If you're considering buying a Rolex watch, be sure to read this first! We'll show you how to tell if a Rolex is real or fake, so you don't get scammed.

Silver Rolex Perpetual  Date

Genuine Rolex watches are lighter and flimsier

The main difference between a genuine Rolex and a counterfeit Rolex is its weight. A genuine Rolex will be heavier, due to its quality and construction. A fake Rolexes, on the other hand, will be lighter and flimsier. The Rolex replicas will also feel flimsier, as the material used is cheaper.

The watch case

  • Another way how to spot a fake Rolex watch is the quality of the materials used to make it. A genuine Rolex watch is more expensive than a Rolex replica, and its materials are superior. 

  • Real Rolex watches are heavier and more durable than fake ones. The case of a fake Rolex watch is flimsy and lighter, compared to its genuine counterpart. 

  • The real thing is made of high-quality metal, so it will feel heavier. It will also have a better winder, while Rolex replicas will be more basic.
Rolex Submariner Date

Rolex Steel

  • Genuine Rolex watches are made with high-quality materials and deluxe precious metals. For instance, the Rolex stainless steel 904L bracelet is more durable than its modern counterparts. However, counterfeit Rolex watches are made with cheap materials that do not have the same properties as the original.

  • Most brands put their focus on the face of a watch. That is the main feature of the watch. However, the case back is where the brands engrave important details. This allows them to boast about their luxury calibers.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datajust

Waterproof, not just water resistant

The Rolex watches are generally water-resistant and most of them are capable of withstanding up to a 100-meter drop underwater. If the device doesn't work while you're out on the beach then leave the fake Rolex in the water.

The lettering

When inspecting a fake Rolex watch, the dial lettering is often smaller and less readable. A genuine Rolex has lettering that is legible and has crisp edges. Genuine Rolex dials are also smooth and glossy, with no scratches or dents.

The date

Another key difference between a fake and a genuine Rolex watch is the date. A genuine Rolex watch has a date that changes automatically at midnight. A fake, however, has a date that displays the mid-roll number of the day.

The serial and model numbers on a fake Rolex watch will look grainy, sandy, and uneven. The dial of a fake will have uneven lettering and look amateur, even with a 10x jeweler's loupe. Genuine Rolex watches have perfectly aligned lettering. Even the most experienced dealer will have difficulty determining which one is a fake.

The Cyclops Should Actually Magnify

The magnifying lens that magnifies the date in front of a cyclops should actually enlarge. Holding the watch in the opposite direction will allow you to view the date with the magnifying glass. If you ask why it looks so big when viewed straight away, then maybe that looks fake. Cyclops in authentic Rolex are convex

You can feel bumps if you push your fingers and it has no center date and time. If one or more of the following criteria is failed then the item is disputed.

Hands should rotate smoothly

The second hand of a Rolex is supposed to rotate smoothly in front and back of the face. When one can see second hand jerks at tick marks, this is a fake. This is because Rolex has impressive precision and can be split into eight micro-ticks every second. Additionally, the watch should not make a tickling noise. Every Rolex model has an individual design hand. The yacht-master has an oversized minute hand extending up to the hash marks.

Bands should lay straight

The bracelet should lie flat on flat surfaces and shouldn't bend. Link lengths could grow with time, however, each link should remain perfectly aligned. Bain warns against using fake watches in combination with a fake band.

Many faked band products come out as people get a Rolex Presidential that's been worn dozens of times and the strap has stretched. So many aftermarket gold bands are fake.

Rolex Dial With The Cyclops

Fake Rolex watches lack engravings or text on their case backs

If you are looking for a Rolex wristwatch and you aren't sure if it's authentic, the case back may be one of the most telling signs. While most fakes have a clear, plastic, or glass case back, genuine Rolex watches always have a solid metal case back. Another sign of a fake is an engraving on the case back. For example, the fake Sea-Dweller has an arc-like engraving on the case back.

Authentic Rolex watches will not have engravings or text on the case back. Some of the older watches, such as the Milgauss, COMEX, and Military watches, will have text or engravings on the case back. However, the genuine Rolex case back will be smooth, without any markings or engravings.

You can check the engravings and text on the case back of a Rolex watch by using a special tool like a jeweler's loupe. Look for the lettering and details in different colors and make sure they're perfect. Also, check the engraving on the inside of the watch. It should say something like "Geneva, Switzerland" or "type of metal" or "model number".


While engravings and texts are common features on fake Rolex watches, most originals don't have these details. These details are added later, usually on the inside of the case back. The engravings on a fake watch will be much smaller than the real thing.

Beware of a green sticker

Unlike replicas, Rolex watches do not have a green sticker on the back. In addition to that, the case back of the watch should not contain engravings on it. If there are engravings on the back, the watch is fake.


The crown

You can also determine if a watch is fake by looking at the crown. A fake will have a basic-looking crown, while a genuine one will have an intricately engraved crown with a raised logo

You should also check to make sure that the second-hand moves evenly. This is because a genuine Rolex watch breaks each second into eight movements internally. 

Genuine Rolex watches will have a crown and a coronet logo. These are usually centered on the watch face and slightly raised. The fake ones will not have a crown with these features.

Rolex crown logo

One of the most identifiable features of a Rolex watch is its crown logo. Although the exact shape and size of the crown can vary with different models, most are instantly recognizable as a Rolex emblem. The five-pointed crown with round ends has become one of the most iconic logos of all time.

The tritium mark

The tritium mark is another trademark of Rolex watches. It is found on a few models, including the Submariner, and on some vintage watches. Other brands also feature a similar tritium marking. Some watches also have a moisture meter built into the dial, which changes color when moisture enters the watch case.

Check the serial number

Models serial numbers Rolex watches are sealed in an inner case. Very few sellers are willing to open their cases quickly showing the movement. 

Rolex uses the serial number of the model in the slot at 12.00 hours and the serial number between lugs at 12.00 hours. Following 2005, Rolex started engraving serial numbers on inside bezels underneath the crystals until 6 p.m. in the morning a little later. 

A fake Rolex is typically mistaken for its correct model case numbers and is easily detected by a google search. Looking at model case numbers allows for a comparison to a similar model or a separate model.

The sound of a fake Rolex watch

When you buy a Rolex watch, the first thing you need to do is make sure it does not make a ticking noise. This is one of the most common ways to identify a fake.

Movements should be self-winding and mechanical

There are several reasons why Rolex watches do not make a ticking sound. In the past, Rolex made watches with quartz movements, but today, they use battery-powered movements. The quartz movements are much slower than mechanical movements, and you will not hear the "ticking" sound that comes from mechanical watches. A mechanical watch has a second hand that ticks at a different frequency than a quartz watch does.

When it comes to determining whether a Rolex watch is making a ticking noise, there are several factors to consider. First, most Rolex watches have mechanical movement, meaning they do not use a battery. As a result, the majority of them will not make any sort of ticking noise at all.

Beware of eBay & Craigslist Replicas

A few websites such as eBay and Craigslist are well-known but are merely platforms that bring customers and sellers closer and therefore cannot control sales. 

These websites often contain counterfeit merchandise, which makes it difficult to find trustworthy Rolex dealers. It's dangerous in this case. Therefore, we don't recommend eBay and Craigslist. We recommend www.chrono24.com or an authentic Rolex dealer or any reputable dealer.

Conclusion

If you're considering purchasing a Rolex watch, there are a few things you can do to make sure it's the real deal. First, check the weight - a replica Rolex will be lighter than a real Rolex watch. You should also inspect the case back for engravings or text, which a genuine Rolex will not have. Finally, check the serial number to make sure it's valid. If you're still unsure, your best bet is to buy from an authorized Rolex dealer.