1. Right now, the EASIEST way to detect a fake without taking the watch apart, is by the CRYSTAL:
The crystal on the authentic date-model has a date bubble with a 2.5 times magnification and thus the date looks very big in the bubble. The fakes often have only a 1.5 times magnification and the date looks MUCH smaller.
2. Winding Crown: Many fakes do not screw in precisely and get stuck and do not have a rubber gasket. Authentic Rolex watches screw in smoothly and have a visible seal (tiny rubber piece) that seals the watch watertight.
3. Watertight case: The rubber seal inside the winding crown allows the authentic Rolex watch to maintain a watertight seal on the case. Fakes cannot usually handle total submersion in water.
4. Bezel: Fakes often have notches that are too large and bezel is too loose. Authentic have 60 tight clicks.
5. Markings: Especially look for detail on the face of the watch. But, many good fakes have mastered the proper markings.
6. Illumination: Authentic watches illuminate in the dark on the hands and some also with the hour markers.
7. Sweeping second hand: The authentic do have a small tic to them but appear to sweep. Many good fakes do a great job at sweeping.
8. Weight: is often heavier on authentic because of the 18k gold case. But, many high quality fakes are now doing a good job with the weight.
9. Bracelets: Authentic use screws instead of pins that look like screws. Many good fakes use screws as well.
10. Gold: No 24k gold is used on authentic, as it is too yellowish and brassy. Only 18K gold is used on authentic watches.
11. Divers Extension: Authentic Submariner models have the extra fold out to go over a wetsuit.
12. Backs: Only fakes have clear backs so that the inner workings of the watch can be seen. Fake backs are also often engraved with serial or model #’s or the Rolex crown. Authentic backs are plain, smooth and sometimes have the green sticker.
