Trying to learn how to spot a fake.

[Flaxmoore]

Mods, please move this if it's in the wrong subforum.

With that disclaimer out of the way, is there a good tutorial somewhere on how to spot fake Rolexes? I've a longish history collecting vintage pocketknives and have become quite good at spotting fakes there, but the watch world is new to me.

For example, using a replica site I found through a quick Google search...

I think I see a few differences between the replica on the left and the purported real one on the right.

What I see:
1. Second image- the Rolex crown on the crown (I think that's the term- what you pull out to set the time) looks muddy on the phony one. On the other, it looks much crisper.

2. Third image- the Sea-Dweller and other text on the dial appears engraved on the real one, while the replica looks painted and a touch blurred.

3. Fourth image- similar to the last set, except in this view it's the Rolex crown and "Perpetual Date" that look fairly muddled.

How did I do? Good start or hopeless ?

[TimeToGo]

Welcome to the Forum!

The "Watchout" section of this forum is very informative and you can get some basic as well as very advanced detection "pointers" of trademark infringement items.

[Flaxmoore]

How'd I do on my first try? Anything embarrassingly obvious I missed?

Now back to learning.

[bradg]

Can someone tell me how these replicas can be so authentic. I'm new to this and my gosh...they are impressive. Swiss movement...gold etc...Are these that good? I've actually read where the only way to tell them apart is to expose the movement. how can these folks reproduce something this accurate and not have some lawsuit on thier hands?? I'm Anxious to hear your replies. Thanks

[vegaseddie]

Crappy fakes are easy to spot. Good fakes are much tougher, especially if you are buy form pics only. If you can't inspect the watch personally, be sure to know your seller. That is the key. Fake is one problem, but a real Rolex that is aboused, worn, and unserviced is another problem to consider.