Getting Rolex authentication is a crucial step if you don’t wish to fall for any scams or frauds. Not all resellers in the market are worth your money; many are only there to make themselves rich with your hard-earned money. If you don’t want to fall for this trick, then it’s time to get smart and opt for Rolex authentication. Here’s a detailed review to learn how to check Rolex authenticity.
Where to go for Rolex Authentication?
When you are spending so much money on a timepiece, then it’s best to get it authenticated first, so you don’t end up losing your money. There are plenty of scammers in the market who are always on the lookout for people. However, many watch professionals can authenticate the Rolex watch for you to verify if it’s real or fake.
They can tell you if the watch is properly handled if the documents are original, and if the wristwatch is eligible for future fixes and repairs. All of this information is crucial as Rolex is not just any timepiece, it’s a luxury watch that comes at a very high price. Some authentic places from where you can get Rolex authentication are:
Official Rolex Centers
Who is better to authenticate your Rolex watch other than the Rolex official store? Rolex centers are located in several big cities, near the places where Rolex owners would normally live. All you have to do is visit a Rolex center, pay the service fee of $150, and let the professionals authenticate the Rolex for you.
Once the verification is done, they will send you the authentication papers, i.e. Service Authentication Papers/Card through mail within 7-10 days. Although this option is the best among all, the only problem is that Rolex centers are not located everywhere and you can only visit them if you’re living near them.
Authorized Rolex Dealers
Don’t worry if you can’t visit a Rolex service center, there are authorized Rolex dealers who can do it all for you in less amount. These dealers can sell, repair, and service new and pre-owned Rolex watches without any issues. Such professionals are even authorized to provide warranty service for Rolex watches.
Not everyone can authenticate Rolex watches; only people who understand Rolex’s ins and outs can do it. It’s a whole business and not everyone can run it. Most authenticators can inspect your Rolex watch for $100, which is cheaper than going to an official service center. Plus, there’s a huge chance that it’s available in your region as well.
Rolex has even launched a Certified Pre-Owned Program in which the brand provides a certificate of authenticity for pre-owned watches without papers to authorized dealers. However, this paperwork will only be provided for watches that are about 3 years old at least. This way you can get certified pre-owned luxury watches without any interruptions.
Professional Watch Authentication Service
If you wish to find out about the legitimacy of your Rolex, then the next best place you can visit for inspection is any watch authentication service center.
These are teams of professionals who are experts in authenticating a Rolex watch and can verify if you have a fake Rolex or a real one. They verify everything about the watch, from the serial number to the case back, to make sure you don’t waste your money on the wrong timepiece.
The only disadvantage of using this service is that it can be a little costly, especially if you’re looking to get actual paperwork reflecting that the watch is real. It’s more convenient to find these stores, which is why many watch enthusiasts go for this option.
Factors to Look Out for Rolex Authentication
Buying a second-hand Rolex comes with much skepticism. Is the watch real? Is the reseller verified? Where should I go to purchase a pre-owned Rolex watch? All these questions can definitely cloud your judgment, but there’s only one solution for all of this—Rolex authentication.
If you don’t want to end up with a counterfeited product, then these professionals are the only ones who can save you from all sorts of unnecessary trouble. The best time to get a Rolex authenticity check is before the purchase. Once you have paid the money, it can become a hassle for you to return the watch without going through a long procedure. Here are a few things you check to find out about authentic Rolex watches.
Rolex Serial Number and Its Placement
Every Rolex has a unique serial number according to when it was manufactured. Obviously, scammers try to replicate these serial numbers, but they still can’t do it as a Rolex store would do. You must match the Rolex serial number with any documentation that comes with it.
The Rolex serial number can be engraved either on or behind its bracelet at six o’clock, but it’s not a guaranteed placement. Rolex has tried to change its serial number placement now and then; therefore, learning when the watch was manufactured is quite necessary. If the paperwork for the timepiece is not available, then you should go the extra mile for Rolex authentication.
The Rolex Logo
The Rolex logo is one of the first things that you can check to identify if the timepiece is real or fake. Every genuine Rolex watch has it at the far-left side of the dial with zero flaws, but fake watches can have glue residue or any sort of misalignment, which can predict if the watch is authentic or not.
Furthermore, Rolex has recently started to etch a small logo near the six o’clock mark, which is too small to be replicated so easily. The authenticator has to use a magnifying glass for Rolex authentication to look for any faults with the logo.
Metal Case Back
Rolex comes with a clear and smooth case back, which is unlike other luxury watches. Unlike other luxury brands, Rolex has no engraving at the back to maintain the smoothness of the case.
However, many scammers can miss out on this factor and can make the mistake of engraving the case back of Rolex.
They might hope for everyone to miss out on this detail but watch enthusiasts and authenticators can instantly find out if the timepiece is real or not through this one mistake. Make sure to check the case back of Rolex to find out if the watch is real or just a knock-off.
Rolex Date Display
The Date Display of Rolex watches comes with a Cyclops lens, which magnifies the date 2.5x. It’s a genuine Rolex feature, which can’t be replicated so easily. To check if the Rolex under inspection is real or not, then this is one thing that you can verify.
There’s a minimal chance that the second-hand watch has a Cyclops lens as perfect as a real Rolex timepiece. Proper Rolex authentication can verify this feature to confirm if the watch is real or not.
Design and Dial Quality
Design and dial quality is the next thing that you can check in the Rolex watch with just your eye. By looking at the timepiece, you can instantly tell if this Rolex is real or not.
You can look for any visible damage to the dial, such as a bit of glue or any misaligned baton. These problems are not present with original Rolex watches, so this can be a clear sign that you will be wasting your money on the wrong timepiece.
Watch Weight
Since Rolex is made up of many high-end materials, it’s expected to be a lot heavier and sturdier than a standard wristwatch. You can instantly notice the weight of the watch, but if you’re purchasing it for the first time, then it can be a little problematic for you. To get an idea, you can take your watch to a pawn shop and compare its weight with other watches available in the store.
Seconds Hand
Rolex does not have a ticking transition for its seconds hand, it’s a rather fast-moving hand for seamless motion around the watch.
This can’t be replicated so easily, which is why it’s an ideal method to identify if your Rolex watch is authentic or not. When you go for Rolex authentication, then this is one of the first things any professional would check.
Get Rolex Authentication to Save Yourself from Scam
Now that you know how a Rolex is authenticated, you can save yourself from any scam or fraud. There are many resellers in the market, but not all of them are trustworthy, so make sure to go to someone who has a great reputation in the market. Rolex timepieces are pretty expensive, so don’t purchase them unless you are 100% sure they are real.