I was once handed a watch and told could I fix the battery in it. Within 5 seconds I said no. the customer looked at be bizarrely and asked why. My response.
- The second hand stutters and does not sweep.
- The bezels are the wrong type.
- Switzerland is not spelt Swizterland.
- It is too light.
- The back case has a simple lift off mechanism, rather than Rolex's screw fitting.
- The 12 hour marker is a chipped cubic zirconia and not a diamond.
- You've brought it into H. Samuel rather than a Rolex dealer.
As the group did include Ernest Jones who were a Rolex stockists I should really have taken the watch in one hand and a hammer in the other and smashed it to pieces. But I just didn't have the heart and just sent the guy on his way.
However, be wary of what you are buying this Christmas. If you are looking for a named brand make sure it is up to the quality that you would expect it to be. The best way to do this is go to a recognised dealer of that brand. Fakes are not only illegal and poorly made imitations but in some cases can be dangerous and are often made using cheap labour.
