Things to look out for when buying/authenticating Pre-own

[louisoh]

Rolex watches are probably one of the most copied watches in the world. Many of the counterfeits use very good mechanical movements that lets the sweep second hand glide around the dial chapters, a Rolex trait. Others use a common quartz movement where the sweep second hand ticks every second as it steps around the dial, an obvious fake. But be careful, Rolex made a few models that used quartz movements.

So, what should you look for? The best thing to do is to take your watch to a qualified watchmaker and let them determine if your watch is genuine Rolex or not. Next, you can remove the watch band. Check between the lugs at the 12 position and see if it has an engraved "Registered Design" number. If you see no number, it is fake. Now check between the lugs at the 6 position. Here you should see a serial number of the case. If there is no number, it is fake.

If there is a glass crystal on the back of the case, so you can see the movement, your watch is fake. Also many times, you will see a "Rolex" that has the Rolex name engraved on the case back. These are also fakes.

On gold colored watches, look for signs of wear on the lug ends and on the case backs. Fake Rolex watches will often display area where the gold color has worn off, exposing the white colored base metal of the case below. Check the watch bands and look at the clasp. A genuine Rolex clasp is nicely engraved with the old original Rolex emblem. This appears on both gold and stainless clasps on watch bands.

Another thing to look for is the weight of the watch. Gold Rolex watches are very heavy as compared to the fakes which are very light for their apparent mass. This is because the specific gravity of gold (Au) is much greater than the specific gravity of a base metal. Stainless steel Rolex watches also have more weight to them because stainless is also much heavier than the base metal used in bogus watches.

Credit to "Timebuilder" from Ebay Guides..

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In short, all fakes would be exposed once the case is removed and the movement inspected... I've personally seen the movements of Jap, Asia duplicated ETA and the Swiss ETA 25 jewels movement.. The best is definately the swiss movement.. However, there's still a bit of difference with the 31 jewel rolex (not all models are 31 jewel tho)....

Any bros want to add on, please do so..

[ohlins]

visit my blog for a detailed explanation....

http://oohlins.blogspot.com/2007/05/...its-folex.html

[Darkangel]

This is my personal guide.Which after years(2) of experience in looking at genuine Rolexes that I come out with.

Things to look out for:

1)The cyclops lens. It's a big giveaway,the lens should be able to magnify 2.5x the date. Anything smaller than that is a These people who make these fakes are only able to make the maginification 2x,that's the best already.

2) The day(For DD models) and date font. It should be of the correct font,and size.

3) The engraved bezel. This applies to the sports models,the markings are to be of the correct size and font anything off...its a

4) Serial numbers between the lugs. Remove the bracelet. If it ain't there you know it is a FAKE

5) Caseback. Some come with a hologram sticker,engraved but never a see thru. The hologram sticker should be 3D like and when you move it you can see a difference not just the ugly 2D stickers which those fakes have. Only a number of watches a engraved caseback. The lady-datejust during the 1990s, and the Sea Dweller. If you see a "Winner Rolex 24" or something like that on your Daytona its a FAKE

6) The crown on the clasp. The "matchsticks" should be spread out evenly but quite close together. The crown cannot be too fat or thin. Most people don't really look out for this but somehow I include it in my list because it's also one impt point!

7) The movement. Fakes can NEVER EVER copy the actual movement of the genuine Rolex watch. So once you open it up you know.

8) Sweeping second hand. The second hand should be sweeping and not ticking. Though fakes have been able to do a sweeping second hand with a automatic movement,but it is HIGHLY INACCURATE.

9) Waterproofing. Fake Rolex watches can only take to a simple wash of hands or a quick shower( Not in the bathtub for too long). It can't last a swim in your pool.

10) Gold plating. Those single-wrap,double-wrap,triple-wrap is bullcrap. The gold will fade over time,and once it fades you know damn well its a

11) Solid yellow gold models. Some of you may not know,the solid yellow gold models have a clasp which is made of Rose gold. Not the crown but the inside part the...erm dunno how to explain,but if you guys dunno then ask me I will show you a picture then.

I think that's all for now,there are somemore but I will do it another time if I can remember =P

Credit to ME! LOL...I did this myself.

[rollies86]

Rolex or Replica??

http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/rolex_or_replica.html

[sunny_blue]

For the newer datejust serious at the 6 o'clock portion under magnification you can see the rolex logo etch on the chamfer or the crystal. No sure if the Sub and other serious have that cos I only could afford a DJ now... maybe someone could verify on that.

[ohlins]

like this...

[exarkun]

Ok let share. Photo taken from websites.
Fake



Real

[DoubleK]

Ok let share. Photo taken from websites.
Fake



Real

think this only applies to new models right?

[exarkun]

Crystal replacement also got that etched logo.

[eric]

Buying preowned rolex, what to check

Hi just like to ask from the experts here, what do you check when you are buying from a preowned watch dealer? How do you know they are genuine rolex, do you request them to open up the watch show you the movements or get them verified at Rolex centre with you?

[Darkangel]

For me...I trust them. I've been seeing enought fakes to roughly tell ald..haha.

But,it depends where you buy it also. If it's a reputable dealer...then I dun really worry. But if you are so worried...just go check with RSC

[minusplus]

Hi just like to ask from the experts here, what do you check when you are buying from a preowned watch dealer? How do you know they are genuine rolex, do you request them to open up the watch show you the movements or get them verified at Rolex centre with you?

Hi Bro, IMHO, always bring the watch to Rolex Centre for authentication. You never know whether the parts inside have been changed or altered, and some of these parts may not be original. We can do as much research as we want but, still, we aren't the professionals. Come on... the watch costs at least $5k already. Authentication costs only $75, which is less than 2% of the watch... I wld rather play it safe than to keep something that may not be original...

All preowned shops are obliged to open the watch for you to inspect prior to buying the watch. They'll show you the serial number engraved between the lugs, and they will open up the case and explain to you by pointing out why the watch can't be a fake (eg red gears, sweeping hand, etc)

The preowned shops do not accompany you to the RSC. You will have to pay them in full for the watch first, then bring it to RSC yourself. But if there's any part of the watch that's not orginal, you MUST go back to the shop and ask for a 100% refund

[paithorn]

if it's fake, you can't get the watch back as RSC will not return the watch to you...

[Darkangel]

Hi Bro, IMHO, always bring the watch to Rolex Centre for authentication. You never know whether the parts inside have been changed or altered, and some of these parts may not be original. We can do as much research as we want but, still, we aren't the professionals. Come on... the watch costs at least $5k already. Authentication costs only $75, which is less than 2% of the watch... I wld rather play it safe than to keep something that may not be original...

All preowned shops are obliged to open the watch for you to inspect prior to buying the watch. They'll show you the serial number engraved between the lugs, and they will open up the case and explain to you by pointing out why the watch can't be a fake (eg red gears, sweeping hand, etc)

The preowned shops do not accompany you to the RSC. You will have to pay them in full for the watch first, then bring it to RSC yourself. But if there's any part of the watch that's not orginal, you MUST go back to the shop and ask for a 100% refund

But I dun think you should return the watch back to the guy also..later he take it n sell to some innocent soul

[eric]

Ok thanks for the precious info Bros. Btw any of our members here had any bad experience with preowned watch dealers before?