Rolex Pro-Hunter Sea Dweller... how to spot if fake?

[Jonno65]

Hi All

There's a bit of a back story to this, hence why I am seeking some pointers as to how to identify a fake.  About 4 or 5 years ago my partner bought another car, an inexpensive Toyota Corrolla.  In the Glovebox was a Rolex Jaques Picard Pro-Hunter Sea Dweller Oyster Perpetual... etc.  The strap was broken.  At the time, although havign a couple of watches - I had no inclination at that point to get into the hobby nor any relevant knowledge to establish what this was, i.e. real or fake.  A excited search on eBay turned up second hand 'genuine' versions for $25k or there abouts!  I did also find fake versions for sale (new) for about $500.  The latter seemed more feasible based on the last known location!

We were unable to contact the owner as the vehicle had been passed around car yards.  I would suggest that anyone losing a legitimate watch like this would also make enquiries the other way.  I took it to a Rolex dealer and they could not commit one way or the other (without removing the back) and another repairer point blank told me they didn't make a Rolex in black - which I now know to be rubbish.

Turns out the strap was not broken (found this out 5 years later when I bought watching making tools) as I realised it was simply missing a watch band screw,. Needing to remove a link I suddently had one - and I now wear it. 

Fast forward... I'm now at the early phase of the hobby and I put this on the timegrapher and it runs exceptionally well, which has me wondering what movement a fake would use and how do I now either learn thie difference.  I have added an 'on the wrist' photo below, but I am now looking for pointers as to the finer give-aways to being fake.  The movement looks good quality, whish is reflected in the results on the timegrapher (Weishi 1900).

Any initial thoughts?  I will post some photos of the movement later.

Thanks

 

Jon

[Kalanag]

The crown looks odd. I bet it‘s a fake.

 

[Nucejoe]

Lets see the TG print out. 

[RichardHarris123]

The lume looks sloppy. 

[lexacat]

The font in general looks thicker and has inconsistent line heights compared to other examples I've found online. That and as @Kalanag noted, the crown logo proportions are off. My money is on fake also but I'm definitely not an expert.

[Jonno65]

I took the back off and its got a gold movement which indicates to me its fake too.  There is only one reverser on the auto-winding mechanism.  I watched a couple of videos earlier and it kind of confirmed it.  i thinks it's an ETA 2824 movement copy too.  Definitely doesn't appear to be a  Rolex movement.

It was a good exercise and some good learning  

[RichardHarris123]

Definitely not Rolex but decent timegrapher results and not a terrible copy.  

[Kalanag]

It looks like a Chinese Dixmont DG2813

Edited February 14, 2023 by Kalanag