Just bought Yachtmaster, concerned with cyclops

[mike1983]

Hello, I am brand new to this forum and glad I found it as I am a huge Rolex fan, and have been so for many years.

Anyway, I was lead to this forum during an internet search for specific info on Yachtmaster mens watches because I just bought one at a jewelry show from a reputable dealer out of Los ANgelos, but it is a late 2002 model so I am a little concerned about authenticity.

I requested to see the serial number and he took off the bracelet and showed me which matched up perfectly to the serial number guide.

However, the date when viewed through the cyclops doesn't look as big as it does on my Datejust Rolex. Can anyone tell me what they think?

Otherwise, everything looks, and feels just right. The hands look perfect, and are the right length. The watch weighs a solid 5 ounces on my postal scale, the crown has the three dots, and the rubber gasket, the second sweeps perfectly. 120 clicks to rotate the bezel one time.

No crown engraved on the crystal, but it is my understanding that this didn't start until later 2002, early 2003, so I am assuming it is except able for this watch not to have it.

Please check out the pictures and let me know as soon as possible! thanks everyone!

[chopperboy]

Mike,

They make some damm good counterfeit Yachtmasters. I would take it to an Authorized Rolex dealer, and have them inspect it.

I would surely think you would have to spend a pretty good amount of money for an authentic one, make sure you are paying for what you get!

Matt

[Latrodectus]

Welcome to this great forum
As you already noticed...the date magnification don't look right

[moby33]

Originally Posted by chopperboy

Mike,

They make some damm good counterfeit Yachtmasters. I would take it to an Authorized Rolex dealer, and have them inspect it.

I would surely think you would have to spend a pretty good amount of money for an authentic one, make sure you are paying for what you get!

Matt

Exactly. If you're really concerned, an AD will probably be your best bet to eliminate any doubt...have them open it up and take a look. It's getting harder & harder to tell fakes from real via pictures these days. Good luck.

[Lol-x]

Mmmm it is hard to say, as I don't own a YM, I'm sure some more experienced and well informed members who know this model well can help out.

[tphan]

is this full size YM?

It doesn't look right. Beside date magnification the crown doesn't look sharp.

Here are pictures of my ex-D series

[chopperboy]

Mike,

I tired to say it in a nice way, that it would be in YOUR best interest to have an authorized Rolex dealer inspect the watch in question!

Matt

[simbal]

The 'SWISS MADE' doesn't look right to me.

[Z-Sub]

The hour markers don't look right.

[cody p]

the magnification of the cyclops does look off.

[WatchSmith]

The way to really tell for sure is to open the back and inspect the movement. Rolex case openers are not very expensive.

There are some incredibly close-to-perfect Yachtmaster fakes, but the movements aren't Rolex clones. They are either Chinese movements or Swiss ETA, and neither one looks anything like a Rolex movement.

Here's a visual check you can do: If the sweep of the 2nd hand is choppy, it indicates it's less than 28,800 bpm. The cheap Chinese movements are not 28,800, but slower and more choppy. HOWEVER, it can still be a fake with a Swiss ETA 28,800 movement. In order to do this test you need a 28,800 bpm watch you can compare it to.

[chenx15]

the cyclops is not the end all and be all. my explorer II cyclops was way smaller compared to my DJ and my Subdate (go ahead compare it) and it scared the hell out of me. so i took it to RSC they checked it and serviced it for me and it was hundred percent authentic (if they were wrong then i don't know who to believe anymore). the same thing with the serial numbers they are not the end all and be all as well since even that has been copied by fakearoonies pretty well. even AD's can make mistakes and can tell you that an authentic watch is fake to scare the bejeez out of you. your safest bet is RSC or AD's with actual certified rolex workers. but i would get it checked asap. the seller seems legit and if the seller gave you a receipt and the seller is still in businee then you are still safe. (you might even get some extra cash on the side if this is a fake!)

[mike1983]

but wouldn't the serial number not be accurate? I saw on the watch Y77****
if it was a fake, would they really go to the trouble of engraving an actual serial number that matches to a specific year?

I did notice that the "swiss made" is close together, and on my other Rolex, and on the one posted here by another poster, it has a space between. Could that have varied by production year?

I am taking it to my watchmaker tomorrow morning to open it up and be sure, than I will speed back to the show and get my money back if it's a knock-off. But in the mean time, what do you all think of these new questions?

[MichDui]

You can usually tell a replica by comparing the bracelet to a real one.

Replica bracelets are bad news.

[pricojorge]

its an older one so the date mag seems ok, the crown doesnt seem as crisp but that can be because of the years, there are no gaps on the bracelet and case so thats a good sign, bezel numbers seem pretty crisp, minute hand is fatish, hour hand i wouldnt know, second hand seem to have lost a bit of its color, could be the pic could be the years
best way is to open the back asap, if you see plastic holding the movement, im so sorry my friend, if you see steel and a rolex engraving thats a good sign

post better pics of the bracelet and end links

question ... does the bezel rotate both ways ?

[tphan]

Originally Posted by simbal

The 'SWISS MADE' doesn't look right to me.

Yep. Distance between the two words is way off, compare to mine.

[pricojorge]

the distance is ok as far as i know, guys remember this is an older model not newer

[chenx15]

i'm very curious how this thread will come out, Mike keep us posted!

i say it's real!

[pricojorge]

Originally Posted by chenx15

i'm very curious how this thread will come out, Mike keep us posted!

i say it's real!

me too, but i still have my doubts, he needs to post up better pics of all around the watch

[candycandy]

Stories like this pushes me to buy at AD...

One day, I'll be an expert, then I'll fiddle with used market...
Until then, I got to pay up.... much to learn... much to learn...

[mike1983]

Originally Posted by pricojorge

its an older one so the date mag seems ok, the crown doesnt seem as crisp but that can be because of the years, there are no gaps on the bracelet and case so thats a good sign, bezel numbers seem pretty crisp, minute hand is fatish, hour hand i wouldnt know, second hand seem to have lost a bit of its color, could be the pic could be the years
best way is to open the back asap, if you see plastic holding the movement, im so sorry my friend, if you see steel and a rolex engraving thats a good sign

post better pics of the bracelet and end links

question ... does the bezel rotate both ways ?

Yes the bezel rotates both ways. Also, there are four distinct edges inside the "4" on the bezel (as I understand that is an indicator). Don't all Rolex watches have 2.5 times magnification? This one seems more like 1.5 at best. That is what really started to worry me.

Here are 3 more pictures, thanks for the answer, I feel a bit better now. As far as the space between the "Swiss Made" I looked at some models from this time period on Ebay and they looked the same. I'm surprised some members here would point that out as "not looking right" but I suppose if they only own newer models, they wouldn't know any better, so I forgive them. :)

[Deep Sea]

Move your head closer to the watch...the date gets bigger.


(Sorry, I had to )

[Paul B]

I'd post in the "Watch Out" section to see what comes back.



Paul

[Bisquitlips]

Open the case and look inside!

This should be the standard acid test to determine reality when purchasing any Rolex.

Any Rolex can and will be faked on the outside, but the innards cannot be faked.

[Dalton]

it's looks very real to me and probably has an aftermarket crystal. Everything else looks authentic

[Dalton]

it's real.

[ArizonaHD]

It looks right hands, dial texture, font hands are right length, band, as Dalton stated crystal is incorrect, crown looks suspect you got a side view?. Google the Serial Number, most fake numbers will pop up right away

[shaggy]

very very informative this thread is
newby's should digest all they can . . . burp!

[Tony-GB]

Might be the lighting, but the red second hand looks a little light to me, but it might be the lighting. Get it checked if you have any doubts. Weigh it & tell us what it is in grams. JJ will know instantly what it should weigh (if it has all the bracelet links).

I hope it all works out for you.

[WatchSmith]

Originally Posted by MichDui

You can usually tell a replica by comparing the bracelet to a real one.

Replica bracelets are bad news.

Not necessarily. I've seen some close-to-perfect bracelets on fake Rolex watches. The Chinese counterfeiters are so good now that you MUST open the back and examine the movement. They fake everything with a high degree of accuracy, including the laser etching on the sapphire crystal.

Mike1983: Bring your camera with you and have your watchmaker shoot some photos of the movement for your records. If the watch is fake, I would suggest leaving the back loose so you can open it to show the person who sold you the watch.

Hopefully none of this will be necessary and you'll have a real Rolex!