Did I buy a fake 3525 chronograph?

[SC23]

Hey guys, I'm in search of some help. I purchased this Rolex 3525 Chronograph complete dial and movement and mine has a slight difference where the words Base 1000 is located. On mine it's to the top left and the ones I've searched they are all center top, I had sent photos to a few watch makers and they said it looks genuine but then recently sent photos to a rolex guy and he believes it's a fake dial and movement. Anyone know these well enough to tell me if I got scammed. The piece is aged and not sure why they would fake a patina watch but any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Claven2]

Movement shot?

[oinkitt]

Id put my money on it being fake.

From eastern Europe????

[SC23]

Originally Posted by oinkitt

Id put my money on it being fake.

From eastern Europe????

When I purchased it it was coming from finland but after transaction went threw I now believe it's coming from russia. Just seems weird someone would put so much effort to make it look so beat up.

[SC23]

Originally Posted by Claven2

Movement shot?

I tried to load a photo of the movement but I cant figure out how to make the pic smaller to be able to post it. I'll try to figure it out

[SC23]

Here is the photo of the movement

[watch-guy.com]

I m going with fake too

Recording second hand is not correct

Nothing gels with this watch

When in doubt It probably is not real
The proof will be to see in real life
Julian


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[bayerische]

So how did you pay? Where was it shipped from?

[DarknerImperator]

Dial Redone, wrong hands and not original Rolex Movments.

[Dan S]

The movement appears to be a Valjoux ebauche, possibly a caliber 23, which may be correct for this reference. However, the JXB import code (if I am reading it correctly) is not familiar to me.

[77T]

When this watch arrives, you’ll have a chance to check some other aspects. Like inside outside of caseback and anything marked between the lugs. There is a chance it is partially Rolex parts plus a hodgepodge of crafty fakery.

For now, the answer to the question you’ve asked twice: “why would someone go to the trouble of faking the patina”? >>> these sometimes sell for $150,000 and up in pristine condition. Maybe the seller only wanted a lowered 5 digit price due to its stressed condition...

Can you share where you found the advert or posting for the purchase you made?

There is a lot more fakery nowadays in vintage - VRF has several threads about this model going back many years - with some fine clues on what to look for. Unfortunately, that also informed the shady watchmakers in some parts of the horology world to make some replicas.




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[offrdmania]

I dont like the engravings on the movement at all. Some looks clearly brand new and sharp while others look worn and old. You would think that the engravings on a movement would age at a similar rate. Some of the engravings even look laser engraved to me. Red flags

[Patou Batemanou]

Originally Posted by SC23

When I purchased it it was coming from finland but after transaction went threw I now believe it's coming from russia. Just seems weird someone would put so much effort to make it look so beat up.

Because vintage, beat up, worn stuff sell very good...guitar manufacturer even sell "brand new beat up" hommage guitars...

Hope you didn't send too much money on this one, thats typically why i'll never buy online.. unless i got a trust worthy guy that can inspect the item IRL for me...

[SC23]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

I dont like the engravings on the movement at all. Some looks clearly brand new and sharp while others look worn and old. You would think that the engravings on a movement would age at a similar rate. Some of the engravings even look laser engraved to me. Red flags

Thanks for the feed back, I fortunetly was smart enough to buy from Ebay with paypal and they confirmed I can return the item and get my money back. The seller also offered a refund aswell so sounds like it will work out. Was really excited about this but as they always say if it seems to good to be true it probably is.

[Fredrik]

Patina is often faked to make people believe it is real because "why would anyone fake the patina".

The JXB, JXE, JXR? marking looks like a US import code, see here:
http://www.ranfft.de/uhr/info-uscode-e.html
If it is a US import code it should say ROW.

[Fredrik]

Oh, the bridge that says Rolex seems to be the wrong shape, but I only compared to a few Rolex 2508 movement shots.