Shopping Tips

Understanding Quality and Replica Grades
How to Identify a Reputable Online Dealer
What are the legal issues to be aware of?
How to pay for your replica watch

Understanding Quality and Replica Grades

Not all replica watches are constructed equaly. Well that goes for most products available on the market but more so when it comes to purchasing a replica watch.

Replica watches are classified according to five “grades”, with 1 being the best quality, and 5 representing the lowest quality. Grade 5 replicas are the most prevalent type, and also usually the least expensive. These are very popular with streetside vendors who promise you “near-Rolex quality” for… $15.00 or so. While it’s true that much of a Rolex’s value comes from the Rolex name itself, it remains fact that Rolex’s are indeed made of premium technology and materials – such that can never be even approximated in a $15.00 watch. These are easily detectable as fakes, and have absolutely no worthwhile value. Some sites will try to pass off Grade 5 replicas as being of a higher grade, and charge you more for them. China-made movements, stainless steel- or gold-plating (rather than solid metal construction) and generally cheap materials are the hallmarks of grade 5 replica watches.

Grade 1 replica watches are represented exclusively by authentic, Swiss-made replicas. These are virtually indistinguishable from genuine Rolexes, leaving even experts hard-pressed to tell the difference. The main difference between these replicas and authentic Rolexes is the fact that Grade 1 replicas are, of course, not manufactured by Rolex. But in terms of look, feel, and quality, Grade 1 replicas are comparable to Rolexes – simply at a lower cost. The key features of Grade 1 replicas are:

• Genuine Swiss movement
• True Sapphire Crystal
• Solid 18k gold on 2-tone replicas
• Triple-gold-wrapping on all-gold models
• Exact color matching
• 1 Year Full Warranty
• Realistic weight

Grade 2, Japan-made, replicas also feature genuine Swiss movement, but often use materials of a slightly lower quality than Grade 1s. This grade reprensents the highest-quality Japan-made replicas available. At a glance, they may appear to be quite similar to Grade 1 replicas, leading many unscrupulous dealers to market them as Grade 1s, charging the higher price for a lower quality replica. The distinct features of Grade 2s are:

• Genuine Swiss movement
• Triple-wrapped 2-tone models (as opposed to the solid gold of Grade 1s)
• Single-wrapped all-gold models (as opposed to the triple-wrapping of Grade 1s)
• Authentic Sapphire crystal
• Lighter weight than Grade 1s and authentic Rolexes

Grade 3 quality watches are slightly lower quality, but still made in Japan. They do not feature authentic Swiss movement (though they do feature a reasonable approximation). They’re usually far less durable that Grade 1s or 2s, especially suffering noticeable deterioration when exposed to moisture – even that caused by sweating. They are easily distinguishable from authentic Rolexes, and have mineral-based crystals rather than authentic Sapphire crystals.

Grade 4 watches are further still down the line. These feature cheap steel or gold platings that wear off easily, revealing the base metal construction underneath. They also feature Asian-made movement. They are usually quite cheap, and represent an easy solution for those with very tight budgets who want the general look of a Rolex without the overall quality and durability.

How to Identify a Reputable Online Dealer?

Shopping online has grown increasingly more secure in the past few years, but there still exists an element of risk if you’re not cautious. There are plenty of fake Rolex dealers out there who are ready to take advantage of the unwitting, which is a major reason why this site exists. We hope to give you the information and knowledge you need to make wise, informed decisions about who to trust, and who to avoid – and how to make these decisions yourself. The advice that follows applies to just about any form of online shopping, whether you’re looking for imitation Rolexes or a new pair of jeans.

One of the great features of the internet is the fact that it gives people a chance to connect with others and share their experiences. Keep an eye out for websites that offer unbiased reviews of other websites. These are websites that have nothing to gain (or lose) by posting an objective review, and will clearly list the advantages and disadvantages of a particular dealer. Individual reviews can also come in handy. From blogs, to message boards, to websites dedicated to customer reviews, consumers are becoming increasingly vocal about their experiences in shopping online. These opinions can be extremely valuable when deciding whether a replica watch website will live up to its promises. If you’re considering a certain imitation Rolex dealer, do a quick search on their name. If you see a lot of links pointing to people complaining about that site, it’s probably a good idea to stay away. If, however, you come across many independent reviews from people who have had good experiences, it’s a good sign that the dealer may be reputable. Also

Resist the urge to judge a site by its appearance. We’ve all done it before – visited a perfectly legitimate site, but been put off by a lackluster design. Or worse, gone to a website with all the bells and whistles, only to be drawn in by the flash, and subsequently taken advantage of. Sites that make outrageous claim should also be taken with a grain of salt, as anyone can make grand promises on the internet.

There are a few important details to be aware of when choosing a dealer. Review their policies, such as terms and conditions, their warranty and returns policy, and their privacy policy. Failure to check these items can leave you vulnerable to dishonest dealers who sneak in fine print that protects them if you ever decide to pursue a claim against them. Honest dealers have nothing to hide, and will make their policies easily accessible, and easy to understand.

Do your homework, use common sense, and don’t rush into anything. If you take these small but critical steps, you’ll stand a much better chance of protecting yourself against shady dealers, whether they’re selling cheap replica watches or bestselling novels.

What are the legal issues to be aware of?

We’ll make no bones about it: buying, selling, and manufacturing replica Rolexes (or any replica watches) is illegal. We do not recommend dealing in replica watches in any way, as you may leave yourself vulnerable to legal actions. While experience has shown us that the chances that you will be pursued for purchasing replica watches for personal use are rather slim, this is definitely an area where “Buyer Beware” applies.

The information contained in this section, and in this website as a whole, is intended solely for educational purposes, and is not intended to be construed or used as legal advice. If you need legal advice regarding replica watches, please contact a knowledgeable legal professional in your area. Rolex Magic cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from your use (or misuse) of information provided on this site, regardless of its accuracy.

The people who worry the most about the legal issues surrounding Rolex replica watches, or those of other brands, are probably the end-consumer, or buyer. For the purposes of this article, a buyer refers to someone who purchases Rolex watches for their own personal use, or to give as gifts, and has no intention of distributing them for monetary gain. While buyers are at risk of being taken advantage of by dishonest dealers, our experience has shown that buyers are at a minimal risk of legal prosecution if they are caught.

Genuine watch manufacturers tend to focus their legal efforts towards the true culprits in replica watch transactions: sellers and manufacturers. Street dealers tend to draw less attention, as they only distribute to a limited number of people, but they are often subjected to confiscations of their inventory. Internet dealers, on the other hand, can often have massive reach – even extending globally – making them a more worthwhile target for genuine Rolex manufacturers. Rolex in particular has doubled their efforts in shutting down online dealers of replica Rolex watches. Any website offering fake Rolex watches will eventually hear from Rolex’s legal team.

Internet dealers usually find themselves faced with civil charges, including accusations of trademark infringement, and can be sued for punitive damages as well as any legal fees incurred in their case. Rolex’s case history in civil courts is overwhelmingly strong, as they only need prove the sale and shipment of a single watch to be successful.

Genuine watch manufacturers can also pursue criminal charges against online replica watch dealers. The penalties involved are much more serious, and the charge is usually of “trafficking in counterfeit goods and services”. The counterfeiting charge arises as a result of the Rolex name (or other trademarked name) appearing on the product. Individual dealers can face fines up to $2,000,000 and jail times of 10 years or less. Sites run by non-individuals face even stiffer penalties - $5,000,000 maximum fines, and 20 year maximum sentences.

Sellers are often presented with a tempting deal to minimize the penalties against them: if they give up their wholesaler, the punishment(s) will be reduced. With little incentive to stay quiet, sellers will often happily take the deal to save themselves harsh penalties. Wholesalers face even more severe penalties, since the penalties are often based on the volume that the accused deals in. While a single seller may have a fairly small business, wholesalers generally distribute to many sellers, meaning they have a much greater volume – and face much harsher punishments.

The bottom line is: any transaction involving counterfeit, or replica, watches is illegal. While buyers may be relatively safe from vigorous prosecution, sellers, distributors and manufacturers of replica Rolexes stand nearly a 100% chance of prosecution by Rolex, and stand very little chance of prevailing.

How to pay for your replica watch

Two payment methods are prevalent in the world of Rolex replica watches: COD and credit cards. Traditionally, credit card transactions are seen as secure, and offer the consumer a great deal of protection against fraudulent or unsatisfactory transactions. However, the world of replica watches is rife with disreputable people, and because the purchase of replica watches is illegal, credit card companies will usually refuse to defend any failed transactions. This doesn’t mean you can never use your credit card to purchase a replica Rolex, though. If you do your homework and make informed decisions, you may be able to find reliable, trustworthy dealers with whom your credit card transaction will be secure.

When in doubt, COD, or Cash On Delivery, is a somewhat safer approach to take. One of the best benefits of paying COD is the guarantee that you’ll get a product before paying for it. Some dealers (especially the honest ones) will even allow you to open and inspect the package before completing the payment. This gives you the chance to make sure the product lives up to the claims of the seller before parting with your hard-earned money.

Whichever method you choose to pay with, it is vitally important that you only deal with trusted sites, such as those listed in our review section. If you’re dealing with a shady seller, there is very little you can do to protect yourself from losing money and being disappointed.