How Does One Authenticate A Rolex

[Rolex Freak]

Hello All, I'm just wondering how you can authenticate a Rolex watch without paying Rolex. Can't you take the serial number to the dealer and have them determine whether the watch is real? I was told today that it would cost $150.00 to authenticate the watch and it would take 4 days. If i'm interested in buying a watch, i don't want to have to dish out the money and then it's not real. When i called to provide them with the "M" serial number, they Rolex Canada wouldn't help me over the phone. Please help. Thanks.

[scottschoe]

Send in / hand deliver the watch to an RSC for a service estimate. AD's normally don't want to waste time in doing authentications unless you pay a fee.

How did you authenticate your other Rolexes?

[roadcarver]

PM sent.

[jasonbellevue]

Sandro, just bring your watch to a Rolex Authorized Dealer. They charge a reasonable fee to have a look at your watch and write you up a Certificate of Authenticity with your serial and model numbers on the paper. Reasonable would be about $30.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

RSC price is typically US $ 150.

An AD would charge less. A recent thread a charge of US $ 75 was reported.

[Defiancekofb]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Send in / hand deliver the watch to an RSC for a service estimate.

HAHA I never thought of that, that's really slick.

[mickeydainish]

Originally Posted by Defiancekofb

HAHA I never thought of that, that's really slick.

Super slick post. Tx for the pearls man!

[2careless]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

RSC price is typically US $ 150.

An AD would charge less. A recent thread a charge of US $ 75 was reported.

In Australia they charge A$99 for authentication check, 2 business days turnaround.

[sherwin]

Singapore charges SG$75 and just a verbal confirmation. No paperwork

[rarebear]

only one way !!! open the case and check the mvmt

[TAT2]

I went to Jared (a jewelry store) and told them I got mine as a gift and wanted to see if it was real. They were nice enough to do it for free!

[unclesallie]

the important part is WHAT they do to authenticate the watch. i would insist on the case being opened and the movement pulled. an 'eyeball' authentication is worth zip in my book.
best, dan

[SteyrAUG]

What about those Swiss "super replicas"?

http://www.replicacenter.com/replica_rolex_grades.htm

Is the ETA 27-Jewel 2982-2/2A movement the same as a real Rolex?

Is there a sure fire way to tell the difference between a 1,000 copy and the real thing?

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

What about those Swiss "super replicas"?

http://www.replicacenter.com/replica_rolex_grades.htm

Is the ETA 27-Jewel 2982-2/2A movement the same as a real Rolex?

Is there a sure fire way to tell the difference between a 1,000 copy and the real thing?

The movements are still different.

[SteyrAUG]

Originally Posted by scottschoe

The movements are still different.

Is it obvious? Or does it take an expert to tell?

[XELOR]

Other issues are fake cases and bracelets, etc.

For a watch in question, 100% authentication comes directly from Rolex looking at the watch.

(Even Rolex technicians can't always tell at a glance and have to examine various parts on the watch to fully authenticate.)

Originally Posted by rarebear

only one way !!! open the case and check the mvmt

[2careless]

For the RSC check here in Aus, you get a signed letter on Rolex letterhead saying
1. the timepiece is genuine,
2. The model name and number,
3. The serial number,
4. The dial colour,
5. The bracelet type, model number, and how many links are fitted.
Also, apart from the letter, there is a job sheet with the job number, stating additional information such as calibre number (in addition to the info stated in the letter).

Suggest you tell the seller to pay for the check first and you add the cost of the check to the purchase price. If it's not real, you don't lose (if the seller knows it's fake, he won't take it to RSC anyway!)

[mcoccia]

Originally Posted by 2careless

In Australia they charge A$99 for authentication check, 2 business days turnaround.

I enquired about this a few days ago as I picked up a watch from the Melbourne RSC. I was told that the fee was $100AUD and the check performed while I waited.

[2careless]

I paid $99 for my check (initially the girl said $100, but in the end only $99 was paid).
and the girl said they won't do it on-the-spot and 2 days turnaround, similar to getting quotes for a service.

[Mrdi]

what about...
An original receipt from an AD
all documents including hang tags, cards, boxes, etc.
Numbers visible on the rehaute to match all receipts and tags?

[tonelar]

An RSC will NOT work on fake Rolex watches.

Walking it in for an estimate is a sure fire way of authenticating your watch.

Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

Is it obvious? Or does it take an expert to tell?

An expert may be quicker at telling, but there are collectors that would know with some tinkering (i.e. bravelt removal).

How about if I put it this way...
Would you be able to tell a Microtech STG 556 from a genuine Steyr AUG?

[tonelar]

Originally Posted by Mrdi

what about...
An original receipt from an AD
all documents including hang tags, cards, boxes, etc.
Numbers visible on the rehaute to match all receipts and tags?

If by all documents you mean the Cert, then you're most likely getting the genuine article.

[sherwin]

Originally Posted by tonelar

If by all documents you mean the Cert, then you're most likely getting the genuine article.

no gurantee that it is original. but a step in the right direction

Originally Posted by 2careless

I paid $99 for my check (initially the girl said $100, but in the end only $99 was paid).
and the girl said they won't do it on-the-spot and 2 days turnaround, similar to getting quotes for a service.

wow... two day turnaround... RSC (s'pore) did mine for me while i waited so i dont see why they would need two days to do a service estimate or verification check.

[orisky]

Send it to me, I'll check it for free

[Spark]

Originally Posted by 2careless

I paid $99 for my check (initially the girl said $100, but in the end only $99 was paid).
and the girl said they won't do it on-the-spot and 2 days turnaround, similar to getting quotes for a service.

Don't spend your change all at once

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

What about those Swiss "super replicas"?

http://www.replicacenter.com/replica_rolex_grades.htm

Is the ETA 27-Jewel 2982-2/2A movement the same as a real Rolex?

Is there a sure fire way to tell the difference between a 1,000 copy and the real thing?

Click here!

# 5.

[Baptistman]

If you send me a PM, I can send you a PDF that is a guide on how to spot counterfeits.