How to Buy a Replica Rolex Submariner
Replica Rolex Submariner watches sell online. Prices range from $20 to $500. Quality changes with price. Know the grades before you pay.
Grades
- Low grade: $20 to $80. Mineral glass. Stamped steel. Quartz movement. Bezel clicks but does not align.
- Mid grade: $100 to $200. Sapphire glass. 316L stainless steel. Automatic movement. 21,600 vph. Lume lasts 2 hours.
- High grade (1:1): $300 to $500. 904L stainless steel. Sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating. Swiss ETA or clone movement. 28,800 vph. Ceramic bezel. Lume lasts 8 hours.
Parameters
- Case size: 40mm before 2020. 41mm after 2020. Genuine Submariner is 41mm. Replicas often list 40mm.
- Water resistance: Genuine is 300m. Replicas claim 30m to 100m. Test before swimming.
- Movement: Swiss ETA 2824, Sellita SW200, or Chinese clone. Avoid quartz. Automatic winding.
- Crown: Triplock. Check thread count. 3 to 5 turns to seal.
- Bezel: Ceramic. Check pip alignment at 12 o'clock.
- Lume: Chromalight blue. Genuine lasts 8 hours. Replicas vary.
Pitfalls
- No tracking numbers. Seller ships without insurance.
- Payment by wire or crypto. No buyer protection. Credit cards charge back.
- Photos stolen from genuine sellers. Ask for dated photos.
- "Swiss made" on a $100 watch. Swiss law requires 60% Swiss parts. Replicas do not meet this.
- Customs seizure. U.S. Customs seizes counterfeits under 19 U.S.C. § 1526. You lose the watch and money.
- No warranty. Movement breaks in 6 months.
Ask for real photos with a date stamp. Check seller reviews on forums. Use escrow if possible. Test water resistance at a local shop. Know your local laws. Replica watches are illegal to import in the U.S. and many other countries.