![]() |
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
![]() |
#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Pat
Location: PNW
Watch: your P's and Q's
Posts: 2,549
|
Need help w/possible fake LV
I don't know if this can/will go anywhere or not but... I work with a guy who was sporting what appeared to be a 16610LV today. He claimed he bought it at an undisclosed price but WAY cheaper than it's actual worth. He was being rather evasive about how much and where he bought it... He claimed the serial number appeared correct and that he had removed the case back and the markings inside the back appeared legit as well. No comments about the movement itself. He admitted it may be a relica or worse... stolen considering the price he paid. Hmmm...
Here's my question. Are there any tell-tale clues you fine folks can give me to look for when spotting a fake. All the obvious signs seem legit such as 3 dot crown, laser etched crystal, exposed 3rd oring on the crown tube, etc. Any dial subtlties, etc. you can point me to would be appreciated. My curiosity has got me going on this one. I realize there's no such thing as an instant-expert course on spotting replicas but any tips would be helpful. Thanks in advance...
__________________
Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Ronnie
Location: Man. Bch., CA USA
Watch: SS-P YM
Posts: 679
|
Pat,
If he stated HE opened the case back then I'm not sure if he's being a straight shooter. If he says a jeweler opened it up and said the parts appeared genuine (assuming he/she has experience with Rolexes) then I would say its legit. The case backs usually require a special tool to remove and I doubt he would have bought one just to check out his watch. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,379
|
Pat,
You mention the laser etching on the crystal. That is tough to fake...It is on fake watches, but it is very visible on them with the naked eye. The actual etching is almost impossible to see without some aid, such as a 10x loupe, or very faintly fisible if turned to a correct angle with the light....still..if it's very obvious, then it may be a replica.. However, if your a novice, then a quick course in Rolex spotting is meaningless as the latest fakes are very, very good.. Just enjoy yours and don't concern yorself with what anybody else has.. ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Pat
Location: PNW
Watch: your P's and Q's
Posts: 2,549
|
Thanks... I've been Googling 'fake spotting' and come up with some starter items to check out. He claims his father was a watch 'tinkerer' and he actually had the case back tool for Rolex. I was checking out my coronet laser etchings and, if I get the chance, I'll compare his to see if it's the real deal or not. In the end, Larry you're right. It doesn't really matter other than the idea it may be stolen really does bother me. If it's a replica, it would settle better with me and qualify his claim of the 'really cheap' purchase price. I don't really want to have a ethical battle with this so maybe don't look, don't tell may be the best course of action. Thanks again guys...
__________________
Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Real Name: Bo
Location: Denmark
Watch: Rolex, of course!
Posts: 22,436
|
Quote:
"Interesting comparison between REAL and FAKE "LV" ". CLICK! Probably the most extensive overview over LV fakes todate. ![]()
__________________
With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Pat
Location: PNW
Watch: your P's and Q's
Posts: 2,549
|
Excellent, Bo... I also found this which is very helpful as well
Quote:
__________________
Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Filip
Location: Belgium
Posts: 1,619
|
Excellent spotting list.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Annapolis, MD
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 5,081
|
The best fakes are nearly perfect. The dials are much better now. The shoulders are getting closer, but one thing I found on a fake ETA GMT was that the bezel did not turn smoothly, and the handwinding was not smooth. The fakers just don't seem to put as much effort into those things since they are generally selling them on the web now. Also the reason that most of them have that R serial.
The laser-etched coronet is a good point. On a fake, you can easily see the etching. You can even see it in a good photo. On a real Rolex, you would be hard pressed to see the etching or capture it with a typical point & shoot Canon. Ask him if it said 25-jewels on the movement, with a big coronet etched into the rotor. I think it's fake. he bought it for $100 and now he's playing a "maybe it's fake, but I got it for nothing so who cares". |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Ken
Location: toronto
Watch: 18K YG Day Date
Posts: 2,985
|
its probably a fake
__________________
DAUNWAUN |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Pat
Location: PNW
Watch: your P's and Q's
Posts: 2,549
|
Update: He wasn't wearing it today. I offered to validate whether it was a replica or not. He declined. He said he doesn't really want to know...
![]()
__________________
Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Vu
Location: Dallas area
Watch: Platinum YM
Posts: 2,646
|
I'm curious, why do you care so much if it's fake or not?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Real Name: Bo
Location: Denmark
Watch: Rolex, of course!
Posts: 22,436
|
Say what??
![]()
__________________
With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Real Name: Mike
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 238
|
Bo..I did infact look over your post on how to spot a fake. Unfortunatly, other than the fact that the watch used in your post was a bad example of a replica the only real tell tales signs were the horrible LEC and that poor example of a lum dot. You could look at a GOOD fake all day Long and never be able to tell the difference.
The ONLY reason I point this out is because they are getting so good and so advanced that you soon will not be able to tell the difference in the two. Its common among fakes to have a Gen. Bezel incert done to upgrade the bezel, that makes it all the more convincing. As far as the LEC, that has imporved vastly as well, as far as printing youd have to have a Gen. next to the one in question to even begin to disect it. I believe the ONLY way to tell a fake from gen. is to open the watch up and inspect the movement...period. If someone is thinking they are getting a good deal on a watch, its most likely too good to be true. Save yourself the headache and wonder and just go to the AD like its been said a thousand times before. Ill probably get flamed for this post but thats cool, Ive been flamed before....... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Filip
Location: Belgium
Posts: 1,619
|
![]() These days the only way you can buy at a 'too good to be true' price but genuine Rolex is at small auctions or through advertisements. Not even 5 years ago here in South America you could buy a bag full of Rolex for half the price, now everybody has internet/books meaning better informed sellers so 'the too good' will be exactly what it states in 99%. To avoid fakes it's best to stay away from Rolex imo |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Real Name: Vu
Location: Dallas area
Watch: Platinum YM
Posts: 2,646
|
I would only be concern if a Rolex is a fake if someone was trying to sell it to me. I don't see the point of trying to find out if a coworker's watch is a fake or not.
Lets look at the two possible outcomes here. If it's an authentic LV, the guy got a really good deal and Incurable would probably feel crappy for suspecting that it was a fake. If it does end up being a fake, Incurable would feel good about himself, but there's friction between him and this coworker. Nobody wins in this situation. And seriously, I would be annoyed if one of my coworkers accused me of wearing a fake Rolex. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Pat
Location: PNW
Watch: your P's and Q's
Posts: 2,549
|
Why do I care? Good question I guess...
Having owned genuine Rolex watches since the 1980's and a big fan of the brand, this is my first contact w/a possible replica watch and I'm just curious that's all. The notion that he doesn't care, want to know and is apparently denying me access just feeds the fire. Why? Because I'm an engineer by trade, inquisitive by nature and always a seeker of truth. Worse case scenario: Is it genuine and stolen? I do not in any way, shape or form endorse this practice. It would be a comfort to me to discover it's a replica as opposed to the alternative. Finally, it's a learning opportunity and challenge. To find and see the 'flaws' for myself would be educational and serve to further my knowledge of the brand. It's not necessarily a rational decision on my part, I have no goal or agenda. Beyond that, just because I do, no need to justify really.
__________________
Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | |||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Pat
Location: PNW
Watch: your P's and Q's
Posts: 2,549
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
Rolex GMT Master II 16710 (Blk/Blk) Rolex Explorer 114270 Sinn 356 Sa Flieger Limes Endurance 1Tausend Too many others... #2592 It may seem like I'm doing nothing but, at a cellular level, I'm actually quite busy... |
|||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.