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TDR1982 · 8 February 2014, 11:30 PM

Have I been stung by a replica?!

So basically I bought two booklets off of eBay.... One from uk and one from USA.... When I received the USA one I wondered about the quality of the printing... It looks fuzzy and pixelated, I thought this could be due to the age as it has a page printed as 1994...

The other which is supposed to be of similar age is a LOT crisper and better printed. Quality wise this is what I would have expected from a luxury brand despite its age which is also supposed to be 1990s....

You can see it best on the pictures of the actual watches...

Opinions please!

TDR1982 · 8 February 2014, 11:36 PM

Let's me know if better pics are in order!

joe100 · 9 February 2014, 03:01 AM

In my experience, I've seen a few booklets from the same period in different conditions. All depends on how and where they were stored.

Tools · 9 February 2014, 03:05 AM

That glow on the edge is usually from a lamp used when photographing a glossy page or photo..

Casey VP-26 · 9 February 2014, 03:13 AM

Many of the same booklets have been done with different dates and some with minor changes inside.

RolexDivers · 9 February 2014, 03:16 AM

Rolex does literally everything perfectly, including the book printing -- I am not sure if they actually print the booklets but their qaultiy control is tremendous on those little books.

IF the booklet is fuzzy, then it is not ROLEX issued...some guy in his basement with a cheap printer...

stay away from this cheap crap --- it is not just the books but it casts a negative shadow on your watch too, if you
present those crappy booklets to a potential seller...I would not buy your watch if presented with those crappy
booklets because if the accessories are jacked up, I wonder how jacked up the watch is gonna be,,,,

TDR1982 · 9 February 2014, 03:24 AM

Exactly!!! I think it might be a copy the blue isn't pure enough and it looks pixelated. The other book is good though and I bought from a seller with lots of rolex accessories and stuff... Might contact the seller for a refund on the dodgy one

padi56 · 9 February 2014, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

Rolex does literally everything perfectly, including the book printing -- I am not sure if they actually print the booklets but their qaultiy control is tremendous on those little books.

IF the booklet is fuzzy, then it is not ROLEX issued...some guy in his basement with a cheap printer...

stay away from this cheap crap --- it is not just the books but it casts a negative shadow on your watch too, if you
present those crappy booklets to a potential seller...I would not buy your watch if presented with those crappy
booklets because if the accessories are jacked up, I wonder how jacked up the watch is gonna be,,,,

Rolex do not print the books a third party does in many countries in the world by the million,and why anyone pays for these books defeats me.

Reu · 9 February 2014, 04:36 AM

If there are font differences on the dials that Rolex make in-house why wouldn't there be slight differences on booklets that are printed at various third-party places globally.

TDR1982 · 9 February 2014, 05:40 AM

I guess it's the quality of the printing that worries me... Plus the page order is different and slight differences in the wording and punctuation....

ecsub44 · 9 February 2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

Rolex does literally everything perfectly,

What planet do you live on?

Jason71 · 9 February 2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

Rolex does literally everything perfectly,

Really??!! Tell that to the off-center black text on my dial.

77T · 9 February 2014, 10:29 AM

Rare find...reprints

So why did you originally buy the books?
The instructions within are digitized all over the web...

Why anyone would expect quality perfection in a user manual is beyond me.

TDR1982 · 9 February 2014, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77T

Rare find...reprints

So why did you originally buy the books?
The instructions within are digitized all over the web...

Why anyone would expect quality perfection in a user manual is beyond me.

I picked up my first rolex as watch and bracelet only... Thought it would be cool to have some of the trappings to go with it. Bought one booklet for 45 Gbp and then saw the second one for 20 usd which I thought was too cheap to pass up... When I received the 20 usd booklet it just looks really badly printed. Then I thought maybe this could be explained due to the age.... So you think it could be a reprinted book?

padi56 · 9 February 2014, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDR1982

I picked up my first rolex as watch and bracelet only... Thought it would be cool to have some of the trappings to go with it. Bought one booklet for 45 Gbp and then saw the second one for 20 usd which I thought was too cheap to pass up... When I received the 20 usd booklet it just looks really badly printed. Then I thought maybe this could be explained due to the age.... So you think it could be a reprinted book?

You paid £45 plus $20 for these books WOW.

HogwldFLTR · 9 February 2014, 08:20 PM

There must be a way to verify rolex literature authenticity; if not they need to follow guidelines like the US treasury to make sure there isn't a flood of false literature taking down the world economy. I can see some serious training on identification one the new manufacturing process for the printed material is put into place.

TDR1982 · 9 February 2014, 08:21 PM

Nah worse than that Padi 45 for one book and 20 usd for the other!

dysondiver · 9 February 2014, 08:24 PM

could be worse,,, there are case back stickers advertised for hundres ,, now that is beyond my understanding ,,,,

dysondiver · 9 February 2014, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

You paid £45 plus $20 for these books WOW.

why print 10 dollar bank notes and risk prison , when you can print little rolex books ,,, seems like a good business plan to me

MonBK · 9 February 2014, 08:25 PM

Those booklets are very common fakes made by the Chinese government to strengthen their failing economy.

padi56 · 9 February 2014, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dysondiver

why print 10 dollar bank notes and risk prison , when you can print little rolex books ,,, seems like a good business plan to me

Have to agree but the is a old saying I think you know the one I mean it ends with soon parted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

Those booklets are very common fakes made by the Chinese government to strengthen their failing economy.

Hardly failing economy but like the Asda commercials tells us every little bit helps.

MonBK · 9 February 2014, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree but the is a old saying I think you know the one I mean it ends with soon parted.

Hardly failing economy but like the Asda commercials tells us every little bit helps.

I put the word "failing" in there instead of

figuring somebody would catch the tongue in cheek.

77T · 9 February 2014, 11:28 PM

To the OP, yes I believe one of them is a reprint - the seller may have weasel worded the description to tread the fine line of fraud. Like "booklet printed for..." as opposed to original Rolex manual.

If you'd consider constructive advice, please enjoy the watch and eschew the extras.

bayerische · 10 February 2014, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

You paid £45 plus $20 for these books WOW.

What I though...

bayerische · 10 February 2014, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonBK

Those booklets are very common fakes made by the Chinese government to strengthen their failing economy.

Old Expat Beast · 10 February 2014, 12:34 PM

I have a big stack of Sub and other Rolex manuals in several languages and various ages . . .all real . . . including one you show above, with the fuzzy background (in German). The watch image itself is very clear, as it also looks in yours. The back-page factory/HQ sections also vary in content and format .I wouldn't worry about it. I think yours are real.

TDR1982 · 11 February 2014, 03:07 AM

Ahhh Adam I could have got them with the box!

ec51 · 11 February 2014, 03:41 AM

Hence the continuing market, allowing me to sell my junk boxes/accessories to...

...people really do pay for this stuff.

Furbo · 11 February 2014, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

Really??!! Tell that to the off-center black text on my dial.

If Rolex did it, it must be a feature, not a bug. :D

8 February 2014, 11:30 PM	#1
TDR1982 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: London Posts: 45	Is this fake?! Have I been stung by a replica?! So basically I bought two booklets off of eBay.... One from uk and one from USA.... When I received the USA one I wondered about the quality of the printing... It looks fuzzy and pixelated, I thought this could be due to the age as it has a page printed as 1994... The other which is supposed to be of similar age is a LOT crisper and better printed. Quality wise this is what I would have expected from a luxury brand despite its age which is also supposed to be 1990s.... You can see it best on the pictures of the actual watches... Opinions please!

9 February 2014, 03:01 AM	#3
joe100 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,840	In my experience, I've seen a few booklets from the same period in different conditions. All depends on how and where they were stored. __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

9 February 2014, 03:05 AM	#4
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,514	That glow on the edge is usually from a lamp used when photographing a glossy page or photo.. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

9 February 2014, 10:29 AM	#13
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,017	Rare find...reprints So why did you originally buy the books? The instructions within are digitized all over the web... Why anyone would expect quality perfection in a user manual is beyond me. __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

9 February 2014, 08:20 PM	#16
HogwldFLTR 2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Real Name: Lee Location: 42.48.45N70.48.48 Watch: Too many to list! Posts: 33,697	There must be a way to verify rolex literature authenticity; if not they need to follow guidelines like the US treasury to make sure there isn't a flood of false literature taking down the world economy. I can see some serious training on identification one the new manufacturing process for the printed material is put into place. __________________ Troglodyte in residence! https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=808599

8 February 2014, 11:36 PM	#2
TDR1982 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: London Posts: 45	Let's me know if better pics are in order!

9 February 2014, 03:13 AM	#5
Casey VP-26 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: America Posts: 2,721	Many of the same booklets have been done with different dates and some with minor changes inside.

9 February 2014, 03:16 AM	#6
RolexDivers Banned Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: BIG BEAR, CA Posts: 1,468	Rolex does literally everything perfectly, including the book printing -- I am not sure if they actually print the booklets but their qaultiy control is tremendous on those little books. IF the booklet is fuzzy, then it is not ROLEX issued...some guy in his basement with a cheap printer... stay away from this cheap crap --- it is not just the books but it casts a negative shadow on your watch too, if you present those crappy booklets to a potential seller...I would not buy your watch if presented with those crappy booklets because if the accessories are jacked up, I wonder how jacked up the watch is gonna be,,,,

9 February 2014, 03:24 AM	#7
TDR1982 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: London Posts: 45	Exactly!!! I think it might be a copy the blue isn't pure enough and it looks pixelated. The other book is good though and I bought from a seller with lots of rolex accessories and stuff... Might contact the seller for a refund on the dodgy one

9 February 2014, 04:36 AM	#9
Reu Banned Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London Posts: 1,152	If there are font differences on the dials that Rolex make in-house why wouldn't there be slight differences on booklets that are printed at various third-party places globally.

9 February 2014, 05:40 AM	#10
TDR1982 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: London Posts: 45	I guess it's the quality of the printing that worries me... Plus the page order is different and slight differences in the wording and punctuation....

9 February 2014, 08:21 PM	#17
TDR1982 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: London Posts: 45	Nah worse than that Padi 45 for one book and 20 usd for the other!

9 February 2014, 08:24 PM	#18
dysondiver "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: tom Location: northern ireland Watch: my fins Posts: 10,063	could be worse,,, there are case back stickers advertised for hundres ,, now that is beyond my understanding ,,,,

9 February 2014, 08:25 PM	#20
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,279	Those booklets are very common fakes made by the Chinese government to strengthen their failing economy.

9 February 2014, 11:28 PM	#23
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,017	To the OP, yes I believe one of them is a reprint - the seller may have weasel worded the description to tread the fine line of fraud. Like "booklet printed for..." as opposed to original Rolex manual. If you'd consider constructive advice, please enjoy the watch and eschew the extras. __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

10 February 2014, 12:34 PM	#26
Old Expat Beast TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Adam Location: Far East Watch: Golden Tuna Posts: 28,826	I have a big stack of Sub and other Rolex manuals in several languages and various ages . . .all real . . . including one you show above, with the fuzzy background (in German). The watch image itself is very clear, as it also looks in yours. The back-page factory/HQ sections also vary in content and format .I wouldn't worry about it. I think yours are real. __________________ _______________________

11 February 2014, 03:07 AM	#27
TDR1982 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: London Posts: 45	Ahhh Adam I could have got them with the box!

11 February 2014, 03:41 AM	#28
ec51 Banned Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: Eric Location: NY Watch: 14060M Posts: 1,642	Hence the continuing market, allowing me to sell my junk boxes/accessories to... ...people really do pay for this stuff.

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