Rolex Daytona - fake, review and analysis of watches. How much do original Rolex watches cost?

Asked - we answer.

Alas, there is no universal recipe. This is because the fake watch industry is heterogeneous. However, a fake can almost always be identified without any extra effort. One of the first criteria (when it comes to buying a watch) is the price. Fakes or copies that pass for real watches are often sold cheaper than the original, this should alert you. As well as the lack of papers, boxes and photos of the back cover.

The main universal rule number 1: always doubt!

They try to sell fakes (replicas) even on watch forums and on specialized sites for selling watches, not to mention regular sites on the Internet. If in doubt, contact the experts, they will help determine whether the watch in the photo is real. You can even turn to the forums of fake lovers - they can often help even faster there (after all, they are experts in this matter :). By the way, doubt even relatively cheap watches - the Chinese even make fake plastic Luminox or cheap Fossil (shoddy quality can be seen immediately).

If you doubt whether your interlocutor/acquaintance/girl has a real watch, for starters, just compare their income and opportunities, and the approximate cost of the watch. Agree, it is unlikely that a person in cheap boots and a leatherette briefcase can afford a Rolex, and a girl in the subway with a phone for 2000 rubles most likely wears a copy of Hublot with fake diamonds.

Well rule number 2: look at the second hand. If this is quartz (and most fakes, especially cheap and massive ones, have a quartz movement), and the original assumes mechanics, then you have the owner of a "fawn".

However, we do not always deal with cheap fakes that are sold in buckets in Thailand. There are also those that are very, very difficult to bring to clean water. Here the best way out is to turn to experts. Otherwise, you will have to seriously rummage through the Internet (or, as an option, go to a watch store and “feel” the original in person).

There is another way out: look closely at the clock. Even if you are not a connoisseur of Audemars Piguet or Rolex, you can find some "jambs" that are inherent in all fakes. Usually the replica is given out by crooked and / or incorrectly located inscriptions, a shifted and / or too deep-set date window, incorrectly located chronograph elements on the dial, dust / dirt on the dial, a cheap strap with crooked stitching, distortion in convex glasses. This is something that can often be seen in the photo. Well, the mechanism is the easiest part of the replica to identify differences from the original. Moreover, even if you have not seen a real mechanism, a fake is usually given out by uneven inscriptions. It is clear that “look closely” means looking at a photo or turning a watch in your hands, just a passing glance at the watch may not be enough. So be careful.

So let's take 2 examples.

Example 1 - Rolex.

And here you can see the burr at the mark at 12 o'clock: they forgot to file it with a file :)

Bracelet made of tin a la Amphibian. Yes, these are fakes 🙂 Well, the “coating” was torn off: inside, apparently, brass

What's wrong here? Yes, a lot. First, they are too new for vintage watches. Secondly, the bracelet in the style of the East is definitely not the case for a real Rolex. Next, we look at the difference in the color of the phosphor on the marks and arrows. We also pay attention to the burr at the 12 o'clock mark. If this is not enough, we look at the bald spot on the bracelet and the crooked stamping on the clasp.

However, this is not the best fake, it is quite simple to define “fawn” here.

Example 2 - Panerai 388.

Everything is more complicated here. The processing of the case is very good, the general appearance of the watch is like a real one. What to do?

The simplest thing is to look at the strap, it can give us a fake. Fake straps are always worse in quality than the originals. We look at the quality of the skin, at the stitching.

According to the dial, there is one jamb that is noticeable even to a non-professional - the minute hand is set a little crooked. She seems to be looking up. This, by the way, is a common mistake of "replica" manufacturers. What else? We look at the date window, it is slightly deeper than the original. The date itself is also a little closer at the top of the window.

Well, glass. Glasses for Panerai are thicker in the middle and narrower at the edges (so that there is no distortion), manufacturers of "replicas" often neglect this fact to save money. On this fake, glass of different thicknesses, but there is still minimal distortion. And, most importantly, the glass is set crooked - in one part at the level of the case, and on the other - 1 mm higher.

We deliberately did not talk about mechanisms. Why? Because the mechanism is the last thing you'll see. If the watch is on your hand, you definitely won’t consider it. If the watch is sold on the Internet, then often they try not to show the mechanism. And finally, not everyone is able to distinguish a fake mechanism without being experts in this field. However, here is a similar rule: look at the quality of the inscriptions, they are usually inferior even on top fakes.

The swiss made inscription is almost as executed as the original. But this, alas, only the pros will distinguish

Feel free to ask experts on the forums: how to distinguish a fake? Is this watch fake in the sales section on ... (insert as appropriate)

Today, watches of this brand occupy a worthy place among elegant, expensive and elite watches. In the hope of making more money, Rolex counterfeiting is very skillful, which can be very difficult to distinguish from the original. Let's understand the details and features of this chic accessory.

Sometimes there are models with a glass case, but there are no original watches with a transparent back panel. All watches are produced only in a closed case.

Rear case

Wearing a Rolex on your wrist, you feel their heaviness, as they are made of real metal and sapphire crystal. Models that are lighter in weight are made of cheap materials and have nothing to do with this company.

Watch weight

What else is worth paying attention to when considering the appearance of the watch? Of course, this is the image of the crown - the Rolex logo, located near the number 12 and made of high quality metal. The execution of the crown is best viewed under a magnifying glass, which makes it easy to see the raised circles at the edges of the logo. If the crown on the watch looks of poor quality, and there is no shine of its contour, then this is a cheap replica.

Rolex Logo

In branded watches, a special glass is installed above the date window, which magnifies the image by 2.5 times. Fake watches come with ordinary glass, but sometimes you can also find them with a magnifying glass, although the numbers do not get much larger.

Left is original, right is fake.

Date window with magnifying glass

Take a close look at the dial. All inscriptions on the dial are engraved, look clear and flawless. The spacing between letters and numbers is the same. If there is the slightest unevenness or spelling error, it is a fake.

Many want to buy a Rolex original watch, because it is a symbol of luxury, precision and unsurpassed reliability. For example, users claim that even without a preventive technical inspection, which is recommended every 2-3 years, Rolex watches can last for years.

And the world's first famous sealed Oyster case, along with other inventions of the brand, as well as the elite materials used for manufacturing (gold, diamonds, etc.), confirm the brand's status as precise and luxurious.

It is not surprising that many swindlers want to cash in on so many advantages, passing off as a Rolex watch the original, miserable or exact copies. For example, Rolex Cellini Time, Rolex Oyster Perpetual - the price of the original is quite high and, having sold a fake at a high cost, someone will put a large sum in his pocket. To minimize such cases, let's look at the main points that you should definitely pay attention to when it comes to buying a Rolex watch.

True and false, fake and original: how to distinguish

Rolex watches have been counterfeited since they became famous. These days, there are coarser and more subtle fakes that are easy to distinguish even with the naked eye. But there are also high-fidelity copies, called replicas. They are so similar to a Rolex watch model that it is necessary to use the services of an expert to distinguish between an original and a fake.

However, consider a number of signs, according to which you can understand the Rolex watch in front of you or not, so:

closed case

First of all, let's study the case: you must remember that Rolex Cellini Time, Rolex Oyster Perpetual and others

watch models of this brand are produced in a closed case. All models with a transparent back cover are fakes.

Recently traveled to New York. There is one notorious Canal Street there, where, according to rumors, you can find fakes that are difficult to distinguish from the original Rolex watches.

Deciding to check it out, he walked one block and ended up on this very street. I immediately met one merchant who constantly looked around nervously and offered me a "real Rolex" for almost nothing.

A shrewd shopper like me (even in the supermarket always looking for fakes) immediately declined such a "generous" offer and continued to carefully examine the goods offered in small randomly scattered shops.

After looking through a few "famous designer glasses" and interesting bootleg DVD copies of the latest movies, I reached another guy who promised to sell me a genuine Rolex watch.

I agreed to look at them and bargain.
A street vendor gave me a watch wrapped in a plastic bag, which, as you can imagine, is not the place for a real luxury watch. On the front side there was a special plastic protective cover and a silver and gold overlay on the front panel along the metal rim.

I immediately offered him one-fourth of the amount he had originally requested. Reproaching myself for being one of the willing victims of Canal Street, I left the market with a fake in my pocket.

When I returned from a business trip, I decided to study all the differences between the watch I bought and the real "Rolex". Of course, my watch was a fake, starting with the flimsy material, clear glass back, and sloppy date markings.

Below I offer you Read on for some tips on how to tell a real Rolex watch from a fake:

1. Transparent case. As I said before, my Rolex had a clear glass back to show the inner workings of the watch mechanism. For more impact, several mechanical elements even had crown symbols visible.

This is probably the easiest way to spot a fake, as Rolex has never made a watch with a glass case.

2. magnifying glass dial- Genuine "Rolex" is equipped with a glass offering a 2.5-fold increase in the date.

On a fake, this glass is often set off-center or made of ordinary glass, and the magnification is no more than 1.5 times.

3. Micro engraving on a quartz plate“The watches I bought didn’t even have a hint of this, but many fakes try to fake the Rolex logo, which has become the standard for real watches since 2002.

The micro-engraving of real "Rolex" (crown symbol) is done on a quartz plate just below the number 6. The mark is so small that it is very difficult to see with the naked eye, but it can be seen with magnification. The symbol is applied in such detail that in fakes they cannot even accurately make it.

4. Hologram sticker“Again, there was no sticker on my fake watch. However, many high-end fakes try to replicate the hologram sticker that goes on the back of the case on all genuine Rolex watches.

The sticker features the ubiquitous crown and case serial number. Many fakes do not have any sticker at all, but the simplest attempts at imitation contain the usual crown and number, which are constant no matter from which angle they are viewed.

5. Reinforced insulation of the watch winding mechanism– Some Rolex watches (Daytona, Submariner and Sea-Dweller) have an additional insulating ring between the watch case and the watch winder.

In many fake watches, this is not at all noticeable, and if any kind of ring is placed, then it does not play any practical role.

6. Size and weight Although this is not the most scientific method of identifying fakes, it should be noted that real Rolexes are very strong and relatively heavy.

Fake watches are made from cheap materials and therefore appear to be very light. In addition, real Rolexes have a full bezel, while fakes sometimes have gaps.

7. Movement of the second hand– The second hand in a real Rolex watch moves smoothly at a constant speed, which often cannot be faked. In fakes, the second hand moves in small, jerky ticks.

8. Sapphire crystal– Many counterfeit watches use regular glass rather than real sapphire crystal. As a good test of the crystal material, you can put some water on the glass. On a sapphire crystal, it will immediately come together, thanks to a very smooth surface.

9. Embossing– Check the accuracy of the embossing immediately upon purchase. Under high magnification, the letters should have sharp edges, which is not observed in fakes.

10. Chassis serial number– The serial numbers of the watch itself and the case can be found on the side of the watch case. Real Rolexes have these numbers engraved very clearly. On fake watches, these numbers often look blurry or rough.

The word "Rolex" has become synonymous with success and style, and it would be wrong to make you pay the real price for a fake. Trusting a reputable dealer is the best way to get a real Rolex, but if you have to do without the usual buying channels, then follow these tips.

Examine the watch, ask questions, and remember: if a watch looks too good to be true, it might be the real thing.

These tips apply to most luxury watches.
If you have your own ways to distinguish a fake, comment.

Note the micro-engraving with the company logo. All Rolex watches on the case under the number 6 have a miniature depiction of a crown with five prongs. Many fake manufacturers transfer the logo to the back cover or other parts, but do not put it where it should be. Another point to note is that the image of the crown on a real watch is so small that it is difficult to see it in detail with the naked eye. But taking a magnifying glass, you will have a good look at the logo. Fake manufacturers, as a rule, do not succeed in such delicate work, so their version of the logo looks at least sloppy.

The case back must be completed with a hologram showing the Rolex logo and serial number. If there is no hologram, or a sticker is glued instead, on which the characters look the same, no matter what point they are looked at, you have a fake. The same applies to the situation when a buyer in a store has several copies of watches with the same serial number.

Weigh the watch in your hand. Real Rolex is always heavy. Counterfeits are often made from cheap materials and are lighter in weight. However, it is worth remembering that you should not rely on this parameter alone: this is more of an additional proof that you have a fake in front of you than the main way to distinguish it from the original.

The difference between a real Rolex and a fake: interesting details

Watches with a transparent case through which you can see the internal mechanism are in fashion now. You can often find Rolex with this design option. However, if you see accessories of this company with a glass case, be sure that you have a fake in front of you, no matter how high-quality and luxurious it may look. The fact is that Rolex has never released a watch with a transparent case at all.

An attentive buyer will certainly notice another important point. Genuine Rolex is equipped with a glass that magnifies the date on the dial by 2.5 times. In fakes, ordinary glass is most often installed. However, you can also find fakes in which the numbers are visually enlarged by 1.5 times, but no more. If you have ever seen the magnifying glass effect used in a Rolex, you will easily recognize the copy.

If possible, do a water test. It's simple: drop water on the glass and look at its "behavior". If the water immediately gathered into a drop, most likely you have a real Rolex in front of you, and if it spreads, it is a fake. The secret lies in the difference between the sapphire crystal used in the making of the original and the glass used in the fakes.