Watch auctions have been setting and breaking numerous records in the past two years. That’s not only in sales but also in attendance. 2017’s spring Geneva auction week reported some of the highest numbers of spectators to date. Despite shifts in demand within the replica watch market, the auction world has kept on ballooning. 
Rolex auctions in particular have seen unprecedented interest in the past few years, from enthusiasts seated front row for the action to invisible collectors placing anonymous bids over the phone. If you want to know more about the fake Rolex’s overwhelming popularity, simply look at the records set by the replica Rolex sales at auction in the past two years.
5. The fifth most expensive Rolex sold at the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction in May of 2015 for $1.4 million. The extremely rare model “Oyster Albino” Cosmograph Daytona circa 1971 is one of only four known timepieces to garner the “albino” name. But adding to its appeal was the identity of its seller: none other than the legendary guitarist, Eric Clapton. 
4. The third most expensive Rolex sold at the same Phillips event in 2016 for $2.4 million, nearly $800,000 over its pre-sale high estimate. The Antimagnetic ref. 4113 circa 1942 was never available for public sale. The fact is that the fake Rolex only gifted to an elite group of racing teams and their drivers. Only twelve of the models are known to exist, making it incredibly rare.
3. The fourth most expensive Rolex sold just a year later at Phillips in May 2016. The Paul Newman Oyster Sotto, ref. 6263 circa 1969 just broke the $2 million mark at a final price of $2,053,165. As one of only two famous Oyster Sotto models to feature the distinct, rich chocolate brown “tropical” dial, it’s a highly-coveted collector piece.
2. The second most expensive fake Rolex sold at auction in May 2017. The yellow gold Oyster Paul Newman Daytona-dubbed “The Legend”-pulled in a whopping $3.7 million on the second day of the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction, making it the most expensive Daytona sold at auction at the time. The watch is one of only three known yellow gold Oyster Paul Newman Daytona models in existence. 
1.The most expensive Rolex sold at the same auction in May 2017, blowing all previous sales out of the water. The Bao Dai ref. 6062 set a new world record at the staggering price of $5,060,427. The watch belonged to the last emperor of Vietnam, and it’s the only known variation of the model to feature a black dial and diamond indexes.
However, 2017 is really a great year for the best replica Rolexes.

This week obtains technical with an early Vacheron Constantin automatic, and a replica Rolex Daytona chronograph that comes with a stunning tri-color dial. You will also take a general view of one of the last classically-shaped Memovox from before the funky cases of the 1970s arrived. Besides, we end with an edifying Breitling franken-watch in end, a wannabe Sprint 2010 which indicates one of the worst dials we have ever had the joy of finding.
Vacheron Constantin Automatic with Original Papers 
The Vacheron Constantin replica was all about functionality in the 1950s, offering an automatic caliber and a screw-down waterproof case back. Its case measures a substantive 35mm across, while a large number of dial/hands combinations exist, true to the fake Vacheron Constantin’s form in that era. In a letter to its retailers dated back to the 1950s, the manufacture had actually indicated that it never released more than 24 examples with the same design, which explains the countless variations of indexes and handset shapes that can be found for the very same stuff.
It is said that the watch comes directly from the original owner and shows a perfectly preserved yellow gold case. The automatic movement is not described but it is either the elusive bumper caliber 477/1, only produced between 1950 and 1952 and cased afterward, or the caliber P1019 with the full rotor, produced from 1958. Given that the original papers indicate a sale in 1962, and imaging the fake Rolex watch did not stay in inventory for quite a long time, the presence of the caliber P1019 comes with a higher probability; both movements are very nice automatic calibers any way.
The Navitimer Rattrapante replica is the newest addition and it was released earlier this year at Baselworld. It features both a take on the original Navitimer dial and a split-seconds chronograph function and is the first time that the manufacture has made this complication entirely in-house. You may recall the Duograph from Breitling, a split-seconds chronograph from the 1940s, and this replica watch is now very collectible, so it is nice to see the fake Breitling referring back to its heritage.

Rolex watches which are a well-known status symbol have launched a meaningful counterfeit market. Replicas are often very nice and the differences between a real watch and a perfect replica could be difficult to find out. To show you assistance with this, please pay attention to the following guidelines. 
There are two interesting features on the side of the watch which could be of great help to identify a fake. To begin with, look for the serial and case reference numbers, which will be engraved on the watch’s side. The engraving on a real timepiece will be very good enough, with light-reflecting lines. On the contrary, the engraving on a replica watch will be sloppy and etched. Secondly, look for the winder. Fake watches will often have basic winders that move the minute and hour’s hands. The winder of a real Rolex will be finely crafted and include engravings and grooves.
Now, let’s look at the back of the watch: a true Rolex will have a smooth case back with no engravings, logos, or markings. If any of the former is present, this is not a real watch. Likewise, Rolex will rarely have a clear see-through back case (the exception being the new Prince model) – if you can see inside of the watch, it’s most likely not real.
A real Rolex has an even, smooth second-hand movement; there is no ticking noise. However, a counterfeit will, in contrast, have a stuttering second hand that jerks as it moves and may tick.
Look at the materials of the timepiece. The watch should be made of 24K gold, stainless steel, or platinum; it will never be gold plated, chrome, chrome-plated or two-toned. The quality of the materials used also means that Rolex is normally heavier than other replica watches. If you can, compare the weight of the watch with another fake Rolex Daytona. A true Rolex will weigh significantly more than a replica.
Whilst cheaper pieces are much easier to spot, expensive fakes are often much harder. If you are planning to purchase a Rolex that is over £400 privately, it is a great idea to have a watchmaker or certified appraiser check the piece over. He or she will be able to remove the back of the timepiece and verify its inner movements and authenticity.