Is this a Rolex?

[Muffin]

Greetings,
I will start by explaining my entire situation as to 'why' I don't know if the watch I have is an authentic Rolex or not.
This past month I was on a business trip in Las Vegas. On the last day of my trip, as I was leaving my hotel to head to the airport, I spotted something shiny outside on the street. Upon reaching it I noticed it was a gold watch. It had the Rolex markings on it but it was quite beaten up(half of the band missing). My first thought, a fake Rolex. Once arriving home I googled some basic facts on how to spot a fake one and then the thought crossed my mind, maybe this is a real rolex.
I contacted my local authorities and explained to them what happened and what I found so it is on record with them.
Last night I went into Winnipeg to a local Rolex dealer to find out if this was in fact a fake. They spent a fair bit of time inspecting it and comparing and really didn't know what to tell me. The owner of the shop wasn't in at the time so I had to rely on the employees knowledge.
The main thing that turned them from saying it was real was the gouges on the back of the watch(I'm sorry, I don't know any 'watch' terms) they explained that the real Rolex would have been gold the whole way through, mine is silver beneath the finish. However they had a hard time ruling that out because they say they change through the time of production. Comparing the one I had to a new Submariner the only noticable difference was the weight(mine is lighter, may be due to the missing half the band) and the make of the back(where mine shows silver).

Based on the 'how to spot a fake rolex' mine is as follows:
Clear caseback- No
Cyclops Magnification Bubble- Mine seems to be on center and definitely magnifies. I'm not sure how powerful the magnification is, but it is noticable.
Micro-etched Crystal- Looks legit.
Hologram Sticker – No sticker.
Triplock Crown Seal – Mine looks like the authentic Rolex style with the rubber seal. Functions the same as the real one is described.
Size and Weight – As stated, the size is bang on but the weight is different.
Hand Movement – Mine sweeps(micro beats) as described by an authentic rolex.
Lettering – Clean cut and well done, nothing sloppy looking.
Case Reference Numbers – Has rolex numbers, clean reflective etching.

I've taken a number of detailed photos of my watch I hope their clear enough for you. I wish I could have gotten a straight answer from the Rolex dealer last night but they just couldn't say for sure. They said if it is a replica, it is the most detailed one they have seen.
I appreciate any insight.

Photos:

[Tools]

It's Fake,,,,,,,,,

[DWdrummer]

Its a fake. No question about it. Sorry.

[PeteNYC13]

Originally Posted by DWdrummer

Its a fake. No question about it. Sorry.

__________________________________________________ ___________
I was thinking that based on the story and the "full lenght M" that it was a fake but how do you all know so quickly and so definitively?! You guys are good, I thought I knew a fake from a Rolex until about three months ago when I got addicted to this place... you guys have me questioning mine and I was at the AD to pick them up!

-Pete

[PeteNYC13]

Also, I thought the Rolex etching but no ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX on the rehault was "off".
Am I close? On the right track?

-Pete

[Iceman1974]

Yeah I am going with a fake also, looks like it has the maxi dial indicies and i know that model doesn't have the larger markers so to me that is a dead givaway...sorry bud.

[mikefrmnj]

Date wheel background color on that watch should be yellowish.

[jdrolltide3838]

The LEC is too definitive but that is about all I can see. The photos arent all that detailed though. If we could see some more of the band and the entire watch as opposed to sections it would help. If it is supposed to be an all gold Rolex it would not have a stainless steel back at all.

[Safetrends]

A Las Vegas Rolex Fake, that needs a new battery.

[realest145]

Fake...the "A" in submariner should have a flat top not a pointy one .... I'm new to Rolexes but thats something my dad always told me about them when I was growing up.
sorry!!

[kyle L]

Fake, LEC is too obvious.

[Idle Swede]

Originally Posted by realest145

Fake...the "A" in submariner should have a flat top not a pointy one .... I'm new to Rolexes but thats something my dad always told me about them when I was growing up.
sorry!!

.

[vaq129e4]

sad but the cyclops is a giveaway also, should be 2.5X.

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by kyle L

Fake, LEC is too obvious.

x2

[BXNupe]

What does "LEC" mean?

[moviefreak]

LEC=laser etched crown
Do I see the markers on the dial extra big???

[tkc324]

The L is not aligned correctly to the crown.

[mcjca]

It definitley looks fake to me.

Are you able to change the date to "6"? Often that is a dead giveaway from my research. If the date still works please post a picture of that.

Mike

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by mcjca

It definitley looks fake to me.

Are you able to change the date to "6"? Often that is a dead giveaway from my research. If the date still works please post a picture of that.

Mike

? can u explain? i am a newb.

[mcjca]

Often times the "6" will be an incorrect font or the "6" wont be fully closed. Also, i think the 6 or even the 2 is easier to tell if it is properly magnified. 2.5X is correct and fakers can't seem to get it right. I am still a newbie also but have done a ton of research on this as i just bought my first Rolex a few days ago. Hope this helps.

Maybe the experts can chime in on this as well??

Mike

[Atomant]

FAke can tell on the date magnifier, date window is too small...

[Evan614]

Originally Posted by vaq129e4

sad but the cyclops is a giveaway also, should be 2.5X.

x2.

I noticed it wasn't magnifying enough.

plus the outside edges of the bezel.. doesn't look right.

[bobernet]

Case metal, crown guards, date wheel, LEC, cyclops... no doubt it's fake.

[Deyn Man]

yup, the LEC was way too easily seen... i've read tons of posts here about the LEC and that it should have the correct lighting for it to really be caprtured on camera. seems you were able to get it spot on! sorry bud

[Muffin]

Wow great responses, thank-you.
You guys have definitely done your homework, I'm impressed. In all honesty it took a few tries to get a picture of the LEC, but I doubt that it's fake.
To whoever requested a picture of the '6' asking it was closed or not. The font looks the same to me as the other numbers and the 6 is fully closed.
If you would like I'll post more pics tomorrow of the watch as a whole, my camera is dead at the moment.
Thanks for all the info!

[VetteBandit]

I agree the LEC is way to big....even if is "tough to photo" it should be only easily seen using a jewelers loupe.

If you are still thinking its real have a watchmaker take the caseback off and look at the movement......that should settle things for you.

[RobAdams]

I believe another check is that the blob on the end of the second hand covers the 'o' of Rolex when the second hand is at about 27 minutes past the hour. The blob half of the second hand looks too short, hard to tell from the photos.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by vaq129e4

sad but the cyclops is a giveaway also, should be 2.5X.

Nice Avatar Tom...

[Damage Inc.]

I want to see the movement!

[TSKDUS]

Great stuff. This is very enlightening! Cheers