Only those with eagle eyes can tell the fake Rolex from real one – as half of people fail – The Mirror
If you reckon you’ve got expensive taste, then you should be able to tell the real Rolex from the fake one – and a watch expert has shared his top tips to differentiate
Do you think you've got expensive taste?
This brain teaser will really challenge you to find out whether you have an eagle eye for designer brands because you need to spot the difference between the fake and the real Rolex – and it's tough. Do you think you're up for the challenge?
Research, by watch retailer Watches2U, asked participants to identify if watch A or B is a fake Rolex, and a whopping 52% of people can't tell the difference between the pair, meaning they could easily be duped into parting with their cold hard cash for something that isn't even the real deal.
Mark Baldwin, watchmaker at Watches2U said: "It's getting harder to tell fake watches from real due to the quality of the fakes". But how can you spot a fake? Mark shared his tips, which you can keep in mind as you try and decide whether A or B is fake.
Rolex is known for the high-quality materials on their watches, and they are also known for the design, precision, and attention to detail in all their watches. Mark said: "Watch out for misaligned elements and smudges on the dial. Genuine Rolexes have well-spaced, straight fonts and text with no bubbling or misspellings. A crown symbol should be etched onto the watch face glass at the 6 o'clock position."
A 'Registered Design' number is engraved between the lugs at the 12 o'clock end. At the 6 o'clock end, you should see the serial number of the case between the lugs. If either number is missing, it means that the Rolex is fake. Mark Baldwin noted that Rolex watches from 2005 to 2008 have the serial number engraved on the case between the lugs and on the inner rehaut. Modern designs have the serial numbers in the rehaut. Real Rolexes have deeply engraved clear serial and model numbers. Counterfeits have faint, etched-like numbers.
The crown of a watch is the small knob you use to adjust the time, this should always be finely carved and engraved. Mark said: "A genuine Rolex winding crown will be a work of art. Fakes will look more basic, less intricate and plain. There should only be the Rolex logo, also known as the Coronet, which sits on the winding crown with no further additions."
Rolex is known for using high-quality materials. These include 904L stainless steel, gold, platinum, and grade 5 titanium. These materials are uncommon in counterfeit watches due to their high cost. Mark said: "Real Rolex watches are heavy. So, if a watch feels too light, it's likely fake. Inconsistent finishes have unevenness or mismatched brushed satin, or polished surfaces. They suggest a counterfeit. Verify colours against genuine models, as some shades are challenging to replicate. Also, ensure the bezel lines up precisely with the minute marker when moved."
The most recent designs of a Rolex feature a cyclops magnification over the date window. Rolex's Cyclops window magnifies the date by 2.5X. A fake Rolex has a magnification of 1.5X or less, yet within 'super fakes' they replicate the 2.5X magnification. If it's "hard to read", according to Mike, "then the watch is a counterfeit".
Rolex watches have intricate ways of moving, so always look at how the second hand is moving. Mark said: "Rolex watches have a mechanical movement. They have a smooth sweeping motion, not ticking. This is unlike Quartz movements, which are rare in Rolexes. However, telling apart fake and real Rolexes based only on hand movements is hard. This is due to the rise of 'Super fakes'. Expert watchmakers often open the caseback to inspect the movement for flaws."
Rolex casebacks should be smooth and free of any engravings, with no logo, serial number or branding. Mark added: "Rolex only uses solid casebacks. With only a couple of exceptions featuring display casebacks which allow you to see the inner workings of the watch. If you're buying a modern Rolex with a clear back, it is a fake."
So, do you think you can work out which Rolex is fake from the picture? If you chose B, then give yourself a massive pat on the back, because you have seriously expensive taste.
Did you manage to spot the fake? Let us know in the comments.
