Best-Selling Men's Watches for 2016

The Best-Selling Men's Watches for 2016

Welcome to our watch review site! You've made the right choice to visit. I have done my homework and extensively researched this year's watch selection. The watches I review here start at under $100 and then include some luxury pieces, but all are unbeatable values. Let me give you some ideas and suggestions on current styles and trends. If you find what you're after, go for it! It could be for yourself, a special someone, for graduation, a birthday, holiday, or for no special reason at all!

Following the table summary of models included here, you'll find my more detailed reviews. If you see a watch here that you like and want more information, 

Best Men's Watches of 2016

Manufacturer	Model	Price	Features
Casio	Pro Trek PRW2500	$250	Designed for challenging environments. Includes altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer.
Samsung	Galaxy Gear Smartwatch	$330	Smartphone features including phone, text, and email; 1.63-inch screen.
TAG Heuer	Formula 1 Professional Watch	$750 and up	Scratch-resistant sapphire-coated dial window. Water resistant to 660 feet.
Omega	Seamaster "James Bond" Blue Dial Watch	$5,300	Designed for skindiving. Water resistant to 1,000 feet.
Invicta	Russian Diver	$65	Canteen style screw-top crown and chain.

What Kind of Watch Suits Me?

Since I review watches maybe you're asking, what do I wear on my wrist?

I have a TAG and a Citizen, but as a newbie collector I want them all! I think having variety and different materials when it comes to wearing a timepiece is essential for today's world.

When buying a men's watch, there are many things to consider. Honestly, most men should probably own at least three watches. But the truth is, most men prefer one watch and will wear it regardless of what they're doing.

I am a professional that works in a corporate office building. I own a watch that is thin and blends into my outfit for the day. When I take my wife out to dinner, I put on a flashier watch that says something about my personality. On the weekend, I wear a throw-around kind of watch. One that doesn't matter if I bang it against the lawnmower or take it into a pool.

When purchasing a watch, ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my price point?

Not to say you can't get a quality watch without breaking the bank, but it's important to realize that for anything with some substance of quality, you're going to have to spend at least a few hundred dollars. Don't be fooled by "nice looking" watches that are extremely cheap. They are junk and will not last. You can get a decent quality watch for well under $500. Watches sell for every price imaginable. You just have to decide where you stand.

• What materials do I prefer?

Do you like a leather band? How about a metal bracelet? Is gold your style, or stainless steel? Are you looking for a jeweled inner working 12-diamond face, or will a simple white dial do the job?

Leather bands are great. They can be formal or informal. Jewels are going to be flashy and should be contained to watches that you want to show off and flaunt yourself. White and blacks simple faces are conservative, while gold is traditional.

• Is this an investment piece?

For most of us, the answer is no. Some watches however, do go up in value. For example, it's common that a well-cared-for Rolex Daytona will hold its own and increase in value over time. On the other hand, if you're watch isn't collectible or rare, simply take care of it and know that it can last a lifetime. Perhaps it will be something you hand down to a family member or use the rest of your life.

• Am I looking for a universal watch, or several depending on the situation?

I talked about my personal situation above, but you must ask yourself this question. If you're looking for a single watch, I would recommend something conservative, yet fun. Perhaps a TAG Heuer. They are incredibly well-built, timelessly styled, and are in the middle-of-the-road when it comes to price. I would choose a dial color that suits you and stick with stainless steel links. If that's not your style, but you still want a single watch, I would go for a nice brown leather banded watch. Anything else is so situationally specific that it's hard to wear it in any setting.

• What is my personal style?

Are you flashy? Conservative? Outdoorsy? Cube dweller? Whatever your style, pick a watch that compliments it. Watches should be practical. A nightclub owner wearing a calculator watch simply will not do. You get my drift. Whatever your style, always comparison shop when choosing a watch. Personally, I'm a big Amazon shopper. There is almost any watch conceivable there, most backed by full warranties and easily returnable. What I like most is that there is no tax and shipping is generally is free or inexpensive.

Casio Pathfinder.

Casio Pathfinder

Introducing the new Pro Trek PRW2500, a high-performance tool developed under the supervision of meteorologists to take on challenging environments. Like all triple sensor Pro Trek models, the PRW2500 features easy-one-touch operation of its altimeter/barometer, compass, and thermometer. A reconfigured duplex LCD provides optimal layout for information at-a-glance when you're on the go. In addition to numerical and trend graph data, unique arrow icons help to indicate characteristic barometric pressure patterns. Water resistance to 200 meters improves performance while river trekking and rafting where one would encounter strong water pressure. The addition of tide and moon graph/data provides convenient information for sea kayaking and fishing. Titanium band digital watch with black face.

Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch.

Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch

Introducing a brand-new way to stay connected. Samsung Galaxy Gear extends the smartphone experience to your wrist and keeps you updated with glance notifications, so you can keep up with calls, texts, and emails. With a brilliant 1.63-inch Super AMOLED screen, this sleek, wearable device features a full-metal body design and a comfortable strap. Connect to your Galaxy smartphone via low-power Bluetooth and Galaxy Gear allows for discreet notifications, hands-free calling, music control, S Voice access and an array of exceptional features.

I have read all the reviews and thought what the heck. I bought this watch and was very pleased with my purchase. There are a lot of negative reviews that say "I wish it could do this or I wish it can do that." I wish it could take out the trash for me too, but I guess I will just have to settle for the most advanced watch ever!

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Professional.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Professional

Ideal for casual attire, this TAG Heuer Men's Formula 1 Professional timepiece is a great choice for athletes thanks to the sporty titanium uni-directional bezel printed with large, silver-tone Arabic numerals in increments of five. Its impressive scratch-resistant sapphire-coated dial window reveals a black dial with silver-tone hour indicators, small minute indexes, and luminescent silver-tone hands. This watch also offers a triple-link stainless steel bracelet, date window at 3 o'clock, precise Swiss quartz movement, and water resistance to 200 meters (660 feet), which means it will stand up to the rigors of recreational scuba diving.

This is the most popular TAG on the market today. It's priced exceptionally well and is one of the longest running collections in the TAG family. You are sure to be a hit with this stylish, high quality piece from our friends at TAG.

will love it.

Omega Seamaster "James Bond" Blue Dial.

Omega Seamaster "James Bond" Blue Dial

The Omega Men's Seamaster Blue Dial Watch makes its statement with a sporty deep blue dial with luminous hands and hour markers and a calendar window that sits at the 3 o'clock. This timepiece also features quartz precision movement with rhodium-plated finish for greater precision, stability, and durability of the movement, a stainless steel case and bezel, and a stainless steel band. The blue bezel is offset with white markers and Arabic numerals. The watch also features a domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal coated on the inside with anti-reflective treatment, and a calendar window at the 3 o'clock. Designed for skin diving and other water sports, the Seamaster is water resistant to 1,000 feet.

The Omega Seamaster is famous as the watch of choice for James Bond. Current ambassadors include Pierce Brosnan, Nicole Kidman, tennis player Anna Kournikova, and swimmers Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe.

Invicta Russian Diver Collection.

Invicta Russian Diver Collection

The Russian Diver Watch by Invicta is a powerful black and silver timepiece done in a canteen style, with a screw-cap crown and chain. The luminous hands and indexes make it easy to read the time, and the adjustable buckle on the comfy band make for a good fit. Featuring large Arabic numbers and a convenient date display just under 12 o'clock, the grand 52 millimeter stainless steel case frames the black dial with the notable Russian Diver logo in place of 12 o'clock. Water resistant to 330 feet, this eye-catcher will have people noticing, especially when paired with jeans and a T-shirt.

This watch is for the man who wants a little flash. Promoted by Anold Schwarzenegger, this watch is something special and sure to stand out in the crowd.

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Fake Rolex? How to Spot a Fake Instantly

Spot a Fake Rolex

 

How to Spot a Fake Rolex

The ultimate symbol of refinement and elegance, Rolex watches unfortunately also take up a good amount of the counterfeit market. The difference between a fake and a real Rolex watch is not obvious immediately. However, with a few basic guidelines, it is at times a possibility to determine whether you are getting a cheap imitation or the real deal when it comes to your Rolex. For counterfeits of high quality on the other hand, you may need to talk to a professional. Here are a few things you can do to judge your Rolex quality.

The Crown at 6

At 6 o’clock you can find the crown. Beginning in the mid millennial year 2000, the trademark logo crown was etched by Rolex into the watch dial crystal. If your watch was manufactured in the last 10 or so years, you may be able to see this tiny authenticity mark. Use a jewelers lens and a magnifying glass to examine the glass carefully at the end of the watch dial at 6 o’clock. Look for the crown logo of Rolex, which is the same as the opposite end dial crown logo, although the one on the opposite side has a logo that is much larger. You are actually looking for etchings that are not easy to see and are extremely small. You might find that it makes it easy to see if you shine the watch at an angle and light the watch face.

Crown Logo

On the dial, there needs to be a crown logo of high quality. Every watch by Logo has the crown trademark logo at the dial top near the marking of 12 o’clock. This logo needs to be examined under a magnifying glass and may reveal instantly that what you have is not authentic. This should look like it is made of metal high quality construction. There needs to be bumps raised at the circles at the crown point ends. The crown’s outline needs to shine with a different sheen which is metallic compared to the one inside it. If the logo crown looks flat under a magnifying glass or cheap, this is not the real thing.

Inside Dial’s Rim

Another authenticity mark is the etched, fine lettering included usually around the watch rim of the Rolex dial. Use a jeweler’s lens or a magnifying glass to examine the letters. These should have no imperfections, be elegant, precise and fine. In addition, the letters need to be etched into the rim of the metal. If it looks like it is instead printed or painted, this is not a sign of Rolex authenticity. Plus, keep in mind that it is typical that every watch from the Oyster series of Rolex bears this type of etches. From the series of Rolex called Cellini, there are usually designs that are not standard like faces in a rectangular shape or the like, and may not have this etched as well.

Serial Number

Some counterfeits that are expertly made will be hard to differentiate from the real thing. In order for you to see hard to detect features, you will need t examine the intricate, tiny detailed work on the watch. This is hard to spot. To being, try to find the serial number of the watch. This will require watch band removal. This can usually be done by pushing the joints holding the bands to the watch with a thumb tack in its place or an object with a similar size. If you are not comfortable doing this, you can ask an expert to do this for you. Check to see the end of the dial at 6 o’clock between the lugs as this is where the serial number is located. With the serial number, you will be able to look at the watch manufacture date. There are many sources online that come in handy for you to get some assistance. Between the opposite lug set, there needs to be another marking that is similar. You will see the words ORIG ROLEX DESIGN and a case reference number labeled with it. On the serial number, the letters need to be precise and perfect with lines that are fine. One method called acid etching is something used by counterfeiters which produces markings on the serial number with a noticeable appearance of being sandy under a magnifying glass.

Put it Beside the Real Thing

To find out whether or not you have an authentic Rolex on your hands, one way you can do this is to put it beside the real thing. If you don’t have the real, authentic version in your hands, check for an online picture of a real Rolex online or in a magazine. Look at the numerals, where the date is, the strap and the dial. It is helpful to see the way your Rolex should look like. Find the right model on the official website of Rolex. Compare the watch appearance to that of images of ‘references.’ The dial is something you need to pay attention to in a special manner. Does your watch have a date dial or a chronograph extra dial? Are these all in the right places? Is the lettering the same? Are there identical inscriptions? If your answer to all the questions happens to be no, then a fake is most likely what you have. The brand Rolex is well known around the world for a good reason and this is its craftsmanship quality. It is extremely rare for errors to be noticeable.

Waterproof or Not?

To determine whether or not your Rolex is the real thing or a fake, one surefire way is to check how water tight it happens to be. Every watch by the esteemed Rolex brand is made to be airtight perfectly. If there is even a tiny leak, it is most likely not an authentic watch. In order for you to determine whether or not your Rolex is a real, authentic watch, take the watch and dunk it in a cup with water for more than just a few seconds. You can then remove the watch and check to see if the dial contains any water. The watch should remain in perfect condition. If you see even a tiny bit of water within the dial, or some moisture that has seeped in, then you will know that what you have is not really authentic.

Of course you need to keep in mind that should the watch you are testing not be authentic, doing the water test on it may just cause it to become damaged. To prevent damaging a watch, you might need to take the Rolex you are testing for authenticity to a repairman with a lot of experience or buy a brand new one in the event that doing the water test does damage the watch. In other words, if these possibilities are something you are not comfortable with, you will need to be reliant on other tests. Also, it literally pays to keep in mind that among the Rolexes available in the market these days, the Submariner is the only one that is created for use in deep water. While a Rolex is great for the swimming pool or in the shower, more serious water conditions and extreme submersion may cause your authentic Rolex to leak.

Non Metal Construction

When you turn over a real Rolex, the watch back needs to be made of high quality, unmarked, smooth metal. If it does not have a leather strap, the watch needs to be made from metal construction of high quality. If there is a cheap looking, thin or plastic part on the watch, such as aluminum, the chances are what you have is a fake. These are clear signs and qualities that there were cutting corners when the watch was being manufactured. Only the best materials create a real Rolex, and no expense is spared when each watch is created. Plus, if the watch back casing appears to be made from metal but can be removed to reveal an inner plastic case, this is not a genuine watch.

Watch Backside

Some Rolex counterfeit watches feature a glass with a clear back allowing you to see the watch’s inner workings. This backing which is clear may not or may be concealed under a metal cover you can remove. As a matter of fact, among the Rolex brand current models, there are no clear case backs any longer. To put it another way, yours is not a real Rolex if it has a clear case back. Another fact is that clear case backings are what only a few Rolex’s contain and these were all models for exhibition. Some fake watch makers add a clear case back to their watches to allow potential buyers to view the watch inner workings rather than to get an alert that this is not the real thing.

Weight

There is some heft in a real Rolex since these are constructed from real crystal and metal. For this reason, when you hold a real Rolex in your hand, it needs to feel substantial and solid. If you are holding a suspiciously light weight Rolex, this may not be the real thing. It may not contain many Rolex’s precious metals or may be entirely constructed from materials that are less than top quality.

Date Magnification

Not all, but a lot of Rolexes have a small window or dial that has the date on display. This is usually on the watch face’s right side near the position or three o’clock. To make the date easily readable, there is a small magnification lens that Rolex includes called ‘Cyclops’ sometimes in the dial’s glass. This is a ‘hard to counterfeit’ feature so a lot of the different counterfeit Rolexes may include something that looks like a panel for magnification but when you inspect this closely, it is simply just glass that is ordinary. If the panel for magnification over the dial of the date does not actually seem to make the numbering of the date any bigger, yours might be counterfeit.

Actual magnification by Rolex needs to magnify about two and a half of the date. The entire window should almost be entirely taken up by the date. Some great counterfeit versions will somewhat cause the date to be magnified but frequently only to the point that there is a filling of the entire window.

Second Hand Jerky Motion

Since the ‘seconds’ hand of a real Rolex sweeps smoothly across the watch face, rather than jerking from one ‘second’ to the next, you will know immediately that the Rolex you are checking out is a fake if the second hand moves in a less than smooth manner from one second to the next. Does the hand trace a smooth perfect circular path around the watch face edge or does it to jerk, slow down or speed up as it turns. If the motion of the seconds hand is not smooth as silk, you might be looking at a fake. As a matter of face, when you look very closely at the second’s hand of a real Rolex, you might note that is not extremely perfect either. Actually, many models move at about eight tiny movements per second. There are even slower speeds for certain models. This is a usually undetectable motion, however, to the naked eye in such a way that the seconds hand looks like it is smoothly moving.

Listen to the Tick

On regular watches, the second hand motion is truncated and jerky. There is an abrupt shift on the second hand from each position from one second to the next. Many other fine watches, as well as a Rolex have almost perfectly smooth second hands. Due to this quality, there is no ‘ticking’ sound that a Rolex makes. Listen closely to your Rolex before you actually shell out some hard earned cash to buy it. If your watch is making a noise that is somewhat like a ‘ticking’ sound, this is an immediate sign that the Rolex you are checking out is not the real thing.

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Review of the KS Tourbillon Automatic Mechanical Date White Dial Men's Sport Wrist Watch KS04

Description

I purchased this timepiece from AMPM24; a subsidiary of SOWATCHES. It cost me fifty-nine dollars which works out to about fifty in US funds. The watch was eligible for free shipping and arrived less than a week later.

Most Chinese watches are shipped tag-less and wrapped in a layer of bubble wrap. The KS004 was packed in a proper watch box lined with foam. Included were the watch, a buffing cloth, tag, international maintenance guarantee card and an instruction manual.

This is an automatic watch and it doesn’t take much to get it ticking. The timepiece is big and bold; easily the largest watch in my collection. Even on my inordinately skinny wrist, it looks good.

The KS04 watch is identified as a Tourbillon which infers its balance wheel and escapement are contained within a rotating cage. This type of gravity defying mechanism is fitted into a selection of expensive watches in order to improve accuracy. What Kronen & Sohne actually did was cut a hole in the dial, exposing the balance wheel. Since this wheel and its associated hair spring are bouncing back and forth at a rate of eight times a second, it is fun to watch.

The date is displayed near the top of the dial. The month sub-dial is to the right and the day of the week sub-dial is to the left. Pushbuttons located above and below the crown control the date and month. A depressed button on the left edge of the case is used to adjust the day of the week. All of these buttons feel solid and should operate properly for years.

Tom Adelstein authored an interesting article concerning KS watches. He notes that Liaoning Watch Factory in Andong, China manufactures movements for Kronen & Sohne. I removed the back of the watch but could not confirm the manufacturer of the movement. Kronen & Sohne is engraved on the rotor which indicates this mechanism was produced for this specific watch company.

The band is thick, well constructed and marked genuine leather. After five weeks of constant use some of the shiny brown coating has rubbed off the loops but, otherwise, the strap has survived well. It is composed of either leather or high quality polyurethane. This is not a band you will need to replace right away.

Closeup of functions

The Manufacturer

According to their website, Kronen & and Sohne is a German company established in 1992. They are run by NCN Group, a company that specializes in marketing. Other brands controlled by NCN consist of SHARK, HOTARU, AGENT.X, and TAYLOR COLE. NCN Group operates under the umbrella of SOWATCHES and appears to be based in the orient.

Kronen & Sohne do not actually operate a watch factory. They purchase the required components from a variety of Chinese manufacturers. These parts, in turn, are assembled into watches and packaged by other companies.

Specifications

Brand: Kronen & Sohne

Condition: New with box and tags

Part number: KS004—AMUS

Model year: 2013

Place or origin: Guangdong, China (This information is unverified)

Gender: Male

Display: Analog

Movement: Caliber KM02T06 Automatic

Style: Sport

Features: Open heart dial displaying balance assembly

Functions: Time, date, day of week, and month

Band material: Leather

Band width: 24mm

Dial color: White

Dial window material type: Hardex

Case material: Stainless steel

Case diameter: 4.86cm (including crown)

Case thickness: 1.3cm (approx)

Weight: 83gm (Includes weight of band)

Water resistance: 3 ATM (Not suitable for swimming, diving, shower etc.)

Visual Appeal

The KS04 is the best looking timepiece in my collection. The crystal is flat which reduces glare and composed of a scratch resistant material. A glass cover on the back of the watch allows a view of the watch’s rotor. The dial appears to be engraved although the affect is muted. The date can be clearly seen through the upper window and, below, a circular cutout provides a view of the balance assembly. Against the white background, the sub-dial markings denoting the day of week and month of year can be easily distinguished. The overall affect is big and bold without being overly ostentatious.

Accuracy

During the first few weeks of testing the date function would often skip days. After the first month, however, the problem resolved itself. My automatic Seiko did not require a ‘work in’ period but it appears this watch does. All other functions worked perfectly over the test period and continue to do so.

I inserted the KS04 into my watch winder for three weeks to determine its accuracy. After twenty one days the watch had gained nine minutes. This works out to twenty-six seconds per day. I'd thought that was fairly good for an automatic watch in this price range but, in fact, a modern non-certified watch should not gain or lose more than ten seconds per day. Eventually I will have to dive in and adjust the regulator.

Durability

The watch survived unscratched and unharmed over five weeks of constant use. Unlike the Winner Skeleton watch which I have also reviewed, the hands responded firmly when turning the crown to adjust the time. All pushbuttons felt tight and performed well. My overall impression is of quality and sturdiness.

Automatic/mechanical watches require routine maintenance—cleaning and lubrication—every three to five years. If not properly maintained, accuracy will suffer and, eventually, the timepiece will die. It is easy to justify the cost of maintaining the $40,000 Rolex your loving wife gave you for Christmas. It is only common sense. In the case of the Kronen & Sohne watch, however, this work will probably be neglected. It is not that the maintenance costs associated with the KS04 are higher than that of the Rolex—it probably will be less—but why would you have a watch cleaned when it would be cheaper to replace the timepiece?

In my judgment, if unmaintained, this watch should run well for the first three years. Over the next three, as dust accumulates and lubricating oils dry, accuracy will suffer and the watch will need to be wound from time to time. The KS04 might cease to operate during this period or it could—as my neglected Seiko diver’s watch has—struggle on for many more years than expected.

Front view

Overall Impression

The KS04 is not perfect. It required a ‘work in’ period before the date function operated properly, and the hands—despite a thin coating of luminous paint—cannot be seen in the dark.

This watch, however, looks great and is of better quality than expected for a timepiece in this price range. If you are looking for an inexpensive automatic watch suitable for daily use, this offering from Kronen & Sohne is worthy of strong consideration. Highly recommended.

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Review of the Jaragar JR13 Men's Automatic Watch with Calendar and Moon Phase

The Purchase

This watch is available at many internet stores, the least expensive vendor being based at DHgate. Since I’d been looking for a chance to try out this Chinese competitor to Amazon, I ordered the watch from them.

The DHgate vendor I chose was ikwatches. The purchase price of $38.65 US ($47.00 CDN) included free shipping. My transaction proceeded smoothly and six weeks later the watch arrived at the post office. It was adequately packaged; wrapped in bubble wrap and shoved inside a thin cardboard box.

Watch Band

The strap—marked genuine leather—is thick, black, and looks great. After three weeks of daily use the band began to split where the buckle tongue enters one of the adjustment holes. I suspect this strap is actually composed of medium quality polyurethane.

The Manufacturer

I failed to locate the official Jaragar website. It is only conjecture but I suspect Jaragar is a brand owned by a large Asian based company that contracts out the manufacture and assembly of these watches to a variety of Chinese factories.

If you purchase a Jaragar watch which requires warranty service, it will normally be provided by the vendor. He, in turn, will contact Jaragar for recompense.

Specifications

Brand name: Jaragar

Condition: New without tags

Model/Part number: J13, WJ064, JJS004

Place or origin: China

Gender: Male

Display: Analog

Style: Luxury

Movement: Automatic

Features: Full calendar, moon phase, and twenty-four hour clock

Band material: Probably polyurethane

Dial color: Black (also available in white)

Dial shape: Round

Dial Window material: Hardex

Case material: Stainless steel

Case diameter: 44mm including crown

Case thickness: 15mm

Weight: 66g (2.33 oz) including replacement leather strap

Water resistance: 3 ATM (Not suitable for swimming, diving, shower etc.)

Visual Appeal

This is a handsome timepiece, complete with gleaming case, shiny metal pushbuttons and attractively designed subdials.

I chose the black-dialed model because it exudes an aurora of luxury. You might prefer the white dial which better showcases the moon phase function.

A window at the bottom of the watch allows a view of the movement’s inner workings.

Reliability and Accuracy

Two numbered and rotating rings, viewed through small windows in the dial, indicate the date. One is numbered zero through nine; the other, zero through three. Throughout the first three weeks of testing the date would often jump ahead an extra day. Eventually the problem worked itself out. Then, during the week the Jaragar was inserted into my watch winder, it skipped ahead another day. Also the second ring became stuck when changing from day nineteen to day twenty. The fix was easy. I simply pressed the pushbutton associated with this function and clicked it until I reached the proper date.

During the test phase in my Diplomat watch winder which I have also reviewed, the Jaragar gained two minutes. This works out to seventeen seconds per day. A modern mechanical non-COSC certified watch should to accurate to within ten seconds per day. Having said this, considering the price, the timepiece is reasonably accurate.

Durability

My watch exhibited difficulties associated with the date mechanism. The situation might improve, as the watch becomes worn in—or it might worsen. The pushbuttons controlling the various functions of this timepiece worked adequately but their action proved not as firm as those of the Kronen & Sohne KS04 which I have also reviewed. Time can easily be adjusted by turning the crown and all subdials function well.

Automatic/mechanical watches require routine maintenance—cleaning and lubrication—every three to five years. If not properly maintained accuracy will suffer and eventually the timepiece will die. It is easy to justify the cost of maintaining the $40,000 Rolex you mortgaged your house for last year. It is only common sense. In the case of the Jaragar, however, this work will probably be neglected. It is not that the maintenance costs would be higher than that of the Rolex—it probably will be less—but why would you have a watch cleaned when it could be replaced at a lower cost?

In my judgment this watch should run well for the first two years although problems with the date mechanism might surface. You will also need to replace the strap. Over the next three, as dust accumulates and lubricating oils dry, accuracy will suffer and the watch will need to be wound from time to time. The Jaragar might cease to operate during this period or it could—as my neglected Seiko diver’s watch has—struggle mightily to survive.

Overall Impression

I like this watch. It looks great on my wrist and could easily be mistaken for a timepiece worth far more than what I paid. The Jaragar is reasonably accurate, easy to read, and packed with cool functions.

These functions come at a price. While this is a timepiece of sufficient quality for everyday use, I do predict difficulties associated with the date mechanism. If it continually skips days the pushbutton assembly that controls this function will eventually wear out. Of course, perfection cannot be expected in a thirty-eight dollar watch. Recommended with reservations.

I have inserted an Amazon Advert below for this watch. The accompanying photo is not that of the product. I can only assume that the seller believes a sexy pair of shoes will sell anything... even a watch.

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How to Spot a Fake Rolex

Really Good Fake Rolex Watches Need to Have the Movement Examined

Fake Rolex watches are getting really good—so good that many can pass the eye test. It is getting harder to tell whether a "Rolex" is real or not, but here are some tell-tale signs of a fake:

• Made in China logo
• Clear back
• Weighted improperly
• Peeling paint
• Spelled Rollex

These may sound comical, but counterfeiters do make obvious fakes, as well as really good ones. The trickiest forges to spot are in the fine watch category. There is a whole industry out there spewing out knockoff Rolexes and, some of the time at least, they are nearly identical to the real thing.

There is only one way to tell the high-quality imposters from the real thing and that is by opening up the case. At this point, most experts can tell by looking at the movement, but not always. There are books with certification numbers and holograms much like licenses that are much more difficult to copy.

The bad news is, even experts get fooled from time to time. Some counterfeits are exact replicas with serial numbers that match real watches manufactured from the same materials with the same movement. For all purposes, they are just as high quality, just not genuine Rolex.

The Official Rolex Hologram

An official Rolex hologram on the back of a Datejust.

It's Easy to Avoid the Low-Quality Replicas

How do you make sure you don't fall prey to scammers? The most obvious answer is that you should purchase your watch only from a reputable Rolex dealer, not from the back of the truck or from Craigslist. Have an expert examine the watch for authenticity.

A good way for a layperson to ascertain the timepiece's authenticity is to take it to a certified appraiser. If you are more of a do-it-yourselfer, however, buy a magnifying glass and learn certain tricks of the trade that will shed light—literally and figuratively—on your Rolex. It's never recommended though to open the watch yourself. If it's real, opening in up yourself can void the warranty.

Counterfeit Rolex Watches: How to Know if it's a Fake

One of the easiest ways to spot a counterfeit Rolex is by its clear display, or caseback, which allowsi you to see the inner workings of the watch. The real McCoy does not have such a feature, with the exception of some vintage 1930s exhibition models that were never mass-produced.

Just as Rolex never manufactured clear casebacks, it did not engrave them either. Genuine models will have a smooth caseback, whilst fakes might feature engraved logos and other designs. The rare exceptions are the pre-1990s ladies' models, which had "Original Rolex Design" or a similar variation thereof, engraved on the caseback. Another exception is the Sea-Dweller display, which has "Rolex Oyster Original Gas Escape Valve" engraved around the outside of the caseback.

A real Rolex has a 3D hologram-encoded sticker on the caseback. For models produced after 2002, a Rolex crown can be viewed on the sticker and it changes patterns when you see it from different angles. A replica usually has a repetitious Rolex pattern printed on it and does not change when viewed from other angles.

Keep in mind too that Rolex has introduced a tiny crown logo etched onto the crystal at the area around the six o'clock direction after 2002, so this should not be present in earlier models. This feature may not, however, be applicable to all Rolex watches.

Another sign is that the crystal in authentic current date display models (with the exception of the Sea-Dweller) will have a Cyclops lens attached to the crystal, magnifying the tiny aperture 2.5 times. Fake rolex watches, however, will offer only 1.5 magnification, though some "better" replicas now feature a larger font date to give an illusion of a bigger magnification. Just how sneaky can these scammers get?

Is my Rolex a Knock-off? Key Things to Look for in a Fake Rolex

Look for the triplock crown seal. What, you never heard of such a thing? It can be identified by three very small dots positioned under the Rolex "crown" logo engraved on the end on the winding crown.

GenuineRolex models featuring the triplock crown (Submariner, Sea-Dweller and Daytona) use an extra seal within the threads of the winding crown's tube. Most counterfeit models will not feature this seal and will have basic, screw-down threads.

One of the most accurate ways to identify a counterfeit is by locating the Serial and Case Reference numbers engraved on the side of the case between the lugs. Engraving on a genuine Rolex features light-reflecting, very fine lines. A copy has a more "etched" appearance and the spacing in the numbers may be too close. Not only that, fakers will sometimes use the same numbers on all their watches.

This is by no means, an exhaustive list. Trying to spot a fake Rolex might be quite an exhausting undertaking. Let's put it this way: given a choice between a counterfeit Rolex and a Donald Duck watch, I shall opt for the latter. At least if it quacks, I know it's an original!

Checklist of Fake vs. Real Rolex

Attribute	Real Rolex	Fake Rolex
Extra seal within the threads around triplock crown	Yes	Screw-down threads
Clear display or caseback	No	Maybe
Smooth caseback	Yes	Maybe. Many have logos
Engraved caseback	No	Maybe
3D hologram-encoded sticker on caseback	Yes on models after 2002	Probably not
2.5 magnification on Cyclops lens	Yes	No, most fakes have 1.5 magnification
Serial and case reference numbers on side of case	Yes, and is light-reflecting and very fine	Yes, but most have poor spacing and lines are etched

Swiss Replica Rolex: The Unofficial Fake

I have to tell you right off: I am not a fan of companies selling fake Rolex watches.

If you are thinking of buying a Swiss Replica Rolex, be forewarned: Selling fakes is against the law and there are documented cases of legal ramifications for the manufacture and/or sale of counterfeit watches, with perpetrators being indicted on felony charges. Montres Rolex SA has even gone after eBay.

Quite apart from the legal aspect of counterfeiting, there are other points to be considered before you kiss your money goodbye (and yes, when you buy a fake rolex, you might as well be throwing your money out the window).

There is, of course, no shortage of companies that sell fakes and go out of their way to convince the gullible buyer that their replicas look exactly like the genuine Rolex watches. Yes, dealers are well aware that they are running afoul of trademark laws, but I suppose they are willing to take that risk. Should you? Read on and then decide.

You might have seen the name "Swiss Replica Rolex," however there is no company with that name. If you Google "Swiss Replica Rolex" you will get a slew of listings of distributors offering fake watches, so I am assuming this is a global term for counterfeit watch peddlers. A common denominator of these companies is that none of their fakes is actually manufactured in Switzerland, but mostly (if not exclusively) in Asia.

Why Not Buy a Swiss Replica Rolex?

Here is a reason you should not fall into the trap (aside from the legal ramifications): You don't know who you are dealing with. I've actually went online, checked some of these companies out, and noticed that none of them provides an address. Surprised? Not really. If I were breaking a law, I'd want to remain anonymous as well. A reputable company will always display its full address as well as the names of their board of directors. So the lack thereof should sound off an alarm in your head.

Another problem with fake Rolexes is the after-sales service. While these companies do offer a warranty, can you really trust a firm that is breaking the law in the first place, and whose exact geographical location is a mystery?

Also, there is always a good chance that sooner or later these operations will be shut down. They will likely re-appear under a different name, since they don't want to give up their share of a very lucrative market. In the meantime you can't be sure they won't skip town with your money in their pockets.

The true enjoyment of owning a genuine Rolex is not merely that it is a status symbol. It is the pleasure you get from knowing that the timepiece around your wrist represents the culmination of years of research, top-quality parts and materials, and meticulous craftsmanship. You will never get this feeling from a fake watch you buy from fly-by-night, dubious dealers.

I understand that what motivates people to buy fakes is that they don't want to spend the money for a genuine Rolex. Keep in mind though, that replicas are notRolexes, and if you would like to own a real Swiss watch, look into some moderately-prices ones, such as the Tissot line, for example. They manufacture good quality dressy and sports watches, and I have owned quite a few of these models over the years to my full satisfaction.

Likewise, there are plenty of opportunities to save quite a bit buying a preowned Rolex (naturally, one that has the certification to prove it's genuine).

So don't be fooled by names like Swiss Replica Rolex and don't fall prey to illicit practices. Itmay end up costing you more than the price of a fake Rolex.

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