Most of us probably know that if you're paying 50 bucks for it, or buying it from a guy in a trench coat on 6th Avenue, a Rolex is probably a fake. But with so many counterfeit watches out there, sometimes you need a little more info to go on. Especially considering how good some of the fake Rolex's have gotten.
Fortunately the folks at Bob's Watches, the largest online retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, have put together a video to help you figure out if a Rollie isn't on the up-and-up.
Some of the more obvious tips include checking whether the watch is real gold or gold plated, and whether it has an automatic movement. A real Rolex will always be made from solid precious metals, and it will always have an automatic movement, as evidenced by the smoothly sweeping second hand. So if the metal looks a little dull and the watch is ticking, it's a fake.
Another thing to look for is the date window. On a real Rolex, the date window will have a lens with a 2-4 times magnification, while a fake one will have maybe only a magnification of one, or even zero.
That said, on the better counterfeit Rolex's, the movement will be automatic and the general quality will be a lot better, so you may have to work harder to spot the fake. But one area where even the better counterfeits often don't measure up is on the printing. A true Rolex will look extremely sharp, crisp, and tight. On a counterfeit the printing will likely be a little fatter and just not as crisp.
Flipping the watch over, you can see a lot of the hallmarks of a fake Rollie in the movement. Things like plastic spacers, the absence of any engraving, and an overall shoddier finish.
Of course, with some of the super fakes, spotting any differences will be tough, and those often require an expert eye. Subtle things like slightly darker finishes on the bezel, or a different shade of blue on the hairspring.
Either way, check out this video for tips on how to spot a fake Rolex. And also, maybe don't ever buy one out of the back of a running van.
