Hi all,

I have a chance to buy an Oyster Perpetual 39 Rhodium 114300 from a local seller. I've bought a vintage Seiko from him already, and he seems like a legit private seller, but I want to be sure the watch is real. I know a lot about watches, but not this model. Can anyone give me any tips on how to tell if it's real when I get the watch in hand? I know the fakes are VERY good these days

Thanks!

Here's the watch in question:

 

Can you post high resolution pics of the movement?

There should be an etched crown in the sapphire crystal at 6 o'clock that does not photograph easily. You should be able to see it at certain angles only.

 

This is all I have right now. I'm really looking for advice on what to look for when I do get it in-hand. So:
- crown in sapphire at 6:00

Seems like it would be pretty easy to tell based on the movement. Even the good clone movements don't have regulation screws in the balance wheel, right?
The problem is, I don't know if I'll have a chance to open it. I don't even have the tool

 

Yes. The balance should also be free-sprung. If there is a regulating arm present in addition to a hairspring stud holder, then it is fake.

 

Thanks, I just bought a Rolex case back opener set, should be here Saturday.

 

The key to the crown at 6 o'clock is that it can only be seen at certain angles. Some of the fakes have the crown engraved in the sapphire, but the crown is visible from most any angle.

 

The best way to authenticate is to do the sale at a local seller of vintage Rolexes - most major urban areas have at least one. You can ask them to authenticate for a small price (maybe $50-100). Call ahead first to see if they offer this service.

if you can’t do that and want to do it based on your own inspection, wind the watch and pull the crown to all positions and make sure they function smoothly and correctly. Winding should be smooth and not gritty, the crown should unscrew and screw down easily, the movement should hack. If the winding is at all gritty or the screw-down crown is balky, walk away.

 

Since you’re going to be inspecting after you’ve bought it, what are your mechanisms to get your money back if it did turn out to be fake?

 

I'll inspect it when I go to pick it up from the seller, before I pay

 

This may be obvious, but the inside of the bezel should have the word "Rolex" repeated around the entire circumference.

 

I can't tell with the quality of the pictures. With these models it's quite hard to tell.

Sounds like you're inspecting on the spot so it will be tough unless you have a real one on hand to compare.

Here’s what I can suggest for confirmation. I usually use my iphone (to zoom in) and need some daylight.

Brushing of the Bracelet
Recently bought extra Tudor Heritage Black Bay links. Seller was great and replacement. Picture shows circled in yellow the non-genuine link. It's next to impossible for the brushwork to be replicated.

If you have your own Rolex and Tudor you may be able to put them side-by-side and snap a picture to look for a difference.



The rest, down-right near impossible without a real one beside it. Dial... maybe the Logo. A genuine Rolex logo on the dial is very fine. Have a high resolution saved to your phone, take a pic there with the same zoom.

@sleepyastronaut mentioned the etching... never tried it with my phone... but that would also be a good tell.

 

As written by Phamti above, so hard to tell without the real thing next to it. As others suggested the best way is to see all the documents if any, and send to Rolex for service, they will be able to authenticate it for you.

 

Not on all of these, and that’s present on fakes.