Inside A FAKE Rolex Compared To REAL Watch Parts
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- čas přidán 4. 09. 2023
- After my last video I was asked to take this apart to show more of the details inside the watch.
Instagram: / harrisonelmore
Disclaimer: Don't buy fake watches - when buying such a watch, you are supporting criminal enterprises. You're also lying to not only everyone around you, but also yourself. If you can't justify spending that much money on a real Rolex watch there are plenty of other watches I cover on this channel like Casio, Hamilton, Luminox, Tissot, Seiko, and many more that offer far better quality for less than $600.
What is interesting to me is that both the Rolex and the fakes are mass produced but Rolex have amazing quality control and can afford to spend more on quality finishing thanks to their high profit margin, in common with all ‘luxury’ brands. The truth is that the gap between a good fake and a genuine Rolex is much smaller then the gap between a Rolex and a truly high end watch.
I agree
You forgot to mention the adjuster nuts (Microstella Screws) that are present on the inner side of the "Real" Balance Wheel. The "Fake" doesn't have them. Easiest way to tell a fake from real without major teardown. Just take off the case back and hack the movement to view them.
I thought about that when I was editing, but i missed making sure I said it. Great point!
It's amazing how the clones are being adapted to hide those regulator pins. Past clones had them sticking out over the balance wheel and were very easy to spot. Now they've swung them backward, almost underneath the rotor and adding a fake chonky block like the real movement has. Still very easy to spot if you know to look for it, but I imagine we'll see a clone movement with fake Microstella screws on the balance wheels someday.
What puzzles me is that if you _know_ to look for the regulator levers, then you'll see them whether they're out in the open or tucked in. There's no way to effectively hide them, yet someone's gone through significant trouble and added expense to make them just a little less obvious. Wild.
Yeahhh, but that can be replaced, as these superclones take genuine Rolex parts now. No one is safe
When you say super clone, it better be Swiss-made. Only Ziarex delivers that level of perfection.
I feel these are so underrated
Very underestimated
Before, there was only China selling replicas and manufacturing them, but now ZiaRex is the best in the world and operates from Europe.
I was delusional before, thinking only China could make replicas, but now I know even Italy and Switzerland make them too, and ZiaRex is their representative.
Rolex doesn't sell watches your ADs are just museums
Lol, the Rolex "Sweeps" reminded me of a moron who called my 1999 Oysterquartz fake, because a Rolex Sweeps, it doesn't Tick 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
For some reason, that's the one thing that most people "know" about a Rolex. Must have gotten mention on a reality TV show, or some other reliable source.
So called mechaquartz movements are for them.
Wow I actually got 5/6 😂. The super macro really helps identify the deal vs fake. The fake has much rougher finishing on the sides and edges of each component.
Same 5/6 for me too.
Very interested video and I really enjoy your explanations on everything. Thanks 😊
This video was very insightful. I appreciate you taking the time to film this video and narrate it. I wish more people would do this kind of content.
No problem! Glad you enjoyed it!
That was a good video. Nice to see a side by side comparison. To be fair the copy has had more effort put into it than I expected but it’s quite easy to spot the difference.
Nice video angles, commentary and flow. Well done.
Appreciate it! I agree!
I meant to comment the day you released this video. I appreciate the passion you share with us. What a cool video this is!
Great video, thank you! Another difference to I don’t think was mentioned is that the balance wheel in the real Rolex is free-sprung, but the fake has regulator pins.
I would be interested to know if any fake Rolex movements are free-sprung.
Yes they are. They are putting original balance bridges on fake movements.
Curious about the space between the lugs on the case where the model and serial number are stamped. I thought that area was supposed to be smooth, looks like the fake has a notch of some sort. Is that consistent with modern Rolexes or is that an instant tell? My only reference is vintage.
New subscriber. I've now more educated now. I just inherited 36mm 1986 DateJust Rolex that was my fathers after he passed away about a year ago. He kept the original receipt.
Great video! The question is, if the movement doesn't have a blue color balance spring is fake? I have a 2007 Submariner that has a grey color Breguet hairspring.
Rolex makes their own hairspring, which has a blue color. No one else has their hairspring, which is why it’s obvious if a fake Rolex doesn’t have it. Most manufacturers now use a silicon hairspring, which is silver-ish
Very informative video, thanks for the very important knowledge on fake vs real, take care.
Glad you liked it
Now, with this video I would “like” it twice if I could.
I haven’t seen a technical strip down of a genuine movement against a fake one
Thanks 😊
Anytime!
I got 5 out of 6, the engraving fooled me. But the rough finishing is always a dead giveaway
The crappy engraving is what gave it away - I got 6/6 on that basis alone.
Was very interesting to see the complete disassebly of the fake. Could not believe all the dust and particles inside. The super clones look great on the outside, but inside looks like a college student's dorm room floor! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing!
I just purchased a Batman GMT 2 oyster strap and the and the movement reference is a 3285. Is Rolex using this type now?
Yes that’s the updated reference and the correct movement for the most modern version
Thank you for getting back to so quickly.
Did you put the parts into an ultrasonic cleaner then put it all back together with pro lubricants?
great video thank you!!!
Thank you for your helpful video. I think it is folly however to praise Rolex for the design of “their”movements when for the vast majority of their brand history (up until relatively recently when they simply bought them) they have been fed by a proper watch movement manufacture who most people have never heard of and who should really take the credit for movement design? Let’s face it, up until about 20 years ago they were just a watch factory, assembling parts bought in from elsewhere - arguable that they are not really a proper manufacture now, they are more reliant on their contrived, over hyped image than their watchmaking and most who wear them buy an image not a watch. The Emperor’s New Clothes springs to mind.
I wonder if the reversing gears are actually Teflon-coated, or just colored red.
That is vr3186, vs3186 has nicer finish and also can support gen balance and bridges, making it really good for frankening but really bad for cases of scam
Hey Harrison, had a quick question about the amount of wiggle that exists on your 3186 movement. Mostly I'm trying to help a friend that noticed a wiggle in his modern 2019 GMT II 126710. Having posted on a few forums, there's some firm grounding on whether or not you are supposed to have that much "play" or wiggle when moving the hour hand. I noticed a lot of wiggle when you were moving both hour hands...especially the fake. That would have been the first give away for me and something that would have immediately made me question the authenticity of the watch or at a minimum the originality. I know these are small details that only Rolex "people" the ones that stare at their watches all day and are biological watch winders and not the ones that blow 15k on a watch and keep it in a case. Let me know if I'm being ridiculous or if this is a real concern should there be wiggle in the GMT hand in the 3186 and 3285 when adjusting the hour hand. What causes that mechanically? If you could cover that, I would be really grateful. Thanks man, great work.
Hey! I couldn’t answer easily what causes that without disassembling a 3185 movement, because that had the gmt hand wobble. One of the upgrades from 3185 to 3186 was that this was no longer present. That being said, I’m sure there are many that leave the factory that have a small bit of wobble (depends on how much it takes for you to notice). You shouldn’t have much if any on a modern GMT. Doesn’t mean it’s a fake or anything or that it’ll break. Just might mean it would need a service if it bothers him. If it doesn’t bother him, I’d tell him it’s fine and ignore it
There are a few versiones of this movement. One copy can interchange parts. I have my charts on all 3 versions that i know of. So you may want to include all 3 as not all are like this movement. The VSF i believe is dead on correct for 85 of the movement
The newest generation of gmt master (the one with the crown at 6 oclock) is supposed to have the 3285 movement, not 3186. That is the first thing you should have mentioned.
How do you get it serviced, in USA?
Yep my AD did it in house
Why would you not wind the watch down before pulling the balance ?
6/6
After long enough, it's hard to get caught out.
I wonder how accurate a pro watch maker could get a modern super clone? To me its still pretty amazing that for double what most micro brands cost they can make rolex movement clones. It still shows a high level of craftsmanship and given better materials and environment those people are probably top notch watch makers. I've always heard that Hong Kong is the true (but background) center of the watch industry.
Edit: he said it cost $600.
There are some videos and blogs out there where people have regulated clone movements down to Rolex specs (-2/+2/day,) but that's apparently not hard to do with a lot of halfway decent movements. The issue is that the clones may work great out of the box, but they don't last. The lower-quality parts -along with poor construction and cheap/misapplied oils - means that regulation will not hold up over time. As he said in the video, there's a very good chance that fake will end up wildly off-spec (or plain broken) in a year, while a real quality movement will be at "only" +8/day after a decade.
@@bobmclennan1727 The materials in use are not really that critical. It's not a real cost factor for most of the parts. The finishing is mostly just irrelevant for function. What makes the real difference is the heart: balance and hairspring.
@@rosomak8244 I agree, short of a gear tooth breaking or something- but because the balance bridge in the fake is built so similarly to the OEM balance bridge the entire thing could be swapped (would cost more than the entire fake but still cost effective if your intent was to cheat somebody by passing off a fake as genuine)
Ive seen them for $300 They look VERY nice....
@@shadowsocks7472
I got 6/6. Finishing isn't even close. Thanks for the comparison!
I always ask, as these clones get better and better - how long before they get so close it's hard to tell? If the money is there, it shouldn't be, will clones appear and function like the real? I don't want to see my watches devalued.
Thank you for the good video!!
The quality of the video is phenomenal.
Thanks! Anytime!
So much effort to tell difference between fake and real.. and the price varies so much ..
Balance wheel is a dead giveaway, totally different. There’s definitely differences, but for example it’s cleanliness when assembled…Somebody could just build a business just servicing and making these reps work properly. Even if it was 600-800.00 to do this, still cheaper than 10-12k for the real thing. It would also be interesting to see if authentic Rolex parts fit in the rep?
Rolex uses some exotic alloys in the balance wheel (beryllium) and hairspring (niobium), which the clones are unlikely to bother replicating.
What I meant by my statement, is you took authentic parts and put them in the replica, you they fit properly and function? Like build some Frankenstein half authentic/half clone?
@gregsefcik6700 Given the incredible tolerances necessary to have the thing function at all, I don't think genuine parts would fit properly. Genuine hands and dials and crystals, maybe/probably, but not balance wheels, gears, and other internal bits, unless the makers went out of their way to ensure that they could use authentic parts. I don't see any motivation to take that step.
Six from six but I have no interest in buying an unobtanium Rolex.
Way back in 1992 I housesat for my cousin and his wife for a trip they were on to Hong Kong. My cousin bought himself and me knockoff Rolex watches (yes, he knew it was a knockoff but they looked nice). His stopped working within a couple of weeks and mine ticked on for over 5 years!
Is this VR 3186 movement
The genuine movement looks really basic. I am surprised that people lose their minds when thinking about buying a Rolex. It seems they charge far too much money for something that really is very utilitarian. Then there are the grey market customers who happily pay more than retail. Have they actually seen inside one?
Exactly
Thats why i sold all my rolexes … it does not deserve these silly prices
6/6 On my fake vs. real test. Thanks to you macro 😁
Suprised you didn’t mention the additional balance regulator on the fake which is a key giveaway that it’s fake
One thing I have noticed about videos like yours showing the differences between real and fake Rolex watches. You and others fail to point out the two adjustment levers on the fake Rolex balance bridge! If you look the real Rolex doesn't have any visible adjustments on the bridge. Rolex uses the micro screws in the balance wheel to adjust the movement. The fakes put the two adjustment levers on their bridge like a lot of the older watches like Hamilton, Bulova, etc.
Polish job on the movement that no one will see is definitely worth 10 thousand dollars.
I am actually blown away by the quality of the fake. That child is a master watchmaker some 6 year old kid did that in a run down factory in China somewhere for 35 cents my mind is blown 🤯
They actually aren’t run down factories. Fake watches are a much larger industry then mostly people know so the best factories are actually remarkably advanced.
All of those differences are true, but I always just go by "does it have regulator arms on the balance wheel?" if so, fake, every time. Conversely, if the balance wheel has the correct regulator screws on the wheel, its real.
Not really. You could have a franken-watch where an original balance was placed on a fake movement. There are things like that out there.
@@rosomak8244 There are very few frankens out there which have genuine balance wheels, bridge or hairspring. It is such a low number its hardly worth considering. With current gen replica/fakes , the lack of a free sprung balance wheel is an instant tell, but you do need to open the case back. You can see the replica movement in this video's watch has tried to hide the regulation 'lugs' on the opposite side and partially under a bridge, to give it the appearance of a free-sprung balance.
Wow! good to know. Up until watching this video I never thought the name Rolex would be written on the inside of a fake. I found one today at goodwill that had nothing written on the movement and Monarchpolfy Gelena Shitinerand inside the back cover, obviously fake.
Yeah, only the $400+ superclones have replica movements, TBF you're better off with an easily serviceable ETA clone as long as it's 28800bph.
If you do get a superclone find someone who will clean, regulate and service it and it'll run for years trouble free.
This video gives me more appreciation for replica how close they are to imitating big brother
I'd love to know how much Rolex spends on manufacturing, and how much on marketing. The latter is the bigger number, but how much bigger?
I’m staggered at how much detail is inside of a watch, let along a fake!
How do these forgers make something so complex and yet sell them for just a few hundred pounds/dollars?
Very interesting video. 👍
Thanks!
Very cheap labor, and a factory without expensive luxuries like filtered air.
An expert could look at the pollen in that dirt and dust, and tell you where the factory is located. (That's how they busted a counterfeit pharmaceuticals operation.)
Machines. It's all machined production. When you buy a rolex overwhelmingly you are paying for what was required to make you buy it.
@@jpdemer5 There is not much human labour involved in the production of either one. They are made by machines.
@@rosomak8244 The fakes are made mostly by hand - only Rolex can afford the robotics and custom assembly lines.
6 for 6 … really…You did a great job I learned a lot thank you I want to start up a channel. I have some 60 fake watches covering 10 different name brands since I lived in Asia for a while I want to do something like “60 fakes in 60 days “ some really good , some really bad, you give me the motivation because I see you with a commitment you could do it good job! (None of mine are super close like yours. Most of them i paid from $60-$200 US an average of 100. Then again, most of my sales people are my friends my motto while I live in China was
“they have a family they need to eat to!” But when the angry, drunk, negotiating western are typically Germans and French bargening to a ridiculous level …and breaks my heart, there not trying to cheat people just trying to sell a decent product for decent price! ‘Imitation is the most sincer form of flatery!
True!
Parachrom Hairspring should NOT be an indication of a fake!!! It was introduced in 2000 and implemented into movements that were released in 1988!! If your 3135,3130,3186 does not have a Paracrom blu Hairspring doesn't mean it's a fake and it could be the older Niravox hairspring. instead look for the balance levers. Real Rolex use free sprung balance and fakes use regular regulation levers.
$50 to $10,000 I fail to see the value a real watch adds sometimes... Especially on a watch without an exhibition caseback - despite having a good collection myself.
I must be watching too many videos about watches, as I could spot the difference, even at a distance.
The fake was not 'finished', the metal parts showed burrs on the edges where the machine cut the part, but it wasn't a clean cut, and no one smoothed the burrs. Another thing I noticed was the look of dust, or metal chips in the inside of the fake.
The real shined in it's reality. It was clean, no specs of dust or metal chips, and the metalwork had a smooth look, as well as no out of place scratches. If the metal was satin finished, the satin was due to perfect machine marks, and the metal that was shiny had no mistakes visible.
I believe I have seen better fakes elsewhere!
Good video, dust everywhere, not so good. Comparison is also not fully satisfying as the fake is a fake and costs not even 5 or 10 percent of the real Rolex. If you ask me, the fake offers a lot for the money, if you service it (€200-300) it will run for many years. It can’t be compared as the real one is much better finished because you pay for it. Lots of watch enthusiasts love the Rolex brand but they can’t buy one as they are hardly available and very expensive. The fakes are really good if you know what and where to buy. Still it’s not allowed by law, so I won’t tell anyone to buy a replica.
the spring its never bleu jewels are purple i can smell it lol no i think i have 12 fakes here at my place i have two super clones its crazy i get 1 call a week its mad
I got all 6 correct, i might also add that i do construction for a living. I also flip cars for fun. Anytime they need any work im doing it. By work i mean anything timing chains u name it.
Nice! I'd imagine that background really helps!
Its a well-known secret in the watch industry. There are watches out there with serial numbers identical to the originals. Only Ziarex has the real deal, and thats no secret.
5/6 The movement is allways a good teller if it`s fake or not. But i`ve seen fakes online wich are so good that i think they used a real one for the pictures
Plus the cyclops has a bluish sheen for the fake
Totally minute differences not important. If anyone wants super clean inside then pay 15k
ITs actually really impressive that you can get all that engineering in a replica for the price they charge......And it looked awesome....
That's pretty much what it costs Rolex to CNC machine their watches... Before the extortionate markup pricing
It would be quite a challenge to put the whole thing back together and having it run accurately.
got 6 of 6 thanks to my experience as a trouble shooter in auto industry
I just put it together and then destroyed it with a bow in my last video. More fun at the watch's expense
They're all made on CNC machines including Rolex
Yeah, but I’d love to see the quality level of the CNC machines each of them use!
I got 6/6!!! for the fake and real game! It was all in the finishing, like the anglage
That might be an AAAAA replica, but it doesnt even come close to the excellence of a Ziarex Swiss replica. You can spend less in China, but quality is worth the investment.
Fit and finish is a dead giveaway
impressive
That clone looks kinda cheap though. I’ve seen late Clean versions a lot cleaner than that.
That's a fairly 2nd rate fake, chinese GMT dressed up as a 3285, the latest Dandong 3285 is perfect until you get to the outright quality or the balance and regulation.
The Rolex jumping hour mech just fits f'nstance.
Il clone Ha le 2 racchette per la regolazione della spirale
This is why, I’ll only buy new from an AD. Yes, I’ll have to wait longer, but I know I won’t get a fake.
🤡 dude dont buy shitlex
replicas have like 100 diffarent factories with 100 diffarent levels of finishing
i lvoe videos saying like "inside a fake rolex"
this is 1 factory there are many others more acurate less acurate ect
which one was this, CLEAN ? VSF ? what iritatino of them .. they have also many iritations..
truth is very complicated to know for sure
That is true. I try to not go too far in depth on that. There are better resources online for those looking for that information.
We don't really care about all these details. The look is important and movement is good too in replicas not fakes but replicas
its pretty obvious....the hair spring and the crappy finishing tells everything....
Ziarex is best but Timeless waiting list.
The watch in that video cant hold a candle to a Ziarex. Ziarex sets the gold standard.
I got 6/6. If you knew the Quality from the Original, it´s not so hard to find the difference
You call that a super clone? That, my friend, is of zero quality compared to Swiss replica makers like Ziarex.
That’s a pretty convincing fake!
I think that in 2ares will bee Folex whic hawe 100/100%muwment and that wud bee a slap to Rolex wich cost 15+t€,$ and that copy cost exe . 2 tausand € that said how much on millions early watches is profit od Rolex on Sub whic is beutiful and clasic peace i like him he cost 12.500€ in store and cost of making the watch are 35,40% max of Rolex . But i like it and i newer wud put on my hand copy.
That is laughable when compared to Ziarexs authentic super clones. You might as well be comparing a puddle to an ocean.
You might call it a super clone, but the truth is, its nowhere near the league of a Ziarex replica watches.
Thats not a super clone, its a joke. Id put my money on a Ziarex Swiss replica any day. Quality doesnt need marketing, it speaks for itself.
That, my friend, is not a clone, its a piece of junk. Ziarex has Swiss-made replicas, the same as the originals. Compared to his watches, this is nothing
You should've bought proper replica not 120$ one
You call that a super replica? Ziarex defines the word super when it comes to clones. Dont waste your time on imitations, go for the real deal.
Factor in the price and the fake becomes ten times better. Thanks for the video, would love to see how accurate it is and how long it will last.
Only one will be worth what you paid for it in 10 years..
The fake stole years of r&d and branch building of a company. If the the fake would say tamari instead of Rolex no one would buy it. Buying a fake is fooling your self
Comparing a VW Bug to a Rolls. Compare costs to what you actually get. Eventually the problem is how much do you want to spend for a watch. Only being cheated on purchase to a buyer would be actually important. I think Rolex cheats by charging so much for finishing the movement you never see. Rolex finishes the case and dial/hands ok but they do not finish as well as GS or Petek. Rolex is just over priced. These videos are done for sales validation.
You have an old version of the clone gmt movement. Now, other than the finishing, the movement is exactly the same. They’re so good the clones now its almost hard to justify the real… but not really …. YOU still know. The clone you have there would now be regarded as a “shitter” i.e a Low quality clone
Dummy
That's right!
Yeah would like to see a CF (Clean Factory) one opened up.
Also, plenty of watchsmiths willing to do a basic tear down and cleaning, reoil w OEM spec oils, for $150-175. Swap in a few gen parts (reversing wheels for example). A serviced and slightly franken rep can perform quite well.
@@krazyfiendahhh but it’s still dishonest
pretty obvious from the movement
True!
I bought my watch from Ziarex, and the quality in this video is bad.
You’ll notice right away that when you try to set up the gmt the second hand moves a bit in the fake that’s a dead give away of a fake
The good thing is fakes are so good quality they can last a lifetime and provide a platform for learning watch smiths.
Imagine you want to learn to service watch smiths, years ago before these fakes existed you probably will be stuck servicing a lifetime quartz and Seiko watches.
Now you can practice on movements that are 1:1 copy of a real Rolex and it wont break your bank.
Lets talk about serial numbers. Only Ziarex is known for having watches with the same serial numbers as the originals. The rest? Mere pretenders.
What your video features isnt a clone, its a disgrace. In the world of Ziarex Swiss replicas, thats just childs play.
Fake is better cos it’s cheaper.
Ziarex have best clones but never in stock :(
You call that a super replica? Ziarex defines the word super when it comes to clones. Dont waste your time on imitations, go for the real deal.
You call that a super replica? Ziarex defines the word super when it comes to clones. Dont waste your time on imitations, go for the real deal.
You call that a super replica? Ziarex defines the word super when it comes to clones. Dont waste your time on imitations, go for the real deal.