How to Spot a Fake Rolex: 13+ Expert Tips

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 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.

Self-Winding or Mechanical Movement

Knowing the signs of how to spot a fake Rolex can be particularly helpful when shopping for pre-owned watches. This comprehensive guide outlines several key indicators that distinguish a real Rolex from a fake one. 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. There can be notable differences between genuine Rolex packaging and that used with counterfeits. Genuine packaging reflects the brand’s impeccable standards and displays the same commitment to quality and attention applied to their watches.

Engraved Rehaut

If you’re not certain that it appears bigger when looked at straight on, the watch is probably fake. Rolex movements are self-winding and mechanical, as opposed to quartz or battery-powered. This is a bit tricky to check, since Rolex is adamant that only brand-certified watchmakers can access the movement. Rolex’s commitment to sleek, unadorned elegance extends all the way to the backs of their watches.

Swiss & Japanese

This is especially important when buying a pre-owned Rolex, as there is more risk involved compared to buying brand new from a retail store. When shopping on online marketplaces, it’s essential to do thorough research on the seller. Ultimately, taking these precautions will ensure confidence in your decision to buy an extravagant and expensive watch like a Rolex. It should be noted that there are some exceptions to the general rule outlined above.

HOW TO SPOT A FAKE ROLEX YOURSELF

• Unfortunately, many of those buying/selling inauthentic watches have no idea they’re fake.
• Remember a pawnbroker or second hand trader has already invested in the watch and will have undertaken comprehensive and undisputable verification checks.
• 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.
• ❌ Fake – Imitations have dotted or blurred serial numbers due to inferior etching techniques.
• Rolex is, after all, one of the most counterfeited brands in the world.
• On a genuine Rolex, it is textured to provide traction when turning the crown.
• Second, vintage watches, even if authentic, may still fail these tests.It is best to trust professionals to ensure the authenticity of your Rolex in such cases.
• Authentic Rolex watches boast a construction that seals them against the ingress of water, certified through rigorous water pressure testing.

Some earlier engraved rehauts were hollow block letters, but they look very clean. Real Rolex rehauts aren’t always aligned perfectly, but they should be close. The minute lines might not exactly bisect each letter, but if any minute line is so far off that it’s not even touching a letter, that’s a pretty conclusive sign of a fake. Fake watches often re-use the same (or partially the same) serial numbers. If it starts with ER6J, K28, K25, Q66, S19, S28, S29 or S39 your eyebrows should also be raised. Rolex is copied in so many ways, and it’s really not easy to differentiate a real from a fake unless you have a trained eye.

• When you’re making fake watches, you can, quite simply, let your customer act as quality control for you.
• A few vintage ladies’ models actually do say “stainless steel” on the back, and very old Rolexes often have serial/model numbers on the back.
• 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.
• Counterfeiters often don’t bother to vary the numbers, instead printing the same digits on each replica.
• This level of detail in the finish and function is only visible upon opening up its case, revealing the flawless execution expected from such a prestigious brand.
• The dial is the centerpiece of any watch and is usually the first thing people notice.
• 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.

Luxury Watch Brands Knowledge Quiz

• Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.
• Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches are of course famous for their water resistance.
• Some good counterfeits will have similar-looking gaskets, but they’re merely cosmetic and serve only to fool the buyer.
• Looking at the bracelet, you can see tiny gaps where it meets the case.
• The shade of red for “Daytona” above the six o’clock subdial is too bright.
• It’s important to check the manufacture date of a particular model to determine which crown technology was used.
• Throughout its illustrious history, Rolex has produced only a handful of quartz timepieces, making them an anomaly rather than the norm.
• Advances in milling and rapid prototyping machinery mean that all of the above can be achieved with minimal hand-craft involved (which remains one of the un-fakeable defining characteristics of a real ).

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.

How to Spot a Fake Rolex with Weight & Materials

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 the weight difference between two real watches of the same model and size is negligible. In contrast, that between a fake and a genuine Rolex can be significant. They also have “Rolex” engraved on them, although the placement of the engraving differs depending on the piece. Rolexes manufactured before 2007 included a hologram of the crown logo on the caseback.

• He’s the chief sales officer at The 1916 Company, one of the largest used watch retailers in the world, and he’s been buying and selling Rolexes since 1983.
• – A reputable and legitimate watch dealer would have solid presence online, as well as real testimonials from previous buyers.
• Please note that these rules are only applicable to Rolex watches made after 2002.
• The only way to find out is by subjecting the watch to a water pressure test.
• 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.
• When checking the font on the face of a Rolex you’re considering, compare it with authentic pictures of the same model.
• Additionally, when purchasing secondhand watches, it is possible that the previous owner may have had personal engravings made on the watch.

Examine the Movement (Or Have Someone Qualified Do So)

There’s clearly a capability to manufacturer a product to a certain level of quality, but to do so under the manufacturer’s own name with its own designs would most likely be entirely unprofitable. The safest way to ensure authenticity is to buy a Rolex from a trusted seller. However, if you already own one and are contemplating its authenticity, look for the signs above. From the weight and craftsmanship to the various intricate detailing, authentic Rolex watches stand apart in both precision and quality. ✔️ Real – Rolex stands out as a beacon of luxury and unmatched quality.

Expensive Watches

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.

Second Hand

• Today, the hermetic construction of the Oyster case guarantees Rolex watches to be waterproof up to 100m / 330 feet, and up to 3,900m / 12,800 feet for the Rolex Deepsea, their saturated diving watch.
• This information helps you compare the specific watch with its reference number to ensure that everything matches the description.
• Rolex swears by 8 uncompromising gold standards, ensuring the watches reach unprecedented accuracy, technical brilliance, and distinction.
• This signature magnifying lens adorns the crystal over the date window.
• Rolex maintains a database of serial numbers and the corresponding watch manufacture date.
• 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.
• 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.

✔️ 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.

How to Spot a Fake Rolex, According to an Expert

“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.

RELIABLE ROLEX DEALER

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.

How to Spot a Fake Rolex Bracelet

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 replica Rolex 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.

✔️ 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.

How to Spot a Fake Rolex Fluted Bezel: Too Smudgey

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).

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.

Zenith El Primero Lightweight Watches: 2013, 2014, and 2025 Models

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. Rolex watches are made with high quality materials, and their modern bracelets are quite heavy. Some fakes are indeed lighter, but being heavy certainly doesn’t mean it’s real. 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. But fake gold watches are never solid gold, so they’ll never feel as heavy as a gold watch should.