With todays technology, how do you spot a fake?

[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!!!

[JNOV]

Thanks Bill...The seller looked VERY good, and as soon as I get it, you can bet its going to the local jewelry store to get opened up :)

[diablojota]

And hopefully post pics here!

[JNOV]

Thanks bodybump!!!! Im def buying my next sub date here....and diablojota I will DEF have pics up for you as soon as I get it :)

[greekbum]

Those books etc are a good starting point for the bargain hunter.There are some really good quality fakes out there tha would and have fooled many AD'S.If you dont know how to tell only buy from a solid store or AD.Piece of mind costs a little more.If you are a dealer or very knowledgable hobbiest search all over for the diamonds in the ruff out there.In the current watch climate the dealers have the best prices and the biggest selection.

[ayecarumba]

Like sales websites setup with an air of authenticity, using photos of real Rolexes hijacked from reputable dealers, with prices too good to be true, and don't accept credit cards (cashiers checks, wire transfers, personal checks, and money orders i.e. as soon as they have your money, you never hear from them again!).

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=76093

I was fortunate to have spent a lot time in NYC on and around the Canal Street area which is known as Counterfeit Street (Another way to spot a fake: Don't buy a Rolex from a storefront stall vendor on Canal Street!)

....I have seen the quality of counterfeit watches improve dramatically, especially over the past 10 years. Just as the Swiss watch industry has become more crowded with players, so too have the fake watch offerings of the counterfeiters. The speed with which they produce new models and the level of detail are frightening.

All good advice here...As I've heard said "Buy the dealer, not just the watch!" Meaning learn who you're buying from....and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Welcome to the show JNOV...Be careful and safe with your hard earned $$$ out there!


--Paul

[LocoNBroko]

If you would like to arrange for me to take a look at the watch for you, Fullerton is about a 30 minute drive from my home and I have some business up in the area this week...
The pics look fine, and the seller has good feedback. But I NEVER like when a seller is willing to take less and close the auction.

[ayecarumba]

Originally Posted by LocoNBroko

If you would like to arrange for me to take a look at the watch for you, Fullerton is about a 30 minute drive from my home and I have some business up in the area this week...
The pics look fine, and the seller has good feedback. But I NEVER like when a seller is willing to take less and close the auction.

X2...LocoNBroko!

Well JNOV....It all looks legit...I wish you the best of luck. Let us know what happens....Fear not! I have 1 Ebay transaction for my Omega (a ltd edition collectible). The seller was a reputable Omegamaniac in Japan (huge collectible market for Omegas) solid feedback and nothing skitchy. The rest of my watches were all from ADs.

In this case, I would have preferred to have one with the original paperwork, warranty card, and packaging if possible....I also like it when the dealer has pictures of said items and the serial # of the watch (even if it's partially blacked out) and is willing to provide more pics or info upon request.


--Paul

[onkyo]

As a beginner I would buy from an AD. Make sure you have done your homework and negotiate a good price. Personally, I almost never buy from AD.... I can get a better deal elsewhere. Either from reputable grey dealers or individual sellers.

I have seen different 'levels' of fakes..... most being the low quality type that you would pick up in Chinatown here in NYC.

There are other high quality fakes that can be very difficult to differentiate from a real Rolex until you open up the movement and see an ETA rather than in-house Rolex mov't. The high end fakes you don't see that often because their price. Some here were saying that you could tell by the weight of the piece or examining it with a loop.... true. But how often do you actually get to hold a piece in your hand except for a face to face deal. Most of my deals have been from hundreds or thousands of miles away and you rely on digital photos.

[Colnago]

One other small piece of advice would be to listen to the movement, obviously you have to be doing a face to face deal to do this, it also means you have to know what to listen for.......modern Rolex watches all use a 28800 beater, that equates to 8 oscillations per second...it's very fast....try and get a listen to one in a AD then you will know what they sound like, it is very distinctive, fast almost "pinging" sound......I come across a lot of fakes where I work (curruption rules everything here!) and I have yet to find a fake that beats right....however, take heed of previous posts regarding genuine movements in fake or incorrect cases.....to spot this kind of faking you'd need to see inside the case and check all the numbers match the paperwork...

[emmagee]

Last time I was at Bob Ridley's shop the subject of fakes came up. Bob said, as you might imagine, he rarely sees fakes, but a couple of the guys at RSC Dallas have told him they have had a couple come in that appear in every way to be real and aren't determined to be fake until they are opened up. With that in mind, I think the only way to be sure is have someone open them up.

[donq]

One quick way to check if a Rolex is fake is to set the time. On a Rolex the crown is turned clockwise to turn the hands clockwise. Most high end fakes use an ETA movement on which the hands turn counterclockwise when the crown is turned clockwise. I don't believe this applies to Daytonas.

[Skutt50]

Some of my checks:

The serial number. Many fakes have the digits engraved to close to one another. Rolex space the digits.

Another check to spot some fakes is to see how the day shifts at midnight. Rolex is instant but on many fakes it moves slowly over 15 minutes or more.

Note, these tips will not guarantee a genuine Rolex but may reveal some fakes.

[Timber Loftis]

You picked up a great watch at a very nice price. When you take it to have it checked, make sure you got to either an AD or a watchmaker who is Rolex certified, if at all possible.