Replica Buyer Guides

Replicaza’s Tips and Buyer’s Guide to Buying and Identifying Replica Watches

While we at Replicaza do in fact sell replicas of high end watches, we also feel it is our responsibility to let people know how to tell between an original and a replica. In this guide, you will learn about how originals compare to other replicas, and how those other replicas compare to our replicas.

WE DO NOT CONDONE THE ACT OF SELLING REPLICAS AND TRYING TO PASS THEM OFF AS ORIGINALS.
There are many ways to identify a replica watch from an original. We will use Rolex as an example.

The Hands

Looking at the hands of the watch is probably one of the easier ways to tell if it’s a replica.

A Sweeping Second Hand

An original Rolex’s second hand sweeps smoothly across the watch face instead of ticking every second like a wall clock. A sweeping second hand means the watch is an automatic. A ticking second hand means the watch is battery operated, which also probably means it is a very cheap replica. Our replicas have sweeping hands.

The Hack Mechanism

When you pull out the crown (the knob that you turn to adjust the date and time) on a Rolex, the watch stops. This is because of a hack mechanism. Cheap replicas do not stop when the crown is pulled. Our replicas on the other hand, do.

The Second Hand’s Position

Most watches you see out there have this problem where their second hands don’t tick exactly on the markers on the dial face. They’re normally 1-2mm off the mark. Only really high quality watches such as a Rolex or an Omega have their second hands tick right on the markers. So if you see a Rolex with a second hand that doesn’t meet the markers properly, it’s a fake. Our replicas have second hands that tick exactly on the markers.

The Type of Hands

Some replicas use watch hands from a completely different model. When we manufacture our replicas, we pay very close attention to detail and ensure all our watches look exactly the same as the originals.

The Band Screws

All Rolex watches use screws to hold the links on a band together. If you see pins on a Rolex, it’s a cheap fake. We use only screws on our watches.

The Crystal

The crystal is the part of the watch that protects the watch’s face. Rolex and other high end brands use sapphire crystal, a highly scratch resistant material, with a hardness rating second only to diamonds. Cheap replicas use glass or even plastic which scratch and crack easily. Our watches use only sapphire crystal.

Laser Micro Etched Crown

As of 2002, Rolex began micro etching the Rolex crown logo on their watch faces at the 6 o’clock position. Please take note that Rolex watches manufactured before 2002 will not have this feature. You will find that our replicas have this feature on all post 2002 models.

The Cyclops

No, no, not the mythical one eyed creature. The cyclops is the magnification device over the date which is prevalent on most Rolex watches. This small magnifying lens makes it easier to tell the date at a glance. True Rolex watches have cyclops with true 2.5 x magnifications. Cheap replicas don’t. On a real Rolex, the date should full nearly the whole lens. There will also be a sharp edge where the cyclops meets the crystal. This is hard to see but can be felt by running your finger around the cyclops.

The Crown and Winder

The “crown” is the knob on the side of the watch that you turn to adjust the date and time. Every modern mechanical watch has a crown. Rolex crowns are complex entities. They unscrew from a locked position and must be screwed back into position to keep the watch water resistant.

Rolex uses a one piece crown with the Rolex logo on the end. Cheap replicas have logos which are glued on. This can be detected fairly easily with an eyeglass. Current Rolex watches have three dots on the bottom of the logo on the crown, indicating “Trip-Lock” capability. On cheap replicas, these dots are missing. Our replicas have these dots.

Additionally, to set the date on an original Rolex the crown has to be turned clockwise, just like the crowns on our products.

The Logo

The band on a genuine Rolex will always posses the logo. If a logo is not present, it is a dead give away that the watch is nothing but a cheap replica. Our watches have the logo.

The Date

The date number should sit exactly in the middle of the window on the watch face. Furthermore, the font of the date is different from the original on a cheap replica. All our watches stay true to the original by using the exact same fonts.

When adjusting the date on an original Rolex, the number should “snap” into place. On cheap replicas, the date number moves slowly. You will also notice that when the watch reaches midnight the date will slowly start moving on to the next day. This is not so with original Rolex watches and our replicas. The date should change instantaneously or “snap” into place.

The Rubber Seal

Rolex watches feature a rubber seal within the threads of the winding crown’s tube. Examples of Rolex models with this feature are the Submariner, Sea-Dweller and Daytona. The gasket resembles a black O-ring and can be seen when the crown is fully unscrewed. Most replicas do not feature this O-ring which means it is not waterproof. Our watches have this O-ring.

Engravings

Most Rolexes have their model number engraved at the 12 o’clock position on the case in the spot that attaches the band to the watch, called the lugs. The serial number is engraved at the 6 o’clock position, also in between the lugs. Rolex watches do not normally have engravings on the back of the watch, with the exception of the COMEX Submariner. Some models also have their model numbers engraved on the band.

Holograms

A holographic sticker is usually found on the back of the watch. Genuine Rolex watches are shipped from the manufacturer with this holographic sticker showing the maker’s stamp or symbol and a model reference number.

The sticker features the trademarked Rolex crown logo above the watch’s case reference number. The sticker can be easily identified by viewing it from different angles and the appearance should change.

Most cheap replicas do not even bother replicating the holographic attributes of the sticker but rather a simple repetitious “Rolex” pattern.

Inaccurate Replicas

It should be known that to date, Rolex have NEVER made a watch with a clear, transpowarent back or a back with engravings. All genuine Rolex watches feature a smooth back with the earlier mentioned holographic sticker.

The Case and Band Material

Some cheap replicas use cheap pot metal with stainless steel plating. This stainless steel plating will eventually wear off. Not using the correct materials mean that the watch would feel lighter compared to the original. Some low-end replica manufacturers even put weights inside the cast to make the watch seem heavier than it really is. We use 440 stainless steel, which is the same quality of metal that the original manufacturers use.

Replicaza Solution

Buying something is always an exercise in caution and restraint. Oftentimes, an impulse or rushed purchase will leave you feeling remorseful. Buying something face to face with the seller is a hard enough situation for some of us, especially when you don’t know what to look out for. This makes buying something online, where transactions are done through a computer monitor, keyboard and mouse, all the more difficult and risky. In this guide, Replicaza hopes to help you, our dear customer, alleviate some of these fears.

Beware of Scammers There are some unscrupulous individuals out there who try to sell watches online and pass them off as originals when they are not. Here are some ways to avoid being scammed:

1. Learn as much as you can about the item you wish to buy.
2. If buying from an online auction website such as eBay, get a background check on the seller, look at his ratings etc.
3. If the seller has poor quality pictures of the item, pass on it. A poor picture may be a deliberate attempt and hiding the flaws of the item. A picture is worth a thousand words after all.
4. Take a good look at the seller’s description of the item. If it is uninformative and short, chances are he’s not genuine. Look for detailed explanations and such when buying from an auction.
5. Sometimes, the seller may make excuses to complete the transaction outside of the auction website. If you found the watch on eBay, complete the transaction via eBay.
   
   

Sealing the Deal

Once you are happy and sure that the item on sale is what you want, here are a few things to look out for:

1. Insist that the seller provide you with a tracking number from a reputable courier (FedEx, DHL) for the delivery of your watch.
2. Make sure the seller uses reputable payment services such as credit cards and Western Union, so that you can dispute the charge later if a problem arises.
   
   

It’s Here!

Your watch finally arrives. You tear open the wrapping and open the box. In your excitement, remember these key points:

1. Check and make sure this is indeed what you ordered.
2. Check for flaws and any missing parts. Make sure everything is ticking properly and all that is supposed to be included in the package is shipped together.
3. If something is wrong, contact the seller immediately but don’t get angry. Chances are it was an honest mistake and work your way patiently with the seller to a solution.
4. If the seller is unreachable, it’s time to contact the auction house or the payment company (credit card, Western Union) to dispute the transaction. Be sure to leave your comments and details of the transaction.
5. DON’T wait and see. If you’re not happy, act immediately. It is best to deal with these sorts of things when the details are still fresh.