake compared to modern Rolexes, but they could still be genuine. 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.

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However, when searching for genuine Rolex timepieces, nothing beats buying from a trustworthy source since all the homework has been done on your behalf. Another telltale sign on how to tell if Rolex is fake is the sapphire crystal, the glass that covers the dial on your watch. Modern authentic Rolex watches are outfitted with a scratchproof sapphire crystal to protect the face of the watch. What’s more, on Rolex date watches, there’s a magnifying lens on top of the date window to amplify the number for greater legibility. This lens, dubbed the Cyclops, is also made from sapphire crystal and it magnifies the date 2.5 times. Up until very recently, the only Rolex date models that did not have a Cyclops lens were the Sea-Dweller and Deepsea.

References

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. 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.

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When the crown is fully unscrewed, you can see the black O-ring that seals off the inside of the watch from water. Some good counterfeits will have similar-looking gaskets, but they’re merely cosmetic and serve only to fool the buyer. The crown — the small winding knob on the side of the watch used to set the time and date — will always have the famed Rolex crown logo, known as the coronet, engraved on the end.

How to Spot a Fake Rolex: The Basics

On closer inspection, if the timepiece is missing these critical brand markings, it’s a strong indicator you’re not holding a piece of the storied Rolex heritage. A true Rolex is not just a timekeeper but a statement, marked clearly with the brand’s distinguished symbols. These symbols are a testament to authenticity and a badge of the craftsmanship and history embodied in every genuine Rolex watch. Without them, a watch not only loses its identity but also its claim to be part of a lineage of the world’s most prestigious timepieces. The devil is in the details, and with Rolex, each element is an example of precision engineering.

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This is a very subtle feature that can be spotted on newer Submariner models. The hook on the clasp is the only component that is soldered onto the clasp. Yes, some Rolex imitations are crafted with impressive attention to detail and quality materials. However, they are not on par with the precision and craftsmanship of genuine Rolex watches.

Commonly Counterfeited Rolex Models

These are all things you’ll need to examine really closely to pick up, and it’s the same story with the movement. 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. 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.

Ticking of the hands

Rolex doesn’t just laser-etch the crown logo at six o’clock; they do it with tiny dots at different heights, different depths within the sapphire crystal, and so it’s not just one continuous line creating the logo. This is one of the biggest places where fake watches are identified as being fake because it’s such a hard process to replicate. Cheaper replica watches can lack the crown or have it engraved rather than laser-etched. A lot of mid-tier to high-end fake watches over-accentuate the crown down at six o’clock to make it stand out. On the real watches, it’s very, very difficult to see, therefore on superclones it is also difficult to see.

Authenticating a Rolex Based on Materials

Just because a Rolex has had parts replaced, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s fake. 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.

• Because Rolex is so popular, it’s also the most faked watch brand in the world.
• Depending on the model, there’s the Twinlock or Triplock screw-down winding crown, with two or three sealed areas, respectively.
• 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 uses Twinlock and Triplock crowns on its watches to ensure that they’re waterproof.
• When you are looking at Rolex watches, try to find all the information you can about what materials the watch or particular model is made with.
• These markings are so finely cut, they dance and reflect the light, reminiscent of a meticulously carved diamond edge.
• Authentic Rolexes are carefully placed within the box, often with protective coverings and supports to secure the 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. Pull all this together and what does it mean for someone hoping not to get stung? Well, to be honest, it means that you can’t rely upon yourself to reliably determine if a watch is fake or not.

Tiger River Watches & Jewelry is an independent watch dealer and is not affiliated with Rolex S.A., Rolex USA, Audemars Piguest, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Penerai, Omega, Tudor, Cartier, or any brands listed on this website. Tiger River Watches & Jewelry only buys & sells pre-owned luxury watches. 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.

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For instance, fluted bezels on authentic Rolex watches are made of 18k gold. Hence, if you come across a watch with a fluted bezel made of platinum or stainless steel, it is undoubtedly a fake Rolex. 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. 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 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.
• That’s why it’s crucial to examine the watch against official images from Rolex, ensuring that what you’re considering for purchase aligns with the unparalleled quality the brand is known for.
• 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.
• 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.
• Rapidly escalating prices, demand greater than ever, supply dwindling by the day—and of course this means the fake watch industry is booming.
• Rolex watches are made out of high-quality materials all the way through.

• Ask the seller for references from watch associations like the International Watch and Jewelry Guild.
• 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.
• To verify this, use a jeweler’s loupe or a macro lens to inspect the crown; it should appear crisp and perfectly aligned.
• Oftentimes, a real example of the watch needs to be present and, for watches with a closed case back, as most Rolexes are, you need to take the case back off to see the movement.
• While it is not illegal to replicate the design of a Rolex watch, it becomes a legal issue when the imitation crosses into counterfeiting territory.
• 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.
• Of course, you’re not expected to understand the finer horological points, but you do want to take comfort in knowing they’re there.

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 legality of Rolex imitations is a complex matter that revolves around the fine line between imitation and counterfeiting. While owning a Rolex imitation as a stylish accessory may not raise legal concerns for most individuals, it is crucial to remain informed and make purchases from reputable sources. Remember that the world of horology offers a diverse array of watches, including legitimate homage pieces that honor the legacy of Rolex without breaching legal boundaries. So, whether you’re seeking the prestige of a genuine Rolex or the charm of a well-crafted homage, it’s essential to choose your timepiece wisely and within the confines of the law.

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.

How to Spot a Fake Rolex Bracelet

They aim to protect their brand integrity and ensure customers receive genuine products. Jewellers and pawnbrokers also play a part in recognising copies as well as identifying stolen watches. Of course the issue is not Rolex exclusive, it is a huge problem for all luxury watch brands. 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.

Modern infringers

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. The ceramic bezel doesn’t shimmer; Rolex coats its bezels with a fine layer of platinum dust for exactly this reason – something the counterfeiters can’t copy (yet). And on the crown and pushers, the finely brushed and polished finish to the jagged, knurled surfaces isn’t as sophisticated.

Rolex uses Twinlock and Triplock crowns on its watches to ensure that they’re waterproof. The two different types are identified by small markings under the Rolex coronet. Other models that feature Replica watches Twinlock crowns include the Sky-Dweller and the Datejust. Sometimes counterfeiters mix and match parts from genuine Rolex watches and fake ones, making distinguishing the two even more difficult.

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. This micro-etching is a testament to Rolex’s dedication to detail and serves as a badge of authenticity for models crafted in that year or later. Its size makes it a challenge to distinguish without a magnifying glass and the perfect angle of light, but it’s a detail worth searching for as a sign of a genuine timepiece. 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. 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.

So, we’ve compiled a quick rundown of the anatomy of authentic Rolex watches with some basic guidelines to keep in mind. Please note that these rules are only applicable to Rolex watches made after 2002. Conversely, a transparent case back on a Rolex might be the lens through which a counterfeit reveals itself. Replica makers often include this feature to entice those who are fascinated by the mechanical spectacle.

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. 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. 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.