For those who can afford it, Rolex watches are the ultimate symbol of true elegance and luxury. It is for this reason that many counterfeits are sold. The difference between a genuine Rolex and a fake is not always obvious, but with a few simple guidelines you can determine whether your Rolex is genuine or just a cheap imitation. For high-quality knockoffs, however, you should ask the experts. To begin learning effective tips for determining the quality of a Rolex, see Step 1 below.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Checking for Major Defects
Step 1. Listen for a “tick, tick, tick” sound instead of a much faster ticking sound
On a regular watch, the movement of the second hand is jerky and clipped as most of these watches are quartz watches. The second hand moves noticeably from one position to the next. If you listen carefully, you can usually hear a soft “tick, tick, tick” sound in his movements. On the other hand, Rolex (and many other expensive watches) have a second hand that moves almost perfectly smoothly, because the movement is automatic and not quartz. Therefore, Rolex does not make a “tick” sound like a quartz watch. If you hear a slow “tick” sound on your watch, it means you are not wearing a real Rolex. The sound you hear should be faster than the battery-powered watch.
Step 2. Notice the jerky movement of the second hand
As noted above, Rolex has a second hand that rotates smoothly along the watch face, rather than jumping from one position to the next. Pay close attention to the second hand of your watch; is the movement smooth, following a path in a perfect circle around the edges of the watch face? Or does it seem faster, slower, or jerky when moving? If the seconds hand doesn't move smoothly, it's possible that your watch is an imitation.
In fact, when you look very closely, the movement of a genuine Rolex second hand is not perfectly smooth. Many models actually move at a rate of about 8 small movements per second.. Some models are even slower. But to the naked eye, this movement is usually undetectable, so the second hand seems to move smoothly
Step 3. Notice the false “magnification” of the date
Many (but not all) Rolex watches have a dial or small window that displays the date. This is usually located to the right of the watch face (near 3 o'clock). To make this chakra easier to read, Rolex added a small magnifying lens (sometimes called a cyclops) in the glass above the chakra. This part is hard to imitate, so many fake Rolexes only feature what looks like a magnifying panel, but on closer inspection it turns out to be just plain glass. If the magnifying panel above the date disc doesn't appear to make the number on the date appear larger, it could be fake.
A genuine Rolex magnifying window will magnify the date up to 2.5 times magnification; the date will be the size of almost the entire window. Some good fake clocks "will" enlarge the date somehow, but often don't get to the size of the entire window, nor will they be centered exactly on the date. Watch for magnification windows that appear to sit imperfectly or don't fit in the middle
Step 4. Loosen the dial and turn the hand back to change the date
The date will change to the previous date when it is at position 6 instead of 12. This is almost impossible to replicate. If your watch doesn't do this it's likely fake.
Step 5. Feel the unnatural light weight
Real Rolexes are made of real metal and crystal, and are a bit heavy. The watch should feel solid and solid on your wrist. If the Rolex feels unnaturally light, it's probably not the best quality; perhaps it lacks some of the essential metals used in many Rolex models, or perhaps it is made entirely of sub-standard materials.
Step 6. Pay attention to the clear back/back of the watch
Some imitation Rolexes have a clear glass on the back so you can see the inside of the watch. The clear back is hidden (or maybe not) under a removable metal cover. In fact, currently no Rolex model has this type of back casing. So if your watch is like that, it's not a genuine Rolex. Only a few Rolexes have ever been made with this feature, and all of them are exhibition replicas.
It is thought that counterfeiters added these clear back cases to help vendors sell watches to casual customers by allowing them to see how the inside of the watch works. Ordinary customers may be amazed by the inside of the watch, rather than worrying about something going wrong
Step 7. Notice the non-metallic arrangement
Take your Rolex and turn it over. Check the case back which should be made of soft, unmarked, high-quality metal. The belt (band, or that serves to wrap around the hand) is made of leather, or a high-quality metal arrangement. If any part of the watch is made of plastic or cheap thin metal such as aluminum, it is a fake watch. This quality is a clear sign that there are material savings in the manufacturing process. Genuine Rolex is made of only the best materials. No ingredients are skipped in the manufacture of each watch.
Additionally, if the back case of your watch looks like it's made of metal but can be removed to reveal the plastic inner case, the watch is not genuine
Step 8. Test the water resistance
One sure way to determine whether a Rolex is genuine or not is to see if the watch is water resistant. All Rolex watches are perfectly waterproof; if your watch gets even a little wet, it's probably a fake. To test if your watch is waterproof, fill a glass with water, make sure the dial is tightened, then dip the watch in the glass for a few seconds, and pull it out. The watch should still work fine and you shouldn't see any water in the chakras. If you see water, you are holding a fake watch.
- Obviously, if your watch is fake, this test can damage or even destroy the watch. In case the watch is damaged by water, you will have to take it to a watchmaker for repairs or even buy a new watch. So if you are not comfortable with this risk, take another Rolex test.
- It should be noted that the Submariner is the only Rolex timepiece designed for deep water use; although other Rolexes will be fine if worn in the shower or taken to the pool, they may leak in deeper water.
Step 9. If all else fails, compare your watch with the real thing
If you're still not sure your Rolex is genuine, it's a good idea to compare your watch face with what it should look like. The Rolex website contains a catalog of all the watches that Rolex manufactures, along with a picture of each. Search for your watch model on the Rolex website, then compare its appearance to the available “reference” images. Pay special attention to the chakras; is everything arranged as it should be? If your watch has an extra dial like a chronograph or date dial, is it in the right place? Are all carvings the same? Are the letters/writing the same?
If one of the answers to this question is “no”, your watch may be fake. The Rolex brand is known for the quality of craftsmanship in its manufacture; it is very rare to see defects on the watch
Method 2 of 3: Checking for Minor Defects
Step 1. Pay attention to the serial number of the watch
Some super "KW" knockoffs will not be easy to distinguish from the original Rolex. To see this difference, you have to look at the fine, intricate workmanship of the details, which is the hardest part to fake. To get started, look for the watch's serial number. You need to remove the watch belt. You can usually do this by pressing the connection that secures the belt to the watch with a thumbtack or other similar object. However, if you are not sure how to do this, visit a professional. The watch serial number is between the lugs of the 6 o'clock dial.
- Writing serial numbers must be perfect and precise, in neat lines. Some counterfeiters use acid-etching (engraving on metal plates with an acid solution) to create serial number markings that look "gritty" when viewed at magnification.
- On the other side of the lug, there should be a similar mark. This is a reference number and will be labeled with the words “ORIG ROLEX DESIGN”.
- To note that you can see the date of manufacture of the watch along with the serial number. Use several internet sites (like this one) to help you.
Step 2. Notice the six o'clock crown
Starting in the mid-2000s, Rolex began to engrave the trademark crown logo into the dial crystals of the watch. If your watch was made decades ago, you might be able to see this tiny sign of authenticity. Use a magnifying glass or jewelry lens to carefully examine the glass at the end of the six o'clock chakra. Look for the Rolex logo and crown, the design is the same as the larger logo on the back of the chakra. The engraving you are looking for is very, very small and difficult to see. It may be easier to find if you shine the light on the watch face at a certain angle.
Some counterfeiters try to imitate these engravings, but they are incredibly difficult to trace with such precision as real Rolexes. If the engraving is large enough to be seen with the naked eye, it may be a fake
Step 3. Locate the inscription engraving inside the chakra circle
Another sign of authenticity is the fine engraving of the letters, which are usually made around the circumference of the Rolex disc. Check this writing using a magnifying glass or jewelry lens. Writing must be good, precise, elegant, without flaws. In addition, the inscription must be “engraved” on the metal circle. If the writing looks like it's painted or printed, it's likely a fake watch.
It should be noted that usually all Rolex Oyster series have this engraving. Watches from the Cellini series often have a non-standard design (square shape, etc.) and may not have this engraving
Step 4. Look for the high quality crown logo on the chakra
Almost all (though not "few") Rolex watches have the trademark crown logo located on the top of the dial near the twelve o'clock mark. Examining this logo with magnification can sometimes reveal its fake. The logo should look like it's made of a high-quality metal arrangement. The loop at the end of the crown should be embossed. The outline of the crown should shimmer with a different metallic shimmer than the interior. If your crown logo looks cheap or flat after zooming in, this is a sign of poor workmanship (and is likely to signal a fake watch).
Step 5. Pay attention to the perfect and precise writing of the letters on the chakras
Rolex is known for its perfection. Even small, relatively undetectable defects can be a sign that your Rolex is not top quality. Check the inscription on the dial using a magnifying glass or jewelry lens. Each letter must be perfect, precisely formed in straight lines and smooth curves. The distance between words and between letters must be the same. If you notice letters that look even slightly unbalanced or untidy when enlarged, this is a sign that the watch is not made with the best printing technology and may not be Rolex.
It's also worth mentioning that any misspellings are obvious, revealing that the watch is fake
Method 3 of 3: Assessing Seller Authenticity
Step 1. Beware of substandard watch packaging
Everything about a Rolex must be elegant, graceful and flawless, including the packaging. Genuine Rolexes are packaged in a fine jewelery box which usually contains a stand to hold and display the watch, as well as a small piece of cloth to clean and polish it. All packaging must bear the official Rolex name and logo. The watch also comes with a user manual and warranty card. If any of the above is missing, it's probably not a genuine watch.
Buying a watch on the street is very risky, because there is no packaging, it is impossible to know if the watch is genuine
Step 2. Watch out for cheat locations
Use common sense when buying a Rolex. Jewelers or watch shops are much more likely to sell genuine Rolexes than street vendors. Rolexes can cost tens of millions of dollars, so assume that whoever is selling them has the funds to run a legitimate business. If you are unsure whether a seller/store is a trustworthy Rolex seller, look for a list of authorized Rolex sellers here.
Pawn shops can have different possibilities; there may or may not be a genuine Rolex, depending on the person pawning the watch. Some pawn shops try to confirm the authenticity of the watch, while others simply "turn a blind eye" to this. If you don't know if a pawn shop can be trusted, look online for reviews and testimonials before making a transaction
Step 3. Watch out for unusually low prices
When buying a Rolex, if a watch seems too cheap, it's probably a fake. Rolex timepieces are luxury items crafted to a degree of perfection; it can't be cheap. The world's most expensive Rolex watch sells for over ten billion rupiah, while the cheapest model sells for over ten million rupiah. If you are offered a Rolex for a million rupiah, whatever the seller explains, there is either something wrong with the watch or it is not a genuine item.
Do not believe the sweet words of the seller. If you are told the Rolex is selling cheap because the seller found it or because it was a gift, don't believe it and walk away. Let's just say the seller couldn't be that lucky
Step 4. If all other methods have failed, take your watch to a watch professional
Sometimes, even if you know the characteristics of a fake Rolex, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the real and the fake. In this case, a trusted watchmaker or watch dealer can help you by checking the quality of the watch that the layman may not even notice. If you have a good relationship with this person, perhaps you can get your watch checked free of charge. But otherwise, while not cheap, expert watch service is quite affordable compared to the price of a Rolex.
- For example, an expert hourly appraisal service can cost up to two million rupiah per hour. Because of this, it saves you more money if you request appraisals for multiple watches at once.
- Only use expert hourly appraisal services that are paid by the hour, by the unit, or by the estimated time required. Don't use a service that pays a percentage of the price of the jewelry; it's a scam mode.
Step 5. Done
Tips
- Take the watch to the Rolex maker, he will open it and tell you the result.
- Search for your watch model and serial number on Google, and compare the characteristics to those of your watch.
- If your watch has a case, it's common for the counterfeit case to have wood like cheap boards, and the backing is like low-quality soft suede.
- Another thing to watch out for is if someone else is trying to sell you a watch. Be wary if they say they bought the watch from overseas, or it was a gift, as this could be a sign that it is a fake.
Warning
- Don't let the watch face get scratched when you take it to bed, or do hard activities or sports.
- Wear the watch at home, but remember to take it off before showering, unless your watch is waterproof.
- Don't lose your watch.
- Modified Rolex, for example given additional diamonds on the chakras, etc. will not be serviced by Rolex.
- Do not open the back case yourself. Watches can be permanently damaged.
