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Did you know that Rolex is the most valuable Swiss watch brand in the world? For years, people have sought out Rolex watches due to their durability and high-quality construction.
While these watches can be a bit expensive, they are a great addition to any collection. Whether you are buying a Rolex to accessorize with or as an investment, doing your homework is a must.
Unfortunately, there are a number of fake Rolex watches on the market. The last thing you want is to spend loads of money on a watch only to find out it is fake. Learning how to spot a fake Rolex is essential before making a purchase.
The following are some of the things you need to look for when trying to figure out whether or not a Rolex is a fake.
Learning How to Spot a Fake Rolex Is Easy When Paying Attention to The Face
One of the first things most people notice when looking at a watch is the face it has. Oftentimes, this portion of a watch can tell you a lot about the time and care that went into the construction of a timepiece.
When looking at the face of a Rolex, you need to pay close attention to things like the spacing in between letters or uneven fonts. If you see either of these elements on the watch, chances are it is a fake.
More experienced buyers can tell a fake Rolex by just looking at the size of the bezel. Usually, the bezels on fake Rolex watches are far larger than the real thing. When buying used rolex womens watches, you have to cover all of your bases to ensure you are getting an authentic product.
The Appearance of the Second Hand
For years, the Rolex brand has been geared around the top-notch watch movements they offer. In order for a Rolex watch to operate correctly, it will require hundreds of small pieces to work in unison. When inspecting a possible Rolex, be sure to take a look at the second hand.
If you notice that the second hand seems to stutter a bit before moving, chances are it has a quartz movement. A mechanical movement, like the ones featured on an actual Rolex, will provide smooth and stutter-free action.
Rushing through the inspection of a potential Rolex is a disaster waiting to happen. If you notice that the second hand is stuttering, then you need to avoid paying Rolex prices for this watch. Educating yourself about what to look for in a Rolex can save you thousands of dollars.
The Case Back Should be Clear
Among the most instantly recognizable features on a Rolex watch is the clear case back. For years, Rolex has provided their customers with a glimpse into how their watches run via this clear case back.
Many of the mass-produced Rolex fakes on the market will not have this feature. By looking at the back of a potential Rolex right away, you can save yourself the aggravation of buying a fake product.
When inspecting the clear case back on a potential Rolex purchase, be sure to look for any signs of damage. If this part of the watch is scratched, you need to make sure the seller comes down on the price to compensate for this damage.
Is the Watch Engraved?
Another important thing you need to look at when trying to vet a Rolex is the engravings it has. Actual Rolex watches will not be engraved with any logos or designs.
This means that if the back of a particular Rolex features these logos or designs, it is definitely a fake.
The only exception to this rule is the pre-1990s ladies Rolexes. These watches had an engraving on the back which read “Original Rolex Design”. There was also a Rolex Sea Dweller made around this time that had “Rolex Oyster Original Gas Escape Valve” around the outside of the watch.
Inspect the Winder on the Watch
When conducting your inspection of a supposed Rolex watch, pay extra attention to the winder on the timepiece. If the watch is a fake, it will probably have a very basic and even cheap looking winder on it.
If the watch in question is a Rolex, it will have a finely-crafted winder that features various engravings. The team at Rolex take a lot of pride in hand-crafting their watches.
Going with your gut feeling when it comes to buying a Rolex isn’t sufficient. You need undeniable proof that the watch in question is real before spending money on it. Doing your homework before buying a Rolex is the only way to avoid getting ripped off.
Performing a Proper Water Test
Being waterproof is one of the biggest selling points for a Rolex watch. Most of the Rolex watches on the market are designed to withstand water pressure from up to 328 feet. The solid Oyster case that a real Rolex has allows it to withstand this pressure.
When you have serious doubts about the authenticity of a Rolex watch, performing a proper water test is a good idea.
If the seller is hesitant to let you do this, then you need to look at all of the other components mentioned in this article to verify the authenticity of the watch. Taking someone’s word regarding whether or not a Rolex is real can lead to you spending lots of money on a watch that isn’t worth it.
Buy Your Watches From a Reputable Supplier
Now that you know how to spot a fake Rolex, you can avoid getting taken advantage of by scammers. One of the best ways to avoid buying a fake Rolex is by working with knowledgeable and experienced suppliers.
Looking for more information about getting great accessories like watches? If so, check out our article on which accessories you need to spice up your summer wardrobe.