A fake Rolex is easy to spot if you know what to look for. You can pretty much tell in a matter of minutes if it's real or fake by looking for features that Replica Rolex watches cannot duplicate well. Here are 5 ways to instantly spot a fake:

1. Movement - Simply looking at the movement of the watch is enough to blow the cover on most fakes. Rolex watches (with the exception of the Oysterquartz) appear to have a silky smooth "sweeping" movement - The "sweeping" movement comes from the busy Rolex movement ticking five to eight times per second.

High-end replicas can also try and duplicate this smooth sweeping motion but don't be fooled. They'll typically use a fake Chinese or Swiss movement that is mechanical (not Quartz battery powered) that is not as smooth. It will tick about three to four times per second.

2. Clear Case-Back - A lot of high-end brands build their watches with a clear case back to show the complexity of the movement. Seeing the gears and cogs magically ticking away is mesmerizing but don't be fooled!

Rolex has never made a watch model with a clear case back. This is an instant sign of a fake.

3. Watch weight - A combination of high quality materials in the movement, case and bracelet add up to quite a bit of weight. An all gold Rolex which is quite light is a good indication of hollow links, or simply steel that is gold-plated and thus, a fake watch.

4. Cyclops Lens - Rolex is the inventor of the Cyclops lens over the date window. This is a raised piece of glass in the 3' o clock position that magnifies the date about 2.5 times . Many counterfeiters try and replicate this unsuccessfully.

Counterfeit Rolex watches will often only magnify the date window 1.5 times and the difference is apparent after looking at the real deal. When looking at the Cyclops at a straight on angle, the date window should be magnified so that it almost fills the whole Cyclops glass.

5. Date and Bezel Rotation - Rolex has a proprietary process to manufacture all their watches and their quality control is world-class. Check the printing of the date number and see if it is well done. Also check for alignment in the window. If either of these are just a little off, chances are it's a fake. Real Rolex watches are "perfect" and shouldn't have even the tiniest imperfections.

If the watch you're looking at has a rotatable bezel try and count the number of times it clicks in one rotation. Genuine Rolex bezels click about 120 times while fake ones usually only click about 60 times. The real Rolex bezel is muted and subtle and should feel very solid whereas a fake feels very "clicky" and loud.

Jaye Cadlah owns Time and Gems, an online retail store that specializes in Rolex watches since 1997. Go to their website to browse hundreds of pre-owned Mens and Ladies Rolex watches or stop by their showroom located in downtown Los Angeles. TimeandGems.com also has a number of guides on buying a preowned Rolex, as well as a frequently updated blog talking about all things Rolex.

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