First off, let’s be clear: Nobody, and I mean *nobody*, is gonna be happy if you try to pass off a fake Rolex as the real deal. Especially not an AD. I mean, imagine strolling into a Rolex dealership with something you picked up for a hundred bucks on the internet and expecting them to service it? LOL.
Now, the official line, at least according to some sources, is destruction. Like, hydraulic press destruction. Military tank destruction! Seriously?! That seems a *tad* excessive, doesn’t it? I mean, I guess it sends a message: “We’re Rolex, and we don’t mess around.” But still… a tank? Maybe that’s just marketing hype. Who knows.
Then there’s the more practical side. An AD isn’t a police force. If you bring in a fake, they’re probably not gonna arrest you. They might just, y’know, tell you it’s fake. And maybe keep it to show the other employees as a “what *not* to buy” example? I dunno. Some articles implied that some retailers can be shady. They should be reported.
But here’s where it gets interesting. What if you’re *not* trying to scam anyone? What if you just innocently bought a watch on eBay and brought it in for authentication? Well, that’s a bit different. They might still tell you it’s fake, but they hopefully won’t call the authorities. I would hope not… I mean, that’s just wrong.
And let’s talk about *why* people even buy fake watches in the first place. Sure, some folks are deliberately trying to trick people. But others? Maybe they just like the *look* of a Rolex but can’t afford the real thing. It’s like… a tribute, in a way. Not that Rolex is gonna see it that way. (Homage vs. replica, remember? There’s a *huge* difference.) And hey, some of those high-quality replicas? Apparently, they can cost hundreds of dollars. Which begs the question: why not just buy a really nice *actual* watch for that price? Something that isn’t trying to be something it’s not.
Oh, and by the way, the printing on the dial is a huge giveaway. Apparently, the lettering on a real Rolex is like, super precise. So, if the words are a bit blurry or uneven, red flag!
So, to answer the question… what do ADs do with fake watches? It’s probably a mix of things. Maybe destruction. Maybe a stern lecture. Maybe just a quiet “sir, this isn’t authentic.” The truth is, it probably depends on the AD, the situation, and how obvious the fakery is.