The generic watch market continues to grow and become more efficient, making counterfeit luxury timepieces more and more difficult to tell apart from their genuine counterparts.
Given the difference in value between a replica Rolex and the genuine article, any potential investor should know the tricks to tell the real from the fake. Here’s a quick list of some of the ways to tell if your watch is real or fake.
Serial and Model Number Stamping
The serial and model numbers on a genuine Rolex are deep and marked in very fine, solid lines.
Rolex engravings are so fine that they will actually give off a powerful, diamond-like shine when held at an angle to a light source.
Lower-quality counterfeit engravings may also have a “sandy” appearance due to acid used in the engraving process.

The serial and case reference numbers should be located on the side of the case, between the lugs (the outward-sticking parts of the case where the band connects to the case).
If there’s no engraving between the lugs, the watch is definitely not a genuine Rolex.

Stampings
Rolex is famous for its five-pointed “crown” logo. That said, if you ever find a watch that lacks the “Rolex” name or crown insignia, that’s a good sign the watch is most likely not a true Rolex.
These are also some giveaways to a Rolex being fake:
- If the “Rolex” crown ever has more or less than five points
- If the ends of its points are not nicely shaped circles
- If the design looks generally sloppy

The Movement
If you can look into the back of the case and see the movement, a Rolex watch will always have the company’s name engraved on one of the plates of the movement, potentially along with “Geneva, Switzerland,” the type of metal used, and model number of the movement.
While Rolex did produce a line of quartz watches (electronic, battery-powered) until 15-or-so years ago, these watches are very rare. If an opened Rolex case reveals a battery-powered movement, it is most likely not a genuine Rolex.

Ticking
While genuine Rolex movements are generally mechanical and do “tick” like most other watches, they do so much more quietly.
In a quiet room, most watches can be clearly heard ticking away, whereas Rolex watches are much more difficult to hear due to how finely they are built.
Dial
An original Rolex dial should be virtually perfect. If you find any unevenness in the lettering or font used, weirdness in spacing between letters or words, or spelling mistakes, then it’s definitely not a real Rolex.

Magnifying Lens
A real Datejust Rolex has a magnifying lens above the date window on the dial. This small part on the crystal should curve upwards (out and away from the flat crystal) and magnify the numbers in the date window directly below it.
The lens on an original Rolex crystal should magnify the date numbers by 2.5 times. If the magnifying lens is flat or doesn’t magnify the date that much, then the watch could be a fake.

Waterproofing
Rolex watches are built to be sturdy and waterproof, whereas cheaper counterfeit versions will not pass a proper pressure test.
When submerged in water in a pressure chamber, the air in a Rolex should not “bubble out” when the pressure in the chamber is reduced. If it does, it may not be a genuine Rolex.
Mark Sirianni Watch Repair
25 Fraley Street
Kane, Pa. 16735
814-837-9435
814-558-4818 (cell)
watchdoctorpa@gmail.com

CHARLEY PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Charley sitting with Tom from her younger puppy years. She doesn’t really like sitting like this, but she likes the attention and the different perspective.

BIRTHDAY PHOTO OF THE WEEK: It was Tom’s birthday on Easter. Happy birthday, Tom!

24 Comments
Ed
Happy Birthday!
Tom G.
Although I don’t (yet) own a Rolex, I’m always trying to learn about them so that when the day comes…..
As usual, another great article. Thanks Mark
Len (UK)
Forget the counterfit Rolex, I’ll settle for a slice of that genuine cake!
Kanzen
Thanks ! very enlightening and of much importance for Watch collector !
Kanzen
Mike Diehlman
Happy Birthday. Tom.
Francois WILLIAM GUAY
Happy Birthday!!!!
T. John
Happy Birthday.
Interesting about fake/real Rolexes.
Bissell Patrick
Mark, another great post. Hi to Charley.
Forrest
Mark, Really appreciate your very informative articles and your work on my Rolex
christy
very informative article, as usual!! Thank you so much for your intelligent information, and Happy Birthday, Tom. Hi Charley
LARRY BROOKS
That is a great article, Mark. It is a very uneasy feeling purchasing a used Rolex, especially over the internet. One suggestion I might make for buyers is to take your new purchase to an authorized Rolex dealer in your area or one that services the Rolex brand. They usually will gladly check for the case reference and serial numbers as well as open the back to verify the watch as real or fake. This is what I did with the ones I bought.
I sure did feel relieved after they said both of mine were the real deal.
And Happy Birthday Tom!
Ken NJ
I wonder if Mark ever received a Rolex for servicing, opened it up, and then had to tell the customer it’s a fake?
The Watch Doctor
In the last month I have received 2 watches that customers thought were real and I had to tell them that they were fake. That is not an enjoyable phone call to make!
David Taylor
IN YOUR FIRST photo you show a band clasp Have a Explorer I 1016 dating from 1968. The band was a fold over riveted band. It got so worn it was essentially useless. A friend had a fake Sub that quit and gave me the band. It is quite satisfactory. 20 mm oyster link the bank. Looks the same and is of such better quality than the original it is not even funny. The real value is in the watch.
Rick
You might be surprised to find out how much that old, wore out, folded riveted bracelet is worth to a collector.
Mark Morgan
very interesting thank you
Tom Barger NJ
Thank you for posting this article. I was not sure sometimes whether a Rolex was real or not other than the weight or how smooth the “ticking movement” is on the dial. Happy Birthday Tom! Thanks again Mark!
Tom from New Jersey
Bob Smith
My sister was a Department of Defense school teacher in Korea in 80s, they called them “Foolexes”. Korea “the land of the not quite right”.
Linda Cockney
Belated Happy Birthday to Tom! God bless your future!
Linda Cockney
Mike Patrician
Mark:
You have serviced 3 of my watches………great service!!!! Happy BD.
I love the articles and the dog photo.
Thanks for everything
Mike
Peter
As always, a great Article.
Dave
Birthday wishes to you Tom! I started using your dad for service about 10 years ago and he was a great find. Although I’m 71 I was always afraid that your dad would retire and leave me high and dry. I was so glad to see you join the business.
Justin
Happy Birthday!
Great article as usual!
Gary J Colligan
Thankyou you Mark for a job well done my watch is operating just like it was new Thankyou you for such a fast repair and a price that can’t be beat I highly recommend anyone who needs their Rolex repaired to send it to you ! Thankyou you again for a job well done