Rolex dilemma!!!
Last week I sat across the desk from a customer. Very nice guy, highly regarded and a very good customer. We shook hands and I saw the distinctive crown of a rolex . " that a sub marina " I asked , and like a true watchy he had if off and on my hand before I could say oh! It's a fake... because it was... I said nothing just said wow its a nice watch and and handing the watch back got back to busines.
Do I tell him his watch is a fake?
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Steve
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Halifax UK
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Last active: 1 year ago
Nope. He might already know.
He's not a watch person but have to say that was my initial reaction
100% chance they already know it is a fake, one does not fall into a fake watch. Not worth losing the business by pointing it out.
How did you know it was fake? The few ways I know without cracking them open would be weight, incorrect cyclops magnification, or just blatant crappy errors like a crooked logo, or missing text where there should be.
Regardless, 99% chance they themselves know it’s fake and bought it unless they are very, very unwise and really spent $10,000+USD on an unverified eBay or Craigslist ad, they definitely know they have a fake. I wouldn’t mention anything, I probably wouldn’t bring up watches again with this person; a homage is one thing, a fake is just lying to yourself to fool others into thinking you have money. Even if you want to argue its a “decoy watch” for thieves, you’re still going to get robbed, may as well wear a homage and show the gunman “no sir it’s a San Martin!” 😂 in this economy they still might rob you though.
It's possible he got scammed. Stores where I live sell fakes at real Rolex prices and swear on their mothers that they are real. One time I pointed out the obviously wonky magnifier the guy just started calling me names. Lol
It's unlikely someone would be that proud of a watch he knows is fake. Especially not with a fellow watch enthusiast who might know the difference..
So I'd tell him. Maybe he can still get his money back.
The Polish have a great saying for these occasions:
I love those wise Polaks 😁
I’m sure you were dying to but no…
Well if you want to lose a customer you could tell them. Curious how you could tell so quickly was the fake that bad? I’ve never held a Rolex so wouldn’t have a clue what to look for.
You don't tell a man his watch is fake just like you don't comment on plastic surgeries, wigs or colored contacts. Other people choices are their own business.
100% chance they already know it is a fake, one does not fall into a fake watch. Not worth losing the business by pointing it out.
It's very possible to "fall into" a fake, especially if you have more money than sense.
People unknowingly (ignorantly?) buy fakes all the time.
I think the only way I would voluntarily tell someone is if I knew beforehand in order to prevent them from buying it.
After purchase? Only if they asked me my opinion. And even then, I'd have to be forced into it after repeated attempts at referring them to an official source.
It's very possible to "fall into" a fake, especially if you have more money than sense.
People unknowingly (ignorantly?) buy fakes all the time.
Fair point. I would like to think most spending that kind of money do some means of research, but yes, I know better.
No, let him be.
You get nothing from telling him except the satisfaction. Even if he got scammed he'll always be embarrassed around you. Swallow the urge and just let it be. Fakes are everywhere
I fear it might make you as socially popular as the person that publicly corrects people.
Having found myself buying a (luckily less expensive) fake watch, I wouldn’t have welcomed it… I got the news from an expert (the people that made it) and was none too chuffed.
You don't tell a man his watch is fake just like you don't comment on plastic surgeries, wigs or colored contacts. Other people choices are their own business.
gotta love the “ not my monkey not my circus “ comment , let me ask you , would you point out to a customer “ nice toupee , it looks quite real ! “
The weird thing is letting you try the watch on if he knows it's a fake. He may really not know. And it even could be not a scam, he saw the watch he liked and he had heard about Rolex before but he didn't know the real watch prices. So if it really a fake it could be a non expensive watch, just accidentally it happened to be a fake. I'm here with the majority. By no means tell him it's a fake. Will do no good.
I would let it alone
I've seen a few fake Rolexes. Most who i know wore them don't flaunt it as if it was real. Probably they like the look but didn't want to spend so much. Your description of the person makes their presence more crucial and to me he could come in wearing a Richard Mille, and I would still say to him that it's a nice watch.
Unless you're the watch detective and they're your client, I would just politely nod and say "nice watch!"
But if you decide to let them know anyways, please make a post about how it went!
Better not telling your client about it. Either he intentionally has it, or getting scam, he probably lose face badly 😬😬
He probably knows and thinks he’s tricked you. don’t say a word, get the business!
Like most I'm curious as to how you knew it was fake. Rolex does not make particularly difficult watches to fake. Movements are basic and you can get them in 904L and high polish if you want. I'd be hard-pressed to confirm someone else's watch to be fake without popping the back open, and even then I don't know thar I could be certain. Imagine if you'd told him and been proven wrong!
Having said that if it was indeed fake chances are he knew and was either testing your knowledge of watches or gauging your reaction.
On the other hand he might not have known, after all some of us know a certain famous YouTuber who was called out for selling fakes. Apparently they were so good a buyer had to take them to an AD to confirm.
I've seen Rolex fakes that were pretty obvious, so I'm quite positive that they exist.
What puzzles me is the question of why someone would point out such a watch?
I would not say anything about the watch.
One compliment will suffice, no need to double down by acknowledging that it is the best kind.
I wonder if he really knew the watch was fake, since he was so happy to give it to you to hold.
I once was in a party and saw a navitimer on a persons wrist. I compleme teh the watch and right a way he said, " oh no it's fake I just like the looks but not going to pay that much for a watch."
I didn't know what to thing, but I think if you take out the crime aspect behind fake watches I thought it was bretty cool he was so honest about it. He wasn't trying to pass it as a real deal.
But ether way, better not to say anything.
If I knew I was going to see him again I would be wearing my real one then have him take a look at it. Then maybe say something like "Why does yours look different here?" while you play dumb. Maybe he will tell you the truth. LOL
Leave it be.
That's kind of a hot take.
I have a fake Panerai (it's not fooling anyone) that I bought out of the back of a shop in Bangkok a long time ago. I get way more amusement out of thinking about that night than I would looking at a real Panerai that I bought across the street from my office during lunch.