The mechanical movement that powers a Rolex is self-winding. You will never have to wind an authentic Rolex watch. [2] X Research source

Rolex magnification windows usually magnify the date to 2. 5x; the date should take up nearly the entire window. Some good counterfeits may magnify the date a little, but the date won’t fill up the entire window. If the magnification window is imperfect or off center, the watch is fake.

Rolex uses a proprietary stainless steel alloy for their watches called Oystersteel. If the back casing looks metal on the outside but has a plastic inner case, the watch isn’t genuine. Some imitations have a clear glass back so you can see the inner workings of the watch. No authentic Rolex model has this feature.

Between the opposite set of lugs, you should see “ORIG ROLEX DESIGN” followed by a case reference number. To look up the date of your watch’s manufacture with the serial number, you can use this handy online source.

If the etching is large enough to easily see with the naked eye, you may have a fake on your hands. The logo above the 12 o’clock position should be made of high-quality metal. The circles at the end of the crown’s points will be raised bumps, and the crown’s outline has a different metallic sheen than the inside. [8] X Research source

All watches from Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual series (which is one of their most famous lines) bear this etching. [10] X Research source The only exceptions are from the Cellini series; they have non-standard designs (rectangular faces, etc. ) so some of them won’t have the dial etching.

Most Rolex packaging contains a certificate of authenticity, a manual, and 5-year warranty paperwork. [12] X Research source If your watch is missing any of these things, it may not be genuine.

Rolex actually created the very first waterproof watch case in history. The case, which they named the Oyster case, is still used today. The Submariner is the only Rolex watch designed for deep water usage — while other Rolexes should be fine in the shower or swimming pool, they may leak under more serious aquatic conditions. [14] X Research source