How To Spot Fake Rolex Daytona Watches (Genuine Vs Replica)
Are you trying to learn how to authenticate Rolex Daytona watches? Don’t want to get scammed? Just wondering if your watch is authentic?
If so, you are in the best place to learn how to spot fake Rolex Daytona watches.
In this genuine vs replica Rolex Daytona authentication guide, we are going to teach you how to spot fake Rolex Daytona watches in just a few simple steps.
Along with each step of our guide on how to spot a fake Rolex Daytona, we are going to link fake vs real Rolex Daytona reference images so that each step will be clear and easy to understand.
Everybody deserves to know whether they have a replica or authentic Rolex Daytona watch, and we are here to let everybody know how to authenticate a Rolex Daytona watch.
To put it shortly, the fastest way to spot fake Rolex Daytona watches is to check the chronograph function of the watch, which should be fully working while the 3 sub-dials should have their hands moving. Rolex Daytona is a watch which was built primarily because of its chronograph function, however, we will not cover details about the Rolex Daytona history, or about the chronograph function, how it works, and what it exactly does — this information can be found in other places on the Internet.
We prefer doing one thing and doing it well: authentications.
How to spot fake Rolex Daytona 116500 watches
Step 1: Rolex Daytona genuine vs replica chronograph
For the first step of the guide on how to spot a fake Rolex Daytona watch, we are going to have a look at the real vs fake Rolex Daytona items for the chronograph.
The chronograph can’t really be illustrated into an image, but we are here to let you know how to check the chronograph on a Rolex Daytona, so we’ll try informing you as much as we can about its functions.
The counterfeit Rolex Daytona watches commonly have their chronograph not working or not moving correctly, including the hands on the sub-dials.
The chronographs and the sub-dials will always work on the authentic Rolex Daytona watches.
We recommend that you always check this, as this is one of the most important spots to check when you want to authenticate a Rolex Daytona.
Any kind of imperfection (on an unworn watch and on most worn watches) should be a dead giveaway that you’re not looking at a genuine Rolex Daytona. Given its price tag, you should expect this function to work flawlessly.
More so on an unworn watch, if you manage to spot any imperfection then that means someone must’ve made a compromise on build quality — a replica manufacturer, most likely.
Step 2: Original vs replica Rolex Daytona bezel
Proceeding to the second step on how to authenticate Rolex Daytona watches, we are going to have a look at the bezel of the fake vs real Daytona Rolex watches.
As we’ve mentioned at the top of the article, we are first going to have a look at the bezel original vs replica Rolex Daytona image below, and then, we’ll explain the flaws on the counterfeit Rolex Daytona.
In the authentic vs replica Rolex Daytona image above, we have pointed out the main flaw which is visible all around the words and numbers engraved on the bezel of the fake watches, pretty much in most cases.
As you may notice in the fake vs real Rolex Daytona image, the fake watch has its words improperly engraved into the bezel.
By that, we mean that the fake watch’s “UNITS PER HOUR” text is at a different font-weight than the same text on the authentic watch because the fake watch has its letters looking too thick.
The cause of the flaw on the fake Rolex Daytonas is the depth at which the replica Rolex manufacturers place their text.
On the other hand, such a flaw will never be seen on an authentic Rolex Daytona watch, as the genuine Rolex Daytona items are made with care even to such little details.
After all, this is why the authentic Rolex watches always expect high-quality finishes, because patience is being given to these little details which matter. The reason why we’re saying is because fake manufacturers have to save up on costs somewhere, since their product must be sold at a smaller price than a genuine Rolex Daytona.
Furthermore, the color of the text engraved on the bezel will always be matte and clear on the authentic Rolex Daytona watch, while glossy letters or numbers can often be found on the replica Rolex Daytona watch.
With all of this being said for the second step on how to spot a fake Rolex Daytona, let’s move on to the third step of the genuine vs replica Daytona Rolex watch guide.
Step 3: Genuine vs fake Rolex Daytona dial details
Now that we are at the third step on how to spot fake Rolex Daytona watches, let’s have a look at the details on the dial of the fake vs genuine Rolex Daytona watches.
The dial has little but also very important details such as the font-weight, the size, and the font-weight of the letters printed right there.
So as to see everything in a better and easily understandable way, let’s first check the real vs fake Rolex Daytona image below.
In the genuine vs counterfeit Rolex Daytona image above, we have pointed out three easily noticeable flaws on the fake watch. Small differences might have to do with the pictures too, but the flaws in the replica vs authentic Rolex Daytona watch are present.
First of all, looking at the “ROLEX” text at 12 o’clock, you can see how the fake watch has its letters looking too thin when compared to the authentic item (we’ve attached a photo with a zoomed-in comparison below).
Then, looking at the “OYSTER PERPETUAL” text below, we have pointed out in the fake vs real Rolex Daytona image above how the fake item has its text, first of all, too thin when compared to the authentic item.
In the same area, the fake item has its letter “Y” in the “OYSTER” text looking too small when compared to the rest of the letters.
The authentic Rolex Daytona watches always have their letters at the same font-weight.
At the same time, such flaws will never be spotted on the fake watches, unless there is a major factory flaw, which is almost never the case.
Leaving the text aside and moving on to the sub-dials, you can see in the replica vs authentic Rolex Daytona image above how the fake item has its sub-dials looking too thin.
On the other hand, the authentic Daytona Rolex watch has its three sub-dials looking thicker than the fake items’.
So as to properly analyze each detail on the fake Rolex Daytona watch, let’s have a look at a zoomed-in and more detailed image of the fake vs real Rolex Daytona watches.
Now, as you may see in the image above with the fake vs authentic Rolex Daytonas, we have first pointed out how the fake watch has its “ROLEX” text looking too thin, once again.
If all these seem complicated, what we suggest doing is taking a picture of the item you’re authenticating and putting it side-by-side with our guide’s pictures. Perhaps keeping our guide open on a desktop/laptop, while the item you’re analysing is pictured on your smartphone is the best combination.
We understand our guides go in-depth (maybe too in-depth), but it’s worth spending the extra minutes to see these fine details when you’re about to spend the amounts that this watch demands.
Second of all, we have pointed out how the fake watch has its “OYS” letters looking too big and thick, and the “TER” letters looking too small and thin, in the “OYSTER” text.
In fact, the fake watch has its “TER” letters being as small as they are placed a bit higher from the first three letters, as they look like they are flying.
Going to the neighbour “PERPETUAL” word, you can see how the fake item has its “PERPET” letters looking too thick, and how the rest of the letters are too thin.
Looking at the “SUPERLATIVE” text, the letters look like they are waving, as some of them are placed higher and others are placed lower than what they are supposed to be like.
Not only on the “SUPERLATIVE” word but on each word, the authentic Daytona Rolex watches always have their letters are the same font-weight and positioned at the same level.
Lastly, looking at the “COSMOGRAPH” text in the fake vs real Rolex Daytona watch image above, we have pointed out how the fake item has its letters too thick, and also how the letter “H” is too small next to the other letters.
If it is too difficult to check your watch for such little details, we recommend that you take a close-up picture of the dial’s text in order to easily inspect each detail on your watch.
At the same time, if you’d like to have your Rolex Daytona watch authenticated by our team of expert Rolex authenticators, please have a look at our Rolex Authentication Service.
With this being said for the dial’s details, let’s proceed to the fourth way on how to spot a fake Rolex Daytona watch.
Step 4: Check your Rolex Daytona watch for the red “DAYTONA” logo printed on the dial
Since we were talking about the prints and text at the previous step on how to spot a fake Rolex Daytona, for the fourth step of the guide we are also going to talk about a text, but this time, about the “DAYTONA” red label.
As you may know and be used to already, we will first have a look at the real vs fake Rolex Daytona reference image together, and then, we’ll check out the flaws on the counterfeit Roelx Daytona watch.
In the counterfeit vs authentic Rolex Daytona image above, we have pointed out how the replica Rolex watch has its letters improperly font-weighted. Even if it’s the case of a different Daytona model, with different dial colors, the logo will in most cases be wrongly printed.
The classic font-weight problem on the fake Rolex Daytona watches is that they have their “DAYTONA” red text looking too thick.
On the other hand, the authentic Daytona Rolex watch has its letters in the same text looking thinner.
In the fake vs real Rolex Daytona image above, we have pointed out at the letters in which the thickness flaw is the easiest visible.
Now, let’s have a look at another image with a few more examples of how the fake Rolex Daytona watches commonly look like. Also keep an eye on the space between the letters and the sub-dial below it.
This time, the image is only with the fake watches, having this as a map of what the fake Rolex Daytona watches usually look like on the “DAYTONA” red text.
In the image above with the three highlighted replicas, you can see how the watch at the top has its letters looking too thin and curvy.
Then, the second fake watch (in the middle of the image) has its letters looking too thick.
Lastly, the third watch, which is the one at the bottom, has its letters looking too thin, and also improperly positioned.
The positioning flaw on the last fake watch is caused by the fact that the text doesn’t arch perfectly as the curvature of the watch goes.
This can be easily visible if you look at the last four letters, where you can see how they are placed too high from the curving of the watch.
The steps we’ve written so far are the best ways on how to authenticate this item.
The tells listed below this point are still reliable signs of authenticity, but for non-top-versions of replicas available for this item. We recommend sticking to the top tells we’ve explained above this point to make sure you’re not drawing the wrong conclusions.
(By the way, have you seen our Price Comparison App? No need to compare sellers for the best price — we’ve done that for you.)
Step 5: Inspect the sub-dials of your Rolex Daytona watch
On step number 5 on how to spot fake Rolex watches, we are going to have a look at the fake vs genuine Rolex Daytona watches for the sub-dials.
We spoke a bit about the sub-dials at the third step of the guide on how to spot a fake Rolex Daytona, and now, we will go a bit more into detail.
Now, as you can see in the highlighted fake vs real Rolex Daytona image above, the fake watch has its silver sub-dials looking too thick.
On the other hand, the authentic Daytona Rolex piece has its sub-dials looking thinner and less wide than the ones on the fake watch.
Another thing is that most of the manufacturers of replica Rolex Daytona watches produce the dials with shiny sub-dials, or at least shinier than those found on the authentic Rolex Daytona watch.
If this is a bit harder to compare, we suggest that you always refer to our real vs fake Rolex Daytona reference images, since it may be easier for you to authenticate your Rolex Daytona watch.
Step 6: Look at the solid end links on your Rolex Daytona watch
Proceeding on to the sixth step on how to spot fake Rolex Daytona watches, we are going to have a look at the real vs counterfeit Rolex Daytona items for the solid end links.
In order to make everything clear, the solid end links are those top and bottom links on the bracelet which are “connected” to the watch.
Now, let’s have a look at the reference Rolex Daytona genuine vs fake image below.
The authentic Rolex Daytona watches must always have their end links looking solid.
By that, we mean that the authentic watches are supposed to have their bracelet perfectly attached to the Daytona watch, so as to not have any blank space between the bracelet and the watch.
Things go in a different way in most of the cases with the replica Rolex Daytona watches, meaning that the fake watches usually have blank space between the bracelet and the watch, so light can pass by.
In fact, in the fake vs real Rolex Daytona image above, we have pointed out how the fake Rolex Daytona watch has its bracelet improperly attached to the watch, as there is blank space between the sides of the bracelet and the watch.
Also, at the top of the bracelet in the middle, we have pointed out how the fake watch has a major amount of empty space between the bracelet and the watch.
Keep in mind that this is a detail which is often encountered on the fake watches and that we always recommend you check the sold end links the Rolex Daytona watches that you are authenticating.
Step 7: Verify the quality of the bracelet and the clasp of your Rolex Daytona watch
Moving on to the seventh step on how to check the authenticity of a Rolex Daytona watch, we will have a look at the quality of the bracelet and its clasp.
Before explaining the flaws on the fake Rolex Daytona watch, we’ll have the usual inspection of the real vs replica Rolex Daytona image below.
In the Rolex Daytona genuine vs replica image above, we have pointed out how the fake Rolex watch has its bracelet improperly shaped.
First of all, we have pointed out with the first two hand-emoji pointers from the top how the fake watch’s bracelet has too much space from the transition of where there is a blank space.
On the other hand, the empty space on the authentic bracelet is smaller, as there is a smaller gap on the legit watches from the size of the gap on the fake watches, which is too big.
Then, the last and the lowest hand-emoji pointer in the fake vs genuine Rolex Daytona image above shows you how the fake watch has its line in the middle of the clasp not so visible as the one on the authentic watch.
In fact, the fake watch almost has its line in the middle of the clasp invisible, while the line on the authentic watch’s clasp is clearly visible.
Step 8: Fake vs authentic Rolex Daytona cannon pinions
As for the eighth step of the guide on how to spot a fake Rolex Daytona watch, we are going to have a look at the fake vs real Daytona Rolex watches for the cannon pinions, as the heading suggests.
In the fake vs real Rolex Daytona image above, we have pointed out how the fake Rolex Daytona item has its cannon pinions looking too thick when compared to the ones on the authentic watch.
Not only that they are too thick on the fake watch, but automatically, they are also too big when compared to the cannon pinions on the authentic Rolex Daytona watch.
Step 9: Analyze the weight of the Rolex Daytona and the thickness of the case
Proceeding to the ninth and the last step of the guide on how to spot fake Rolex Daytona watches, we are going to have a check the fake vs real Rolex Daytona watches’ weight and for the thickness of the cases.
The authentic Rolex Daytona watches must weight 132 grams, including the OEM bracelet.
On the other hand, the fake Rolex Daytona watches usually have their case being thinner than what it is supposed to be.
The authentic Rolex Daytona watches should always have their case somewhere about 12–13mm.
Note: it might go without saying but we want to eliminate any possible misunderstanding in order to be pragmatic and pedantic: the numbers in this last step are only relevant for unworn, brand-new Rolex Daytona watches. This tell cannot apply to a worn watch as a removed link from the bracelet will reduce the weight of the watch — that can happen on a genuine Rolex Daytona.
How can I tell a fake Rolex Daytona in 60 seconds?
The 9 detailed real vs fake Rolex Daytona steps outlined above might not be so practical when you are in a hurry or when you want to buy the item online.
That is why we have compiled this quick 60 seconds solution to legit checking your Rolex Daytona watch. Below are the top 9 indicators that can help you determine if you have a fake or real Rolex Daytona watch.
- Check the chronograph of your Rolex Daytona. Most of the time, the fake watches don’t have their chronograph working properly, including the sub-dials
- Look at the text on the bezel of your Rolex Daytona watch. Usually, the counterfeit-produced watches have their bezel’s text engraved too deep, as it usually looks too thick on the fake watches
- Inspect the details on the dial of your Rolex Daytona, as the fake watches usually have their text improperly shaped and font-weighted
- Verify the “DAYTONA” red text on your Rolex watch. Mostly, the replica Rolex Daytona watches have their text looking either too thin or too thick and/or misplaced, as it doesn’t go along with the curve of the watch on the fake items
- Look at the sub-dials of your Rolex Daytona. The countefeit-produced Rolex Daytona watches usually have their dials looking too thick and wide compared to the authentic items
- Examine the solid end links of your Rolex Daytona. Mostly, the fake Daytona Rolex watches have their bracelet improperly attached to the watch, as there is often blank space between the bracelet and the watch on the fake Rolex Daytona articles
- Inspect the weight of your Rolex Daytona watch, and the thickness of the case. The authentic Rolex Daytona watches must weight 132 grams, including the OEM bracelet, and the case must be somewhere about 12–13mm
Where can I get my Rolex Daytona authenticated? The Rolex Daytona authenticating service
If you need help with the authentication of your Rolex Daytona watch, we’ve got you covered.
All you have to do is send us high-quality pictures of your Rolex Daytona watch and we will get back to you with the results within 24 to 48 hours. The results will also come with a report on why we believe your Rolex watch is fake or authentic.
That brings us to the end of our guide on how to spot fake vs real Rolex Daytona watches. We will continue to update this article as better and newer comparisons are put out.
Want even more help from us? We’ve been working really hard:
- Need more guides? All of our guides are carefully curated in the Legit Check By Ch Library of real vs fake comparison guides.
- Been scammed with a fake? Want an expert opinion about your item? Our Authentication Service gets you the peace of mind you need about your item
- Want to make sure you’re buying watches/designer products at the best price? Use our Price Comparison App
- Check out our App or our YouTube Channel for Video guides!
