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The oakleigh promise

Heuer watches all have mechanical movements, so their starting price point is above that of many TAG Heuer’s (especially those with a quartz movement)

How do Heuer compare in price to TAG Heuer?

TAG Heuer make superb quality in house automatic movements as well as using quartz movements for some models.

Are TAG Heuer watches automatic?

TAG Heuer watches are made in the famous watchmaking area of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

Where are TAG Heuer manufactured?

TAG Heuer watches  offer excellent value for money and appeal to motorsport enthusiasts.

Is TAG Heuer a good brand?

Most TAG Heuer watches are waterproof if they are serviced properly.

Are TAG Heuer watches waterproof?

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Rolex is one of the most coveted luxury brands on the planet, known for quality, durability, style, and prestige. Such an aspirational timepiece comes with a hefty price tag and therefore it’s of no surprise that the business of fake Rolex’ has become very lucrative. Therefore, knowing how to Spot a Fake Rolex is crucial when making such a high value purchase.

These days, some fake Rolex’ are so good that they must be partially disassembled before they can be identified as counterfeit and can even fool the experts!

And trust us they’re good!

Most of the fake watches that we come across are pretty easy to spot with a trained eye but there are some – that could fool most experts under normal scrutiny.  And I’m not talking about across a room or even across a desk, I mean in your hand and with a loupe. Plus some very clever fakers have adopted a ‘two from one’ practice…

Imagine you have one real watch and one ‘super fake’.  The real one is worth say, £10,000 and the super fake is worth nothing.  They swap the movements so they now have two watches; A real case and bracelet that pass all tests and a movement that won’t be discovered until the back is removed, and a very good fake that might prompt you to open the caseback just to be sure… when you do, the movement is real so it must all be ok…

(Papers can be faked more easily than watches so they’re both ‘Full Sets’.)  They sell them both at ‘bargain prices’, say £8,000 each for a quick sale and they’ve turned £10K into £16K.

‘Caveat Emptor” as they say in Rome.

<strong>Here are our 10 tips on how to spot a fake Rolex:</strong>

<strong>1) Unauthorised Sellers</strong>
<h4><img class=" wp-image-7980 alignnone" src="https://cms.oakleighwatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FAKE-ROLEX-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="321" height="214" /></h4>
Buying a Rolex is a serious investment, whether for pleasure or business, it’s a lot of money to part with. Therefore, our most important piece of advice is – only buy a luxury watch from a trusted seller or dealer.

Trust is very important when buying a pre-owned Rolex and here my friend, Google is your best friend.

ALWAYS choose a trusted, legitimate/authorised seller over a random individual you find on the internet. There might be a slight increase in cost but that’s the price of reassurance.

Look at the dealer’s selling history and reviews – especially trusted review affiliations such as Trustpilot.

Buying via international watch selling platforms such as Chrono 24 and Watchfinder, are a good place to start as the due diligence has already been done on the sellers.

eBay has recently launched a luxury goods arm and we sell via this platform. However, we are vetted as a Trusted Seller and any watch over £2000 will be sent for eBay authentication. Note – you do not have this security with individual sellers and sites like eBay and Craigslist can be rife with fake Rolex from’ bob666@gmail.com’.

Buying online can be a minefield, especially if not from a reputable seller. Therefore, if you decide to go down this route, you absolutely need to see the watch before you part with any cash. Below are some more physical clues on how to spot fake Rolex watches.

<strong>2. Movement</strong>

<img class="alignnone wp-image-7981" src="https://cms.oakleighwatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Image-16-07-2023-at-16.33-300x180.jpg" alt="" width="515" height="309" />

Carefully open the back of the watch – a fake simply cannot match the craftsmanship and precision of a true Rolex calibre. Plus, each genuine movement will have “Rolex” engraved on it.

However, thanks to modern technology it is much harder to tell the difference, refer to our previous example of the “Super Fake”.

Another clue – if it’s a quartz movement, alarm bells should start ringing as all Rolex watches other than the Oysterquartz of the 1970’s to 1990’s have mechanical movements.

<strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black;">3. Seconds Hand</span></strong>

On a genuine Rolex, the ticks of the seconds hand are so smooth, it looks like it’s gliding. If there is any stutter – it could be a fake.  You can also try listening, a real Rolex will be silent.

Rolex has made a small number of battery-powered watches in the past. These were called ‘Oysterquartz’. Rolex has never made quartz versions of the Submariner, GMT-Master or other popular models.

<strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black;">4. Weight</span></strong>

Since 1989, Rolex has used the best steel on earth called “Oystersteel” (904L stainless steel), which is rust and corrosion-resistant and importantly – it’s heavy! If the watch you’re holding feels light, it was likely built with cheaper metal and is a fake.  The difference is subtle, but you can definitely feel it.

However, it gets a little tricky with older watches with Oyster bracelets from the 1980’s and earlier as these have hollow links made by stamping. These hollow bracelets are much lighter than the current range.  However, the ‘head’ of the watch should still be heavy and feel sturdy. Also, the bracelet end links on a pre-2000 sports Rolex are hollow and can feel a bit rattly after a few years wear so that’s not necessarily an indication of a low-quality replica.

<strong>5. The Crown</strong>

Even the crown on a Rolex will be identifiable by the craftmanship. Only the high-quality steel used by Rolex can hold the intricate details you find on a genuine Rolex watch. Therefore, a smooth, plain, or brushed over crown will be a sign it could be a fake Rolex.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-7983" src="https://cms.oakleighwatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Picture1-300x180.jpg" alt="" width="381" height="229" />

<strong>6. Dial, Hands &amp; Clasp</strong>

The most obvious tell is misspellings, however as we’ve already mentioned, these days fakes can be excellent.

A genuine Rolex will be perfect when made, and fake Rolexes will be much less refined. So, get the magnifying glass out and check the hands, hour markers, dial and clasp for uneven fonts, inconsistent spaces between the lettering/numbers and smudges.

Even the tiniest imperfection on a new Rolex dial is incredibly rare so if it isn’t absolutely perfect, it’s very probably dodgy.

It’s a good idea to have an official photo of the exact model you’re buying to compare.

<strong>7. Case Back</strong>

Most genuine Rolex case backs are smooth and rarely factory engraved or transparent.

Some exceptions are.

-Rolex Sea Dwellers that are engraved.
-Milgauss’ are engraved.
-Comex Submariners and Sea Dwellers are often engraved.
-Vintage lady Datejust models 6917, 69173, 69174 – engraved with ‘Stainless Steel’
-‘Registered Design’ Military watches …. but if you’re shopping for a 5514 then hopefully you know what you’re doing.
-Since 2023, some models such as the Daytona have had sapphire case backs

Of course, some people do have their watches personally engraved (we advise you not to, if you’re thinking of buying for investment), but this should be obvious by the engraved content.

<strong>8. Laser Etched Crystal</strong>

<img class="alignnone wp-image-7985" src="https://cms.oakleighwatches.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LEC-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="256" />

Time to get your magnifying glass out again!

Some Rolex watches produced from the early 2000’s onwards will have a tiny laser etched crown at the 6 o’clock position on the crystal. The precision of this detail has made it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate – so it can be a good sign of authenticity (or not).

But beware, while the presence of the etched crown should mean that the crystal is real, it doesn’t mean that everything is.  Also, not even Rolex can tell you which references from which years should have the etched crystal (I’ve asked several people on several occasions), so don’t rely on this particular element.

<strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: black;">9. The Big Date</span></strong>

The cyclops (bump) over the date on many Rolex watches is part of the brand signature. Its purpose is to magnify the date by 2.5 times.

If the glass over the date is flat and/or doesn’t seem to magnify very well then, it’s highly likely be a fake Rolex.

As always there are exceptions and the 40mm Rolex Sea Dweller and Deepsea Sea Dweller do not have a cyclops lens, despite having a date function. (They couldn’t make a glue strong enough to stand the pressure until 2019)

<strong>10. Model &amp; Serial Numbers</strong>

This is perhaps the best way to authenticate a Rolex watch. Briefly – every Rolex has a serial and model number which are deeply engraved and symmetrical, clear to read and even shine in the light at certain angles.

On the contrary, fake Rolex watches will have a stamp that appears a little messier. It will either look like several tiny dots or etchings and if acid etched it will have a sandy/grainy appearance.

For more information on checking serial numbers and Rolex serial number tables, read our comprehensive <a href="https://www.oakleighwatches.co.uk/watch-serial-numbers/">Guide to Understanding Watch Model and Serial numbers</a>.

<strong>In Conclusion</strong>

You really need to know your stuff. Knowing how to spot a fake Rolex is a crucial part of the buying process. If in doubt, refer to point 1 – always buy through a trusted/authenticated pre-owned watch seller.

Oakleigh Watches’ office is based within<a href="https://www.michlmayr.com"> S.Michlmayr &amp; Co</a> who have a Rolex certified watchmaker on the premises available to check all of our watches for authenticity.

We’d be happy to help and guide you through the process. Visit our collection pages for current stock and sign up to receive our regular newsletters and stock drops.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, we also offer a <a href="https://www.oakleighwatches.co.uk/sourcing-your-watch/">Sourcing Service </a>and are experts at finding your dream ‘genuine’ watch.

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Availability

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Model

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Reference

Years

Papers

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Case material

Bracelet/Strap

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Matching Model

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<p data-start="0" data-end="71">TAG Heuer Formula 1 Ladies - sporty luxury with a touch of sparkle.</p>
<p data-start="73" data-end="273">The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Ladies combines the brand's motorsport heritage with elegant design details, creating a watch that is equally at home as an everyday companion or a stylish statement piece.</p>
<p data-start="275" data-end="614">This particular example stands out thanks to its beautiful factory-set diamond dial, featuring 12 genuine diamondsconfirmed by the accompanying TAG Heuer diamond certificate. The result is a watch that perfectly balances sportiness and sophistication, offering a little more presence and luxury than the standard Formula 1 models.</p>
<p data-start="616" data-end="913">Crafted from a combination of stainless steel and ceramic, the watch is fitted to a matching stainless steel and ceramic bracelet that gives it a contemporary look while offering excellent durability and comfort. The full-length bracelet remains in excellent condition with no noticeable wear.</p>
<p data-start="915" data-end="1141">The watch itself has been carefully worn and presents beautifully, with no marks visible during normal wear. The dial, hands, crystal, case, and bracelet are all in excellent condition, reflecting careful ownership throughout.</p>
<p data-start="1143" data-end="1326">Supplied as a complete set, including the original boxes, papers, booklets, and the official TAG Heuer diamond certificate confirming the authenticity of the factory-set diamonds.</p>
<p data-start="1328" data-end="1457">Recently tested, this TAG Heuer Formula 1 Ladies watch is running perfectly and ready to be enjoyed with complete confidence.</p>
<p data-start="1459" data-end="1610" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Crafted by <span class="hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline"><span class="whitespace-normal">TAG Heuer</span></span>, it is a versatile luxury sports watch that combines everyday practicality with timeless elegance.</p>
<p data-start="1452" data-end="1504">For more models, visit our <span style="color: #263c1e;"><strong><a style="color: #263c1e;" href="https://www.oakleighwatches.co.uk/pre-owned-tag-heuer">TAG Heuer Brand</a> </strong></span>page.</p>
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TAG Heuer Formula 1 Lady Diamond DialAG Heuer Formula 1 Lady Diamond Dial

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Lady Diamond Dial

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Ladies watch with factory diamond dial, stainless steel and ceramic bracelet, Full Set, diamond certificate and excellent condition.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Ladies Diamond Dial Full Set

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