Hi From Luxembourg

[Nanook]

Hi Guys,

Just recieved my first Rolex 2 days ago, just had an extra link put in today.

I went all the way and bought a real one. Very excited!

It is a Rolex AirKing 14000 1995/1996 model in perfect condition.

I bought it from a respected shop in Wein Austria, paid with wire transfer and they posted it to me.

I'm still a little worried that it may be a very good fake. The snooty AD where I had the extra link fitted today refused to comment on the watch's authenticity, I suppose wanting me to hand over more money for a check. The link they added is identical to the ones already on there though.

One thing that worries me is that when setting the time, the second hand does not go to the 12 position. I'm not sure if this was a feature in the 1995 AirKings.

I just expected it to be light years ahead of the replica I had... it seems a little more perfect, but I can't see much difference.

I will add a picture of the watch if I can figure out how to do that

[Lol-x]

Take the watch into Rolex and get them to authenticate it?

There can be significant issues for those who buy over the internet without appropriate knowledge and experience.

The only way to be 100% satisfied is to go yourself, in person, to a Rolex service centre or authorised Rolex service centre and get it sorted out.

Replicas watches are the product of high level criminal activity.

A real Rolex watch is in a totally different league to a fake watch.

Good Luck

[Art 1]

Welcome.

[rfknauss]

Welcome to TRF!

[sakuraba]

Welcome to TRF!

I, too, had my first authenticated. Strangely it was also a black dial Air King. It cost me $75 at an AD for them to open the case and check the movement.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Welcome to the forums!

[kareemthedream33]

Opening it is the best way to authenticate. However, if they had any suspicions at all about it being fake they would not have given you links for it.

[Nanook]

Yeah Sakuraba it looks exactly the same as mine.

The shop I bought it from is a real shop with a real watchmaker and they were really good. I know it's not worth much but they did give me a authenticity certificate and 2 years guarantee.

Another two things, is the second hand does not go to the 12 position when the time is to be set.
And there is no engraving around the inner bezel, does yours have this? Should it be there?

@kareemthedream33 - yes this is slightly re-assuring but who knows.

[Lol-x]

1. The second hand is not supposed to go to the 12 position when you are setting the time unless you wait until the second hand reaches the 12 O'Clock position and you pull the crown out to stop the second hand in that position.
2. Given the date when your watch was produced there should not be any engraving on the inner bezel, that didn't start until around 2005.

Again, the only way to confirm the entire authenticity of your watch is to take it to the Rolex Authorised Service Centre.

[Nanook]

I didn't have a good feeling at one (there are only 2) of the AD's here in Luxembourg... he looked at me down his nose and acted as if I was riff-raff in his fancy store. I'm going to look for an AD in Germany...I can't imagine Germans not being professional haha.

[Lol-x]

It is unfortunate but some authorised dealers may have very little time for customers who come to them with a watch that has been purchased elsewhere (this is just a retail thing that happens not just with watches but other things as well).
I wouldn't really worry about the attitude.

[Nanook]

Yeah, but being my first Rolex... I had so many questions and just wanted to have a chat and ask a few things and a bit of the history and just general chit-chat. He fitted an extra link to my Air-king (56euro), and gave me a brochure, "so I can keep dreaming"

I'll try the other AD but that shop looks even fancier. Typical Luxembourg though

[kareemthedream33]

We've all encountered snooty salespeople. There are people who prefer them to be like that, so they that can respond by "proving" they can afford it, makes them feel like bigshots! I am not one of those people, I've been treated poorly, I believe, because I'm only 21. So I went elsewhere. I bought from an AD in Florida and was taken care of by the manager personally with incredible politeness. I go in there, he knows me by name, remembers what school I go to, let's me try on whatever I want, etc. Now he has a customer for life, Im only 21 and all that means is that I have many purchases to go, and any new Rolex will be bought through them. I always make a point to reward excellent service.

[leannet2107]

Please tell me how did you work out how to put photos on??? can not work it out. Also got my first rolex this week. Oyster Perpetual 36mm diamond dot dial. 18k bezel. vey exciting!!!!

[kareemthedream33]

Get an image hosting site account like photobucket, upload photo, copy IMG code, paste to your post, voilà.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by leannet2107

Please tell me how did you work out how to put photos on??? can not work it out. Also got my first rolex this week. Oyster Perpetual 36mm diamond dot dial. 18k bezel. vey exciting!!!!

Hi there... I used the Attachment button (paperclip) and uploaded from my drive.

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Take the watch into Rolex and get them to authenticate it?

There can be significant issues for those who buy over the internet without appropriate knowledge and experience.

The only way to be 100% satisfied is to go yourself, in person, to a Rolex service centre or authorised Rolex service centre and get it sorted out.

Replicas watches are the product of high level criminal activity.

A real Rolex watch is in a totally different league to a fake watch.

Good Luck

I hope you have a genuine rolex, sure looks real. What happens is the counterfeit operators make cheap, easily recognizable fakes in southeast asia. however, of late,, much better fakes are using cheap Japanese movements(sometimes Chinese) with dial, bracelet(using cheap metal), crown, stem, etc. being precisely copied as possible to a genuine rolex. If you examine the bracelet, dial carefully you can usually(but not always) tell. If you listen to the movement in a dead quiet room or with a stethoscope you can hear the difference between a cheapo mechanical movement and one that 'whirrs' with a rotor...but Steve is right...the acid test is pulling that movement in a reputable shop by someone (preferably) who's been to rolex school. best of luck!

[sea-dweller]

Welcome to TRF!

[TSW]

Welcome.

[MonBK]

Welcome

[HL65]

Welcome to TRF!!

[Welshwatchman]

Welcome to the forums.

[ffighter556]

Welcome!!!

[nnb239]

For a piece of mind. Get it certified at the RSC in your country. Or any Authorized watch dealer would do a good job too.