Rolex watches have become the standard in luxury watchmaking since the Rolex Watch Company was founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905. It's the most copied watch, with tens of thousands of counterfeits flooding the market annually.
Production
The Swiss-based Rolex Watch Company produces an estimated 650,000 to 800,000 watches each year, with prices ranging from $3,000 up to $150,000.
Authenticity
Rolex watches can be identified by the serial and model numbers, caseback identification number and movement signature found between the top and bottom lugs and inside the case.
Casebacks
Rolex does not manufacture watches with clear casebacks or casebacks engraved with the Rolex or model names, with the exception of the Sea-Dweller.
Date Magnification
With the exception of the Sea-Dweller, all Rolex watches feature the cyclops date magnifying glass at 3 o'clock, while counterfeits enlarge the date to make it appear it's magnified.
Triplock Crown Seal
The Submariner, Daytona and Sea-Dweller Rolex watches feature a "Triplock crown" that employs an extra rubber o-ring seal on the winding mechanism to ensure a watertight case.
Secret Code
Since 2002, Rolex began micro-etching the Rolex coronet logo below 6 o'clock that can be only be viewed clearly with a jeweler's loupe.
- char1iej/flickr.com; Nick Atkins Photography/flickr.com; s.yume/flickr.com