Is It the Real Deal? Ways to Spot a Fake Rolex Watch

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Rolex is a timeless and classic watch brand that has been around for a long time and is arguably one of the most popular brands in watches as well. The powerhouse watch manufacturer sells tons of watches each year and the demand for them continues to rise. In fact, in 2020, Rolex sold roughly 810,000 watches. Because of the watch’s popularity, fake Rolex watches are appearing on the market in droves. These counterfeit watches have become increasingly better in appearance and look almost identical to the real watches with some of them needing to be taken apart to truly identify if it is authentic or not.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

So, you found a Rolex watch for sale and you want to purchase it, but how do you know if it is real or fake. One way to determine if you are looking at a fake Rolex is to look at the price. Most fake Rolex watches sell as low as $25 up to about $200.

Before you shell out any money from your pocket, look for these tell-tale signs of a fake:

  • The date on a Rolex watch is visible and will be magnified on the Cyclops lens of the crystal. When looking at the date, it should just about fill up the entire bubble – no date or incorrect placement of the date=fake 
  • The second hand on the watch should experience no rigid movements and should move seamlessly – rigid movement=fake 
  •  All Rolex watches sport the model and serial numbers. The model number is located where the band and lug meet one another near the 12 o’clock side and the serial number is located where the band and lug meet at the 6 o’clock side. In addition, a true Rolex will have engraving over the model number that states “Original Rolex Design.” No serial or model number=fake incorrect placement of serial or model number=fake 
  • Rolex watches have some weight to them and will not be light. When two are compared with one another, the heavier of the two is the authentic version. A lightweight Rolex=fake 
  • Newer Rolex watches sport an insignia near the crystal by the 6 o’clock side. This insignia is laser etched into the watch itself. No insignia on a newer model=fake 
  • Rolex does not play games when it comes to their watches and every detail will be perfect. You can expect crisp lines, good coloration, and seamless movement from the components inside. Anything less than perfect=fake

We Sell Authentic and Beautiful Rolex Watches

Don’t fall for a fake Rolex and trust the experts to provide you with authentic and beautiful options in NY. At NYC Jewelry and Watch Buyers, we have your best interests in mind. We are the Rolex experts and can help you determine if a watch is real or fake. In addition to helping you determine authenticity; we also offer a wide range of services including Rolex watch polishing and Rolex battery replacement. Give us a call today or stop by our shop to see our available inventory of premium luxury watches.

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