Fake Rolex ;Weight an issue?

[Peter Messmore]

Hey All,I have not seen a thread about using weight as an issue in determining if a watch is a fake.Is this an over looked,easy method?All of the Rolexes I have ever handled were quite heavy.Any opinions? Thanks,Peter

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The topic is more an issue than the weight, IMHO.

[steel4me]

In today's modern age of technology, only a fool would base his decision on weight alone unless ofourse the watch is as light as styrofoam! Modern day counterfeiters make watches almost as good as the real ones. The human hand/brain can not distinguish between slight ounces variations between real and fakes so you either gotta knowthe average weight of your genuine watch and then compare it to the suspect watch or find some more scientic method of authentication.

[CoopJr]

Is quite correct. I have compared decent fake and real Sub dates side by side. The weight difference (if you are holding one in each hand) is indiscernible. Rolexes are made from 900 series Stainless and the fakes are made from 400 series (specifically 904L and 440). The best way to know a fake from real is to know both and this can be accomplished with research, on the web, in books and by visiting AD's and handling real Rolex's. If you learn the codes that are stamped on the clasps and bands, you can also pick out the fakes. Many of these places in China turning out fakes reuse many parts, so you will see different fake models yet they will have the same stampings...some SS claps actually say 18K on them. The topic of fakes, Folex's or replicas make the bowels of some folks here explode with anger. But I feel it is a legitimate topic to be discussed in the WatchOut section. It has been said that there are 10 fakes for every real Rolex out there. If that is correct, fostering the exchange of good info here can help folks avoid the expensive minefield that purchasing a Rolex from a non-AD has become.

[XELOR]

Excellent post.

- RUSA missed a counterfeit I sent them.

- They provided a service estimate after a Rolex technician examined the watch.

- Rolex called me back the next day to say ooops...it's a fake.

(They didn't say "ooops" but they did call back to indicate the technician initially didn't catch it. )

Fakes can be incredible.

Originally Posted by CoopJr

Is quite correct. I have compared decent fake and real Sub dates side by side. The weight difference (if you are holding one in each hand) is indiscernible. Rolexes are made from 900 series Stainless and the fakes are made from 400 series (specifically 904L and 440). The best way to know a fake from real is to know both and this can be accomplished with research, on the web, in books and by visiting AD's and handling real Rolex's. If you learn the codes that are stamped on the clasps and bands, you can also pick out the fakes. Many of these places in China turning out fakes reuse many parts, so you will see different fake models yet they will have the same stampings...some SS claps actually say 18K on them. The topic of fakes, Folex's or replicas make the bowels of some folks here explode with anger. But I feel it is a legitimate topic to be discussed in the WatchOut section. It has been said that there are 10 fakes for every real Rolex out there. If that is correct, fostering the exchange of good info here can help folks avoid the expensive minefield that purchasing a Rolex from a non-AD has become.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by XELOR

Excellent post.

- RUSA missed a counterfeit I sent them.

- They provided a service estimate after a Rolex technician examined the watch.

- Rolex called me back the next day to say ooops...it's a fake.

(They didn't say "ooops" but they did call back to indicate the technician initially didn't catch it. )

Fakes can be incredible.

I guess that the counterfeit in question had a Rolex movement in it, otherwise the technician is a bit of a dickwad.

Out if interest what model Rolex was it and which parts were non genuine.?

[XELOR]

RUSA didn't notice it had a $20 Citizens Myota movement. Just kidding.

16013

Basically everything but the movement was fake.

It's covered in my first ever post if anyone is interested.

(Just to try to avoid boring the life out of anyone that doesn't want to read the story again.)

Fakes can be highly sophisticated.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Peter Messmore

Hey All,I have not seen a thread about using weight as an issue in determining if a watch is a fake.Is this an over looked,easy method?All of the Rolexes I have ever handled were quite heavy.Any opinions? Thanks,Peter

Actually, you have raised a good and valid point, Peter!!

Weight is very important and I make it a habit to always weigh my Rollies. Of course, all weights taken should be with the original links intact as the watch comes out straight from the box.

My present two Rollies are....

Bluesy - 150 grams

Pt. YM - 146 grams

Here is a chart depecting a few of the more popular SS Sports Rolex models.

JJ