First off, why even *bother* with fakes? Well, let’s be honest, a real Rolex costs more than my car, and I kinda like my car. Some people just want the *look*, without breaking the bank. I get it. But you gotta be careful, because some of these counterfeiters are slicker than a greased piglet.
One thing I always do is weight. A real Rolex, especially an Oyster, has some heft to it. It *feels* solid. Like, if you dropped it, you’d worry more about the floor than the watch (okay, maybe not, but you get my point). These guys often use cheap, light metals.
The detailing is another giveaway. A real Rolex has gotta be perfect. The engraving, the little tick marks, everything is just *crisp*. With fakes, sometimes it’s just…off. Kinda blurry, maybe a little crooked. Like, did they even try? I swear, sometimes they’re just phoning it in.
And the caseback! Most real Rolexes, especially Oysters, have a smooth caseback. No fancy engravings, nothing. But there are like, exceptions, right? Like some vintage models or something. So, don’t jump to conclusions if you see something on the back, but definitely be wary. It’s all about context, y’know?
Oh, and the movement! This is where things get REALLY dicey. Unless you’re a watchmaker, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference just by looking at it. But that’s where the sound can help. A real Rolex moves smoothly. A fake… well, it may tick loudly. And if you’re paying thousands, you want smooth.
Then there’s the whole “buying online” thing. Be *super* careful. Places like 1stDibs are supposed to be legit, but honestly, you can never be too cautious. Do your research! Look at the seller’s reviews. If something feels fishy, it probably is.
I once saw a fake Rolex being sold out of the back of a van in a parking lot. Seriously. Like, come on, people! If it seems too good to be true, it *definitely* is.
And the “cyclops” – that little magnifying bubble over the date window. On a real Rolex, it’s gotta magnify the date properly. A lot of fakes have weak magnification, or the cyclops is just glued on crooked. It’s a dead giveaway, honestly.