Good fakes are getting so good they're even fooling the experts.
The details in fakes are scary.
Little things like the Rolex Crown etched into the Sapphire Crystal at the Six position. Good fakes will also have Model Numbers on the Link Tabs and a Clasp that has a nicely engraved Rolex Emblem. Good fakes are even coming with one of those brand new Green Stickers on the case back. (Even though the real sticker has a Hologram that's almost impossible to duplicate. But I'm sure if you look hard enough on Ebay, you'll find some for sale!)
The Date Bubble
Some people say you can tell a fake Rolex from a real Rolex by the Date Bubble. The Date Bubble is the little magnifier that covers the Date to make it easier to read. That bubble should magnify 2.5 times the actual size. Cheap fakes will normally only magnify about 1.5 times.
Is the Watch Grainy?
On most fakes, good and bad, the etching of the serial and model numbers will look grainy, sandy, or rough. If you loupe the letters and numbers with a Jeweler's Loupe, you'll see jagged lift marks on a fake. That's because the engraver has gone over the lettering with a couple of amateur passes and left uneven and jagged channels. Genuine Rolex watches have perfect lettering that's clean, crisp, and smooth.
Rolex is even fighting counterfeits with its newer Rolex watches by providing an inner bevel that's hard to reproduce. Inside the face of the watch, all the way around the inner edge, you'll now see the word "Rolex" repeated over and over again. It's cute and clever, but I'm sure it won't be long before this is copied.
10 Fake Rolex Signs to look for:
So here are the 10 big signs to look for in a fake Rolex:
1) Does it tick? If it does, it's probably fake.
2) Are the 9's in the Dates, open or closed? If they're open, it's fake!
3) Does it feel light-weight and cheap? If it feels hollow and flimsy, it's fake!
4) Are the letters & numbers rough & jagged? Real Rolexes are very detailed & precise!
5) Are any of the words misspelled? Fakes often misspell words like "Rollex".
6) Are the hands short or squared off? Rolex hands are rounded & long at the ends.
6) Does it come in a plastic bag? Don't laugh, fakes normally won't come in a Rolex box.
7) Does it have a warranty? Fakes usually skimp on anything official looking like a warranty.
8) Does water bead up on the crystal? Wipe water across the face and see what it does.
9) Are the edges of the band hard, sharp & jagged? Rolex links are smooth & perfect.
10) Does it have proper serial numbers and model numbers on the links? If not, it's fake!
The Bottom Line:
Only buy a Rolex watch from an Authorized Rolex dealer! Because if you bought a Rolex watch for under $2000, chances are very good it's a fake! Rolexes hold their value. That's the coolest thing about them. You can get them refurbished and cleaned up and they'll look brand new again. That's why they will sell for a lot of money, even used! Used Rolexes will probably sell for about half their regular Retail Price! And that's not a bad investment!
So if you get a deal to buy one for $50, I'm telling you, it's not real. Even at $300, it's just not going to happen. (It may be a great knock-off though.) Rolex watches don't sell for bargain bin prices. If you're looking for a cheap watch, look else where! I would suggest you not buy them on the streets. That's a scam waiting to happen. Don't buy them at pawn shops. You never know what you'll get there. Because you really do get what you pay for. A $50 watch is still $50, and it's still a $50 fake! It's not going to fool anyone!
The only good thing is that a fake Rolex will probably keep better time than a real Rolex. (Can't beat a quartz movement for accuracy!) Rolexes are known for losing about 2-3 minutes a month. But then again, if you have the money to buy a real Rolex watch, then time probably doesn't matter to you much anyway! After all, it's a show-piece, not a time-keeper!
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Copyright © 06-30-2008 Jewelry-Secrets.com
