Owning a Rolex, be it a new or a used one, is something of a bucket list item for a lot of people. A Rolex stands for accomplishment, it is a mark of prestige, precision and quality. So it isn’t surprising that there are plenty of takers for the sort of stature a Rolex represents, even if they aren’t necessarily cashed up to acquire it legitimately. Given the demand for cheap, knock-off Rolex watches in the market, it’s important to know that the one you’re buying (or more likely, have been gifted) is original. Here’s how to know if a Rolex is real or fake.
Here’s how to know if a Rolex is real or fake
1. The markings are off
The precision of the font, even spacing between the letters and the size of the crown are all indicators of authenticity. A proper Rolex has what aficionados like to call ‘The Cyclops’ — referring to the convex bulge placed directly above the date window that magnifies it by a factor of 2.5. Any deviation to the left or to the right of the date window is a mark of inauthenticity.
A genuine Rolex has deep engravings and model numbers while fake ones have shallow, acid-etched ones in all the wrong places. The Seconds hand of any Rolex (except the Oysterquartz) should move in a smooth, continuous manner and not tick away like a quartz-powered one. The crown should have a fluted pattern with dots underneath the coronet. All the Rolex watches manufactured after 2000 have a small crown logo placed at the 6 o’clock mark to distinguish them from the counterfeit models in the market.
2. It’s got to feel right
Not in the depths of your soul, but on your wrist or in your palm. A real Rolex uses top-notch metals and materials, which means it always has some heft to it. From the hands to the gears and the band of the watch, only the best materials are incorporated and therefore feel a bit heavy. Want to know how an authentic Rolex feels? Just walk into an authorised retailer’s store and ask to hold one, which brings us to the next point.
3. Trust your retailer
This goes without saying but do not, under any circumstances, purchase a Rolex from unauthorised dealers, especially ones found on the internet. Customers looking for authentic pre-owned luxury watches are particularly vulnerable as the internet is full of dodgy portals featuring shiny watches. Always check a watch seller’s credentials, customer reviews and their standing in the watch community. If they’re a seller of some repute, they would offer a certificate of authenticity. We are, after all, talking about Rolexes. Ideally, the seller must be affiliated with the International Watch & Jewellery Guild.
4. An authorised Rolex service centre will tell you
Selling counterfeit Rolex watches is considered a criminal activity, and therefore an authorised service centre can take the watch away from you. Not only that but owning a fake Rolex can tarnish your watch ownership record with brands like Rolex should you wish to rise in the ranks to become a luxury watch collector or the owner of a highly coveted timepiece like the Daytona in the future.
5. Surface-level concerns
While opening a caseback to find a quartz movement instead of an automatic one would certainly clear up any doubts; in most cases, you don’t have to go that deep. Rolex spends a lot of time and effort on the finish of the case material. In addition to using a patented version of stainless steel and platinum, Rolex watches are known to have a smooth caseback, free of engravings. If you find one that has engravings, logos or illustrations on the caseback – it’s a fake. The only exceptions are certain vintage Datejust models with the words ‘Stainless Steel’ or ‘Registered Design’ etched on the caseback; but those are exceptions to the rule.
