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.
Cyclops
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.
Rolex Submariner No Date Black Dial 124060 – Used
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.
Look Closely at the Dial and Etchings
One exception to this is the Rolex Oysterquartz, which runs on a quartz movement instead of a mechanical one. If you’re considering a specific reference, spend 10 minutes researching its unique features. Compare the watch’s details—such as dial layout, engravings, and case design—to images of verified examples. 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. If you’re shopping for a pre-owned Rolex it’s best to choose a trusted grey market dealer with a good reputation and an authenticity guarantee.
- Every watch in our curated collection is a testament to authenticity, backed by our commitment to transparency and excellence.
- 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.
- It’s precisely for this reason that we’ve gone the extra mile to craft an informative video for you.
- 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.
- – If the timepiece is indeed fake, a water pressure test will ruin the watch, and you will be unable to return it.
Buy the seller before buying the watch
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.
An International Network Of Quality Control
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. Overall, it’s not worth it to buy a Rolex for a few hundred to a thousand dollars if it’s not going to last. That is still a lot of money to be wasting on a watch that you know won’t last you nearly the same amount of time as if you were to get a real Rolex. – A reputable and legitimate watch dealer would have solid presence online, as well as real testimonials from previous buyers. Most genuine Rolex casebacks have plain polished metal, and do not have engravings of words, logos, or pictures. They do not have a clear window showing the movements on the back of the watch.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex Watch: Final Thoughts
“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.
How to Spot a Fake Rolex: The Ultimate Guide
- But the weight difference between two real watches of the same model and size is negligible.
- Rolex is, after all, one of the most counterfeited brands in the world.
- These symbols are a testament to authenticity and a badge of the craftsmanship and history embodied in every genuine Rolex watch.
- Unfortunately, many of those buying/selling inauthentic watches have no idea they’re fake.
- 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.
- And being light doesn’t mean it’s fake–vintage Rolexes are far lighter than new ones, and owners of modern Rolexes sometimes (wrongly) assume old Rolexes are fake because of their lack of heft.
- Additionally, knowing which material a specific Rolex model is made of can also help spot a fake.
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, The Ultimate Guide to Rolex Nicknames 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.
Diamond Watches
This small etching is Rolex’s way of weaving security into the very fabric of their watches. The intricacy involved in creating and placing this micro-logo means that it’s an exceptionally hard feature for counterfeiters to mimic successfully. When in the market for a modern Rolex, make it a point to seek out this elusive crown. 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. However, this is not a characteristic of authentic Rolex design, and such transparency should signal caution.
The Best Rolex Alternatives
Closely examine the dial detailing to spot any variation in the design of the hands or the dial as a whole. ❌ Fake – Imitations have dotted or blurred serial numbers due to inferior etching techniques. This usually leaves behind an acid-etched or sandy texture, and the lines are a little messy.
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. Japanese grade watches use 316L steel while the Swiss grade is manufactured from 904L Steel which is a much durable, rust and corrosion-resistant but at the same time more costly and complicated to produce. Swiss grade watches are manufactured on machinery that is cloned to match Swiss technology and standards, therefore a higher accuracy and finishing is to be expected. 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). As many as 10 per cent of the watches received from sellers last year were determined to be fakes during an authentication process, according to Watchfinder CEO Arjen van de Vall. There have been cases where fake Rolex watches have been confiscated at airports during security searches along with being confiscated at the mall.
- ❌ Fake – The counterfeiters pay little or no attention to the detailing, which can be easily identified by how the watch is presented within the box.
- 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.
- Most counterfeit Rolex watches provide a magnification of 1.5 times or lower, making the date appear smaller and difficult to see.
- With few exceptions (such as the Sea-Dweller and Milgauss), Rolex watches do not have specs, logos, or branding on their casebacks.
- Modern authentic Rolex watches are outfitted with a scratchproof sapphire crystal to protect the face of the watch.
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. If your Rolex watch features a date complication on the dial, the date should change in one smooth sweep at 12 o’clock. A slight deviation of around 5 minutes is considered normal and falls within the specifications. However, if the date changes gradually or slows down significantly, this could be a sign that the watch is a counterfeit.
IWC Watch Releases
In addition, the counterfeit models often repeat identical serial and reference numbers, a shortcut that Rolex never takes. Each Rolex boasts unique set of identifiers, with reference numbers that tell its heritage and design story. 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. Fraudsters find it nearly impossible to replicate the kind of finesse each Rolex watch entails.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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).
- With no reputation to stand by, however, that doesn’t really matter, because there’s an army of people all around the world ready to put those problems right.
- Post-2005 models also have engraved rehauts reading “ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX” with a serial number at 6 o’clock.
- If you shop at 1stDibs, you never have to worry about unsavory dealers, as we work only with expertly vetted sellers.
- All Rolex watches, except for the Cellini dress watches and the more recently unveiled Rolex Perpetual 1908, are equipped with an Oyster case.
- The one exception is the left-handed GMT-Master II, which was introduced in 2022 to accommodate left-handed wearers.
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. In addition to checking for replacement parts by evaluating the evenness of color and fading on your prospective Rolex, you also want to make sure the watch is worn evenly. Polished watches, which have had scratches on their cases and bracelets buffed away by a watchmaker, tend to hold less value than unpolished watches. This also comes back to modern customers preferring all-original watches. 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.
HOW TO SPOT A FAKE ROLEX YOURSELF
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. Each Rolex watch boasts its own set of unique identifiers, with reference numbers that tell the story of its design and heritage. And for your peace of mind, we’ve provided a specialized Rolex serial number checker tool, an essential ally in verifying the lineage of your timepiece.
Cyclops Lens
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. However, in the case of the counterfeit watch being discussed, which is a replica of a non-military Rolex Submariner, there should not be any engravings or markings on the caseback. Additionally, when purchasing secondhand watches, it is possible that the previous owner may have had personal engravings made on the watch. In such cases, it is best to have the watch authenticated by a reputable source to ensure that it is not a counterfeit.
How to Sell an Omega Watch in 2025
That is because they are powered with fully mechanical movements, as opposed to the quartz battery used by less expensive watchmakers, which causes a distinctive “tick, tick, tick” sound every second. That said, some Rolex models do tick every few seconds, so it’s the loud ticking every second that indicates a fake. 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.
Even though it’s a for-profit company, Rolex is known for its extensive philanthropic efforts supporting the arts, environment, science, sports and its own mentoring program. Rolex watches have been a symbol of luxury, precision and style for more than a century, and the brand is firmly embedded in pop culture. On a genuine Rolex, it is textured to provide traction when turning the crown. The casebacks of most Rolex watches are plain polished steel, without engravings, drawings or other decorations. Exceptions include the Sea-Dweller, which has the name of the watch and some variation of “Gas Escape Valve” written on its titanium back.
Nevertheless, we’ve compiled a list of 13 things you should look for in a real Rolex. 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. In other words, dealing with someone you know to be reputable is the best way to protect yourself from getting scammed. Last year, this became easier than ever to do thanks to Rolex’s new Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, of which The 1916 Company is a part.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for here, first of all, I don’t blame you, second of all, you should just take your watch to a trusted watchmaker or dealer. Be mindful of who you trust your watch with – I’ve heard at least one tale of a sketchy watchmaker who pocketed a client’s original Rolex dial, returning the “serviced” watch with an aftermarket one. Unfortunately, many of those buying/selling inauthentic watches have no idea they’re fake. We’ve even had customers reach out claiming their strap doesn’t fit properly, only to send us pictures of it paired with an inauthentic Rolex.
The Triplock crown, which bears the Rolex crown logo above three dots, was first used on the Rolex Sea-Dweller, in 1970. 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. 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.