Rolex symbolizes quality, tradition, and - as gauche as it may sound to some - class. For over a hundred years, the British-Swiss timepieces have graced the wrists of the wealthy and well-born. Having cultivated such a select clientele and august reputation, it's little surprise that counterfeit Rolexes eventually flooded the market - which begs the question: Can you differentiate between a phoney "Rolly'' and a real one?
If not, we've got you covered - because today, we're breaking down how to spot a fake Rolex.
Misspellings and Other Packaging Tells
The first place to look for tomfoolery is the packaging. Is everything spelled correctly on the box and certificate of authenticity? If not, it's probably a fake. Print quality is another tell-tale sign. Bluntly stated: you shouldn't be able to scratch off the logo.
Face Lettering
Grab a magnifying glass or jeweller's loupe and examine the watch face. Do the letters look fuzzy? How about the numbers? Is the alignment askew? Authentic Rolexes have crisp craftsmanship. The lettering is sharply cornered as precision symmetry is a brand hallmark.
Additionally, all authentic Rolexes have a minuscule crown etched into the bottom of the crystal. You'll need at least a 10X magnifier to see it, and the graphic shouldn't be visible to the naked eye when looking at the watch straight on.
Smooth Second Hand
A second hand that ticks along is a knockoff. The sweeps of real Rolexes move eight steps per second, making it appear as if it's gliding along in a fluid motion.
The Daytona Hoax
"Daytona" styles with a 20-30-40 combination on one of the chronograph circles are not the real deal. Authentic Rolexes never have that trio of numbers together.
The Crown's Balls
Check out the trademark crown on the Rolex you're considering buying. Do the crown point balls look flat? If so, the watch is likely fake. Genuine Rolexes sport 3D spherical balls on the crown icons.
Other Rolex Authenticity Checks
Other ways to determine the authenticity of a Rolex include:
• Making sure the "Rolex" inscribed on the inner rim of the watch is etched with a high-resolution laser and not printed
• Checking to ensure the clasp has a crisp Rolex crown
• Verifying the movement stamp underneath the case back
When buying a Rolex remotely, it's imperative to find a reputable Rolex watch online shop, like BQ Watches. A pioneer in the luxury procurement market, the BQ team is renowned for tracking down and trading rare timepieces. For over 30 years, Spencer et al. have helped Europeans source and secure authentic Rolex watches and other high-end chronometers. If you're in search of something special, connect with BQ Watches today.
Author Resource:-
Jeson Clarke is providing info about pre-owned luxury watches, selling, buying, watch repair and services. You can find his thoughts at luxury watches blog.