The dial of a real Rolex Submariner is a masterpiece of precision. Key aspects to examine include:

• Font and Printing: Rolex uses a very specific font for its dial text. The printing should be crisp, sharp, and perfectly aligned. Fake Rolex Submariners often exhibit inconsistencies in font thickness, spacing, and alignment. Look for blurry or uneven printing.
• "Swiss Made" Marking: At the very bottom of the dial, you'll find "Swiss Made" flanking the 6 o'clock marker. This should be perfectly centered, precisely printed, and use the correct font. Fakes often misplace or misprint this crucial marking.
• Lume Application: Rolex uses high-quality Chromalight or Super-LumiNova luminescent material. The lume plots should be evenly applied, glow brightly and consistently, and be precisely positioned within their markers. Fake Rolex Submariners may have uneven, weak, or poorly applied lume.
• Coronet (Rolex Crown Logo): The Rolex coronet at 12 o'clock is a signature detail. It should be perfectly shaped, symmetrical, and three-dimensional, with distinct points. Fake Rolex Submariners often have coronets that are misshapen, flat, or poorly defined.

The unidirectional rotating bezel is a defining feature of the Submariner, crucial for divers to track elapsed time underwater. Examine these aspects:

• Bezel Action: A genuine Rolex Submariner bezel rotates smoothly and precisely with distinct, firm clicks. It should be unidirectional (rotating only counter-clockwise) and feel solid, not loose or flimsy. Fake Rolex Submariners often have bezels that feel cheap, rotate too easily, or have inconsistent clicks.
• Bezel Insert Material and Markings: Modern Submariners use Cerachrom (ceramic) bezels, which are incredibly scratch-resistant and have a deep, rich color. Older models used aluminum inserts. The markings on the bezel should be precisely engraved or molded, with sharp edges and consistent depth. The numerals and markers should be filled with platinum or gold (depending on the model) and perfectly flush with the ceramic surface. Fake Rolex Submariners may use inferior materials, have poorly aligned or uneven markings, or have paint that chips or fades easily.
• Luminescent Pip at 12 o'clock: The bezel pip at 12 o'clock should be filled with lume and be perfectly centered within its triangle. Check for even lume application and brightness.

The case of a Rolex Submariner is crafted from high-quality stainless steel (904L Oystersteel in modern models), gold, or platinum. Pay attention to these details:

• Material and Finish: Rolex uses premium materials and impeccable finishing techniques. The stainless steel should have a consistent, brushed or polished finish, free of imperfections, scratches, or pitting. Gold and platinum models should have a rich, lustrous appearance. Fake Rolex Submariners may use lower-grade metals or have poorly finished cases with visible flaws.
• Case Shape and Proportions: Rolex cases are precisely machined to exacting specifications. The overall shape and proportions should be consistent with the specific Submariner model. Compare the case shape to images of genuine models online. Subtle deviations in shape can be a red flag.
• Crown Guards: The crown guards protecting the winding crown should be symmetrical, robust, and seamlessly integrated into the case design. Fake Rolex Submariners may have crown guards that are uneven, poorly shaped, or crudely finished.
• Case Back: Rolex Submariners typically have solid, smooth case backs. They are generally not engraved or transparent (except for very rare vintage models, which are highly unlikely to be encountered by the average buyer). A transparent case back on a modern Submariner is almost always a sign of a fake. The case back should fit flush with the case and be perfectly aligned.

The Rolex Oyster bracelet is renowned for its comfort, durability, and secure clasp. Examine these elements:

• Material and Construction: The bracelet should be made of the same high-quality material as the case and have a solid, substantial feel. Links should be tightly connected and move smoothly without rattling. Fake Rolex Submariners often use hollow or poorly constructed bracelets that feel light and flimsy.
• Clasp Mechanism: Rolex clasps are engineered for security and ease of use. They should close with a solid, satisfying click and feature precise engravings of the Rolex crown and model markings. Look for clean, deep engravings. Fake clasps may feel loose, have poorly engraved markings, or be made of inferior materials.
• Engravings on the Clasp: The inside of the clasp often contains markings, including the Rolex crown, "Rolex," "Oystersteel" (or the metal type), and a production code. These engravings should be crisp, clear, and accurately reflect the watch's model and materials. Fake engravings may be shallow, blurry, or incorrect.

The movement is the engine of a watch and a critical differentiator between a fake Rolex Submariner and a real one. However, without specialized tools to open the case back (which you should generally not do unless you are a professional), verifying the movement directly is difficult for the average buyer. However, consider these indirect indicators:

• Smooth Sweeping Seconds Hand: Genuine Rolex movements have a smooth, sweeping seconds hand that moves fluidly around the dial due to their high frequency. Fake Rolex Submariners often have a jerky, ticking seconds hand movement mimicking a quartz watch, or a less smooth sweeping motion due to inferior movements.
• "Ticking" Sound: High-quality mechanical movements like those in Rolex watches are virtually silent. If you can hear a distinct "ticking" sound from the watch, it's a strong indication of a fake, as counterfeiters often use cheaper, louder quartz or low-quality mechanical movements.
• Weight: Genuine Rolex watches are made of solid, high-density materials. A real Rolex Submariner will have a substantial weight that feels appropriate for its size and construction. Fake Rolex Submariners are often significantly lighter due to the use of cheaper, less dense materials. While weight alone isn't definitive, a noticeably light Submariner is a major red flag.

Every genuine Rolex watch has a unique serial number and a model number. These are crucial for authentication. Here's how to check them:

• Location of Serial and Model Numbers: On modern Rolex Submariners (post-2005), the serial number is engraved on the rehaut (the inner bezel ring) between the dial and the crystal at the 6 o'clock position. The model number is typically engraved on the case between the lugs at the 12 o'clock position (you may need to remove the bracelet to see it clearly). On older models, both numbers are engraved between the lugs at 6 and 12 o'clock, respectively.
• Engraving Quality: Rolex engravings are incredibly precise, deep, and laser-etched. They should be perfectly aligned and evenly spaced. Fake Rolex Submariners often have shallow, uneven, or poorly aligned engravings.
• Verification: While Rolex doesn't publicly provide a serial number lookup tool, you can have a reputable Rolex dealer or watch authenticator verify the serial and model numbers against their databases. Be wary of online serial number checkers that are not officially sanctioned by Rolex, as these can be unreliable.

When purchasing a new or "like-new" Rolex Submariner, the accompanying packaging and paperwork are important indicators of authenticity. Examine these carefully:

• Rolex Box: The Rolex box should be of high quality, made of sturdy materials, and feature the correct Rolex logo and markings. Fake Rolex boxes are often made of cheap materials, have misaligned logos, or incorrect colors. The inner lining should be plush and well-fitted to the watch.
• Warranty Card (or Certificate): Modern Rolex watches come with a warranty card (or, for older models, a paper certificate) containing the watch's serial number, model number, date of purchase, and the authorized dealer's information. This card should be properly filled out, printed on high-quality paper, and contain the correct information that matches the watch. Fake warranty cards are often poorly printed, contain incorrect information, or have spelling errors.
• Instruction Manual and Booklets: Rolex provides comprehensive instruction manuals and booklets with their watches. These should be professionally printed on quality paper and contain accurate information about the watch model. Fake manuals are often poorly printed, contain generic information, or have language errors.

While sophisticated counterfeiters may attempt to replicate packaging and paperwork, they often overlook details or use inferior materials. Inconsistencies in the packaging and paperwork should raise red flags.