How To Buy Your First UK High Quality Rolex Fake Watches: Everything You Need To Know

Rolex is among the most daunting watch brands to jump into. There are millions upon millions of them out there, and Rolex hasn’t been entirely obviously and clear about what changes from iteration to iteration. As such, the quest for your first Rolex can be a bit overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered.

Below is a method for making the key decisions that will unlock the perfect Swiss Rolex replica watches for the new collector. The trick is to make one decision at a time, and there are going to be five steps that, once completed, will land you on the perfect first Rolex.

Let’s get started.

Pick Your Rolex Model

If you can figure out which Rolex model you want, you will have significantly narrowed your search. Do you want 1:1 UK fake Rolex Submariner dive watches, a GMT-Master of Sky-Dweller for travel, a Day-Date or a DateJust for daily life, an Oyster Perpetual or Air-King as an easy everyday watch? You may already know which Rolex model you want, but if you don’t we have suggestions in our related article on seven must-own Rolex models. Below are a few facts to help guide you to making this important first decision:

  1. Rolex has made a surprisingly small number of models over the years, despite reportedly making over 1 million watches per year.
  2. Rolex divides its catalog between “Professional” and “Classic” models. Professional Rolexes were created for specific use cases, like SCUBA Diving (Submariner), world travel (GMT-Master) and even cave exploration (Explorer II). Classic Rolexes, such as the famous DateJust and Day-Date, are all-around great watches, and usually a little dressier.
  3. Most current Rolex models have been around for many decades, so as you peruse the current Rolex website you’re getting a decent (if somewhat incomplete) overview of models available on the pre-owned and vintage markets as well.
  4. Rolex models that aren’t currently in production tend to be more rare, thus harder to get and more expensive.

    Spend some time getting to know the different Rolex models, then make your choice. We have already recommended seven great models for first-time Rolex buyers, so use our guide as needed. It may not seem like it, but choosing a specific Rolex model will be the easiest part of this journey.

    Choose Between New, Pre-Owned, Neo-Vintage, and Vintage

    Here’s the basic breakdown of the four main Rolex markets:

    New

    A brand-new Rolex watch from an authorized dealer.

    Not all that long ago, anyone could walk into a Rolex dealership and buy just about any Rolex. Today, as a first-time buyer, you’re going to be excluded from getting most new Rolexes at retail. Rolex allocates to preferred customers, which means these VIPs have already spent a lot of money on Rolexes—and sometimes other items like jewelry at local authorized dealers—just to get a higher spot on the waiting list so they can finally get “the call” for luxury replica Rolex watches they want. If you’re not ready to play that game but must get a recent Rolex model, then consider the pre-owned market.

    Pre-Owned

    With Rolex, this category can most certainly include the current model year and runs to around 20-year-old watches.

    The Rolex pre-owned market is enormous, complicated, confusing and sometimes aggravating. There are countless pre-owned Rolex dealers and countless best Rolex copy watches for sale. In 2023, Rolex started its own Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program, which takes some of the mystery out of buying a pre-owned Rollie. With Rolex, pre-owned does not always mean less expensive, however. For recent and hard-to-get Rolex models, you’ll pay well over retail—even through Rolex’s CPO program—but at least these sellers won’t exclude you from getting the watch you want.

    Neo-Vintage

    A relatively new category that indicates watches roughly 20 to 40 years old.

    I like to think of neo-vintage as cheap Rolex replica watches that are transitioning from pre-owned to vintage. This is a very fun category, because there are so many Rolexes that fly under the radar, such as the discontinued Turn-o-Graph or Milgauss. But if you want a common model like a Submariner or GMT Master, there are excellent references that fall into that 20- to 40-year-old range, often at relatively decent prices.

    Vintage

    Generally speaking, Rolexes that are at least 40-years-old.

    Vintage Rolex is an incredible world to explore, but it is full of pitfalls that even the most experienced collectors fall into from time to time. Everything from outright counterfeits to what are known as “Frankenwatches” made from a few different individual Swiss made fake Rolex watches can trip up those seeking a sweet old Rollie. As for prices, vintage Rolexes tend to be more expensive than neo-vintage, and sometimes incredibly so.

    Once you’ve made up your mind about which model (Step 1) and whether you want New, Pre-Owned, Neo-Vintage and Vintage (Step 2), you are ready to get into the nerdy world of Rolex reference numbers.

    Pick a 4-, 5-, or 6-Digit Rolex Reference

    We can parse the millions of AAA 2024 Rolex super clone watches out there in the world into three simple categories: four-, five- and six-digit references. Most Rolex aficionados speak in terms of digits, saying things like, “I’m looking into some four-digit Subs,” or, “She looked sick rocking a six-digit GMT.” Let’s get acquainted with the digits!

    These reference numbers mark eras of Rolex production. When Rolex adds a digit to the refence numbers, designs, materials, sizes and movements are changed across the product line. There is an obvious (yet always shifting) overlap between new, pre-owned, neo-vintage and vintage categories and the four-, five- and six-digit eras, so keep this in mind.

    4-Digit Rolex References: 1940s to Around 1980

    Four-digit Rolexes are all vintage now, and whenever you hear someone talk about a four-digit Rolex assume they’re interested in Rolexes from the middle of the 20th century.

    The Downside of 4-Digit Rolexes

    Four-digit Rolexes with date complications use movements that do not offer a quickset date function. Many owners—including myself—prefer a watch with a quickset date, so you don’t have to wind it around and around to set the date.

    The movements in four-digit references are often more expensive to service, as Rolex no longer produces parts for four-digit models.

    Four-digit dials produced before 1963 will use radium luminescent paint, which some fear due to radioactivity. After that, four-digit Rolex dials use tritium luminescent paint, which typically loses its functionality after about 20 years. Tritium dial can be discerned because they almost always have a “T” at the bottom of the dial by “SWISS.”

    The Upside of 4-Digit Rolexes

    As vintage watches, four-digit Rolexes often have a charm and character you won’t find in later models. That tritium paint, for example, turns a lovely shade of vanilla that collectors love (“creamy lume,” they’ll call it). Dials fade, or even turn brown (known as “going tropical”), and sometimes the aluminum bezel inserts fade to interesting colors people find desirable. Sometimes top replica Rolex watches age in wild ways that drive the price skyward.

    There are far fewer four-digit Rolexes than from any other era, making them rare and increasingly collectible.

    Notes & Opinions on 4-Digit Rolexes

    Rolex switched from radium to tritium in 1963. You’ll likely garner some cred among a certain set of watch folks for owning a four-digit Rolex. Some people believe that fake Rolex watches wholesale with designs dating to before 1960 are the most authentic because these models would have been approved by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf (who passed in 1960).

    5-Digit Rolex References: 1980 to Around 2004

    The shift to five-digit reference numbers saw a number of movement upgrades, case size increases, and a slew of other upgrades to bracelets, waterproofness, and so on. Not all upgrades happened at once, but the five-digit era was significantly more modern.

    As of this writing, five-digit Rolexes neatly fall into the neo-vintage category, as most are between 20- and 40-years-old. Obviously, as each year goes by, five-digit Rolexes slowly become proper vintage Rolex replica watches shop.

    The Downside of 5-Digit Rolexes

    There was a great deal of polishing of watch cases during this era, and for many Rolex collectors a polished case is no good as it distorts the original shape and degrades the value. Mild polishing is generally acceptable. No polishing is very desirable.

    Five-digit Professional Rolexes, like many four-digit models, used aluminum bezel inserts, which tend to become scratched or faded (but note that a faded bezel can also be seen as possessing “a cool patina” once the watch is vintage).

    The Upside of 5-Digit Rolexes

    As of this writing, five-digit Rolexes offer the best value going. For practical purposes, movements in five-digit Rolex fake watches site are very precise, durable and a-magnetic. Five-digit Rolex movements are still supported by Rolex, so parts are not hard to source, and service is less expensive than it is for four-digit references. Five-digit Rolexes will go up in value as they age into the vintage category.

    Notes & Opinions on 5-Digit Rolexes

    Rolex moved from Tritium luminescent paint (which fades and loses functionality) to the more durable SuperLuminova around 1997-8, right in the middle of the five-digit era. Some collectors—myself included—like tritium for the vintage vibes on certain models, while others prefer the better performance of Super-LumiNova.

    Some people feel the five-digit Professional models are more like “tool watches” whereas six-digit references are more like luxury products. For DateJusts, the five-digit dials were flattened out to the edges, and some prefer the older “pie-pan” dials of the four-digit era that slope downward at the outer edge.

    6-Digit Rolex References: 2005 to Present

    The modern six-digit era came on strong when Rolex introduced several upgrades across their whole catalog in the mid 2000s. But it was the use of highly polished Cerachrom—Rolex’s proprietary scratchproof material—on the bezels of Professional models that truly changed the look, feel and performance of modern Rolex. Movements include more non-metallic parts that increase precision and a-magnetism. Many models were enlarged in the six-digit era (though some six-digit updates have more recently been reduced in size).

    Downside of the 6-Digit Rolexes

    Generally, more expensive than five-digit Swiss movements Rolex replica watches. Many six-digit references will cost well above retail prices on the pre-owned market.

    Upside of 6-Digit Rolexes

    Cerachrom bezels are virtually scratchproof. The movements are more precise (now within -2/+2 seconds per day) and a-magnetic. The bracelets on the modern Rolex models are exceptional.

    Opinions and Notes on 6-Digit Rolexes

    Many feel that the six-digit era was the beginning of Rolex as a dedicated luxury brand, rather than as simply the world’s best industrial watchmaker. Some believe polished Cerachrom is too shiny for a “tool watch.” It is more common these days for Rolex to release watches that are produced in small numbers, though Rolex never states ‘limited edition’ overtly. These limited runs are exceptionally hard to get and very expensive.

    Choose Your Exact Rolex

    Within each of the digit eras, there are multiple references for each watch model. Sometimes these references indicate different co-existing models. For example, reference 1680 was a Submariner with a date, while reference 5513 was best quality Rolex Submariner replica watches without a date. Sometimes a reference number changes when a model is upgraded. For example, a reference 16803 is a two-tone Submariner that ran from 1984 to around 1990, at which point Rolex upgraded the movement slightly and added gold plating to the bracelet’s folding clasp, which was enough to change the reference number from 16803 to 16813. Now we are off in the weeds.

    Feeling overwhelmed? That’s ok. Choosing your exact reference requires you to study Rolex quite closely. However, if you have narrowed down what model you want (Step 1), whether you’re going for new, vintage or in-between (Step 2), and then decided on whether you want a four-, five- or six-digit Rolex (Step 3), then you have significantly narrowed the field of study. You’ve got this.

    Vet a Trusted Seller

    Choosing the right seller will depend greatly on which model and era you’re going for. If you must have one new at retail, obviously you’re headed to an authorized Rolex dealer. Beyond that, some sellers are known for vintage Subs, some are known for flipping impossible-to-get models from the current model year, and so on. However, many Rolex sellers are not experts in one area and carry everything they can.

    The sheer number of sellers—as well as the changes in ownership and mergers we’re seeing more of lately—makes it nearly impossible for us to legitimately recommend specific sellers. With that said, the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned program is going to offer the same benefits that one would get buying from, say, the Mercedes Certified Pre-Owned Program: original parts will be used for repairs, warranties will be included with your purchase, service can be regularized, and Rolex fake watches paypal will be well vetted. With the Rolex CPO program, most pitfalls should—we sincerely hope—be eliminated.

    However, you don’t need to limit yourself to Rolex’s CPO program, and some of the best deals on excellent Rolexes happen between individuals on platforms like Chrono24, eBay, Reddit, watch collecting forums and—believe it or not—Instagram, where many reputable sellers now operate exclusively. The best way to learn about a seller is to read available reviews, ask fellow collectors who have worked with the seller, and—should you venture into the world of private sellers on forums and so on—ask those sellers for references that you can check out.

    Clearly, buying a Rolex is not simple. Tracking down your first Rolex is a rite of passage for any watch collector. Hopefully your experience will be a rewarding introduction into the fascinating—and, I warn you, addictive—adventure of buying Rolexes. We will sign off by recommending that you follow the due diligence outlined above, while also having good fun along the way.

    UK Top Pre-Owned Full-Gold Rolex Sports Replica Watches Online — Featuring The GMT-Master, Submariner, And More…

    One of the most talked-about watches during Watches and Wonders inspired this week’s list. Is the new full-gold Rolex Deepsea truly an unnecessary statement of opulence? Many people questioned whether the existence of a full-gold version of Rolex’s top-of-the-line professional dive watch was necessary. This then sparked a lively discussion about gold perfect replica Rolex sports watches in general. We were inspired by this and decided to pick our favorite full-gold pre-owned Rolex sports watches for this week’s list.

    Many watch fans agreed that Rolex didn’t have its best showing at Watches and Wonders this year. The yellow gold Deepsea was a hot topic, especially regarding this year’s introductions from The Crown. This new full-gold Deepsea clocks in at just over 320 grams and is anything but discrete. Many vocal enthusiasts were certain that Rolex had lost the plot with this full-gold version of its most professional dive tool. That said, some people enjoy gold high quality fake Rolex sports watches, and the discussion/debate prompted us to look back at some of the brand’s full-gold sports models from the past. We picked our five favorite pre-owned models that show the brilliance of gold Rolex sports watches.

    Replica Rolex Submariner Date ref. 1680/8 Watches

    Let’s start these pre-owned picks with the Swiss made fake Rolex Submariner Date ref. 1680/8 watches. Not only was the 1680 the first Submariner with a date function, but it was also the first reference produced in gold. The yellow gold ref. 1680 debuted in 1969 and stayed in production until 1979.

    During that decade, people could choose between a black-dial version and a blue-dial one. The watches came with the characteristic “nipple” dial that most watch enthusiasts will know from the GMT-Master. But the nipple dial also works its magic on this vintage Sub. It’s simple, and it’s brilliant to see the watch with this type of dial.

    The AAA Rolex copy watches is a gold translation of the stainless steel 1680. Thus, it has a 40mm yellow gold case with a gold bezel and a gold Oyster bracelet. Inside the case, Rolex used its caliber 1575. The movement operates at 19,800vph and has 48 hours of power reserve. For the later ref. 16808, Rolex switched to the caliber 3035, which upped the beat rate to 28,800vph. The aesthetic of the successor was mainly the same, with the nipple dial and the same available colors.

    If you are looking for the more affordable version, the ref. 16808 is a great option with prices starting well under €30K. We picked the ref. 1680/8, though, because it was the first. Expect prices to start at around €35K and move up quickly. But that sum does get you the best-looking full-gold dive watch that Rolex has ever created.

    Fake Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675/8 Watches

    You probably saw this one coming. The 1:1 wholesale replica Rolex GMT-Master and GMT-Master II watches have always been available in yellow gold. Even the first ref. 6542 was available in gold for only two short years, in 1958 and ’59. While we could have picked that one, the GMT-Master ref. 1675 served as the basis for the watch that most people know today. An aluminum insert replaced the Bakelite bezel insert of its predecessor, and the movement got an upgrade.

    As most of you will know, the GMT-Master ref. 1675 was one of Rolex’s long-running references, and it stayed in production from 1959 until 1980. The gold ref. 1675/8 was available in two versions both with a nipple dial. The first has a black dial and bezel insert, while the second is the one you see pictured with its glossy brown dial and brown bezel insert. Both Swiss made Rolex super clone watches look stunning on the gold Jubilee bracelet that’s perfectly at home on a GMT-Master.

    But since the brown color is unique to the GMT-Master, that would be our pick. Then again, I would not complain about a black version on my wrist, which is also stunning. Rolex used multiple calibers during the ref. 1675’s production period. It started with the 18,000vph caliber 1565 and was replaced by the updated 19,800vph caliber 1575. Rolex updated the latter with hacking seconds in the early ’70s without changing the reference.

    The full-gold ref. 1675/8 and its successor ref. 16758 are among the most beautiful GMT-Master models that Rolex produced. Expect asking prices for nice examples of the former to start around €30K and move up quickly. In comparison, the full-gold ref. 16578 starts at roughly €25K, and you can have it in great condition for less than €40K. That’s not exactly pocket change, but the watch sure is impressive.

    Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16528 Replica Watches

    Could you make a list like this and leave out the cheap Rolex Daytona fake watches? If ever there were a full-gold Rolex sports watch that is generally “accepted” by even the most purist of tool-watch fans, it’s this famous chronograph. But with so many choices, which is the one to go for? We picked the most affordable option, actually, which is a five-digit Daytona.

    We sure love our five-digit Rolexes here at Fratello, and it’s no different this time. The watch is part of the so-called “Zenith Daytona” series that debuted in 1988 and stayed in production until 2000 when it was replaced by the 116500 series housing the brand’s first in-house chronograph movement.

    The full-yellow-gold Daytona was available with different dial variations. The main colors were white with gold accents, gold with black accents, and the black one with gold accents that we picked. Inside the 40mm case, Rolex used the caliber 4030 to power the luxury Rolex replica watches.

    The movement was based on Zenith’s El Primero 400 and modified by the Genevan brand to meet Rolex standards. I love that the overall aesthetic consists of just gold and black with a tiny hint of red in the “Daytona” name above the sub-dial at 6 o’clock. The Daytona ref. 16528 a statement that can be your pre-owned starting at roughly €35K and easily moving up to €75K for variants with rare dials.

    Rolex Submariner Date ref. 16618 Fake Watches

    Another five-digit pick is the best UK replica Rolex Submariner Date ref. 16618 watches. The watch was most commonly available with a combination of a blue dial and bezel or a black dial and bezel. But don’t be fooled by the image you see. The watch in these pictures features a stunning and rare lapis lazuli dial that gives this specific version so much more depth and style.

    It was one of the few exotic dials that Rolex also introduced for this reference. But let’s stick to the basic details. As Robert-Jan explained, the Submariner Date ref. 16618 debuted in the late 1980s and remained in production until around 2008 when the ref. 116618 took its place.

    Inside the 40mm case, Rolex equipped the Swiss made fake Rolex watches with its famous caliber 3135. The movement operates at 28,800vph and has a 48-hour power reserve. Generally, I would pick the black version over the blue version, but I might make an exception for this reference. It’s also a more affordable option (with a standard dial, that is).

    The ref. 16618 is a great choice for people looking for a relatively affordable full-gold Submariner. Prices on the pre-owned market start at roughly €20K, and there are plenty of options out there, moving up to €30K. That won’t get you the stellar lapis lazuli version, but it does get you a stunning full-gold Submariner with a blue sunburst dial.

    Replica Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116718 Watches

    Our last pick is a bit of an oddball regarding looks, but it is a significant model in Rolex’s history. This full-gold 50th-anniversary GMT-Master II ref. 116718 was the first Rolex with a Cerachrom bezel insert. With the green dial and black bezel insert with gold numerals, the color combination looks pretty exotic, but I like it quite a bit. It also isn’t overly shiny like many of the modern Rolex replica watches with Swiss movements with ceramic bezel inserts.

    The ref. 116718 was also the first Rolex sports model with the “super case” that later found its way into more Rolex lines. The 40mm case had fatter lugs, a wider bezel, and a thicker overall profile, resulting in a greater wrist presence.

    Inside the case, Rolex equipped the watch with its caliber 3186. The GMT movement operates at 28,800vph, has 50 hours of power reserve, and offers the convenience of an independently adjustable 12-hour hand.

    Rolex fans slept on this 50th-anniversary GMT model for quite some time, but current asking prices are between roughly €33K and €55K, which is serious cash. However, that cash gets you a special GMT-Master II that still offers glimpses of the vintage charm while marking the change to modern-day China 2024 replica Rolex sports watches.

    Final thoughts on this week’s pre-owned watches

    There you have it — our list of five great full-gold best quality fake Rolex sports watches. This compilation not only shows some stunning examples (especially dive watches) but also that the brand has a longstanding history of offering sports models in precious metals. That’s why it should not come as a huge surprise that the brand gave the Deepsea the full-gold treatment. Granted, it is a different beast than a gold Sub or GMT-Master. But sometimes things are not that complicated.

    Rolex has created gold versions of many of its sports watches over time and Rolesor versions of watches we never thought we’d see in two-tone, like the Explorer and the Sea-Dweller. Whether you like it or not, there is always room for more gold in the Rolex history books. While I am not necessarily a fan of the full-gold Deepsea, I do like that idea.

    Rolex Introduces A Full Yellow Gold Version Of The Top Swiss Made Replica Rolex Deepsea Watches UK — Diving In Style Taken To A Different Dimension

    A fun fact is that the Sea-Dweller and the Deepsea are two different lines of watches on the Rolex website. But both Deepsea models prominently feature the Sea-Dweller name on the dial. With the introduction of the new yellow gold Rolex Deepsea ref. 136668LB, the Sea-Dweller moniker has been dropped. From now on, you will only find the Deepsea name on the dial. The perfect UK Rolex replica watches that proudly introduces us to the renewed Deepsea line is a full-gold version of the brand’s professional dive watch. This impressive gold beast of the deep takes the term “diving in style” to different dimensions.

    I have long been a fan of the Rolex Sea-Dweller. As some of you know, my favorite Rolex model is the Sea-Dweller ref. 16600. But over time, we have seen the Sea-Dweller line change. With the introduction of the Deepsea ref. 116660 in 2008, Rolex took the Sea-Dweller name to different extremes. This bigger and better member of the Sea-Dweller family introduced a water resistance rating of 12,800 feet / 3,990 meters. The case size also increased to 44mm, and the Deepsea ushered in a new era in modern cheap 1:1 fake Rolex dive watches. This story has a new dimension with the introduction of the first full-gold Deepsea. Are you ready for a serious chunk of Deepsea gold?

    The story of the current Rolex Deepsea

    The latest-generation AAA online replica Rolex Deepsea ref. 136660 watches debuted in 2022. It featured several incremental updates compared to the previous generation. It perfectly showed that Rolex is all about the details regarding its dive watches. As Robert-Jan explained last year, compared to the previous ref. 126660 Rolex slimmed down the bezel, enlarged the date window, optimized the Chromalight display, and removed the Fliplock dive extension.

    They were all small updates to perfect the Genevan brand’s ultimate diver. We all know that later that same year, Rolex introduced the completely bonkers Deepsea Challenge that took professional dive Rolex copy watches for men to another level.

    However, what Rolex introduces this year is also on another level. The full-yellow-gold version of the Swiss movements replica Rolex Deepsea ref. 136668LB watches marks the first time the brand has created a precious-metal version of its 44mm professional dive watch. This 18K yellow gold model has a blue dial and a blue Cerachrom bezel. It’s a color configuration that we know from the Submariner. The result is a precious-metal version that will have you sinking to the bottom of the sea faster than any gold Rolex diver before.

    The new Rolex Deepsea ref. 136669LB

    The new luxury fake Rolex Deepsea ref. 136668LB watches comes with a 44mm case that is 17.7mm thick, 51.8mm lug-to-lug, and 22mm between the lugs. As mentioned, the case is water resistant to 12,800 feet / 3,990 meters and features a 5.5mm-thick crystal and an automatic helium escape valve on the left side. Additionally, the watch has an RLX Titanium screw-in case back that contrasts quite drastically with the yellow gold case.

    The Rolex super clone watches wholesale combines a royal-blue dial with applied yellow gold indices filled with the familiar Chromalight lume. In addition, the loud “Ring Lock System” and “Original Gas Escape Valve” text are executed in gold. The text on the dial combines gold and white. As mentioned, the 0lower half of the dial loses the Sea-Dweller name. The royal-blue Cerachrom bezel insert features yellow gold numerals and markings to complete the stylish face of the watch.

    A Rolex 3235 caliber and full-gold Oyster bracelet

    Inside the case, hidden behind the RLX Titanium case back, you will find the in-house Rolex caliber 3235. Rolex also uses this movement for its Submariner, Yacht-Master, and Datejust models. The chronometer-rated automatic movement features a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers, and a 70-hour power reserve.

    The high quality Rolex replica watches comes fitted with an 18K yellow gold Oyster bracelet with the Glidelock clasp. It makes this new Rolex Deepsea a serious chunk of yellow gold for the people who can pull off a watch this size in precious metal.

    With this new Deepsea ref. 136668LB, Rolex pushes its extremes once again. The new best Rolex Deepsea fake watches in 18K yellow gold is available for €54,200. While it seems like a watch for the happy few who can pull it off and afford it, I would love to try this out on my wrist to find out how this new Deepsea in yellow gold wears. If ever you want to make a statement, this is the new Rolex to get.