Help! Fake or real Rolex?

asikora

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Post#1 @ 04-01-03 , 11:42 PM

Hi-
My family recently purchased a "rolex" for my brother in law for this birthday. When I was looking at it, I noticed some scratches on the face crystal, and when I turned it over also some on the back. It looks good, but when you look between the links, some of the gold has worn a little. (Its stainless steel and yellow gold.)

It had stopped working, but I assume this just means its a "automatic"? (I don't know much about watches...)

Here is my question, how do I know if its a real Rolex. (Since it had stopped working, I couldn't see if the hands were sweeping.) Where should the serial number be? Are there any other "things" I should be looking for?

This is kinda a touchy subject since I wasn't the one that made the purchase, and I don't want to upset my inlaws (who bought it from a jeweler that they love, but I feel to be a bit shady) unless there is a reason.

Thanks for any help & pics showing what you mean.

Ashley

GemGoddess My Profile Diamond: offline Joined: 03-14-01 Posts: 1,223 Years: Last seen wearing: my new wedding set My Karma Power: 51 Points: 362 Hits: Out=2737, In=85 Referrals: 1	Post#2 @ 04-01-03 , 11:53 PM You have to remove the band to see the serial number - it is on one end of the case where the band attaches. Just take it to a store that has an appraiser, or a master watchmaker. We can pick a phony one out, often just by how the thing feels, and a few other little tricks.
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bazil My Profile Registered User: offline Joined: 01-02-02 Posts: 237 Years: My Karma Power: 34 Points: 10	Post#3 @ 04-02-03 , 08:12 AM Absolutely agree with GG. Any Rolex dealer or watchmaker should be able to tell you in about 10 seconds. Although, if they have to resort to removing the band to look at the serial numbers, then it's a far better fake than I've ever seen!! Bazil
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Post#4 @ 04-02-03 , 09:14 AM

Some fakes are extremely good and very close to the original. An authorized Rolex dealer can tell you, and if it is a good fake they may need to open the case to see the movement to be certain. Also, as you probably know, if the second hand jumps a second at a time it is a quartz movement. Unless it's a scarce OysterQuartz, which I doubt, it would then be a fake. If the second hand sweeps, it is an automatic. Shake the case. If you can hear the rotor it is likely a fake.

I am told that some auth dealers will confiscate a fake Rolex since they allegedly are required by Rolex to do so.

Was the price too good to be true? Even used Rolexes are costly. The crystal being scratched is not a good sign. All recent Rolexes have sapphire crystals. Also, there should be NO engraving on the caseback. You should not see worn gold on the bracelet.

Sounds fishy to me.

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Thank-you...

Post#5 @ 04-02-03 , 09:53 AM

For the tips...the real problem is that my in-laws are sure they got a good deal (around $3200) and are satisfied. When I mentioned the scratches on the glass top and steel bottom, they called the jeweler who they bought it from and he said he would replace the glass and buff out the scratches.

The only place the gold is showing wear is when you fold the links back from the case, then it is a little worn through there. Should there be a "18K" stamp somewhere on the band?

I know I'm not giving much to go on, but I don't want to say anything unless it really is a fake, they are proud of buying it for him.

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks again-
Ashley

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Post#6 @ 04-02-03 , 10:51 AM

That may be a good price for a gold/SS model if real, if not, no!

It depends on the condition and the year of mfr. The serial # will reveal this since Rolex S/N's are so encoded. If it is more than 5 years old, and you don't know the service history, you should consider a full service, if genuine.

RED FLAG to Rodentman...

I understand (correct me if I am wrong) that a dealer, and only an auth one, can get Rolex parts, and maybe cannot get them at all...The old crystal would need to be returned to Rolex in order for a new one to be issued to the dealer, if even that is possible. If he is NOT an auth Rolex dealer I doubt he can get a real Rolex crystal and I wouldn't let him do it anyway. If he IS an auth Rolex dealer and he sold you a fake, he will no longer be an auth Rolex dealer. They do NOT take such matters lightly.

If I were you, I'd have the watch independently verified by an auth Rolex dealer. I think you really need to know whether it is genuine because if it is not, you were cheated badly.

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Post#7 @ 05-03-03 , 09:56 PM

I hate to say this...but...is it worth $3,200.00 to alienate your in-laws forever? Perhaps you should keep quiet and look the other way on this one. I speak from experience on this one. No one likes the person who is right..if it means they are proven to be wrong...
Make sure your husband purchases nothing from this jeweler. (What you could also do is contact Rolex yourself and find out if this person is authorized).

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Post#8 @ 05-04-03 , 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rodentman
...a dealer, and only an auth one, can get Rolex parts, and maybe cannot get them at all...

You CAN get Rolex parts if you are not an authorized dealer, but you have to be approved, and you can't hack them off, and you are supposed to follow all these rules...they send you all these memos

...if they ever come into your store and find a Rolex with 'after-market' parts on it, they will yank your authorization. There is also some rule about advertising...like you can't actually advertise that you have Rolex parts, unless you are an actual dealer, or something like that. I don't know all the in's and out's, but this is my current understanding, and I'm still learning. They told me that thing about confiscating the phonies too, Rodie.

By the way, Ashley, if the only 'wear' you see on the gold is inside where the band attaches to the case (I think that's what I read), make sure it isn't dirt. I know that sounds kinda simple, but you'd be amazed what those things can look like if they are not cleaned...

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rodentman My Profile DRC Watch Expert: offline Joined: 08-10-01 Posts: 4,505 Years: Last seen wearing: Rolex Seadweller My Collection Items Listed: 1 My Karma Power: 157 Points: 7894 Hits: Out=191, In=0	Post#9 @ 05-04-03 , 12:07 AM >>but you'd be amazed what those things can look like if they are not cleaned...<<
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