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.
3

Magnified glass

  1. 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.
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5

Metal construction

  1. 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.
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7

  1. 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]
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11

Waterproof

  1. 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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Community Q&A

  • 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%.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    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?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    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?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    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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About This Article

Amber Crain
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Amber Crain has been a member of wikiHow’s writing staff for the last six years. She graduated from the University of Houston where she majored in Classical Studies and minored in Painting. Before coming to wikiHow, she worked in a variety of industries including marketing, education, and music journalism. She's been a radio DJ for 10+ years and currently DJs a biweekly music program on the award-winning internet radio station DKFM. Her work at wikiHow supports her lifelong passion for learning and her belief that knowledge belongs to anyone who desires to seek it. This article has been viewed 1,085,368 times.
7 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 48
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 1,085,368
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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