First things first, price. I mean, come on, a genuine Rolex, ladies’ or otherwise, ain’t gonna be bargain-basement cheap. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably IS. Don’t be a sucker! You know, like, if someone offers you a “Rolex” for like, $100 bucks in a back alley…run. Just run.
Now, let’s talk about that second hand. Real Rolexes have this super smooth, almost gliding second hand. It *doesn’t* tick. It’s like, a continuous sweep. A fake? Usually, it’s gonna tick. Like a cheap Timex. Think about that. Tick, tick, tick… no bueno. I mean, some *really* good fakes might try to mimic the sweep, but they usually can’t pull it off perfectly.
And then there’s the weight. A genuine Rolex feels solid. Feels substantial. It’s got some heft to it because it’s made with quality materials. A fake often feels light and flimsy. Like, kinda cheap plastic-y even if it’s got some metal. Hold it in your hand, get a feel for it. Does it feel like a quality piece? Your gut will tell you something. I once saw a fake Rolex that was so light, I swear it was made of aluminum foil. Okay, maybe not quite, but you get the idea.
Look at the details, too! Rolex is ALL about the details. I mean, like, really look. The engraving, the markers, the cyclops eye (the little magnifier over the date). Is it crisp? Is it clean? Are the numbers centered? A fake often has sloppy details. Like, the engraving might be fuzzy, the markers might be crooked, the date might be off-center. Those are HUGE red flags. Trust me. I’ve seen some real doozies. I remember one fake where the “Rolex” logo was almost spelled “Roleks.” Seriously.
Oh, and the movement! If you can get the back off (don’t do this if you’re not a watch expert!), take a peek at the movement. A genuine Rolex movement is a work of art. It’s intricate, it’s precise, it’s beautiful. A fake? It’s probably gonna look like a hot mess of cheap gears and plastic. It’s like comparing a Rolls Royce engine to a lawnmower engine.
Now, I’m no expert, okay? But I’ve seen enough dodgy “Rolexes” to know a few things. Honestly, if you’re unsure, take it to a reputable jeweler or watchmaker. They can tell you for sure. It’s worth the money to avoid getting ripped off.
And, I gotta say, buying from a reputable dealer like 1stDibs is ALWAYS a safer bet. They supposedly check their stuff out. But even then, you gotta keep your eyes peeled.