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To put it shortly, to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches you have to inspect the current day’s font at the top of the dial, in the day window. Most of the time, the replica Rolex Day-Date watches have their text at the top of the dial looking either too thick, too thin and/or just not centred.
Are you trying to learn how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches? Don’t want to get scammed with a replica Rolex piece?
If that’s the case, then you are in the best place to learn how to authenticate Rolex Day-Date watches.
In this fake vs real Rolex Day-Date authenticity check guide, we are going to show you the best spots to look at on the Day-Date in order to prove its authenticity. We will be looking at the Rolex Day-Date II (ref. no. 228239), but most of the tells can be applied to similar models too.
Along with each simple step of the guide on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Dates, we are going to link reference fake vs real Rolex Day-Date images so that each step will be clear and easy to follow.
The reference real vs fake Rolex Day-Date images will help you compare the watch that you are authenticating side-by-side so that you’d easily analyze every detail in the right manner.
For the first step of the guide on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches, we are going to have a look at the real vs fake Rolex Day-Date pieces for the weekday’s inscription at the top of the dial, in the day window.
As we’ve previously mentioned, we consider the weekday’s text as the most reliable sign of authenticity, so we consider that you always look at the weekday’s text at the top of the dial.
Now, just as we promised at the top of the guide on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Dates, we are going to first have a look at the reference image with the real vs fake Rolex Day-Date watches below.
In the image with the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date items above, we have pointed out how the fake Day-Date’s text is improperly sized and font-weighted.
First of all, talking about the shape of the text, you can notice in the real vs fake Rolex Day-Date image above how the fake piece has its “MONDAY” text looking too big.
That’s because the fake watch has its text closer to the left and the right edges of the arched rectangle.
The authentic Rolex Day-Date watch has its “MONDAY” text looking smaller than the fake piece’s text, as the legit Day-Date has its text placed further away from the edges of the arched rectangle, and perfectly centred in the day window.
Then, speaking of the font-weight of the weekday’s text on the real vs fake Rolex Day-Date watches, we have pointed out in the image above how the fake watch has its text improperly font-weighted as well.
In fact, the fake Rolex Day-Date watch has its “MONDAY” text looking thicker than the inscription found on the genuine Day-Date watch.
As a consequence of the fake watch’s text being too thick, the kerning between the letters in the “MONDAY” text is also improper.
This flaw can be easily noticed if you look at the fake watch’s letter “A” in the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image above, where you can notice how the “A” on the fake watch is too thick, especially on the top-right corner.
By that, we mean that since the text is too thick on the fake watch, the letters are placed too close to each other.
Talking about the genuine Rolex Day-Date, it is noticeable how it has its letter “A” looking thinner. You can also see how the genuine piece has its letters placed further away from each other, yet holding the same distance between the characters.
Speaking of which, in the case of worse-quality replicas, there might be a chance for the letters to have different amounts of space between their letters.
With this being said, please keep in mind that the letters on the authentic Day-Date Rolex’s text must have the same amount of space between all of the symbols on the dial and not only.
Let’s wrap up the first step of the guide on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches and let’s move on to the second step on how to brief genuine vs replica Rolex Day-Date watches.
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Now that you’re done with checking the weekday window at the top of the dial, let’s move lower on the dial and have a look at the date window on the dial of your watch.
The genuine Rolex Day-Date watches must always have their numbers placed evenly, being centred in the middle of the square dial in which they are positioned, with equal distance from both the left and right edges of the date window.
In most cases, the replica watches have their numbers not centred in the date window.
For now, let’s have a quick look at the reference replica vs genuine Rolex Day-Date image below in order to analyze the placement of the numbers.
Looking at the image containing the fake vs real Rolex Day-Dates above, we noticed a few things out of the pattern on the replica watch.
First, looking at the placement of the numbers for both the real and fake Rolex Day-Date watches, you can see how the fake watch has its numbers not centred.
The replica watch’s “17” number is not entered in the middle of the date window, while the “28” on the legitimate watch is placed perfectly in the middle, having the same amount of space from the numbers and to the edges of the box on every side of the patch.
On the other hand, the fake Rolex Day-Date watch has its “17” number placed too much to the left side of the date window, as there is too much space left to the right.
Another flaw visible on the replica watch’s text indicating the day is that the “17” text is crooked since it isn’t placed on a straight line, as it is angled too much on the fake piece.
Speaking of the genuine Rolex Day-Date piece, you can notice how the “28” number is positioned in a perfectly straight line, without being angled on any side.
With this being said for the second step on how to authenticate Rolex Day-Date watches, let’s move on to the third option of the Rolex Day-Date genuine vs replica guide.
We are still going to talk about the date wheel’s text, but for now, for the third step of the guide on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches, we will talk about the font weight of the printed numbers.
The replica Rolex watches that have a date wheel, in most of the models, tend to have their date numbers printed improperly font-weighted as well, while the authentic pieces always have their text at an even thickness.
As you may be used to already, we will first brief the reference fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image below, and then we will proceed to explain the flaws of the fake piece.
In the image above with the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date watches, we have pointed out how the replica Rolex watch has its number “2” at the wrong thickness.
In fact, the fake watch has its number “2” looking too thick, while the legitimate number “2” appears to be thinner and sharper than the fake watch’s print.
As a “bonus” flaw, in the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image above you can see how the replica piece also has its number “2” misplaced, as it is too much to the left side of the box in which it was supposed to be centred.
Speaking of symmetrically centred things, you can notice how the authentic watch has its number “2” placed perfectly, without having a different distance to any side, and also not being crooked, since it is placed in a straight line.
The authentic Rolex watches are widely known for having the classic “R O L E X” text, serial number and the logo engraved on their rehaut, and on the Day-Date, we are of course analyzing those as well.
On the 100% authentic Rolex Day-Date watches, each engraving has to be aligned with each minute marker.
Mostly, on the replica Rolex Day-Date watches, the engravings are misplaced, not being in tune with the legit watches’ positioning for the engravings.
Before anything, let’s give a brief to the reference fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image below.
In the image containing the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date watches above, we have pointed out how the fake watch has its engravings improperly aligned with the minute markers.
By that, we mean the fake Rolex Day-Date watch has its engravings misaligned.
Once again, the legitimate Rolex Watches always have their engravings on the rehaut aligned with each minute on the dial.
Little details like these engravings on the rehaut matter in the Rolex Day-Date authenticity check process, so we recommend that you always have a look at this detail when you have to authenticate a Rolex Day-Date watch.
The steps we’ve written so far are the best ways to authenticate this item.
The next few steps are still reliable signs of authenticity but are for non-top-versions of replicas available for this item. We recommend sticking to the steps we’ve explained above to make sure you’re not drawing the wrong conclusions.
Going to the fifth method on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches, we are going to verify the clasp of the replica vs retail Day-Date watches.
The clasp is yet another detail which is present on Rolex watches, so we always have to be careful when inspecting these as well.
Now, as always, let’s have a look at the reference fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image below.
In the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image above, we have pointed out how the fake watch has a few major flaws in the markings engraved on the clasp.
First of all, talking about the “ROLEX” text, you can notice in the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image above how the fake piece has its text looking too thick.
The thickness flaw is given to the fake watch due to the depth of the engraved text because it is engraved too deep on the fake watch.
On the other hand, the authentic Rolex Day-Date watch has its “ROLEX” marking looking thinner than the fake “ROLEX” text because it is engraved less deep into the clasp compared to the fake watch’s text.
Then, talking about the “GENEVA” text, we have pointed out in the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image above how the fake watch has its letters “N” and “V” looking too small. So check on the size of these letters as they always have to be even.
Speaking of the genuine Rolex Day-Date watch, it is noticeable how it has all of the letters in the “GENEVA” text at the same level, size and shape.
At the same time, the two small letters (“N” and “V”) on the fake watch are also too thin compared to the rest of the letters, therefore giving the fake watch multiple font weights.
All of the letters in the legit watch’s “GENEVA” text fit into the watch at the same font weight, not leaving any letter too thick or too thin.
Lastly, talking about the “SWISS MADE” inscription in the fake vs real Rolex Day-Date image above, we have pointed out two major flaws.
Starting with the “SWISS” word, you can see how all three “S” letters are too big and too thick, while the letters “W” and “I” are thinner.
Also, the three letters “S” on the fake Rolex Day-Date watch is too thick, while the letters on the authentic piece are thinner.
Back to the authentic Rolex Day-Date, you can see how there was more attention paid to this inscription than to the fake watch because the legitimate watch has the letters in the word “SWISS” in the same size and font weight.
Moving on to the word “MADE” in the genuine vs replica Rolex Day-Date image above, we have pointed out how the fake watch has its letters “M” and “A” too thin, and the letters “D” and “E” too thick.
The letters “D” and “E” on the fake watch are also too big when compared to the first two letters, and the authentic watch has all of its letters of the same thickness and size.
With all of this being said for the fifth method on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches, let’s move on to the sixth method on how to authenticate Day-Date Rolex watches.
Have a look at this Rolex authentication guide that works for the most popular Rolex models.
Going to the sixth method on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches, we are going to grab a scale and check out the weight of the watches.
Keep in mind that the authentic Rolex Day-Date watches must weigh approximately 215 grams/0.47 pounds. This is applicable, of course, in the case of the original President bracelet available on the watch.
Mostly, the replica Rolex Day-Date watches weigh less than 215 grams, but that doesn’t mean that all replica watches weigh less than 215 grams!
We said that because there is a chance to bump into a replica Rolex Day-Date watch which is too heavy as well, so chances are never zero, even though it is most likely for the fake watches to weigh too little.
For the seventh method on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches, we are going to test the materials used to craft the Rolex Day-Date watches.
Remember that the material used to craft the legitimate Rolex Day-Date watch is the 18 Karat Gold.
As white gold can be tested by any jeweller, it can be wise to check the material of your Rolex Day-Date watch.
Gold replicas are extremely rare and most of the best-quality replica Rolex Day-Date watches are manufactured using stainless steel. A jeweller will definitely tell you if you are holding a gold watch or a stainless steel piece.
Lastly, for the eighth method on how to spot fake Rolex Day-Date watches, we are going to verify the real vs fake Rolex Day-Dates for the dimension of the case.
Please keep in mind that the case of the authentic watches must be 40mm sharp, which means 1.57”.
In some cases, the replica Rolex Day-Date watches can have their case at the wrong length, and so, we recommend grabbing what is called a vernier calliper and checking if your watch meets the 40mm/1.57” requirement.
The 8 detailed real vs fake Rolex Day-Date steps outlined above might not be so practical when you are in a hurry or when you want to buy the item online.
That is why we have compiled this quick 60 seconds solution to legit check your Rolex Daytona watch. Below are the top 8 indicators that can help you determine if you have a fake or real Rolex Day-Date watch.
If you need help with the authentication of your Rolex Day-Date watch, we’ve got you covered.
All you have to do is send us high-quality pictures of your Rolex Day-Date watch and we will get back to you with the results within 24 to 48 hours. The results will also come with a report on why we believe your Rolex watch is fake or authentic.
That brings us to the end of our guide on how to spot fake vs real Rolex Day-Date watches. We will continue to update this article as better and newer comparisons are put out.
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Thank you for reading this,
Ch Alex
