How to Spot a Fake Rolex Milgauss

Once it’s opened though, the fake Milgauss’s movement gives it away – it’s a completely different movement than the real Rolex Milgauss.

Here, you can see that the balance shock absorber is a different shape from authentic’s, . It’s also missing its gold surround. Here, you can see the difference between the hairsprings. The authentic Rolex’s, on the left, is a deep blue, and is more pronounced than the paler & smaller hairspring in the fake. Additionally, the reversing wheel, red, is in an entirely different location on the fake. Again, the fake Milgauss misplaces its components by centering the movement number. As you can see, the genuine Rolex Milgauss’s movement number is slightly off center to the right. Even the case back components are used to discern the authentic from the faux. A Rolex Milgauss case comes in two parts, with dual chambers that protect it from magnetic fields, which is one of the Milgauss’s defining features. Here, you can see that the outer case back on the fake has the wrong shape and is slightly smaller in diameter (this may be owed to the entirely different movement). But the telltale sign here is the imperfect lettering and spacing of the “Rolex Milgauss” & crown on the perimeter. On the inside of the outer case, you can see that the type on the fake is very nearly perfect, but the genuine Rolex’s actually is perfect. The grain of the steel & the too-light engraving are other giveaways. On the inside, note the different shape of the inner parts. The angles of the concentric circles are steeper on the fake, and the steel is rougher in its grain. You can also see the difference in the angles when you view the inner case back’s reverse side; additionally, the size appears to be slightly off, and the engraving on the “B” is not as sharp. As you can see, it’s very difficult to separate a good fake from the genuine article. Movement examination must consider the exact reference, construction and disclosed service parts; a familiar-looking movement is not proof by itself. Without opening the case back to examine the movements, it would be nearly impossible to spot this fake (its only obvious outer flaw is the mottled luminescence that fakers still can’t seem to get right). Have concerns examined by a qualified professional, considering the whole watch and its records. Do not open a caseback at home.