How can you tell if a rolex is fake?

05/22/25 9:26pm

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This post was sourced from submitted reader questions and posted by wikiHow Editorial Staff, based on our article: How to Tell if a Rolex is Real or Fake: 11 Signs of Authenticity .

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Daniel Gbenle
Sneaker Authenticator & Founder of Certisfied

05/22/25 9:27pm

Here's what to look for to tell if a Rolex is fake:

A shallow engraving. The engraving on a Rolex should be deep. If you rub on it, you should be able to feel it. Sometimes when they're fake, it’s just a scratch, or it's just light on top, but it should be deep.
Wrong or no serial number. Rolex has started making the serial numbers alphanumeric. The older ones were just numeric, but now they're alphanumeric serial codes.
Small or no manufacture date. Some rolexes have the dates they were manufactured on them, and if your date looks small and not magnified, particularly on the screen of the watch, that's a red flag.
Light weight. Rolexes are usually heavy. They're made out of high-grade metals that are solid. If you pick up a Rolex and it feels really light, that's another red flag.
Transparent or engraved back. The backs of Rolexes are almost always smooth, with no engravings, and no transparency.
Low-quality finish. Overall, Rolexes have high quality, beautiful finishes. If it looks rusty or the details are inconsistent, beware.
No warranty card. Check the warranty card in the box. If the Rolex does not come with one, that's another red flag, especially if it's brand new.

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Real Authentication
Fashion Authentication Experts

07/30/25 12:22am

A fake Rolex can be identified by carefully analyzing the logos on all areas of the watch, the serial number engraved on the inner watch case, the shape of the bezel , and the movement within the watch case. Fake Rolex watches are often made with low-quality materials that affect the overall shape of the watch as well as the way the metal finish reflects in the light. The weight of the Rolex watch is also a helpful indicator of a genuine or counterfeit timepiece.

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