How To Spot A Fake Rolex Watch
Genuine Rolex watches are one of the most desirable watches in the world, because people perceive them to be a symbol of elegance, style, success and wealth. This is great for Rolex, but it also means that there are millions of fake Rolex watches on the market. Fake Rolex watches can be bought for about $30, whereas a real Rolex would cost at least fifty times more.
Technology, scanning, microscopes and now 3D printers have made it almost impossible for the uninformed to be able to tell the difference between a real Rolex and a replica. The counterfeiters are very clever and use very sophisticated means of producing their watches. Some people even believe that Rolex have their own replicas made in China to fulfill the demand for cheap fake Rolex watches.
The first thing to check is whether the timers work. Many expensive chronographs have feature dials on the face that help calculate speeds, time elapsed and things like that. It is fairly uncommon for these dials to work properly, if at all, on replica watches Rolex or not. Access to these functions is by buttons on the case.
Another method to tell if a watch is a fake is to look at the second hand. Expensive watches have a sweep second hand. That is, they don’t just click through every second, but move a tiny fraction several times a second to give the impression of continuous movement. This used to be a dead give-away, but not so much any more as several manufacturers use this method.
Look at the date magnification and the engraving on the back. Check the reference number with Rolex or at least make sure that it has the correct number of digits.
Check the size of the markings on the case, the winder and on the face of the watch. Sometimes, the counterfeiters copy the writing, but get the size wrong. This may not always happen, but when trying to spot a fake, it is often a number of small things that give the game away. It is rare these days that a fake Rolex can be easily identified.
Check that there is a five-pointed crown on the winder. It is a pretty obvious feature, but one that may be left off sometimes. Weigh it in your hand or on a scales. Rolex watches are pretty chunky because the case block is often made of gold which is very dense. Alloys will be lighter. Ask to immerse the watch in water. A Rolex is waterproof, but if the sales person looks worried or refuses, alarm bells should ring in your head.
The best advice is not to buy on impulse or if you must do so, use your mobile device to look up the official Rolex website and check the model that you are buying against the images on Rolex’s own site. If the sales person is not forthcoming with the model name or number, you have to wonder why.
If the watch you are being offered is not identical, ask why. If you are told that there are always regional variations or you get the impression that you are being spun a yarn, then you obviously don’t buy, unless you want a fake Rolex, of course.
Reprinted from http://jewellryandwatches.com with kind permission