Please help authenticate this Sub C

[explorer1982]

I saw this Sub C in a seemingly reputable jewelry store at the mall, and have my doubts about its authenticity.

Q serial #, which they tell me is a 2015 with 3 years left on warranty. There is no box/papers/warranty card. Just comes with a jeweler certificate of authenticity.

I'm curious if anyone has a POV on the authenticity? I compared to images of Subs online and the print quality on the dial makes me wonder if it's a replica.

Also worth noting - the date changes over at 11:10. It's a solid *snap* change but it arrives 50 mins early. This is what initially triggered my suspicion.

Thanks for taking a look!

[HogwldFLTR]

Poor engraving on the rehaut.

[ThatExplorer]

Few things that raise suspension is this, bracelet SELs fit. Dial print, (this could be the photo lighting) but the markers and hands look more along the lines of polished SS versus the “warm” look of white gold.

The date flip COULD be from installing hands on sloppy but I would beg the differ. There’s a few other things that make me question but they go a little more in doubt.

Also question... when you go to rotate the hands (setting the time) and you rotate the crown clockwise which way do the hands move? Also do they move very “loosely” or are they tight?


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[Andad]

I would pass on that one.

[Seibei]

Ghastly fake. Always insist on proper documentation.

[BigBoy17]

Since when do they come with green sticker anymore. First sign.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by BigBoy17

Since when do they come with green sticker anymore. First sign.

This is the first thing that surprised me after a quick look. The ceramics never came with the old green back stickers, they were all clear.

[explorer1982]

Thanks for the quick feedback! The date change alone has me thinking there's an obvious mechanical issue that I shouldn't even bother dealing with. They're asking $9,500 so it's not even like it's a great deal.

I'm a noob here and really appreciate you POVs!

[explorer1982]

Can you share what makes you say it's "ghastly"? I'm having a hard time finding specifics that I would be confident about. Thanks

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by explorer1982

Can you share what makes you say it's "ghastly"? I'm having a hard time finding specifics that I would be confident about. Thanks

I have a lot of experience with Rolex watches, I love them and I appreciate them. Therefor that thing hurts my eyes and I find if ghastly. (I never discuss specifics of fakes, it is against forum rules anyway.)

If you ask me anyone asking 9.5k for that should be doing jail time.

If you want to buy a used Rolex and you don't know what you are doing, then at least buy from a reputable dealer such as DavidSW and get all the correct papers with your watch.

[Boris&Bea]

Cashback sticker, Rehault engraving doesn’t look sharp enough and even the bezel doesn’t look quite as crisp as it should.


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[dhknola]

Numbers engraved in bezel do not look right; I'd pass.

[smym18]

nvm

[ThatExplorer]

Don’t walk away, but run away. That’s not even a decent fake, that thing is straight outta Fugazzi.


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[Johny]

Hi op.

Name the store.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by explorer1982

Can you share what makes you say it's "ghastly"? I'm having a hard time finding specifics that I would be confident about. Thanks

There are two well renowned sellers out your way. OCRolexguy and JustRolexes from here on the forum. They will source you a genuine Sub that you can have confidence in that the watch is genuine.

[PRSWILL]

Wondering, When you wind the watch, turn the winder clockwise- which direction does the movement go? Fakes USUALLY go counterclockwise. I am not aware of a legit ceramic Sub that would do this- not am I aware of a fake that replicates the winding/time setting properly- if someone knows if this has been replicated, I'd love to know.

[freefly]

Originally Posted by explorer1982

I'm curious if anyone has a POV on the authenticity? I compared to images of Subs online and the print quality on the dial makes me wonder if it's a replica.

Also worth noting - the date changes over at 11:10. It's a solid *snap* change but it arrives 50 mins early. This is what initially triggered my suspicion.

Watch looks fine from here, apart from the bad pics. It has certainly had an amateur-ish refinish job though, and there are a couple minor chips in the crystal.

Dial is fine (again, bad pics). The early date-change is not uncommon either. Likely a non-RSC service at some point.
As long as it snaps over instantaneously (and not a slow roll-over) it isn't a big deal, and can be fixed it it really bugs you.

Originally Posted by explorer1982

They're asking $9,500 so it's not even like it's a great deal.

No argument there.

[freefly]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Poor engraving on the rehaut.

Early "double engraved" style. Perfectly fine.

[freefly]

Originally Posted by BigBoy17

Since when do they come with green sticker anymore. First sign.

Originally Posted by Tools

This is the first thing that surprised me after a quick look. The ceramics never came with the old green back stickers, they were all clear.

Yep, the multitude of factory green stickers have long-since been retired.
However, the sticker on the OP's watch is just a common/blank aftermarket sticker that many pre-owned watch dealers, jewelers, and pawn shops use after refinish/polish jobs to protect the case back from scratches.

Even the lower-end fake green stickers will incorporate a fake hologram and/or reference number. Though, most fakers have caught on and have stopped using them altogether.
In fact, the higher-end ones now replicate the full case/bracelet stickers fairly accurately.

[Lgear080]

The big kicker is the serial as the photos are not doing you any favors. The green sticker is a red flag as stated already. Run the serial against known fakes or provide some head on shots of the date aperture.

[mdubya]

A lot of ridiculous posts in this thread... most things look right and it has the older rehuat engraving but still looks correct.

Definitely not a "ghastly fake". Bezel is slightly suspect but could be lighting. Dial looks good, so does date window and the SELs are fine, looks like the case has been polished a bit. I would venture to say genuine but would not buy it without authentication given how accurance sub fakes are these days.

[Topspin14m]

Maybe a dumb question but, assuming it is real, can you use the warranty without the card? I always thought you needed it.

[BigJack]

To save yourself from future regrets, simply walk away!

[bayerische]

"Q" serial indicates 2015. Random serial, no way of telling. Either way this is no-bueno.

[GLADIATOR]

Originally Posted by Topspin14m

Maybe a dumb question but, assuming it is real, can you use the warranty without the card? I always thought you needed it.

Yes.
Rolex will service it, as long as its all original ROLEX parts i.e no after market parts.
If there is, they insist to replace them prior to carrying out any work

No idea how it could be dated to 2015 without paperwork.
Green sticker on back is strange, could be as FREEFLY says, but not the typical "wear" sticker.

Personally I would want better inspection - at best probably needs a service based on date change issue

[ThatExplorer]

I want to see what’s sitting behind the case back.


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[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by tools

this is the first thing that surprised me after a quick look. The ceramics never came with the old green back stickers, they were all clear.

+2

[freefly]

Originally Posted by bayerische

"Q" serial indicates 2015.

Nope.

Originally Posted by bayerische

Random serial, no way of telling.

Yep.

[freefly]

Originally Posted by Topspin14m

Maybe a dumb question but, assuming it is real, can you use the warranty without the card?

No. The warranty only applies to the original owner, as purchased from an AD. So, even if you purchase a "new" watch from a pre-owned dealer/flipper, complete with warranty card (filled out or not), they factory warranty will be void.

Originally Posted by GLADIATOR

Yes.
Rolex will service it, as long as its all original ROLEX parts i.e no after market parts.

Yes. Rolex will serice it, just as they would any genuine Rolex. You will just have to pay for it (no warranty coverage).