The Problem With Buying an Ilegal Fake Rolex Watch

Last year the US Customs agency prosecuted 2500 cases of fake watch importation and dealing. Of those cases several, we don't know how many, were of buyers just like you who were charged with willfully purchasing counterfeit goods.

Even if you buy a so called "Grade One Swiss Rolex" which is a crock of crap since there is no association of fake watchmakers that give out "grades" you still are probably getting one with fake ETA Chinese guts.

Let's say that you plunk down nearly $1000 for what is described as a near exact copy of a Rolex and the seller with the fancy website claims they offer a warranty.

What are you going to do when the watch breaks? Are you going to box it up and send it to the address they give, usually in the Philippines, for repair?

If that watch is found by customs and inspected (which has happened) you will be charged with shipping counterfeit goods!

At the urging of powerful manufacturers lobbies such as Rolex and Tag Heuer, the US Customs is increasing their enforcement of counterfeit goods laws, specifically watches made by US allies and friends such as the Swiss and Germans.

Legal fears aside, none of these fake Rolexes are waterproof or even water resistant. Those that claim to be so are not tested to any kind of industry standards and lack the multiple O rings that real Rolexes do.

While it is tempting to think that you can get "almost" the same watch that sells for $10,000 for a fraction of that, remember that it will have no warranty, inaccurate Chinese parts (even if the maker claims they are Swiss they are not). Do you really think there are little shops all across well policed and governed Switzerland making illegal watches?

Having visited Switzerland numerous times it makes me laugh just thinking about it. No, the shops that make these so called Swiss Rolex replicas are in the Philippines, Thailand and China.

Save your money and buy the real thing. You will be glad you did.