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| Meta Description | Fake Watch Shopping In Istanbul - A Case Study As a CIA Case Officer operating overseas, you are exposed to the dark side of humanity. It is not a career for the faint-hearted and you learn some things they donât teach in school. He who fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Boilerpipe Text | Fake Watch Shopping In Istanbul -Â A Case Study
As a CIA Case Officer operating overseas, you are exposed to the dark side of humanity. It is not a career for the faint-hearted and you learn some things they donât teach in school.
He who fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.
â Friedrich Nietzsche
While the quote is dramatic, there is some merit to it. I didnât fully realize how abnormal life at CIA was until I separated from the Agency. A byproduct of a career at CIA is a fascination with illicit activity; arms dealers, wildlife trafficking, organized crime, and, now that I am an aspiring watch nerd, counterfeit watches.
Fake Watches - A Real-World Case Study
Most articles on fake, or âreplicaâ watches cover topics like âHow to spot fake Rolex?â, âHow much does a fake Rolex cost?â, or âWhere to buy a fake Rolex?â These are all interesting topics, but we wanted to go deeper into the counterfeit luxury watch industry. To do this, I went counterfeit watch shopping in Istanbul, Turkey. Thereâs nothing like first-hand experience.
Counterfeit timepieces are a multi-billion-dollar industry, with shaky estimates indicating between 30 and 50 million fake watches entering the market each year. Contrast that figure with Rolexâs estimated annual production of approximately 1 million pieces per annum; It is reasonable to conclude that there are probably more fake Rolex watches on wrists than there are genuine examples throughout the world. This means that when you see someone wearing a Rolex, statistically speaking, itâs probably fake â a crazy thought.
Istanbul - A Counterfeit Watch Mecca
During a recent trip to Istanbul, I had a mission: to acquire a âsuper clone,â or âsuperfakeâ a watch that is nearly indistinguishable from a real thing. Not only are cosmetic traits like the miniature laser-etched Rolex crown on the crystal present but if you take the watch apart, the movement itself is branded Rolex. Even for experienced watchmakers, some of these âsuper clonesâ are, all the way down to the movement components, virtually indistinguishable from genuine Rolex. There are differences, of course, but these âsuper clonesâ are astonishingly close to the genuine product to the untrained eye. I wanted to see for myself.
Rolex crown laser-etched into the crystal, introduced in 2001 to deter counterfeiters. (Photo Credit: Bobâs Watches)
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is a covered market with over 4,000 shops selling everything from Turkish sweets to clothes and yes, of course, a large selection of counterfeit goods. Entering through the Nuruosmaniye Mosque gate, visitors are overwhelmed with a plethora of shops specifically targeting tourists. The presence of fake watches is immediately apparent and, in contrast to many markets around the world, completely in the open.
The watch shopping experience varies depending on the shop but on the higher end is almost like a boutique experience, the only difference being the watches are fake and you can actually buy a âRolexâ rather than be put on a waiting list. They offer tea and coffee, a chair for your bored spouse to sit in, and customer service that exceeds the boutique experience presented by many luxury watchmakers. Interestingly, pictures are generally not discouraged and the sellers are relatively open about the sale of fakes.
It isnât just Rolex, either. Panerai, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and even counterfeit sketchy Breitlings are readily available, with starting (negotiable) prices of around $450. Most of the watches utilize Miyota movements and are, as you might expect, made in China. Pretty much any reference you can imagine is available including the Le Mans Daytona and Titanium Yachtmaster.
2024 Watches and Wonders releases
? No worries, they should be available soon.
What Is A âFakeâ Rolex?Â
It is important to understand what a fake Rolex is. We have identified three categories of counterfeit Rolex watches to be aware of.
Cheap Or Tourist Fakes:
These cost somewhere between $50 and $300 and are generally picked up from street vendors in major tourist cities in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and even New York. You used to be able to spot them by their quartz movements which caused the second hand to âtickâ instead of sweep, but now they tend to have automatic movements, more accurate details, and better finishing. But, in general, they are still sloppy fakes and you are not fooling anyone who owns a Rolex with this piece unless you are in a dark room.
Super Clone or One For One:
So-called replica watches, nearly identical to the genuine thing. They can cost over a thousand dollars and rumor has it that even when taken apart, it can be difficult to tell if the watch is genuine or a reproduction. In theory, one could wear a super clone to the local RedBar watch nerd meetup and fool everyone in the room. Itâs been rumored that these have even been unknowingly sold by legitimate dealers as well, proving that the only way to know something is real is to buy it from the boutique.
Frankenwatches:
 A catch-all term used to describe watches that may be made up of parts that have been switched out and/or a real watch with fake parts (replaced bezel, dial, hands, etcâŚ). Some are honest efforts to restore a watch, but more sinister versions are meant to fool prospective buyers. A recent notable example was the âTropicalâ Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2915-1 âBroad Arrowâ auctioned by Phillips for over $3.4 million. As documented by popular watch blogger Perezcope, the watch itself was a frankenwatch, allegedly cobbled together by insiders with access to the Omega archives. Â
Tropicalâ Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2915-1 âBroad Arrowâ frankenwatch, sold Phillips for over $3.4 million (Photo Credit: Phillips)
Why Are Fake Watches A Problem?
At a minimum, fake watches are textbook examples of intellectual property (IP) theft, using the designs and logos that Swiss brands spent millions of dollars developing over decades. Some go as far as to link the sale of counterfeit watches to child labor, sweatshops, and even terrorism, human trafficking, and organized crime. While direct evidence of this is scarce, it is reasonable to assume that a link exists to some extent. That said, the vast majority of the counterfeit industry originates in China and it appears as though the Chinese government at least tacitly supports it and probably has some oversight and regulation.
Are Fakes Substitutes For The Real Thing?
According to
Business Insider
, 23.3 million counterfeit watches are circling the US, more than Rolex has sold worldwide in the past 15 years. The logical conclusion is that this hurts Rolexâs bottom line. But are fakes reasonable substitutes? Is Rolex losing potential customers to fake watches? Probably not.
The fact is, the type of person that will buy and wear a fake, likely canât afford the real thing. In other cases, some may buy a fake now and then the real thing as their financial circumstances change. UFC fighter Conor McGregor recently revealed during a GQ Sports interview that he used to wear fake watches to press conferences before he could afford a genuine Rolex. He is now a legitimate customer, owning millions of dollars in Rolex, AP, and Patek. One could argue that in McGregorâs case, the fake Rolex watches served as the âtop of the funnelâ for Swiss brands.
Conor McGregor Wearing a (real?) Rolex Daytona âEye of the Tigerâ
Should I Buy A Fake Rolex?
We can think of very few legitimate reasons to purchase a fake Rolex, and yes, doing so does ultimately fuel the already insatiable market for these timepieces and potentially provide funding for organized crime syndicates. Further, in some places, itâs illegal to buy and transport fake watches. Our advice is simple, buy the (real) and best watch you can afford. There are plenty of
great and legitimate watches on the market that cost less than your iPhone
.
Real Rolex Sub (Photo Credit: James Rupley)
In response to
âTrading A Rolex To Get Out Of A Sticky Situation - Myth Or Reality?â
, many commenters suggested traveling with a fake Rolex for bartering. The logic may be sound, but if you are really at the point where you have decided to part with a watch worth thousands of dollars, your life is likely on the line and the cost is trivial. Further, whoever you are giving the watch to is presumably in a position of power and likely someone you do not want to piss off should they determine the watch is fake. The potential for this plan to backfire is simply too high.
Le Mans Daytona and âTitaniumâ Yachtmaster - all fakes
I have heard of some people with expensive watch collections that have âdummyâ displays in their house, the idea being that if someone breaks in to steal their collection, they would take the fake watches without realizing the real collection is hidden in a safe. This is something that could potentially make sense but is not a practice I would advise. If someone goes the distance to specifically target you for your watch collection, they are likely going to be pissed to find out they stole fake watches and may come back for retribution. No watch is worth your life.
All that said, I do have a fake Rolex Submariner that I received as a gag gift from a wealthy friend in Dubai. I have never worn it or even taken out the links to make it fit. Who knows, maybe it will come in handy one day.
A real Rolex Daytona (Photo Credit: James Rupley)
Should I Be Worried About Fake Watches?
By some estimates 20-50% of art in museums is fake and even the largest auction houses with significant resources have been duped with fake watches. While the risk of unwittingly buying a modern watch that is fake is real, this is particularly real in the vintage market, where replacement parts and refinishing jobs can result in a ârealâ watch becoming a frankenwatch.
As an individual buyer, you should not be responsible for identifying a fake. The safest thing to do is to either buy new watches or build a relationship with a seller you not only trust but trust their expertise. The latter is difficult as it can be incredibly difficult to determine which parts are genuine and which are replacements. Â
Back In Istanbul
Despite my best efforts, I was not able to track down a âsuper cloneâ in the Grand Bazaar. Many of the vendors claimed to have better quality watches and vigorously sent Whatsapp messages to their colleagues to bring one by, but they never appeared. The fakes in the souk were mediocre at best with loose bezels and crude finishing and claimed Miyota movements. Fun party gags? Maybe, but I didnât buy one.
W.O.E.âs personal fake watch, acquired in Dubai.
I did pick up a set of (fake) boxes, papers, and a blank Rolex warranty card to match my gifted counterfeit Rolex. Similar to the watches themselves, the box was crudely crafted and isn't fooling anyone. While I do not advocate for anyone to purchase anything illicit, I did it in the name of
science
.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider signing up for our weekly free newsletter for further updates
HERE
.
Read Next:
The W.O.E. Tudor PVD Pelagos FXD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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# The Murky World Of Counterfeit Rolex
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## **Fake Watch Shopping In Istanbul - A Case Study**
As a CIA Case Officer operating overseas, you are exposed to the dark side of humanity. It is not a career for the faint-hearted and you learn some things they donât teach in school.
*He who fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.* â Friedrich Nietzsche
While the quote is dramatic, there is some merit to it. I didnât fully realize how abnormal life at CIA was until I separated from the Agency. A byproduct of a career at CIA is a fascination with illicit activity; arms dealers, wildlife trafficking, organized crime, and, now that I am an aspiring watch nerd, counterfeit watches.

## **Fake Watches - A Real-World Case Study**
Most articles on fake, or âreplicaâ watches cover topics like âHow to spot fake Rolex?â, âHow much does a fake Rolex cost?â, or âWhere to buy a fake Rolex?â These are all interesting topics, but we wanted to go deeper into the counterfeit luxury watch industry. To do this, I went counterfeit watch shopping in Istanbul, Turkey. Thereâs nothing like first-hand experience.
Counterfeit timepieces are a multi-billion-dollar industry, with shaky estimates indicating between 30 and 50 million fake watches entering the market each year. Contrast that figure with Rolexâs estimated annual production of approximately 1 million pieces per annum; It is reasonable to conclude that there are probably more fake Rolex watches on wrists than there are genuine examples throughout the world. This means that when you see someone wearing a Rolex, statistically speaking, itâs probably fake â a crazy thought.

## **Istanbul - A Counterfeit Watch Mecca**
During a recent trip to Istanbul, I had a mission: to acquire a âsuper clone,â or âsuperfakeâ a watch that is nearly indistinguishable from a real thing. Not only are cosmetic traits like the miniature laser-etched Rolex crown on the crystal present but if you take the watch apart, the movement itself is branded Rolex. Even for experienced watchmakers, some of these âsuper clonesâ are, all the way down to the movement components, virtually indistinguishable from genuine Rolex. There are differences, of course, but these âsuper clonesâ are astonishingly close to the genuine product to the untrained eye. I wanted to see for myself.

###### Rolex crown laser-etched into the crystal, introduced in 2001 to deter counterfeiters. (Photo Credit: Bobâs Watches)
## **Istanbul, Turkey**
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is a covered market with over 4,000 shops selling everything from Turkish sweets to clothes and yes, of course, a large selection of counterfeit goods. Entering through the Nuruosmaniye Mosque gate, visitors are overwhelmed with a plethora of shops specifically targeting tourists. The presence of fake watches is immediately apparent and, in contrast to many markets around the world, completely in the open.

The watch shopping experience varies depending on the shop but on the higher end is almost like a boutique experience, the only difference being the watches are fake and you can actually buy a âRolexâ rather than be put on a waiting list. They offer tea and coffee, a chair for your bored spouse to sit in, and customer service that exceeds the boutique experience presented by many luxury watchmakers. Interestingly, pictures are generally not discouraged and the sellers are relatively open about the sale of fakes.
It isnât just Rolex, either. Panerai, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and even counterfeit sketchy Breitlings are readily available, with starting (negotiable) prices of around \$450. Most of the watches utilize Miyota movements and are, as you might expect, made in China. Pretty much any reference you can imagine is available including the Le Mans Daytona and Titanium Yachtmaster. [2024 Watches and Wonders releases](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/best-new-watches-2024 "Watches And Wonders Releases For The W.O.E. Community")? No worries, they should be available soon.

## **What Is A âFakeâ Rolex?**
It is important to understand what a fake Rolex is. We have identified three categories of counterfeit Rolex watches to be aware of.
**Cheap Or Tourist Fakes:** These cost somewhere between \$50 and \$300 and are generally picked up from street vendors in major tourist cities in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and even New York. You used to be able to spot them by their quartz movements which caused the second hand to âtickâ instead of sweep, but now they tend to have automatic movements, more accurate details, and better finishing. But, in general, they are still sloppy fakes and you are not fooling anyone who owns a Rolex with this piece unless you are in a dark room.
**Super Clone or One For One:** So-called replica watches, nearly identical to the genuine thing. They can cost over a thousand dollars and rumor has it that even when taken apart, it can be difficult to tell if the watch is genuine or a reproduction. In theory, one could wear a super clone to the local RedBar watch nerd meetup and fool everyone in the room. Itâs been rumored that these have even been unknowingly sold by legitimate dealers as well, proving that the only way to know something is real is to buy it from the boutique.
**Frankenwatches:** A catch-all term used to describe watches that may be made up of parts that have been switched out and/or a real watch with fake parts (replaced bezel, dial, hands, etcâŚ). Some are honest efforts to restore a watch, but more sinister versions are meant to fool prospective buyers. A recent notable example was the âTropicalâ Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2915-1 âBroad Arrowâ auctioned by Phillips for over \$3.4 million. As documented by popular watch blogger Perezcope, the watch itself was a frankenwatch, allegedly cobbled together by insiders with access to the Omega archives.

###### Tropicalâ Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2915-1 âBroad Arrowâ frankenwatch, sold Phillips for over \$3.4 million (Photo Credit: Phillips)
## **Why Are Fake Watches A Problem?**
At a minimum, fake watches are textbook examples of intellectual property (IP) theft, using the designs and logos that Swiss brands spent millions of dollars developing over decades. Some go as far as to link the sale of counterfeit watches to child labor, sweatshops, and even terrorism, human trafficking, and organized crime. While direct evidence of this is scarce, it is reasonable to assume that a link exists to some extent. That said, the vast majority of the counterfeit industry originates in China and it appears as though the Chinese government at least tacitly supports it and probably has some oversight and regulation.

## **Are Fakes Substitutes For The Real Thing?**
According to *Business Insider*, 23.3 million counterfeit watches are circling the US, more than Rolex has sold worldwide in the past 15 years. The logical conclusion is that this hurts Rolexâs bottom line. But are fakes reasonable substitutes? Is Rolex losing potential customers to fake watches? Probably not.
The fact is, the type of person that will buy and wear a fake, likely canât afford the real thing. In other cases, some may buy a fake now and then the real thing as their financial circumstances change. UFC fighter Conor McGregor recently revealed during a GQ Sports interview that he used to wear fake watches to press conferences before he could afford a genuine Rolex. He is now a legitimate customer, owning millions of dollars in Rolex, AP, and Patek. One could argue that in McGregorâs case, the fake Rolex watches served as the âtop of the funnelâ for Swiss brands.

###### Conor McGregor Wearing a (real?) Rolex Daytona âEye of the Tigerâ
## **Should I Buy A Fake Rolex?**
We can think of very few legitimate reasons to purchase a fake Rolex, and yes, doing so does ultimately fuel the already insatiable market for these timepieces and potentially provide funding for organized crime syndicates. Further, in some places, itâs illegal to buy and transport fake watches. Our advice is simple, buy the (real) and best watch you can afford. There are plenty of [great and legitimate watches on the market that cost less than your iPhone](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/best-military-watches-under-1-000-ask-the-experts "Best Watches Under $1,000 - Ask the Experts").

###### Real Rolex Sub (Photo Credit: James Rupley)
In response to [âTrading A Rolex To Get Out Of A Sticky Situation - Myth Or Reality?â](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/trading-a-rolex-to-get-out-of-a-sticky-situation-myth-or-reality "Trading a Rolex to Get out of a Sticky Situation - Myth or Reality?"), many commenters suggested traveling with a fake Rolex for bartering. The logic may be sound, but if you are really at the point where you have decided to part with a watch worth thousands of dollars, your life is likely on the line and the cost is trivial. Further, whoever you are giving the watch to is presumably in a position of power and likely someone you do not want to piss off should they determine the watch is fake. The potential for this plan to backfire is simply too high.

###### Le Mans Daytona and âTitaniumâ Yachtmaster - all fakes
I have heard of some people with expensive watch collections that have âdummyâ displays in their house, the idea being that if someone breaks in to steal their collection, they would take the fake watches without realizing the real collection is hidden in a safe. This is something that could potentially make sense but is not a practice I would advise. If someone goes the distance to specifically target you for your watch collection, they are likely going to be pissed to find out they stole fake watches and may come back for retribution. No watch is worth your life.
All that said, I do have a fake Rolex Submariner that I received as a gag gift from a wealthy friend in Dubai. I have never worn it or even taken out the links to make it fit. Who knows, maybe it will come in handy one day.

###### A real Rolex Daytona (Photo Credit: James Rupley)
## **Should I Be Worried About Fake Watches?**
By some estimates 20-50% of art in museums is fake and even the largest auction houses with significant resources have been duped with fake watches. While the risk of unwittingly buying a modern watch that is fake is real, this is particularly real in the vintage market, where replacement parts and refinishing jobs can result in a ârealâ watch becoming a frankenwatch.
As an individual buyer, you should not be responsible for identifying a fake. The safest thing to do is to either buy new watches or build a relationship with a seller you not only trust but trust their expertise. The latter is difficult as it can be incredibly difficult to determine which parts are genuine and which are replacements.

## **Back In Istanbul**
Despite my best efforts, I was not able to track down a âsuper cloneâ in the Grand Bazaar. Many of the vendors claimed to have better quality watches and vigorously sent Whatsapp messages to their colleagues to bring one by, but they never appeared. The fakes in the souk were mediocre at best with loose bezels and crude finishing and claimed Miyota movements. Fun party gags? Maybe, but I didnât buy one.

###### W.O.E.âs personal fake watch, acquired in Dubai.
I did pick up a set of (fake) boxes, papers, and a blank Rolex warranty card to match my gifted counterfeit Rolex. Similar to the watches themselves, the box was crudely crafted and isn't fooling anyone. While I do not advocate for anyone to purchase anything illicit, I did it in the name of *science*.
##
**If you enjoyed this article, please consider signing up for our weekly free newsletter for further updates** [HERE](http://eepurl.com/h8jvsv "Watches of Espionage Email Signup").
**Read Next:** [The W.O.E. Tudor PVD Pelagos FXD](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/pvd-tudor-pelagos-fxd "The W.O.E. Tudor PVD Pelagos FXD")
[](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/pvd-tudor-pelagos-fxd "The W.O.E. Tudor PVD Pelagos FXD")
By Watches of Espionage.
July 9, 2024
[PREVIOUS Custom G-Shock, Omega, & Tudor - Watches Fit To Guard A King](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/g-shock-omega-tudor-watches-royalty-protection-uk)
[NEXT US Secret Service Omega Seamaster During Trump's Assassination Attempt](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/secret-service-omega-seamaster-watch-trump-assassination)
## 34 comments
Purchased a âTudorâ black bay red bezel, on line trusted dealer ala redit in 2023
340.00 US \$ plus shipping to Canada. Arrived no problem in about two weeks with tracking
The rep was very good with Asian hk 2824 ETA clone, consistent +/- 3secs a day.
Wt and diametions correct tight dial graphics = however lume was greenish not tea coloured like gen.
Had it for a month and couldnât stand it was fake so I sold it for at a 50.00 loss, so thatâs what I figured the cosplay of a gen Tudor cost
Saved up and bought a real one used from a high end pawn shop for 4400.00 CA never again
Bill
January 19, 2026
Rolex watches for men
Saksham
January 8, 2026
I still donât know if the watch I have is a fake or a rolex.
Kevin Apperson
December 5, 2025
Actually, I preferred to buy from a physical store. When I was traveling in Hong Kong, I looked around but couldnât find it. Finally, I saw someone recommend russellmeansfreedom .com in the comments section of a video, and ended up buying one online. It was worth the price, I guess.
Chadi
October 25, 2025
I appreciate how this article didnât just talk about âhow to spot a fake,â but actually explored what the replica market looks like today.
The Grand Bazaar part was fascinating â Iâd love to see that in person. I think replica watches, especially the high-end
ones factoryrolex .com, show how talented some of these factories really are.
Of course, owning the real thing is special, but thereâs also something interesting about how close replicas can get for a fraction of the price.
Levi
October 23, 2025
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| Readable Markdown | ## **Fake Watch Shopping In Istanbul - A Case Study**
As a CIA Case Officer operating overseas, you are exposed to the dark side of humanity. It is not a career for the faint-hearted and you learn some things they donât teach in school.
*He who fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.* â Friedrich Nietzsche
While the quote is dramatic, there is some merit to it. I didnât fully realize how abnormal life at CIA was until I separated from the Agency. A byproduct of a career at CIA is a fascination with illicit activity; arms dealers, wildlife trafficking, organized crime, and, now that I am an aspiring watch nerd, counterfeit watches.

## **Fake Watches - A Real-World Case Study**
Most articles on fake, or âreplicaâ watches cover topics like âHow to spot fake Rolex?â, âHow much does a fake Rolex cost?â, or âWhere to buy a fake Rolex?â These are all interesting topics, but we wanted to go deeper into the counterfeit luxury watch industry. To do this, I went counterfeit watch shopping in Istanbul, Turkey. Thereâs nothing like first-hand experience.
Counterfeit timepieces are a multi-billion-dollar industry, with shaky estimates indicating between 30 and 50 million fake watches entering the market each year. Contrast that figure with Rolexâs estimated annual production of approximately 1 million pieces per annum; It is reasonable to conclude that there are probably more fake Rolex watches on wrists than there are genuine examples throughout the world. This means that when you see someone wearing a Rolex, statistically speaking, itâs probably fake â a crazy thought.

## **Istanbul - A Counterfeit Watch Mecca**
During a recent trip to Istanbul, I had a mission: to acquire a âsuper clone,â or âsuperfakeâ a watch that is nearly indistinguishable from a real thing. Not only are cosmetic traits like the miniature laser-etched Rolex crown on the crystal present but if you take the watch apart, the movement itself is branded Rolex. Even for experienced watchmakers, some of these âsuper clonesâ are, all the way down to the movement components, virtually indistinguishable from genuine Rolex. There are differences, of course, but these âsuper clonesâ are astonishingly close to the genuine product to the untrained eye. I wanted to see for myself.

###### Rolex crown laser-etched into the crystal, introduced in 2001 to deter counterfeiters. (Photo Credit: Bobâs Watches)
## **Istanbul, Turkey**
Istanbul's Grand Bazaar is a covered market with over 4,000 shops selling everything from Turkish sweets to clothes and yes, of course, a large selection of counterfeit goods. Entering through the Nuruosmaniye Mosque gate, visitors are overwhelmed with a plethora of shops specifically targeting tourists. The presence of fake watches is immediately apparent and, in contrast to many markets around the world, completely in the open.

The watch shopping experience varies depending on the shop but on the higher end is almost like a boutique experience, the only difference being the watches are fake and you can actually buy a âRolexâ rather than be put on a waiting list. They offer tea and coffee, a chair for your bored spouse to sit in, and customer service that exceeds the boutique experience presented by many luxury watchmakers. Interestingly, pictures are generally not discouraged and the sellers are relatively open about the sale of fakes.
It isnât just Rolex, either. Panerai, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and even counterfeit sketchy Breitlings are readily available, with starting (negotiable) prices of around \$450. Most of the watches utilize Miyota movements and are, as you might expect, made in China. Pretty much any reference you can imagine is available including the Le Mans Daytona and Titanium Yachtmaster. [2024 Watches and Wonders releases](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/best-new-watches-2024 "Watches And Wonders Releases For The W.O.E. Community")? No worries, they should be available soon.

## **What Is A âFakeâ Rolex?**
It is important to understand what a fake Rolex is. We have identified three categories of counterfeit Rolex watches to be aware of.
**Cheap Or Tourist Fakes:** These cost somewhere between \$50 and \$300 and are generally picked up from street vendors in major tourist cities in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and even New York. You used to be able to spot them by their quartz movements which caused the second hand to âtickâ instead of sweep, but now they tend to have automatic movements, more accurate details, and better finishing. But, in general, they are still sloppy fakes and you are not fooling anyone who owns a Rolex with this piece unless you are in a dark room.
**Super Clone or One For One:** So-called replica watches, nearly identical to the genuine thing. They can cost over a thousand dollars and rumor has it that even when taken apart, it can be difficult to tell if the watch is genuine or a reproduction. In theory, one could wear a super clone to the local RedBar watch nerd meetup and fool everyone in the room. Itâs been rumored that these have even been unknowingly sold by legitimate dealers as well, proving that the only way to know something is real is to buy it from the boutique.
**Frankenwatches:** A catch-all term used to describe watches that may be made up of parts that have been switched out and/or a real watch with fake parts (replaced bezel, dial, hands, etcâŚ). Some are honest efforts to restore a watch, but more sinister versions are meant to fool prospective buyers. A recent notable example was the âTropicalâ Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2915-1 âBroad Arrowâ auctioned by Phillips for over \$3.4 million. As documented by popular watch blogger Perezcope, the watch itself was a frankenwatch, allegedly cobbled together by insiders with access to the Omega archives.

###### Tropicalâ Omega Speedmaster Ref. 2915-1 âBroad Arrowâ frankenwatch, sold Phillips for over \$3.4 million (Photo Credit: Phillips)
## **Why Are Fake Watches A Problem?**
At a minimum, fake watches are textbook examples of intellectual property (IP) theft, using the designs and logos that Swiss brands spent millions of dollars developing over decades. Some go as far as to link the sale of counterfeit watches to child labor, sweatshops, and even terrorism, human trafficking, and organized crime. While direct evidence of this is scarce, it is reasonable to assume that a link exists to some extent. That said, the vast majority of the counterfeit industry originates in China and it appears as though the Chinese government at least tacitly supports it and probably has some oversight and regulation.

## **Are Fakes Substitutes For The Real Thing?**
According to *Business Insider*, 23.3 million counterfeit watches are circling the US, more than Rolex has sold worldwide in the past 15 years. The logical conclusion is that this hurts Rolexâs bottom line. But are fakes reasonable substitutes? Is Rolex losing potential customers to fake watches? Probably not.
The fact is, the type of person that will buy and wear a fake, likely canât afford the real thing. In other cases, some may buy a fake now and then the real thing as their financial circumstances change. UFC fighter Conor McGregor recently revealed during a GQ Sports interview that he used to wear fake watches to press conferences before he could afford a genuine Rolex. He is now a legitimate customer, owning millions of dollars in Rolex, AP, and Patek. One could argue that in McGregorâs case, the fake Rolex watches served as the âtop of the funnelâ for Swiss brands.

###### Conor McGregor Wearing a (real?) Rolex Daytona âEye of the Tigerâ
## **Should I Buy A Fake Rolex?**
We can think of very few legitimate reasons to purchase a fake Rolex, and yes, doing so does ultimately fuel the already insatiable market for these timepieces and potentially provide funding for organized crime syndicates. Further, in some places, itâs illegal to buy and transport fake watches. Our advice is simple, buy the (real) and best watch you can afford. There are plenty of [great and legitimate watches on the market that cost less than your iPhone](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/best-military-watches-under-1-000-ask-the-experts "Best Watches Under $1,000 - Ask the Experts").

###### Real Rolex Sub (Photo Credit: James Rupley)
In response to [âTrading A Rolex To Get Out Of A Sticky Situation - Myth Or Reality?â](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/trading-a-rolex-to-get-out-of-a-sticky-situation-myth-or-reality "Trading a Rolex to Get out of a Sticky Situation - Myth or Reality?"), many commenters suggested traveling with a fake Rolex for bartering. The logic may be sound, but if you are really at the point where you have decided to part with a watch worth thousands of dollars, your life is likely on the line and the cost is trivial. Further, whoever you are giving the watch to is presumably in a position of power and likely someone you do not want to piss off should they determine the watch is fake. The potential for this plan to backfire is simply too high.

###### Le Mans Daytona and âTitaniumâ Yachtmaster - all fakes
I have heard of some people with expensive watch collections that have âdummyâ displays in their house, the idea being that if someone breaks in to steal their collection, they would take the fake watches without realizing the real collection is hidden in a safe. This is something that could potentially make sense but is not a practice I would advise. If someone goes the distance to specifically target you for your watch collection, they are likely going to be pissed to find out they stole fake watches and may come back for retribution. No watch is worth your life.
All that said, I do have a fake Rolex Submariner that I received as a gag gift from a wealthy friend in Dubai. I have never worn it or even taken out the links to make it fit. Who knows, maybe it will come in handy one day.

###### A real Rolex Daytona (Photo Credit: James Rupley)
## **Should I Be Worried About Fake Watches?**
By some estimates 20-50% of art in museums is fake and even the largest auction houses with significant resources have been duped with fake watches. While the risk of unwittingly buying a modern watch that is fake is real, this is particularly real in the vintage market, where replacement parts and refinishing jobs can result in a ârealâ watch becoming a frankenwatch.
As an individual buyer, you should not be responsible for identifying a fake. The safest thing to do is to either buy new watches or build a relationship with a seller you not only trust but trust their expertise. The latter is difficult as it can be incredibly difficult to determine which parts are genuine and which are replacements.

## **Back In Istanbul**
Despite my best efforts, I was not able to track down a âsuper cloneâ in the Grand Bazaar. Many of the vendors claimed to have better quality watches and vigorously sent Whatsapp messages to their colleagues to bring one by, but they never appeared. The fakes in the souk were mediocre at best with loose bezels and crude finishing and claimed Miyota movements. Fun party gags? Maybe, but I didnât buy one.

###### W.O.E.âs personal fake watch, acquired in Dubai.
I did pick up a set of (fake) boxes, papers, and a blank Rolex warranty card to match my gifted counterfeit Rolex. Similar to the watches themselves, the box was crudely crafted and isn't fooling anyone. While I do not advocate for anyone to purchase anything illicit, I did it in the name of *science*.
##
**If you enjoyed this article, please consider signing up for our weekly free newsletter for further updates** [HERE](http://eepurl.com/h8jvsv "Watches of Espionage Email Signup").
**Read Next:** [The W.O.E. Tudor PVD Pelagos FXD](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/pvd-tudor-pelagos-fxd "The W.O.E. Tudor PVD Pelagos FXD")
[](https://www.watchesofespionage.com/blogs/woe-dispatch/pvd-tudor-pelagos-fxd "The W.O.E. Tudor PVD Pelagos FXD") | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ML Classification | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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