Real vs. Fake Rolex – Tips and Indicators: The Look of a Rolex

Genuine Rolex caseback

Case back – The easiest way to spot a fake Rolex is to look at the watch’s case back, which is almost always plain metal. So if the watch you’re examining has a glass exhibition case back which allows the watch mechanism to be seen, it’s a fake Rolex watch, or one of the very rare 1030 see through watches made by Rolex.

Engravings – Genuine Rolex models case backs are smooth. They are completely free of engravings, so if you see one, you should be suspicious. Bear in mind that Rolex only made two watches with an engraved case back: the Sea Dweller which has “Rolex Oyster Original Gas Escape Valve” in an arc around the outside of the case back and the Milgauss model which has a similar design.

Metal quality – Rolex does NOT make 14k gold or gold-plated watches or bracelets. A real Rolex is either stainless steel, 18k gold, or platinum. If you see a Rolex with faded gold or metal showing below the gold, it is a fake.

Magnification – On real Rolex watches with a date, Rolex adds a magnification glass window above the date called “Cyclops”. The Cyclops lens on the face of the true Rolex will magnify the date by 2.5x the normal size, this makes the date really jump out at you as the date should take up the entire glass bubble. Most counterfeit timepieces will appear 1.5x or lower, making the date look small and more difficult to see. Additionally, The Cyclops’ date window in a real version is dead centered above the number, it’s not always like that in a replica. So if the date through the Cyclops or from the side looks the same size or is difficult to see, it may well be a fake. It is important to note that there are some fake Rolexes that have a bigger font printed wheel to imitate this magnification look.

Genuine date magnifying Cyclops

GMT hand – On a genuine Rolex, the green GMT hand is sandwiched between the hour and the minute hand. The GMT hand on a fake Rolex often sits close to the dial and is NOT sandwiched between the hour/minute hands, as you can see below on a genuine EXPLORER II and GMT II. This is not a simple oversight by the counterfeiters, but caused by specific constraints on the counterfeit movement they use.

Blurry Photos – Photos that look like they were taken from a satellite or a reconnaissance drone are usually the first sign of something amiss. Even the most amateur photographer with a phone camera should be able to take decent dial, case and movement shots. If a seller refuses to provide several clear shots – walk!vedere di piu rolex falso e Replica Rolex Sky Dweller