The Daytona Rolex, also known as the Paul Newman Rolex, is one of the most expensive watches you can buy. The average sales price of these watches ranges from $190,000 to $950,000, but in 2017 one sold for $17.75 million at auction!
Because Rolexes frequently fetch these high prices on sales and auctions, an economy built around creating convincing fakes has emerged. Most fakes are easy to spot, but some can be pretty convincing. That's why this article is aimed at teaching you how to tell if a Rolex is real.
How to Tell if a Rolex is Real On the Street
As a rule, no street vendor, no matter how convincing they try to be, is carrying real Rolex watches. Some people, however, think they're getting a great deal by buying a Rolex at a really low price and so indulge such vendors anyway. However, there are easy, equipment-free ways to spot a fake Rolex.
The Ear Test
Real Rolexes don't tick audibly. Their second hands move every eighth of a second which creates a soft buzz-like sound that the human ear couldn't pick up on a busy street.
The Eye Test
Since the second hand on a Rolex moves every eighth of a second, they also look like they're gliding smoothly around the watch rather than ticking. The smoothness of a real Rolex movement is impossible to recreate, so when you look at a fake Rolex's second hand it will jitter or shudder awkwardly in an attempt to copy the smooth motion.
The Price Test
Rolex prices are in the thousands-to-hundreds-of-thousands-dollar range. If someone has a Rolex to sell you, they're not going to sell it to you for any less than that. This means if they are offering you that kind of deal, you're probably looking at a fake Rolex.
How to Tell if a Rolex is Real In the Shop
If you do go into an establishment looking for a luxurious watch and they claim to have a Rolex for sale at a too-good-to-be-true price, the street tests still work. However, if you encounter a convincing replica there are things you can ask the store manager to let you look at.
You can also ask to see the serial number and Google it on the spot. If the store manager isn't forthcoming with these requests then you've got another red flag.
Get the Best Swiss Watches in Florida
Fake jewelry scams are unfortunately not rare and if someone manages to make a convincing fake Rolex, they could end up making a lot of money if they trick you into buying it. You can check to see if the second hand is smooth or if you hear any ticking. You can also use a magnifying glass to see if the laser-etched crown is where it should be.
Now that you know how to tell if a Rolex is real, why not buy one from some of the top jewelers in Largo, FL? Contact us today for great deals on luxury watches, engagement rings, jewelry, and more.