An estate sale can be difficult when trying to determine if the item you are looking at is real or a fake. There isn’t really enough time to take a watch somewhere to have a professional opinion, or time to call someone else into take a look. The best way to know what you are looking at is by gathering a few tricks to look for before you get there.
Steel
Real Rolex watches are made out of steel. The company actually manufactures their own brand of steel called “904L steel”. If the paint scratches off, or if there are dents in the material, chances are it is not steel. If you can see discoloration in between the joints, it is probably not steel. If you see any type of rust, it is not steel. These telltale signs can lead you to assume that the watch is a fake.
Serial Number
The serial number on a real Rolex watch has been carved into the surface with precision and care. If you hold it at an angle, the numbers will actually look like a diamond cut with a slight glow to them. A fake Rolex serial number will probably have more of an acid-etched look to them that is not as high quality. The numbers on a fake may appear like they have tiny dots inside of them due to the lower quality process.
The Crown
Look for the famous crown logo above the Rolex words. Imposters often do not take the time to add the crown above the wording, which is a dead giveaway for a fake. Don’t forget, there are different grades of fakes too, so some will still include the crown, but this is one way to spot a fake right from the start.
Uneven Writing
Each Rolex is crafted with precision. Every etching and piece of writing on the surface is done with purpose. If you look at the numbers, writing, or anything else on the face of the watch, or the back casing of the watch, and you notice that some of the writing is uneven, be suspicious. All the writing on a real Rolex will be symmetrical and even, leaving no room for doubt that it is the real deal.
Date Window
The little glass window that covers the rolling date on a Rolex is convex. It is meant to magnify the date 2.5 times and is one of the distinguishing features of a real Rolex. If the glass piece is flat, chances are you are looking at an imposter.
Weight
Due to the high quality materials that Rolex uses to manufacture their watches, real Rolex watches have some weight to them. Lower quality pieces will seem lighter and more flimsy due to the materials that are used. If you feel like the watch is particularly light, you may be dealing with a fake.
Caseback
The back casing of a Rolex watch is never clear, and never contains any writing. If you see either of these features, you are probably dealing with a fake. The only exception is if anyone has had the Rolex engraved with a personal message. The Rolex company itself does not engrave anything on the back casing if their watches.
These are just a few tips to take with you to your next estate sale. Learn how to determine the real from the fake, and you could end up with a great deal. Some people shy away from purchasing anything in the watch category for fear of getting a knock-off, but with a little research, you can find some great items.