Counterfeit Rolex Watch Inspection

The most obvious counterfeits can be identified within seconds of contact. While many of these tips will not apply to watches that are bought online, knowing the basics of counterfeit identification is a great first step.

Simply looking at the movement of the watch is enough to blow the cover on most fakes. Rolex watches (with the exception of the Oysterquartz) appear to have a silky smooth "sweeping" movement - The "sweeping" movement comes from the busy Rolex movement ticking five to eight times per second.

Many high end fakes will almost duplicate this effect but the keyword is ALMOST - even most of the high end fake watches tick around three to four times a second. This still generates a similar "sweeping" illusion but it is immediately apparent that it is not as smooth as a genuine Rolex movement.

Of course, if dealing with a (supposed) Rolex that is ticking very obviously, stay away! This leads to another apparent counterfeit giveaway - the clear case back. Perhaps it is the fact that many Rolex counterfeits used to employ a battery powered quartz movement, but many replica manufactures (and possibly owners) must be very proud of the fact that their unit is powered by a perpetual movement.

Many replicas will try to show this fact off by sporting a clear case backing. While this is certainly an interesting feature that is employed by various other high end luxury watches, Rolex has never created a watch model with a clear case backing.

Weight

Should the watch pass these two initial visual tests, the weight of the watch can be a telltale sign to a fake watch. A genuine Rolex watch is extremely heavy for the size (due to high quality materials used) and most replicas will not come close to matching the weight of a real Rolex. While the weight of a watch should not be the end-all to the authenticity of a watch, a suspiciously light weight "Rolex" should be an invitation to take a closer look.

Cyclops

All Rolex models with the date feature will feature a Cyclops magnification glass; which is a raised sphere of glass that is designed to magnify the date display on the dial. The magnification on a genuine Cyclops glass will be approximately 2.5 times. Like many other attributes, a counterfeit Rolex watch may fall short of the capabilities of a genuine Rolex watch.

Counterfeit Rolex watches will often only magnify the date window 1.5 times and the difference is apparent after looking at the real deal. When looking at the Cyclops at a straight on angle, the date window should be magnified so that it almost fills the whole Cyclops glass.

Bezel and Date Display

The alignment of the date opening and number display should be perfectly straight. Look closely at the printing of the date number (with a loupe if possible) and look for any signs of low quality printing such as uneven ink or artifacts on the background.

If you have the chance, rotate the bezel and count the number of clicks it makes in one complete rotation - authentic Rolex watches will have a bezel that clicks 120 times when rotated, fakes usually only click around 60 times. The quality of the clicks from an authentic Rolex will be very subtle and feel well very solid whereas the clicks from a fake will be a lot louder and feel a lot more "mechanical".

Watch Hands and Markers

Lower to mid quality counterfeits occasionally feature the incorrect hour, minute, and second hands. Knowledge of the distinctions between the different Rolex models comes in handy here. Certain models have thicker hands than others and will have different characteristics, such as the round bulb indicator on the hour hand.

For example, the Submariner, Seadweller, Explorer, Yachtmaster, and GMT models have the "bulb" on the hour hand while other models such as the Daytona, Datejust, and Milgauss have straight hour hands.

On models without the "bulb" such as the Daytona, the minute hands will be slightly pointed at the end and they should completely reach the end of the dial where the smallest markers are. Counterfeit models might have slightly shorter minute or second hands that may be squared off at the end. Its the finest details that fake watch makers frequently fail to address and knowing these bits are the key to identifying most replicas.

Dial Markers

Looking at the quality of the dial markings will take a loupe but is worth the effort if time permits. This is one of the hardest qualities to fake and will be one of the most important deciding factors of a high priced fake.

Look at the luminous material inside of the markers, it should fill the outline of the marker almost completely to the edge and the material should be completely smooth and without any flaws. Any jagged edges, dust particles, or crooked edges while viewed with a loupe should be a big indicator of a fake.

Bracelet

Most bracelets from newer Rolex models are actually slightly tapered. While it is an extremely slight variation, the links that are closer to the case are thicker than the links farther away. Imitation watches rarely have the tapered bracelet and a close inspection of the bracelet will show if all the links are a uniform size.

A genuine bracelet has a folding movement that is smooth as butter. If you fold the bracelet up in your hand and stretch them out again the links should not bind at all and become perfectly straight as you stretch them out. A dead giveaway to a fake bracelet (or a real one in terrible condition) is any kink or bind in the links while straightening them out.

Look for the Rolex emblem that is embossed on the bracelet. All decorative lines and text should be perfectly clear and free of stamping artifacts, the crown at the top is often "fuzzy" and will have spokes almost running together on counterfeit models.

The shape of the crown logo is paramount - carefully study the pictures of a real Rolex crown and compare it to the fake. Remember, Rolex watches are held to the highest degree of perfection - any signature area that has the Rolex logo will be utterly flawless.

As you can see in the picture below of a counterfeit Rolex clasp, the emblem is "fuzzy" and not as sharp as a real Rolex emblem should be.

The Human Factor

With the advent of new and pre owned Rolex dealers on the internet, an opportunity to purchase rare watches at discount prices can be a very inticing situation but keep your cool and be careful. As always, your gut instinct is still number one and if you have an uneasy feeling about any watch - walk away.

Conferring with a second or third resource that is knowledgeable about identifying counterfeits is the smartest thing you could do if unsure about a potential purchase. Buying from an establishment that has a good standing in the community will go far in ensuring your new watch is what its label claims. Always do the research into any online dealer you are considering making a purchase from.