Alright, guys, let’s talk about this Rolex Submariner I picked up. The No-Date black one, you know the deal. I’ve been wanting one for a while, and I finally pulled the trigger. Here’s how it all went down.
First, I did a ton of looking around. I mean, these things are not cheap, and you hear all sorts of stories about fakes. I was hitting up forums, reading articles, basically trying to become a mini-expert on spotting the real deal from some knock-off. I learned some things about these watches. Like they are 40 millimeters wide, which is about 1.57 inches. They also should be kind of heavy.
So, I started looking at online listings, local dealers, you name it. I was nervous, not gonna lie. I saw a bunch that just didn’t feel right. The weight was off on some, the details weren’t crisp on others, it was a bit of a minefield. This took months!
Then, I found this guy. He’s a local dealer in my town, not an authorized dealer, but he has a pretty solid reputation. People vouch for him, and he’s been in business for a while. I went to check out the watch he had.
The Inspection
- Weight: First thing I did was pick it up. Felt good, had that nice heft you expect from a real Rolex. Not too heavy, but definitely solid.
- Case and Bracelet: I looked at the edges, the lines, everything. They were sharp and clean, just like the pictures of the real ones I’d been studying. The bracelet felt smooth and well-made. It was easy to tell the real vs. fake from the solid end links.
- The Movement: I didn’t bring the tools to take it apart. But from what I heard, the second hand swept smoothly, no ticking. This was a good sign.
I spent a good hour with the dealer, asking him every question I could think of. He was patient, showed me all the paperwork, the box, everything. The engravings on the clasp looked right. Finally, I felt comfortable enough to buy it.
Post Purchase
I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks now, and I’m loving it. Keeps perfect time, looks great, and it’s got that classic Submariner vibe. I still look at it sometimes, just admiring the craftsmanship. And I don’t have to worry about being scammed by some fake. It was a process, but totally worth it. I think one of the best ways to tell if it is a fake, is by knowing what the real one looks like. If you are looking at a Submariner Date, you can tell a real vs. fake from the solid end links and the clasp engravings. For me, I was looking at a 124060 from 2020, and this one was right on the money!
Hope this helps anyone out there looking to buy one of these. Do your research, be patient, and trust your gut. It’s a big purchase, so take your time and make sure you’re getting the real thing. Good luck!
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