First off, and this is kinda obvious but still needs sayin’, is the price too good to be true? If it is, RUN. Seriously. No one’s gonna be selling a genuine Milgauss for, like, 500 bucks. That’s like finding a unicorn that poops gold. Ain’t gonna happen.
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. The sound, okay? You know how cheap watches tick-tick-tick? A real Rolex *doesn’t*. It’s smooth, almost silent. If you hold it to your ear and hear a loud, obvious ticking, that’s a HUGE red flag. Think of it like this: a real Rolex is a finely tuned machine, a fake one’s like a rusty bicycle chain. Big difference.
And speaking of machines, let’s talk about that Milgauss’s serial number. This is where things get interesting. Checking the serial on a Milgauss is an easy way to spot a fake. Do your reasearch, see where the serial should be, and check if it’s actually there. Also, does it seem legit? Like, does it look stamped on or is it just a blurry mess? Also, you can always check with Rolex or a reputable dealer.
Now, here’s where my personal opinion comes in. This is a slightly controversial one, but hey, it’s my article, right? The second hand. A lot of these fake Milgausses (Milgauss-es? Milgaussi?) use ETA clones. Or even sometimes, the actual ETA movement! Which, on its own, isn’t *terrible*. But it ain’t Rolex. So, look closely at the movement if you can. If it looks like a cheap knockoff (and I know, that’s subjective, but trust your gut!), it probably is. And don’t be afraid to take it to a watchmaker, even if it costs ya a few bucks. It’s better than throwing thousands down the drain on a fake.
Water resistance is another thing to think about. Now, Rolex *Oyster Perpetual* watches are generally water resistant, but the Milgauss is a different beast. However, if it claims to be, say, water-resistant to a depth it clearly isn’t…well, you know. If you’re brave, you could *carefully* test it in a small amount of water (like a glass), but honestly, I wouldn’t risk it.
Finally, remember the details. The dial markings, the caseback, the overall quality. Does it feel cheap? Are the edges rough? Is the lettering blurry? Rolex is all about perfection, so any glaring flaws are a major warning sign. It’s like comparing a hand-stitched Italian leather shoe to something you picked up at the dollar store. You just *know*.
