With todays technology, how do you spot a fake?

[JNOV]

Im a begginer at collecting and wearing Rolex, I would love to know what to look for when looking at these fine timepieces. All I know now is?... Well, nothing! Everytime I see one, I feel like I dont know what to look for! There are some GOOD replicas out there! Any thoughts? Please.

[diablojota]

It is getting more difficult, but there are sometimes some very obvious tells, and sometimes not so obvious. The best thing is to always get the watch opened up to look at the movement. That said here are some typical anomalies:
- date window is off (magnification, unaligned, etc.)
- LEC is way too obvious
- Markings on caseback
- Improper markings on case or bracelet
- Lettering on dial doesn't match up properly
- Bezel inserts not properly aligned

There are definitely many more tells, but others will definitely chime in to help with spotting a fake.

[Ted Su(TW)]

One of the best way is to "feel" the build quality. The fakes are mass produced in cheap labour, there's no way the build/finishing can come even close to the real thing. The sharp edges, the polishing, the printing on the dial....etc.

Buy from a trusty source very important too.


Ted Su(TW)

[diablojota]

Here is a link that also provides a lot of valuable information:
http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/rolex_or_replica.html

[chriseskew24]

The other thing i have yet to see a real good fake of. Is the thumb nail opener on the clasp.

Also under a jewelers lope the letering on the dial will not look as crisp as authentic.

[rustedmetal]

Spend a lot of time over in the WatchOut section. PM people and ask. Ask. And then Ask some more. If Rolex money is a lot of money to you; it's always okay to ask for advice.

[JNOV]

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Tell me more about what to look at when looking at the dial...and what is LEC?

[SUB4Me]

Originally Posted by JNOV

Im a begginer at collecting and wearing Rolex, I would love to know what to look for when looking at these fine timepieces. All I know now is?... Well, nothing! Everytime I see one, I feel like I dont know what to look for! There are some GOOD replicas out there! Any thoughts? Please.

Some of the fakes are so good you really have to open the case back to be sure.

[diablojota]

The LEC is the laser etched coronet in the crystal at the 6 o'clock position. If you go to the qualitytime link posted above, there will be some examples, I believe.

[Kokyuryoku]

There are some good books on the subject. I purchased 'The Rolex Report' about a year ago before I bought my first Rolex. It explains a lot about how to spot a fake. It's a wealth of information and is definitely worth a read.

[kyle L]

You bring the seller to the Rolex AD and if they confiscate the watch you know its fake.

[Kokyuryoku]

Originally Posted by kyle L

You bring the seller to the Rolex AD and if they confiscate the watch you know its fake.

Nice one Kyle

[JNOV]

Im going to buy the rolex report!

[Bisquitlips]

Open the case back (have your watchmaker do it) and confirm the movement. With some of today's fakes that is the only reasonable way to do it.

Also, and above all, buy your seller! Make sure you can verify his references and look at his feedback if on ebay. Ask for those references and call them.

In reality, I only will purchase in person or from someone on TRF that I trust and know their reputation. That also applies to ebay.

[kyle L]

Or if in the middle of the valuation of the watch, the seller runs out the door, then you know somethings wrong!

[diablojota]

Another good thing to do is watch the Watch Out section. You'll see these guys tag a bunch of fakes, they'll point out what's wrong, and go from there. You'll start picking up on it, and it really stinks too, because every once in a while you'll run into a friend you haven't seen in a while who is sporting a fake, and you have to bite your lip to not point out the quality of the fake.

[diablojota]

Originally Posted by kyle L

Or if in the middle of the valuation of the watch, the seller runs out the door, then you know somethings wrong!

Haha! If it's a fake, you won't even see them at the AD! They're already running in the opposite direction at that point!

[JNOV]

Im refering more towards looking at these online, I cant take them to a store. The closest AD is about 3 hours from me.

[JNOV]

Bisquitlips....good advise....buy the seller!!!!

[diablojota]

That's the beauty of the Watch Out section here. Lots of people can help look at a piece when we have pics. You probably do have a watchmaker nearby who can open the caseback of a watch. Check your phonebook for a watchmaker and see if anyone is listed as able to work on Rolex watches.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by diablojota

Another good thing to do is watch the Watch Out section. You'll see these guys tag a bunch of fakes, they'll point out what's wrong, and go from there. You'll start picking up on it, and it really stinks too, because every once in a while you'll run into a friend you haven't seen in a while who is sporting a fake, and you have to bite your lip to not point out the quality of the fake.

Yes sir!! Thanks for bringing up Watch Out!

[LocoNBroko]

Just because it has a genuine movement does not mean its a genuine Rolex...
I was offered a 16613 several months ago that had a genuine movement in it, a genuine dial and possibly a genuine crystal. BUT, the case and bracelet were not genuine. The bezel and center links were 14kt gold.
It had box, papers and all the fun little things that go with a genuine Rolex. And I could have acquired this mess for only $4200.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by JNOV

Im refering more towards looking at these online, I cant take them to a store. The closest AD is about 3 hours from me.

Remember. Anyone can post a photo of a genuine Rolex, sell it to you, and then send you a fake.

The only option in buying from photos, in my opinion, is Escrow services.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/escrow.html

[Colnago]

One of the best quips I heard was "if it seems too good to be true then the chances are it probably is".....be very very very carefull buying on line......unless you can handle the watch and really look at it closely you really are taking a huge huge risk......you are new to this so you have no historical data of your own to work with, therefore it is going to be almost all taken on trust.......tread carefully my friend.......it's a jungle out there

[diablojota]

For the buyer, the Escrow is definitely a safe bet, but it definitely can screw a seller pretty bad. Also, don't just use any escrow service, or one suggested by the seller. Make sure to do your homework on them.

[hflee55]

for me, there's only 1 way to know for sure...

pop the back of the watch and have it verified by RSC.

honestly, i can't spot a fake as they're so darn good nowadays.

[JNOV]

You guys make me jealous of your knowledge. I want to learn more. Can someone look at this watch...(i bought the seller on this one) had my friend confirm its genuine, but does ANYTHING besides missing a few links look off to anyone? I got it for about 2800. Called him before the auction ended and he hooked me up for less than the buy it now price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=270371876752

[diablojota]

Other than the links missing, everything seems to be in order from what I can see.

[JNOV]

Diablojota, thanks again!

[Colnago]

Looks like you were one of the lucky ones.....I admire your courage....I wouldn't dare do it this way....however iot looks like you proved it can be done.......nice one!!!