Would you risk a caseback opening for an authentication and would Rolex know?

[InitialAndPitch]

Although there’s no doubt that this question will have been asked before, despite a search, I’ve not found it so please bear with me.

In Australia, Rolex will not authenticate watches. The RSC says non OEM rubber straps may void the warranty and they are generally very uptight bordering on nuts.

Given the high stakes involved in buying through grey channels, it’s potentially comforting to get an authentication with the rise of ‘super fakes’.

There is a 45+ year Swiss watchmaker here who spent 40 years of his career at Rolex. He will do a verbal authentication for $75.00. Only thing is, he opens the case. So, a couple of things:

a. If done properly, could Rolex tell if the case had been opened, visually inspected and closed?
b. Would you do it even if you did your due diligence before purchase?
c. I’m assuming if Rolex get a whiff of any interference they’ll go troppo.

My Pepsi came from a bricks and mortar grey seller in HK. They have multiple stores. But at these prices, you want full assurances. My credit card company covers me for fraudulent transactions indefinitely so closing the loop with an authentication seems to make sense.

Let’s assume that this watchmakers credentials are fine.

I may pick up something else in HK so I’d appreciate your thoughts.

[padi56]

If anyone that has the correct tools to open any Rolex watch is just basically like unscrewing say a pot of jam.And as long as it was done correctly know-one would know the case as been opened and advisable if opened to have it pressure checked after .And if any grey or any other bricks and mortar store sells any Rolex its doubtful if they will knowingly sell a fake watch,so always buy the seller first before the actually watch.

[watchmaker]

My take on this is go ahead and have it verified for your peace of mind.

Let’s say Rolex do determine the watch has been opened by somebody unauthorised. The warranty is invalidated, and you don’t really have a leg to stand on to argue otherwise. So don’t stress now about something that will likely not be a problem anyway

[Hub6152]

They don’t sell fakes in Hong Kong - it’s that simple!!

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

They don’t sell fakes in Hong Kong - it’s that simple!!

of course they don’t

[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

of course they don’t

Actually the grey dealers here do not sell fakes. Just because the nearby Ladies market is awash with cheap canal street fakes doesn’t mean the proper watch dealing community even entertains the idea. So laugh all you like but a grey purchase in HK isn’t a fake - it’s that simple.

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by padi56

If anyone that has the correct tools to open any Rolex watch is just basically like unscrewing say a pot of jam.And as long as it was done correctly know-one would know the case as been opened and advisable if opened to have it pressure checked after .And if any grey or any other bricks and mortar store sells any Rolex its doubtful if they will knowingly sell a fake watch,so always buy the seller first before the actually watch.

Thanks Peter. I found the ‘scam’ section of this forum the other day and thought just to be safe... my doubts are largely irrational.

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Actually the grey dealers here do not sell fakes. Just because the nearby Ladies market is awash with cheap canal street fakes doesn’t mean the proper watch dealing community even entertains the idea. So laugh all you like but a grey purchase in HK isn’t a fake - it’s that simple.

That’s what I thought when I handed over the credit card but this is new territory and I’d buy in Kowloon again.

The super fakes are quite a phenomenon though.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

They don’t sell fakes in Hong Kong - it’s that simple!!

I found this statement laughable. You did not specify grey/resellers, and to a native English speaker it reads as if you are saying you cannot buy fake watches in Hong Kong. It’s that simple!

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Actually the grey dealers here do not sell fakes. Just because the nearby Ladies market is awash with cheap canal street fakes doesn’t mean the proper watch dealing community even entertains the idea. So laugh all you like but a grey purchase in HK isn’t a fake - it’s that simple.

I don’t doubt this statement for one second

[77T]

Your premise begs two points.

First, the RSC in Australia does authenticate by default. When a customer asks for an overhaul and replacement of any components that are faulty. They will refuse to work on a fake. If you get an estimated cost, you know the movement is genuine. Perhaps you should send your watch in to RSC requesting that. If your fears are correct, you will quickly know.

Second, if there are fake movements that defy detection, your indie watchmaker is unlikely to know unless he is skilled in “superfake detection”. Your supposition itself literally eliminates all comers except Rolex.


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[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by InitialAndPitch

The super fakes are quite a phenomenon though.

Yes they are but you won’t ever see them openly on sale in HK. You need to go across the border into Shenzhen to be able to openly buy them, or you buy from the local selling platform app Carousell and meet the seller on a one to one basis.

[Brny11]

Originally Posted by InitialAndPitch

Although there’s no doubt that this question will have been asked before, despite a search, I’ve not found it so please bear with me.



In Australia, Rolex will not authenticate watches. The RSC says non OEM rubber straps may void the warranty and they are generally very uptight bordering on nuts.



Given the high stakes involved in buying through grey channels, it’s potentially comforting to get an authentication with the rise of ‘super fakes’.



There is a 45+ year Swiss watchmaker here who spent 40 years of his career at Rolex. He will do a verbal authentication for $75.00. Only thing is, he opens the case. So, a couple of things:



a. If done properly, could Rolex tell if the case had been opened, visually inspected and closed?

b. Would you do it even if you did your due diligence before purchase?

c. I’m assuming if Rolex get a whiff of any interference they’ll go troppo.



My Pepsi came from a bricks and mortar grey seller in HK. They have multiple stores. But at these prices, you want full assurances. My credit card company covers me for fraudulent transactions indefinitely so closing the loop with an authentication seems to make sense.



Let’s assume that this watchmakers credentials are fine.



I may pick up something else in HK so I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Your fine to do so! Though it is of my experience to not mess with a watch unless you absolutely need to.

I traded a watch to a smaller but still relevant seller from the forum. When I traded it in they opened the back of mine to ensure it was real. They said they do this on ALL watches (including the SubC I received).

Fast forward 2 years later and I had to send my Sub a month back to RSC Dallas for a warranty issue and they took care of my watch with no issues.

As others have said, make sure it is a reputable ROLEX watchmaker and done correctly, pressure tested, etc.

[Skylife]

Will they swap out some parts from the watch?

[77T]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Actually the grey dealers here do not sell fakes. Just because the nearby Ladies market is awash with cheap canal street fakes doesn’t mean the proper watch dealing community even entertains the idea. So laugh all you like but a grey purchase in HK isn’t a fake - it’s that simple.

I think you mean the reputable storefront watch shops when you say grey dealers, right?

Almost any night on Temple Street after dark one will see portable tables with a photo album of watches. The “goods” will be around the corner hidden away and the price will be collected.

The HK marketplace has made great strides by inspecting the shops. But like any large city it is hard to curb the freelancers.


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[77T]

Originally Posted by Skylife

Will they swap out some parts from the watch?

If you mean the RSC - then from a fake movement, the answer is no. If you mean faulty genuine parts, the answer is yes.


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[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by 77T

I think you mean the reputable storefront watch shops when you say grey dealers, right?

Almost any night on Temple Street after dark one will see portable tables with a photo album of watches. The “goods” will be around the corner hidden away and the price will be collected.

The HK marketplace has made great strides by inspecting the shops. But like any large city it is hard to curb the freelancers.


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There’s no thinking about it! Grey market dealers are not the type in the Mong Kok Ladies market or Temple Street night markets stalls with wobbly tables and photo albums!!

I’m talking about established dealers with either a tower block office or display window storefronts. No proper watch dealer here would ever knowingly sell a fake as genuine - it’s just unthinkable. Franken vintage is a plenty so “caveat emptor” with them (as well with anyone else, including many well known US or EU dealers).