How to check out the authenticity of a Rolex

[barnaby]

Hi,

I'm relatively new to the forum. I have a GMTII 116710 BLNR and Deepsea that I bought new. I'm looking at buying a 2007 16710T Pepsi with box and papers. All looks well but I wondered if there's a best way to check it out with the serial number to make sure it is. Any advice before I take the plunge would be gratefully appreciated. Never bought used before.

Thanks in advance.

[fishingbear]

If you have to ask that question then you should let an expert verify. If the seller is not known nor trusted have the seller meet you at an AD and have them verify the watch is authentic before purchasing.
Buy the seller, not the watch.

[locutus49]

What fishing bear said.

[barnaby]

Originally Posted by locutus49

What fishing bear said.

Can you take a watch or serial number to any AD and they will verify it? Having never done it before I have no knowledge on this.



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[captain_NEMO]

Do your homework on the seller, and scan the watch for obvious telltale signs of mistakes, misalignments and overall quality issues.

But the only way to tell its authenticity is by sending it to the RSC (Rolex Service Center).

I'd check the forum's Trusted Sellers and see if they have what you're after. This could potentially save you the headache. Good luck!!

[Blue_Lume]

it's all about who you buy from.

i've bought 2 watches from trusted sellers on this site and never had a thought.

sorry, 3 watches. never had a second thought about. TRUSTED SELLER.

[barnaby]

Thanks guys. Have you ever had an issue with an AD not being helpful. I guess they're not obliged to help you as the tills not ringing. I live in a different country now to my regular AD and don't have a relationship with them here yet.



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[bobby81]

If you are unsure don't buy look for a reputable seller where you won't need to worry

[m j b]

I'll suggest that as a current Rolex owner, you know what a Rolex looks like, how it feels, sounds, ticks, etc. You can look at a typical fake and probably tell that it's not real relatively easily. HOWEVER, I hear that some fakes are so good that you can't tell without taking off the back and inspecting the movement.

I don't know what kind of options you have in the UAE. Were you going to buy at a store, or from the Internet? A reputable store should be trustworthy, and you'd hope that they'd know if it was real. On the Internet, as stated above, you need to really know that the seller is legit.

Best of luck.

[barnaby]

Thank you!!


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[JasonKrick]

Fakes are so amazing nowadays.

Before, I could spot one with ease. As time went on, it became harder and harder.

Now. I found a awebsite that sells DSSD's so good, they even fake the movement and the micro etch on the crystal. All for $1,500. Not cheap. But, definitely not the MSRP that D-Blues easily command.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by JasonKrick

Fakes are so amazing nowadays.

Before, I could spot one with ease. As time went on, it became harder and harder.

Now. I found a awebsite that sells DSSD's so good, they even fake the movement and the micro etch on the crystal. All for $1,500. Not cheap. But, definitely not the MSRP that D-Blues easily command.

Fakes are not amazing in any form they are fakes, and its something we do not talk about in the Rolex watch forum period so take my advice keep everything fake off forum..

[rafi_16610]

cant emphasize it enough - buy the seller. and even then, an honest, competent seller might still be fooled by an excellent replica. where does that leave us then? maybe in addition to a reputable seller, get the assistance (confirmation) of one or two other experts. might be impractical though

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[beshannon]

Originally Posted by barnaby

I'm looking at buying a 2007 16710T Pepsi with box and papers.

From whom?

Take it to an authorized dealer and have them open it prior to purchase.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by beshannon

From whom?

Take it to an authorized dealer and have them open it prior to purchase.

They will have to open it to know, ADs can't tell from just looking at this reference. If they have a watchmaker it should be fine and it may cost a few hundred dollars. Easiest to find a trusted seller and post pics here and this forum can probably tell you.

[kilyung]

Pictures can be false and references can be faked. Always buy the seller and not the watch.

[joli160]

All has been said. I would not buy from an unknown seller, prefer to pay a little more and buy from a trusted seller

[rushca01]

Everybody says buy the seller....and for the record I agree but are we to assume that trusted sellers haven't been duped? Do they open every watch that passes through their possession? Just questions I have as I dive deeper in to the used rolex market, especially the late 5 digit references.

[DJRikki]

Originally Posted by captain_NEMO

Do your homework on the seller, and scan the watch for obvious telltale signs of mistakes, misalignments and overall quality issues.

But the only way to tell its authenticity is by sending it to the RSC (Rolex Service Center).

I'd check the forum's Trusted Sellers and see if they have what you're after. This could potentially save you the headache. Good luck!!

An independent can also remove the caseback and visually check all is in order and correct.

[dr35mm]

Buy the seller not the watch.

but a simple way to verify is, if its not perfect, every single detail of the watch, its fake.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by rushca01

are we to assume that trusted sellers haven't been duped?

If they want to protect their reputation they would take every precaution possible.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by beshannon

If they want to protect their reputation they would take every precaution possible.

This. ^^

I mean, think about it. Do you expect they earned their reputation by buying/selling Rolex watches without first doing their own due diligence? It's not like they acquire their inventory by standing on a dark street corner late at night whispering to random strangers, "hey, buddy, you got a Rolex you want to sell"?

[Speed]

Originally Posted by DJRikki

An independent can also remove the caseback and visually check all is in order and correct.

This may be your best bet - for a small fee perhaps.

ADs - at least in big US cities do t care much to authenticate. Very little In it for them when you think about it. Just liability and potential headache.

[JasonKrick]

Originally Posted by padi56

Fakes are not amazing in any form they are fakes, and its something we do not talk about in the Rolex watch forum period so take my advice keep everything fake off forum..

I think you may have misinterpreted my 'amazing' to be a positive thing.

My comment is a word of warning. That the fakes nowadays are pretty much perfect copies of the real thing.

As the posters mention. Buy the seller. Not the watch. It's downright scary when a faker can replicate the crown microetch at the 6 on the crystal.

Buyer beware has never been more true than it is today.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by barnaby

Thanks guys. Have you ever had an issue with an AD not being helpful. I guess they're not obliged to help you as the tills not ringing. I live in a different country now to my regular AD and don't have a relationship with them here yet.

An AD can be helpful, but the people behind the counter are Sales Staff and many of them don't know the first thing about a Rolex besides the sales price,

If an AD has a watchmaker on staff he/she could likely give you an expert opinion but could not tell you if all the parts inside are authentic without taking it apart, if that is important to you.

No, you cannot simply take a serial number to anybody and know anything, or find out anything, about a watch beyond an approximate year of manufacture.

[barnaby]

Originally Posted by Tools

An AD can be helpful, but the people behind the counter are Sales Staff and many of them don't know the first thing about a Rolex besides the sales price,



If an AD has a watchmaker on staff he/she could likely give you an expert opinion but could not tell you if all the parts inside are authentic without taking it apart, if that is important to you.



No, you cannot simply take a serial number to anybody and know anything, or find out anything, about a watch beyond an approximate year of manufacture.

Thanks Tools and all. That's more what I was getting at really, the willingness of an AD and any reference for serial numbers. I'm pretty positive on this one but have found an expert to take it to. I know my way around a Rolex but there are some clever little people out there with nimble hands who could copy anything!


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[rronald_25]

Im new in this forum but need to buy gmt-master ii for my uncle (he is also not an expert), and I also have the same issue with authenticity.
As many saying buy the seller, is there any trusted seller in this forum, especially from Spain (Barcelona), Andorra or Netherlands (Amsterdam)?
And is it safe to buy from chrono24?
Thanks

[faimag]

My moto is "buy the seller AND the watch"...

[GRB]

Originally Posted by rronald_25

Im new in this forum but need to buy gmt-master ii for my uncle (he is also not an expert), and I also have the same issue with authenticity.
As many saying buy the seller, is there any trusted seller in this forum, especially from Spain (Barcelona), Andorra or Netherlands (Amsterdam)?
And is it safe to buy from chrono24?
Thanks

Regardless, if you buy from a trusted seller, you should have the watch
authenticated . As Ronald Reagan said , trust but verify.

[kauffee]

Originally Posted by rronald_25

Im new in this forum but need to buy gmt-master ii for my uncle (he is also not an expert), and I also have the same issue with authenticity.
As many saying buy the seller, is there any trusted seller in this forum, especially from Spain (Barcelona), Andorra or Netherlands (Amsterdam)?
And is it safe to buy from chrono24?
Thanks

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in this thread is that for some people, buying from an AD may be the best option. If you are unsure, buying a gift, etc then that can be the best option.