Rolex watches are a symbol of sophistication, elegance and prestige. It is not surprising that models of this brand attract many replica manufacturers. It is not so easy to distinguish original chronometers, but there are several signs that you should pay attention to in order to determine whether you are looking at a real expensive product or a cheap copy. You may well encounter a high-quality fake, then you will need the advice of a professional expert. In this article we will tell you how to distinguish the original from the replica.
MAIN SIGNS OF DIFFERENCE IN AN ORIGINAL ROLEX WATCH FROM A COPY
TICKING
Listen to the ticking. The second hands of fake watches move jerkily and, if you listen carefully, you can hear a quiet ticking. The second hand of the original Rolex watch moves very smoothly, and it is almost impossible to hear its ticking.
MOVEMENT OF THE SECOND HAND
It is necessary to pay attention to the movement of the second hand. The seconds hand of an original Rolex watch moves smoothly and does not jerk during the movement. If the movement of the arrow either accelerates or slows down or twitches, then you have a fake in your hands.
The hands of many models make 8 micro-movements per second; it is quite difficult to distinguish smooth movements from chaotic ones.
MAGNIFYING LENS
Most original Rolex watches have a date display. It is often located on the right side of the dial. To make the date easier to see, the manufacturer has placed a small magnifying glass above the date indicator. It is very difficult to counterfeit, so on many replica watches this glass only looks magnified, but upon closer inspection you can be sure that it is ordinary glass. If the glass above the date indicator does not increase the number, then you have a replica in your hands.
The magnifying lens on an original Rolex watch magnifies the number by 2-2.5 times, and the date fits entirely within this lens. If the date window is not visible enough through a magnifying glass or is uneven, then we can confidently say that the watch is fake. In fakes, they usually stop at a multiplicity of x1.5.
Some replica watches also have a lens, but manufacturers cannot accurately calculate the size of the number and glass, so the number does not always completely occupy the entire area of the lens.
CHANGE OF DATE
You need to loosen the crown and turn the hands back to change the date to yesterday’s date. The date should change after 6 movements, but not after 12. This uniqueness is very difficult to copy. If you do not observe such a feature in your watch, then most likely you have a copy.
PRODUCT WEIGHT
The lightness of the watch product should alert you. Original Rolex watches are made from real metal and sapphire crystal, which of course makes them heavier. Holding the original in your hands, you will definitely feel the heaviness. If you are holding a suspiciously light watch, then most likely it is made of lighter materials, which is an undeniable sign of a fake watch.
MINIATURE CROWN LOGO
The sapphire crystal of the original Rolex watch at 6 o’clock is engraved with a miniature crown – the Rolex logo. This feature is quite difficult to copy, because precision jewelry work with sapphire glass is not the easiest thing to do. If the watch does not have such a crown, it is 100% fake.
You can find such a crown on glass even in cheap copies, and we learned how to make it quite a long time ago, even if it is not of such impeccable quality.
REAR PANEL
Most fake Rolex watches have a transparent back panel, allowing you to see the internal mechanism. Such a panel should not be under a removable metal cover. None of the original Rolex models have this type of backplate. Only a few models of Rolex watches were produced with such panels, but! They were not put up for sale, they could only be seen at watch exhibitions.
Manufacturers of replica Rolex watches thus mislead buyers who pay attention to the internal mechanisms and admire their jewelry work without knowing such subtleties.
MATERIAL OF PARTS
Take the watch in your hands and examine its details, what materials they are made of. Look at the back of your Rolex watch, it should be made of smooth, high quality metal without any marks. The strap is made of leather or the bracelet is made of high quality metal. If any part of your Rolex watch is made of plastic or thin metal (such as aluminum), then you are faced with a fake.
The above indicates how to distinguish original Swiss watches from their copies. Real Rolexes are made from the highest quality materials, because it is important for their manufacturers to maintain a high status of a well-deserved reputation.
Please note that if the back panel looks like metal but there is plastic underneath, this watch is also a replica.
WATERPROOF
Water resistance of original Rolex. An effective way to determine the originality of a Rolex watch is to check its water resistance. All Rolex watches are perfectly sealed. If the accessory lets even a little water through, then it’s definitely not a Rolex.
To check, you need to lower the watch into a glass of water, hold it for a few seconds, and then take it out. A genuine Rolex watch will continue to function properly and will not have water droplets on the inside of the glass.
Of course, if your watch is a copy, such a check can ruin it. In this case, you need to take them to a watchmaker who, without such experience, will be able to give a verdict.
CONFIRMATION WITH THE CATALOG ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
In order to check the originality of the purchased watch, you can check the availability of such a model from Rolex itself. To do this, go to the official website, which has a catalog of all models with photographs. Find a photo of your watch model and compare all the details. Pay special attention to the watch dial – is everything in its place? Does your watch have a secondary dial (date, chronograph), and is it in the right place? Are the inscriptions identical?
If even one answer is negative, you definitely have a copy. The Rolex watch brand is known for the highest quality; there are extremely rare defects in the products of this company.
