Rolex authentication via papers and serial number

[Kimi]

If a watch has papers matching the serial number and the engraving looks legit,what are the chances that the watch isn’t 100% genuine?

[Dan S]

That's an impossible hypothetical question. Parts can be replaced, papers can be forged, even cases are faked these days. We would need plenty of good clear photos to authenticate the watch.

[996marty]

As Dan has mentioned too much of a vague sort of question.
Lots of nice close up photos and as much info you have will hopefully get you the answers you need, and include the price too

[TuRo]

Perhaps, less likely, but show any examples pls ...

Its not foolproof as about 10 years ago I remember Mike Wood regaling me about a crew in Germany that were offering a service to match their punched papers (they'd bought a sophisticated machine and blanks papers) to any watch you supplied, thus ‘full-setting’ them was possible….

They were arrested, but shows diligencee needed. Do you have an example you are worried about?

[Kimi]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Perhaps, less likely, but show any examples pls ...

Its not foolproof as about 10 years ago I remember Mike Wood regaling me about a crew in Germany that were offering a service to match their punched papers (they'd bought a sophisticated machine and blanks papers) to any watch you supplied, thus ‘full-setting’ them was possible….

They were arrested, but shows diligencee needed. Do you have an example you are worried about?

That’s a crazy story.
It’s a Submariner 16610 from the 1990’s. It’s a shop called Tiimes Watch in Hong Kong, it was featured in Craft + Tailored. The watch looks great on the exterior, I have three rolexes and tried multiple watches at AD, so I am familiar with how it should feel, although not an expert for sure.

[Haywood_Milton]

If the papers were genuine and the engraving on the mid-case both correct and matching, then it would support no more than that the mid-case were genuine. It might still be stolen, and it offers no guarantee that the movement, dial, hands, bezel, case-back or bracelet are correct, all of those parts being interchangeable in minutes. "Cut and shuts" containing a mix of genuine and incorrect parts are very common.

When it comes to Rolex watches, "papers" are greatly misunderstood and over-valued by the market.

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[0nly5iv3Digits]

These days you have to worry about a watch being all genuine but housing a clone movement.

Have any watch checked by an expert if you aren’t qualified yourself. Matching paperwork is a good sign. Not foolproof as others here have indicated.

[Kimi]

Thank you all, this is helpful.
The watch is a 1990’s submariner ref. 16610 I found at a shop in Hong Kong called Times Watch, it has a decent reputation (it was featured in a blog I follow). Everything else looks good to me (I scanned with a loop). Just looking for reinsurance.

[Dan S]

I don't think that any of the answers in this thread were intended to give you reassurance, in fact the opposite is true. So if that's what you took away from the thread, it would seem to be wishful thinking.

However, you're satisfied that it's a good seller and you appear to be an expert in your own right, so you probably don't need our help.

[Kimi]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I don't think that any of the answers in this thread were intended to give you reassurance, in fact the opposite is true. So if that's what you took away from the thread, it would seem to be wishful thinking.

However, you're satisfied that it's a good seller and you appear to be an expert in your own right, so you probably don't need our help.

Ignore this :)

[Kimi]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I don't think that any of the answers in this thread were intended to give you reassurance, in fact the opposite is true. So if that's what you took away from the thread, it would seem to be wishful thinking.

However, you're satisfied that it's a good seller and you appear to be an expert in your own right, so you probably don't need our help.

This thread gave me nothing but more warnings, sorry if I was unclear.
I am not an expert. The watch looks great based on my personal knowledge: i own three rolexes and tried on many pieces at ADs.
I am here to learn as much as I can from you guys.