Rolex Cracking Down on Counterfeit Watches Sold Online (photo: Nico Beard)

If you have your eye on a Rolex being sold on Craigslist, you may want to think twice about making that purchase. The World Intellectual Property Review posted an article about how Rolex is cracking down on counterfeit watches being sold online in the US. Naturally, these pieces violate the watchmaker's trademark and the sale of these items is illegal in the United States.

Going all the way back to 2015, an investigator hired by Rolex made contact with a seller online to inquire about timepieces posted for sale. They met in the parking lot of a grocery store where the seller showed a variety of counterfeit luxury watches for sale at just over $100. The seller's wife worked for an airline and was smuggling the watches in from trips to China. After confirmation, the investigator set up a meeting with the seller again and brought a police officer along to arrest him.

The case resulted in a conviction in April of 2016, creating a cautionary tale for anyone trying to sell counterfeit Rolex watches online or otherwise. With the amount of counterfeit luxury goods flooding into the black market through unscrupulous sellers, it is good to know that watchmakers are investing in protecting their trademarks and brands. This protects the value of their watches and protects consumers from getting swindled.

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Rolex Cyclops Lens (photo: Rolex)

“To all watchmakers: we draw your attention to the fact that the watch crystal with the specially shaped magnifying lens is a Rolex exclusivity protected in Switzerland and abroad. We will not hesitate to instigate legal proceedings against any counterfeiting.” Rolex sent out this statement in 1955 warning watchmakers against replicating this innovation. As a result of this protection, their Cyclops lens has become one of the most recognizable features of Rolex date models.

The Cyclops lens was manufactured from plexiglass until the 1970s, when Rolex began manufacturing their sapphire crystals. The Cyclops was made from sapphire ever since, and more recently received another upgrade, this time in the form of an anti-reflective coating. It magnifies the date by two and a half times.

The Cyclops lens is difficult to replicate, making it a good way to spot a fake Rolex. It is also the easiest way to identify a Rolex date model from far, either in a photo or in person.

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