How do you tell a real rolex

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A Rolex watch is the ultimate status symbol. With its fine craftsmanship and elegant design, Rolex SA is one of the most coveted luxury watch brands in the world. As a result, counterfeits are common. You don’t want to spend a large amount of money on what you think is a genuine used Rolex, only to find out that it was a fake. Here’s how you can tell if a Rolex is authentic:

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Serial Number
Crown Logos
Second Hand
Things You Should Know
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How do I check a Rolex serial number?

Serial Number

Rolex watches include a serial number stamped between the watch lugs at the 6 o’clock position. You will need to remove the bracelet in order to find this. An authentic watch will have a deeply engraved serial number.

You should be able to hold it to the light and see a slight glow around the edges. A fake will have worn down or sloppy engraving, as the process counterfeiters use is not exact enough to replicate the clean Rolex serial number.

Crown Logos

There are a few different crown logos you should see on an authentic Rolex. There is one at the top of the watch face. Some fakes fail to even include this, but if they do you can still spot inconsistencies or flaws. A real Rolex has a perfectly centered, slightly raised crown logo.

Another surefire way to spot a fake is to use a microscope or magnifying glass to find the tiny crown etching in the glass covering. This is located at the 6 o’clock on Rolex models made after 2002. Since this is so small, you may need a professional jeweler to examine your watch for it.

Case back

The case back is another area to examine to tell the difference between an authentic and a fake. This part of your Rolex should be absent of any etchings or engravings, except in the case of a few rare models. Many knock-offs include engravings to appear more authentic, but in actuality, it’s one of the easiest ways to spot a fake.

The case back should also be made of metal, not clear glass. Sellers of knock-off watches sometimes include a clear case back to try to dazzle buyers with the inner workings of the watch. However, to an experienced buyer, this is a clear indication that the watch is not real. In the history of Rolex, they have created a very limited number of the clear case back watches, and all were exhibition models.

Second Hand

The smooth motion of a Rolex’s second hand is one of the hardest things for fraud manufacturers to replicate. The second hand should move 8 times in a second, which to the naked eye appears close to continuous motion. Knock-offs, since the craftsmanship is not as exact, will often have shaky second hand motion.

A side effect of this second hand motion is the unique sound of a Rolex. Whereas most mechanical watches will have a telltale ticking sound as the second hand moves, a Rolex should make a quicker, less distinct sound. If you hold a watch to your ear and hear a ticking, you can be certain it’s not a real Rolex!

Along with these tips, there are other ways to spot a fake, such as the fact that knock-offs are usually lighter and made of lower quality metal. You can also check that the Cyclops properly magnifies the day date. However, the absolute best way to avoid buying a fake Rolex is to buy from a high-quality, reputable dealer.

At Precious Metals Refinery, we buy and sell pre-owned Rolex watches. Our expert appraisers ensure that every Rolex that we buy and sell is absolutely authentic. If you purchase your pre-owned Rolex watches from us, you will be certain you are not purchasing a knock-off. If you sell us your Rolex you can be sure that our expert appraisers are trained to give you the most for your watch.

Ready to sell your Rolex? Learn more and schedule your free no-obligation evaluation today!

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A Rolex watch is a significant investment, so you want to make sure you're getting the real deal. Some counterfeit watches may look pretty convincing, but there are tell-tale signs you can look for that will confirm a Rolex's authenticity. In this article, we'll walk you through all the special characteristics of an authentic Rolex watch so you'll know exactly what to look for. If you're ready to put your Rolex to the test, read on.

Things You Should Know

Listen for a ticking sound. If the watch is ticking, it's not a real Rolex.
Look for an etched Rolex crown logo near the 6 o'clock position and on the dial above the 12 o'clock position to confirm the watch's authenticity.
Check the Rolex box for a certificate of authenticity, warranty paperwork, and a manual.

A Rolex is soundless because it's powered by automatic movement. Ordinary watches are powered with quartz movement, which is why the second hand makes that "tick, tick, tick" sound. A ticking sound is a tell-tale sign of a fake Rolex.[1]
- The mechanical movement that powers a Rolex is self-winding. You will never have to wind an authentic Rolex watch.[2]

A regular watch's second hand will jerk from one position to the next. The second hand of an authentic Rolex should turn smoothly without pausing to mark each second. If the second hand's motion is anything less than silky smooth, the watch is counterfeit.[3]

A real Rolex will have a date window made of magnified glass. Rolexes have a small dial or window that displays the date on the right side of the watch face. The glass, called the cyclops, should magnify the numbers underneath. If the glass doesn't magnify the number, the watch if probably fake.[4]
- Rolex magnification windows usually magnify the date to 2.5x; the date should take up nearly the entire window. Some good counterfeits may magnify the date a little, but the date won't fill up the entire window.
- If the magnification window is imperfect or off center, the watch is fake.

Rolexes are made of quality materials that have some heft to them. Test the weight of the watch in your hand. A Rolex feels solid and substantial in your hand and on your wrist. If your "Rolex" feels suspiciously lightweight, it's not the real thing.[5]

Rolex uses high-quality polished steel for their watches. An authentic Rolex will never be made with plastic or aluminum pieces. Turn the watch over and examine the back side. If any part of the watch is made from plastic or thin, cheap-looking metal like aluminum, you're dealing with a fake.[6]
- Rolex uses a proprietary stainless steel alloy for their watches called Oystersteel.
- If the back casing looks metal on the outside but has a plastic inner case, the watch isn't genuine.
- Some imitations have a clear glass back so you can see the inner workings of the watch. No authentic Rolex model has this feature.

Every Rolex has an engraved serial number. Remove the watch band by pushing the joint holding the band out of place with a thumbtack. The serial number should be etched between the lugs (where the band attaches to the case with metal spring bars) at the 6 o'clock end of the dial. The lettering will look perfect and precise, never rough.[7]
- Between the opposite set of lugs, you should see "ORIG ROLEX DESIGN" followed by a case reference number.
- To look up the date of your watch's manufacture with the serial number, you can use this handy online source.

A real Rolex dial has an etched logo at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions. Starting in the early to mid 2000s, Rolex began etching their trademark crown logo into the crystal of their watch's dials. The logo is very small, so use a magnifying glass or a jeweler's lens to find it.
- If the etching is large enough to easily see with the naked eye, you may have a fake on your hands.
- The logo above the 12 o'clock position should be made of high-quality metal. The circles at the end of the crown's points will be raised bumps, and the crown's outline has a different metallic sheen than the inside.[8]

Each letter should be perfect, with straight lines and smooth curves. The spaces between words and letters should be consistent. If the lettering looks even slightly uneven or smudged under magnification, the watch is probably not a Rolex.[9]

An authentic Rolex dial has etched lettering inside the rim. Use a magnifying glass or jeweler's lens to check. The lettering around the dial should be fine, precise, and elegant, with no imperfections. If the lettering looks painted or printed (rather than etched), the watch is fake.
- All watches from Rolex's Oyster Perpetual series (which is one of their most famous lines) bear this etching.[10]
- The only exceptions are from the Cellini series; they have non-standard designs (rectangular faces, etc.) so some of them won't have the dial etching.

All packaging should have the official Rolex name and logo. Everything about a Rolex watch should be elegant, dignified, and perfect, including the packaging. The watch should come in a fine jewelry box with a mount to hold and display the watch.[11]
- Most Rolex packaging contains a certificate of authenticity, a manual, and 5-year warranty paperwork.[12]
- If your watch is missing any of these things, it may not be genuine.

Test the water-tightness to confirm authenticity as a last resort. All Rolex watches are waterproof; a fake watch won't be. To test it, fill a cup with water, dunk the watch into the cup for several seconds, and take it out. The watch should continue to work fine and there shouldn't be any water inside the dial.[13]
- Rolex actually created the very first waterproof watch case in history. The case, which they named the Oyster case, is still used today.
- The Submariner is the only Rolex watch designed for deep water usage — while other Rolexes should be fine in the shower or swimming pool, they may leak under more serious aquatic conditions.[14]

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Question
I have a 16013 but it does not say orig Rolex design at 12 o'clock, just the model number. I bought it from a reputable dealer. It's about 30 years old and the movement and bracelet all check out 100%.

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
Take it to a reputable jeweler for analysis. A few models don't bear the "ORIG ROLEX DESIGN" marking, but you'll want to have it confirmed as authentic by a professional.
Question
Is there a Daytona 1992 24 model of a Rolex?

Yes, there are. These special edition Rolex Daytona watches are given to the winners of the Rolex 24 at Daytona Race Event. These are collector timepieces and are probably not available in the mass market. If you see one at the same MSRP of a simple Daytona or cheaper, it's probably fake.
Question
Will a counterfeit Rolex have long hands, a sweeping second hand and the words "rolexrolexrolex" engraved on the inner dial?

A good one will. It will even have a serial number engraved at the 6 o'clock position on the rehaut (where the Rolex Rolex Rolex is engraved) that matches the number between the lugs. The only way to check a high-quality replica is to remove the case bag and inspect the movement.

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Compare your watch to an authentic product image on the Rolex website to make sure they look the same.
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If you aren't sure, take the watch to an experienced jeweler for deeper analysis.
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If the price is suspiciously cheap, the watch is fake. If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is!
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Article SummaryX

To tell if a Rolex is real or fake, hold it next to your ear and listen to the sound it makes. If it's making a slow ticking noise like cheap watches normally do, it's a sign that it's fake. You can also tell if a Rolex is real or fake by examining the second hand. If the second hand is moving around the watch in a jerky motion instead of moving smoothly at an even pace, the watch is probably fake. Also, if the Rolex feels really lightweight when you hold it, it's a sign that it's not real. For other ways you can tell if a Rolex is real or fake, keep reading!

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How do I check a Rolex serial number?

In order to find your Rolex serial number, look on the side of the case between the lugs. These will be found behind the bracelet by the 6 o'clock area. By noting what this 4-8 digit number is that's engraved on every watch by Rolex, it can be determined what the production date is.

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