Newbie question - Modern SS Daytona fakes?

[PcarSBA]

Hi,

This is my first post after lurking here for several days. I am toying with buying an unworn SS Daytona (G-serial) from a private party and would like to know how concerned I have to be about fakes. Price and story check out.

A little background about myself: I am by no means an expert on Rolex or timepieces in general, own an IWC Flieger as my daily for 10 years (love it) and recently bought a new Datejust for the wife (lucky her). That got me thinking. Also got a Jaeger Master Calendar but it doesn't get much wrist time, it's my suit watch and I don't wear suits that often. So yes, I can spot the regular Bangkog specials and funny looking ones no problem but the sticky post here about the DeepSea fakes from China has me thinking. I took me a while to see the fake, could probably now tell them apart but would have been fooled had I not seen this here.

Are there similarly well-made SS Daytonas out there and what should I watch out for when looking at one in person?

Thanks for any pointers and yes I will post pictures if I end up buying it

[Tools]

If you do not know what you are looking at, it is virtually impossible for somebody to tell you in a few short posts on an Internet forum..

There are tons of scammers and con-men out there.. Your best defense is to research and know your seller and avoid anything where you see a red flag.

[Knappo 1307]

If it needs a battery, it's fake....

[PcarSBA]

Larry, fully agreed and I'm studying hard (reading the board here). I was hoping for pointers with similar detail as provided in the DeepSea fake thread?

And yes, I would only buy in person. My concern is whether there are scams out there as sophisticated as the DeepSea and whether this has been discussed here?

What's the market like these days? I got the 10-year wait list sob-story from a German Wempe shop and a little less dramatic view from another AD in Berlin stating they get about 6 - 7 per year and sell them first-come, first serve at list. AD in SoCal claims they can get one at list within a month?

[springer]

The Daytona is one of the most counterfeited Rolex watches, along with the Submariner. Beware of counterfeits and heed Larry's advice.

[caryyee]

If it seems too good a deal, then it's probably fake.

If the 3rd party bought the watch from a local AD, then perhaps you can meet at the AD and the AD can verify that they did in fact sell that watch.

If in any doubts, walk away. It's a lot of money to spend on a watch if you are not 100% sure of it's authenticity. Why don't you look on here in the For Sales forum and buy from a Seller that has a large number of positive feedback on this forum.

[PcarSBA]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

If it needs a battery, it's fake....

But a calendar Daytona is more collectible, no?!

(sorry, couldn't resist, don't take it the wrong way please)

[PcarSBA]

Cary, the "deal" is close to European list less VAT and it was bought in Europe and brought back to the U.S. So not too good to be true but nice. That's why I am asking how the market is like?

[77T]

You can get a verified BNIB or LNIB Daytona offered here by a trusted seller on TRF.

And usually a bit below list...

[Welshwatchman]

What's the worst that could happen?

You lose $10,000.

If you are not happy with that, buy from a TRUSTED source.

Don't expect lots of detail about fake-original comparisons. We're not that way inclined.