How can I check the authenticity of a Rolex?
When it comes to luxury watches, the Rolex is a must-have. Designed by the famous Swiss watch brand Rolex, it is prized by collectors the world over. It is considered an excellent investment, reliable and stable. It's a timeless, timeless watch. For all these reasons, it is often counterfeited. Here are a few tips to help you distinguish a genuine Rolex from an imitation.
Analyse the second hand
An analogue watch, with a dial featuring hands, has three hands. The first hand indicates the hours, the second the minutes and the third, also known as the second hand, the seconds.
On conventional watches, a second hand will make a little 'tick' with each movement, representing the passage from one second to the next. If you put your ear close to your watch, you'll be able to hear it. However, on a genuine Rolex watch (like many other top-of-the-range watches), you won't be able to hear these successive jumps of the second hand, as it makes almost no noise at all because the movement is so fluid. When the second hand makes its turn, it traces an almost perfect circle. If you hear a noise, or observe successive jumps of this hand, you are in possession of a counterfeit Rolex.
Examine the counter
In watchmaking, a guichet is a small square window on the dial of a watch. Often located at 3 o'clock (just below the sign) on a Rolex, it indicates the current date (with numbers from 1 to 31).
To make the date easier to read, there is usually a small magnifying glass on top. Because counterfeiters find this difficult to reproduce, they tend to use a simple glass that has little or no magnifying effect. To notice this, get as close as possible to your Rolex watch and test the magnifying glass.
On a real Rolex, when you look at the date with the magnifying glass, it takes up most of the dedicated window (the magnifying glass enlarges the date by 2.5 times). If it doesn't, it's an imitation Rolex.
On the left, a real Rolex, on the right, a counterfeit Rolex.
Weigh your watch
Real Rolexes are made of metal and crystal and therefore weigh a certain amount. If your watch feels too light when you hold it in your hands, it's probably not made of metal but of a very light, cheap material. It is therefore undoubtedly the work of a counterfeiter.
On the left a counterfeit Rolex, on the right a genuine Rolex.
Examine the back of the watch
Some counterfeits have clear or transparent watch backs, a technique that makes it possible to observe the internal mechanism of the watch and thus impress customers by passing off this feature as a guarantee of authenticity. However, the opposite is true: very few genuine Rolexes have a transparent back. In fact, it is possible to find one, but only on models from collections on display that are not intended for sale.
Also, note that an authentic Rolex model does not have any engraving on the case back with logos or other designs. It will simply have a smooth case back. There are, however, a few rare exceptions, such as the "Rolex oyster original gas escape valve", which is engraved all around the outside of the watch case.
On the left is an imitation Rolex, on the right a real Rolex.
Test the water-resistance of your Rolex
All genuine Rolex watches are made to be perfectly water-resistant. To test this detail, immerse your watch in a glass filled with water for a few seconds and then remove it. If the watch leaks inside the dial, even slightly, or is damaged, it is a replica. Authentic Rolex watches cannot be damaged by water. However, they are not designed for the sea, they can be used in the shower or in a swimming pool. However, the Rolex Submariner is a diver's watch specially designed for the sea and therefore for scuba diving.
Check the serial number
The most accurate way to authenticate your Rolex is to look at its serial number. To do this, you will need to remove the bracelet, as the serial number is located 'behind' the bracelet, between the lugs at 12 o'clock. If you are unable to do this yourself, for fear of breaking or cracking your Rolex, don't hesitate to contact a professional.
Once you have access to the serial number, examine it in great detail. The engraving on a real Rolex is very fine and precise, unlike a replica. Also check the spacing of the numbers, which is usually far too small on imitation Rolexes.
On the left a fake Rolex, on the right a real Rolex
Other details
Examine the materials used
If this is a real Rolex, the metal parts are smooth and of very good quality. They are handmade from noble materials. No part should be made of plastic or aluminium. If they are, they are imitations, so be careful.
Analyse the logo
Check the quality of the Rolex logo (the famous crown) on the dial. It is made from high-quality materials with rounded tips. The details remain very fine and very precise, unlike a counterfeit.
Analyse the lettering
Finally, analyse the lettering. Luxury watches are renowned for the materials they use and for their attention to detail. On a genuine Rolex, each letter must be perfect, with regular spacing between them.
On the left is a fake Rolex watch, on the right a real Rolex.
Of course, as always, don't hesitate to compare your Rolex model with those available on the official Rolex website.
Buy your used Rolex with Obvy
The best-known and most sought-after Rolex models are: the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, the Rolex Daytona, the Rolex Submariner, the Rolex GMT Master, the Rolex Datejust and the Rolex Explorer. New Rolexes start at around €3,000.
If you want to own a Rolex, opt for a second-hand Rolex. On the one hand, you'll benefit from a lower price than the norm, and on the other hand, by buying your second-hand watch with Obvy you'll benefit from a secure sale. We'll make sure your seller's identity is verified, and if you realise you've bought a counterfeit, you can always send it back to your seller.
And if the price of your second-hand Rolex between private individuals is still too high, you can always choose to pay in inst alments via Obvy.