How to Spot a Fake Rolex

'Yo man, wanna buy a Rolex? Me got some Rolexes! Interested? Won't cost you a bomb... just part wid a few green bucks and get one for you self!!'

Have you met a character similar to this shady guy, trying to sell you a Rolex for peanuts? The offer seems irresistible and on the face of it, the wrist watch looks absolutely authentic. Just imagine, wearing a Rolex to an important meeting. What an impression would it create on the delegates! Or will you become a laughing-stock among those who can identify counterfeit fake Rolex watches. Hmm, its common sense authentic Rolexes aren't sold by shady characters in the back alley. Nor will they be found in stores on the street. You are talking about a Rolex watch here, a watch that commands respect. Only if you could spot a fake Rolex watch, you could differentiate between the fake from the authentic ones. There are a few dealers who may try to pass off a fake as an authentic Rolex to an unsuspecting customer with ready cash. If you want to avoid falling prey to such cheaters, you need to learn how to spot a fake Rolex. Let's go into the details of how to spot a fake Rolex watch and stay away from being ripped off with knock offs.

How to Tell if a Rolex is Real or Fake

First and foremost, have a look at the salesman selling you a Rolex. This is a well established brand that does not need a salesman in the back of the alley or tiny stores selling you a Rolex with a heavy discount. No sir, Rolex watches are pretty expensive and are never sold for just $50. So, how to identify a fake Rolex watch? Let us have a look at a few pointers that will help you in spotting a fake Rolex.

Triplock Crown Seal
When you look at a Rolex very carefully, you will spot a Rolex crown engraved near 6 o'clock on the crystal. This is especially true for models after 2002. However, the earlier models do not have the crown logo. It is so tiny that you have you strain your eyes to look at it. So, how to spot a fake Rolex? The fake will have a rather large crown that is easily visible on the watch. Also, the tiny circles over the crown are rather large than the ones on the original.

Plain Case Back
When you turn around an authentic Rolex, you will find the case back does not have a manufacturer logo, design or Rolex name engraved on it. The only time you will spot something engraved is on the Sea-Dweller that sports the words, 'Rolex Oyster Original Gas Escape Valve' and has two Rolex logos in black. So, genuine Rolex watches are free from any kind of engraving (exception a few ladies models may have an engraving on the case back). So, how to tell if a Rolex is real or fake? The fake will have some or the other engraving on it, making it a dead give away that it is a fake.

Transparent Case Back
Many fake Rolexes have a transparent case back, that allows you to see the inner mechanics of the watch. However, the original one does not have a transparent case back. Only a few models of 1930s and a few new Cellini Price models spot a transparent case back.

3-D Hologram
Nowadays, many authentic Rolex watches come with a new 3 dimensional hologram encoded sticker. This sticker is stuck on the case back and has a floating Rolex crown on it. The sticker also contains the watch's case reference number in black print. When you see the hologram from all angles, the pattern tends to change. It is very easy spotting a fake Rolex with the help of the hologram. The fakes usually have a solid green color hologram with the Rolex pattern in a repetitive manner. When you view it from different angles it does not change the pattern. Stay ahead with the latest GPS tracking watches.

Date Display
The authentic Rolex watches has crystals on the current display models with Cyclops lens. This magnifies the date about 2.5 times. The only exceptional for this rule is the Sea-Dweller. The fake Rolex watches have only a 1.5 magnification and a few replica watches have a larger font date. This makes you think the font of the date is magnified.

Extra Seal
The authentic models like Submariner, Sea-Dweller and Daytona with triplock crown have an extra seal engraved. This seal is engraved on the threads of the winding crown's tube. You can identify counterfeit fake Rolex watches by spotting the seal on the end of the winding crown. Instead of the threads, the counterfeiters engrave the extra seal on the winding crown, making it an easy tidbit to identify a fake.

Case Reference between Lugs
When you look at the lugs carefully, you will be able to spot the case reference number on the side of the case. The genuine Rolex watch will have the case reference number engraved in very fine lines that are light reflecting. You can spot a fake Rolex watch by the case reference number that is etched instead of engraved on the lugs. They appear too closely spaced and all fakes carry the same serial number.

Minute Hand
The genuine Yacht-Master models have minute hands that are thicker than other genuine Rolex models. In a fake Yacht-Master model, the minute hand is of a standard size. When you observe it from the sides, it will be thinner than the original.

Registers Positioning
In a genuine Daytona model, there are mini-registers on the dial. They function like a 'stop watch', that is, provide elapsed hours and minutes. The second-hand on the Daytona is a part of this stop watch function. In case of the fake Rolex watch, the registers as well as the second-hand will rarely perform this function. They are used for 'day of week', 'date' and '24 hour time'. The operations on the fake models will rarely be functional. Also, the size and position of registrars on the fake will be incorrect. They will be much smaller and present on the inner side of the dial.

These were a few pointers on how to spot a fake Rolex. These watches are a favorite among the elite class and associated with wealth and luxury. No Rolex is ever sold as a gold-plated model. They are either 14 karat or 18 karat gold. If you get a gold and stainless steel mix Rolex, it is probably a fake. Rolexes are produced in U.S, Mexico, Venezuela and Italy. If you get a 'Made in China' Rolex, then it is obviously a replica watch. The Oysters are fabricated using gold, platinum or steel and not chrome or chrome plate. A Oyster Perpetual watch will have a screw back case not a pop-up one. And the day and date feature is exclusively made only in for men full size watches. Keep these pointers in mind, before you purchase a Rolex. I am sure with these tips in mind, you have learned how to spot a fake Rolex. If you are being sold an original Rolex for less than $100, then probably it is stolen. Keep away or you will have to face the wrong side of the law.