Rolex watches are the most popularly counterfeited watches on the market, but the model that is counterfeited the most, bar none, is the Rolex Daytona. This watch is threaded with the most prestige out of Rolex’s models, simply because it is often produced in extremely limited qualities and because it is the model that the brand updates or reinvents the most. To protect yourself from investing in a counterfeit Daytona, follow this guide we’ve put together to identifying a fake. These tips are for spotting fake Rolex Daytonas specifically. For our more detailed post about spotting fake Rolexes in general, click here.
The Face
The Dial
Courtesy of Bob’s Watches.
One of the first things to take note of is that Daytonas are not made with a date complication. If the watch you’re looking at is supposedly a Daytona but is equipped with a date window, it’s fake.
All Daytonas are chronographs, meaning they are outfitted with three subdials that can measure lapsed time via the pushers on the case. Assuming that the font on the subdials is correct and the type is spaced evenly, the subdials should also be evenly distributed along the face of the watch. They shouldn’t crowd any of the markers and should all be the same size. It should go without saying, but be sure to test them out. If you fiddle with the pushers on the case and the subdials don’t respond, you have a fake.
Many genuine Rolexes have minute hands that stutter instead of sweep through the watch, but the incredible craftsmanship that goes into making them ensures that they will never produce an audible ticking sound. In addition, the minute hand should be long enough to actually reach the minute markings on the dial.
Also, make sure the tachymeter scale on the bezel has the correct font, is spaced correctly, and has accurate, high-quality markings.
The Case
The Caseback
Rolex Daytonas have plain steel casebacks that have no engravings. If the watch has a clear, skeletonized caseback or includes engravings on the metal, it’s a forged model.
Engravings
In addition to the engravings on the rehaut, the watch should also have engravings in the middle of both lugs. On one, the model number is displayed, and the serial number is displayed on the other. If these are not present or are poorly done with visible mistakes in the engraving, you have a fake on your hands.
The Crown
The Daytona was not just imagined as a racing watch, but also a watch that could be used for deep-sea diving. As such, there should be a trip-lock crown seal within the threads of the winding crown’s tube. The gasket is a black ring that’s visible when the winding crown is fully unscrewed. This seal protects the watch from being filled with water when submerged, and most fakes will not have a functioning one, if they have one at all.
The Bracelet
Rolex’s signature Oysterclasp. Courtesy of Rolex.
All Rolex Daytonas are outfitted with the Oyster bracelet and the Oysterclasp, which have a distinct look to them. If the watch you’re eyeing has a plain bracelet with a nondescript clasp, or if the clasp catches and is made of low-quality metal, then you’re looking at a fake.