How to See If a Rolex is Real: Six Details and a Key Tip to Help You Tell if a Rolex is Real or Fake

Rolex is one of the most famous watch manufacturers in the world, producing over a million watches annually. Many celebrities and icons have worn Rolexes, especially classic and luxurious models like the GMT-Master or Submariner. Given this, it's no surprise that many counterfeit versions exist on the market. From blatant fakes to high-quality replicas, identifying a real Rolex can be challenging. However, for true watch enthusiasts, owning a Rolex is more than just about the brand; it's about the craftsmanship and genuine value behind it.

At EWwatches, we are committed to maintaining the authenticity and integrity of luxury watches. We support official authentication and strongly oppose counterfeit fraud. Here are some tips to help you identify a fake Rolex.

Six Details to Look for in a Rolex

1.Rolex Dial Logo

RolexLOGORolexLOGO
RolexLOGO

 

Real Rolex: The small crown logo below the 12 o'clock mark is smooth, detailed, and glossy, with a "cherry small mouth" appearance.
Fake Rolex: The crown logo below the 12 o'clock mark is rough, uneven, and has a "big open mouth" appearance.

 

2.Rolex Date Movement

RolexcalendarRolexcalendar
Rolexcalendar

 

Real Rolex: The date changes instantaneously at midnight, with a smooth and precise motion.
Fake Rolex: The date change is slow and incremental after midnight.

 

3.Rolex Clasp Crown Logo

logo of Rolex bucklelogo of Rolex buckle
logo of Rolex buckle

Real Rolex: The crown logo on the clasp is separately applied, often welded.
Fake Rolex: The crown and logo are one piece, not separable.
 

4.Rolex Bezel Engraving

Rolex Internal detailsRolex Internal details
Rolex Internal details

Real Rolex: The bezel engravings are deep, clear, and done with a hand-press method.
Fake Rolex: The engravings are shallow, fuzzy, and done with a laser.

 

5.Rolex Hand Details

Rolex pointer detailsRolex pointer details
Rolex pointer details

Real Rolex: The hands are flat, sharp, and free of burrs, appearing very clear.
Fake Rolex: The hands are blunt, with visible burrs.

 

6.Rolex Marker Details

Rolex pointer bottomRolex pointer bottom
Rolex pointer bottom

Real Rolex: The outer frame of the markers is mirror-polished, shiny, and smooth.
Fake Rolex: The metal frame is straight and dull, lacking luster.

 

Key Tip: Use the NFC Card

Most authentic Rolex watches come with an NFC-enabled card. Here's a simple way to verify:

Hold the card close to an NFC-enabled phone.
If the card is real, the phone will vibrate, and the Rolex website will pop up.
If the card is fake, nothing will happen.
It's that simple!

Rolex NFCcardRolex NFCcard
Rolex NFCcard

Last,Rolex's century-old craftsmanship makes it a valuable and cherished brand. For watch enthusiasts, the appeal lies in both the brand and the meticulous artistry. This guide provides you with the essential details to identify a genuine Rolex. If you still find it challenging to distinguish, you can visit our physical store for assistance.

Our Address:

EW Watches Düsseldorf
Königsallee 66, 4.O.G, 40212,

Düsseldorf, Germany

 

EW Watches Madrid
Calle Jorge Juan 8, 2i, 28001 Spain,

Madrid

 

Feel free to visit us to discuss Rolex watches, and we can help with simple watch identification. If you're interested in exploring other Rolex models, check out the following :

EW watches Rolex store

 Everyone has his own choice and answer when buying a Rolex. As for why you must buy an authentic Rolex, if you haven’t found it yet, you can take a look at our article: "Why You Should Always Choose an Authentic Rolex: The Dangers of Buying a Fake" I believe you will find the answer.

If you still want to distinguish the authenticity based on different series, you can continue to pay attention to the following content: 

1.How to identify the real and fake Daytona, real case

We will continue to update text or videos about the identification content, so stay tuned.