Vintage Misdemeanour Checklist

[wappinghigh]

Case

Over-polished
Fake (new) case
Wrong case entirely
Fake serial no.
"Touched up' (lasered)

Case back

Replaced -Wrong year for watch

Movement

Swapped out (Wrong movement for case)
Fake parts
Wrong parts (watchmaker)
Replacement parts that work but incorrect for actual watch model no. (Watchmaker or RSC)

Dial

Completely Fake New Dial
Original old dial, but wrong for model no.
Proper service Dial (RSC)
Original Dial but relumed (eg lumed as Luminova- RSC)
Relumed - wrong lume entirely or not even lume (eg some other material)
Touched up or Painted

Hands

Fake
Wrong for watch
Correct for watch but newer (incorrect) lume eg "Service Luminova"
Service hands

Crystal

Entirely wrong for watch vintage
Not tested properly

Crown

Fake (in keeping with vintage)
Original part replaced (correct for vintage)
Newer than expected for vintage (eg triplock) replaced by RSC
Entirely wrong (eg incorrect motif or no motif)

Bracelet

Wrong entirely for watch
Correct - but wrong year
Wrong parts (links, clasp)

Box & Papers

Incomplete
Counterfeit

Sales/Listings

Year wrong (intentional)
Year wrong (un-intentional)
Partial disclosure (intentional)
Partial disclosure (unintentional)
Fake photos (doesn't have watch)
Real photos (of fake watch) mixed in with real watch photos - "priced to good to be true")
Incomplete (intentional)
Incomplete (un-intentional)
Listed "working" (when it's not)
Listed when stolen (intentional or not)

Service

RSC or Watchmaker service that alters watch without owner consent
"Serviced" (when it's not)

RSC = Rolex Authorised Service Centre


List of opinions (only) of watch enthusiast researching pristine authentic vintage piece
Please add (below), or notify if incorrect and I will maintain and update

[HarryLime]

tl;dr look for shit that's wrong

[wappinghigh]

Originally Posted by HarryLime

tl;dr look for shit that's wrong

Sure. There can be so many things wrong - some things that I am sure would fool even the most experienced of dealers and enthusiasts. Not all in the one piece of course - some watches would have just one thing incorrect - which may lead the unsuspecting vintage lover to suspect overall mischief.. - So I prefer a checklist. I don't think I'd be the only one. I hope this thread builds to help all people who love vintage Rolex . Cheers

[wappinghigh]

Bezel

Fake -Wrong material
Incorrect color/scheme for model no.
RSC service replacement but not original bezel
Lume or lume dot incorrect