Hi, new to the hobby and just got this 114300 from a forum member. (not this forum). Wondering if it looks authentic or not. If not, what's the best way to check authenticity? I was thinking of taking it to a trusted jeweler to remove the back and look at the movement? What's the typical cost of this service? Anyone ever use an online service like Millenary Watches consulting service?

I noticed the rolex etching is seen at 7 o'clock with a normal iPhone photo (non macro) in the first picture. This has me worried. Thanks in advance



https://imgur.com/hpBHJX0

https://imgur.com/TMwNcr2

https://imgur.com/kZC7dTP

https://imgur.com/9narB7O

https://imgur.com/htJRXOR

https://imgur.com/Q1XubU2

https://imgur.com/n3X1oIm

https://imgur.com/l1DnQGn

 

I won’t be of any help regarding authenticity but wth is going on here? Badly scratched up? Photoshop? My money is not on reflection.

 

I think it was just fingerprint smudges and bad lighting

 

Sure, take it to an AD and see if they'll do an appraisal for you. Maybe $100? Can't hurt. Of course, half of them are so clueless that they would appraise a fake.

 

I may end up doing that. Will they confiscate it if it's stolen? Or does this only happen at the RSC?

 

I'm not seeing the crown etched in the sapphire in any of the pics.

I'm no expert, but this looks legit to me. Lots of detail in the finishing. The movement will let you know for sure, the fake ones, even the super fakes, don't get the movement or the finishing on it right.

If you just need this opened to take pics, your local AD may do this for free, provided they have a watchmaker on premises. I doubt they will confiscate it, as far as I know, it's not a crime to own a fake Rolex in the USA. It is however illegal to sell a fake Rolex, and fakes are often confiscated and destroyed at ports of entry.

Edit: Reread your post, realized you're asking about the AD confiscating a stolen watch, not a fake

 

thank you for your response . Check out the attached image

 

The crown in the sapphire appears in this pic from

https://rolexwatchtrader.co.uk/product/rolex-oyster-perpetual-114300/



But at 6

 

You can just barely make it out in this listing at https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-oyster-perpetual-114300-certified-pre-owned.html

 

From the pics I'd venture to say legit as well, but the metal seems to have been oddly polished - a very over-enthusiastic Cape Cod enthusiast perhaps? Honestly no clue.

As mentioned the etching seems correctly detailed and laser etched, not engraved, as is correct for (IIRC) all 114300 iterations. Solid alignment, sharp and even detail - you can always take it in, as said a glance at the insides will tell the full story.

 

Thank you for all the replies. I plan on getting a macro camera lens and taking it to a jeweler as well.

 

Got my hands on a macro lens for my iPhone and took the following shots. You can see the etching more clearly. I will still take it to get checked out. Just haven't had the time yet.

 

I took it a local jeweler who charged me $50 to open it up and check out the movement, and do water pressure test. Glad to hear it is indeed authentic! He said the laser etching probably just wasn't carefully positioned at some point, and said it would cost an addt'l $100 to move it back because of the front gaskets. It's not that important to me, so Ill wait until it's time to do a full servicing.

I understand everyone's points about buying the seller. I agree this is extremely important for piece of mind. In this case I was able to purchase for good deal with some buyer's protection (PayPal), albeit with some stress along the way. Thanks again for everyone's input.

A look at the 3132 movement.

 

What I do after buying a pre-owned Rolex is send it to RSC for a service, to get that authentication documentation.

 

All looks good to me. I have seen the etched crown on the crystal at all different positions. I even saw one at the 12 o"clock position upside down. As much as people dont want to admit it because of the price point and the hype, Rolex is a mass produced, machine made item (very little hand assembly anymore) and sometimes QC isnt the best.