Q&A for How to Tell if a Rolex Watch is Real or Fake

Start by inspecting the dial. Grab a jeweler's loupe or a magnifying glass and zero in on the numerals. Authentic Cartier watches usually have the word "Cartier" discreetly engraved somewhere within the numeral system on the dial. If you spot those minuscule letters, you're likely looking at an original Cartier.

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.

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.

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.

On a daydate model, yes.

Almost all Swiss watches have "Swiss Made" or "Swiss," sometimes surrounded by Ts, at six o'clock on the dial in small font. This may be hard to see with the naked eye. Every part of a Rolex is made in-house, so it should not have any parts that are not made in Switzerland.

No. Even the simplest of Rolex models, like the Air King or regular no-date Oyster Perpetual, have three hands: hours, minutes, and seconds.

The back plate should be blank, as stated in the article above. You might have a fake.

No, they do not. This is unusual, but you will find this on watches from other manufacturers like the 39mm Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 15202ST. Every Rolex should have at least three hands.

Not necessarily. Counterfeiters could take a serial number from a genuine watch and proceed to "engrave” it on their fakes. Rolex doesn’t maintain serial number records.

A genuine Rolex watch will have the features mentioned in the article, with a few changes. Serial numbers on new models are now located on the inside of the case, under the glass, at 6 o'clock. The print on a genuine Rolex will be perfect, and very cleanly done. To the left of the 6 o'clock marker, there will be a small crown etched into the glass. You must get very close magnification to see it. When you look at it, make sure there are many, many etches that are all very neat and clear. Modern fakes have been trying to replicate this, but none have come close to Rolex's perfect technique. Finally, open the back to determine if it is genuine. See your watchmaker for this.

Genuine Rolex watches should have a self-mechanism system which means the watch powers to the movement of your wrist, so no, all Rolex watches do not run on battery.

The back has to be made of clear and smooth metal, without any kinds of engravings or writing on it.

Unscrew the crown by turning it backwards (counter-clockwise) until you feel it pop out to the first position. Then, proceed to turn the crown forwards (clockwise) at least 20 full turns to fully wind the watch. The second hand will start running. Then, wait until the watch gets to the 60 second mark and pull out the crown further to stop the second hand. Set the watch to the right time a minute later than the current time and push the crown in as soon as you have your reference time.

Some models do, such as the Rolex DayDate. The DateJust, Submariner, etc., do not, however, so this can't be a way to determine a genuine Rolex.

You can try googling the serial number, determining the reference number and seeing what the same model is going for, or simply getting it appraised.

This totally depends on your model, find your model on the internet and then search for the weight. There are loads of websites that will have this information.

They are located on the sides of no.6. Swiss is printed on left side of#6 and made on right side of #6.

It could be possible that the dial was replaced and not an OEM Rolex dial. Take it to Rolex or an authorized dealer/repair shop and have it checked.

It was never a Rolex if it lit up in the first place. Are you referring to the brightness of the lume possibly?

Remove the bracelet at the 6 o’clock hour. The serial number should be “deeply” etched between the lugs on the case.

Yes, and typically "wind" like that of a real one at the #1 crown position. But be aware of how the wind sounds and feels; this can typically give away a fake.

No, but ones with engraved case-backs are exceptionally rare. For example, the Daytona's Rolex gifts to the winners of the 24 Hours of Daytona car races do. Some owners might have their case-backs engraved because they customized them, but this is also very uncommon.

Only an extremely subtle, high-frequency tick, eight times a second or so. Definitely not a clear three or four times a second. That would indicate a fake. Whether you can hear it at all depends on your hearing ability and the ambient noise around you. Many people cannot hear a modern Rolex tick.

A clean racket ball works pretty well most of the time. If the caseback has been screwed on tightly and/or the gasket has started to decompose, an opener for a single size can be purchased for about $25. It's more like $250 if you'd like an authentic, Swiss-made Rolex caseback opener. (But that's overkill if you have just one watch and are careful.)

No. The crown direction depends on how much the watch has been wound. The crown is threaded on like a nut on a bolt, so there's no mechanism to lock it into any particular position. Therefore, the emblem can point in any direction.

Very few Rolex watches have see-through casebacks. Rolex generally focuses on durability rather than aesthetics.

Modern (1960's to the present) Rolex watches come with at least one bracelet, a warranty card and minor miscellany in a durable, green box.

It should say "Rolex" unless it's a very vintage piece.

It sounds real. 116570 is the model number or reference number. This watch is an Explorer II. X41900 is the serial number, which includes a date code (the prefix X). It was most likely manufactured in 1991.