How to authenticate a Rolex Submariner 126610

Introduction to our authentication service

Our Rolex watchmakers authenticate luxury watches for our customers. New Rolex watches, pre-owned Rolex watches and vintage Rolex watches. All Rolex models sold by third party sellers on the Relleb.com marketplace are authenticated by our watchmakers before it is shipped to their new owner. We verify if a watch is authentic and correct with our Rolex Authentication service. To prevent online trading of fake Rolex watches. We also help watch enthusiasts buy luxury watches safe online by offering our independent authentication service to customers who want to buy a watch on Chrono24 or eBay.

In order to educate on the difficulties and risks of authenticating a Rolex Submariner 126610LN, we will explain step by step how we authenticate the Rolex Submariner issued in 2020 in this blog. It is however important to take into account that different brands, models, (limited/anniversary) editions etcetera might warrant some extra checks and verifications - but below should nonetheless give you a good overview of what steps we take when authenticating a Rolex Submariner 126610.

The Rolex Submariner 126610LN

This watch carries the following specifics:

• Reference number 126610LN
• Case size 41mm
• Time and Date function
• Oystercase
• Black dial
• Black ceramic bezel
• Stainless steel case and bracelet
• Full set (box and papers included)
• Issued in 2020
• Movement: 3235

In this blog we will explain in 5 steps how we authenticated a new 2020 Rolex Submariner Date with reference number 126610LN.

Price

The new 2020 Rolex Submariner Date is not easy to get at the Rolex retail stores due to the high demand. The retail price of this specific model is €8,700. The current market value for a likewise model with black dial is pre-owned between €12,500 and €13,500.  A lot of new and unworn models are flushing the market as the resell price is giving a big premium on the recommended retail price due to the high demand.

 

How do you authenticate a Rolex Submariner?

We authenticate a Rolex by first checking the Rolex serial number. Observing the Rolex logo etched in the sapphire glass. Validating the movement is correct and has the right movement number. And making sure the correct material is used for the case and the bracelet. In the meanwhile we verify the details of Rolex logo's and numbers etched in the case and movement.

From an overall perspective we follow the following steps:

1. Check the box and papers
2. Check the Rolex serial number
3. Check the Rolex movement
4. The case and Rolex oyster bracelet
5. Waterproofness and timekeeping tests

We will now show how we authenticated the Rolex Submariner 126610 in detail.

Step 1: check the box and papers

The first step in our Rolex authentication for the new 2020 Rolex Submariner starts with the true Rolex correct box and papers. Since this is a newly issued model (on the market since 2020) we advise you to only buy full sets. If boxes and or papers are missing, there must be something off. There is no person on this planet who throws away his Rolex box and cards. In general we advise you to only buy full sets for watches that are sold after 2015.

The box and cards

The new 2020 Rolex Submariner comes in the green outer box and carries a green Rolex card. We start our Rolex authentication service checking if we have a full-set and if we have the right boxes and papers by performing the following steps:

• Check if we have the correct outer green box, which is the box that carries the watch (in this example for a new 2020 Rolex Submariner the outer green box that carries a cream-white fabric on the inside)
• Validate if the authentic Rolex card pouch is present (a wallet that carries the cards)
• Validate if the authentic Rolex international guarantee card is present (most important card that also carries the serial number)
• Validate if the authentic Rolex instructions booklet is present 
• Note that the booklet, pouch and card are kept behind the lid in the green outer box (top of the box) 
• How to authenticate a Rolex box: Our Rolex watchmakers have more than 15 years of experience in working with Rolex (at authorized dealers) and know how the material on the outside and inside of a box feel and even smell!  
• How to authenticate a Rolex warranty card: our Rolex watchmakers know how the material of a new Rolex card feels, the looks (the gloss) and even the fonts used on a true Rolex card. In addition the Rolex logo has a sort of print in the card that shines when you look at it from a specific angle. To fight counterfeit cards, Rolex changed their warranty cards over the years. Newer cards, like the one delivered with the new 2020 Rolex Submariner Date, light up in a very specific way when exposed to UV light.  

The new 2020 Rolex Submariner full set in the green box. The white outer box (top right). Card and card pouch (middle bottom) and the Rolex service booklet (green right bottom). The Rolex tag (left just below the box).

Step 2: How to authenticate a Rolex Submariner serial number

Serial numbers are used for every Rolex watch and are unique numbers used by Rolex to track all individual watches, including this Rolex Submariner Date 126610 with black dial and black ceramic bezel. At the end of this blog we will include a link on how to check a Rolex serial number in detail. Before you could check the period of your Rolex based on the serial number, but since 2011 Rolex issues random 8 digit serial numbers.  

In case of a full set we perform the following checks:

• Observe the serial number on the case (in this case at 6 o 'clock in the rehaut)
• Check if the correct serial number is also included on the International guarantee Rolex card 
• Our Rolex watchmakers observe if the quality of the engraving of the serial number on the rehaut is done in accordance with the quality and finishing that is applied by Rolex tools. This is basically shown by the quality of the engraving that can only be concluded by an experienced Rolex watchmaker or by comparing to a real Rolex.

Serial number in rehaut of the new 2020 Rolex Submariner date 126610LN

Check out our blog about the Rolex Serial number check for more information and why it is not providing a 100% certainty over authenticity. 

Step 3: The Rolex 3235 movement

The hand of a Rolex are sweeping, but listing to the movement and you will still hear a certain ticking sound. Rolex owners who have listened to the ticking, know exactly what we are talking about. But what do we specifically look at?

Our Rolex watchmakers have more than 15 years of experience in servicing and authenticating Rolex watches. The movement can be a hassle to authenticate as they may carry fake or incorrect parts. In addition, they can be damaged or in poor quality. As such during our Rolex authentication service, we observe the movement closely.

Since Rolex Submariners only have automatic movements. If you observe quartz movements in a Rolex Submariner, you know you are wrong! 

Our experienced Rolex watchmakers observe the following during step 3 of our Rolex authentication service:

• Verify if all components are Rolex parts (by observing quality of finishing, Rolex branding, use of Rolex fonts, use of correct materials)
• Make sure the complications and build up of the movement are correct (e.g. in this case time and date function)
• We also authenticate if the watch carries the correct movement by validating the movement number 3235 is engraved on the movement
• Observe if the lubrication of parts is up to standards (and lubricate if needed)
• No dirt or damage to movement parts
• We also verify if the movement is in new condition. We provide protection over quality to buyers when buying with Relleb. So if a watch is sold as new and unworn, the movement must be in new condition (and not be tempered with).

Up close the reference number 3235 of the movement engraved on the movement itself.

The Rolex movement serial number behind balance spring in accordance with Rolex finishing.

 

Step 4: The case and Rolex oyster bracelet

The watch case and Rolex oyster bracelet are both authenticated when they are dismantled from each other. This provides the opportunity to better observe the condition, damages, incorrect finishing and also the opportunity to check the reference numbers applied on the bracelet. Some fakes are easily spotted as the magnifying class at the 3 o clock position doesn't magnify at all. Or minimal. But the date windows on super fakes are super close to the real deal. These high quality fakes can mislead buyers quite easily. Especially when you don't have a real watch to compare with. 

We observe the following in detail:

• Observing quality of watch case and lugs finishing including brushing, materials used (Rolex Oystersteel), the sharpness of the edges, crown with the Rolex logo
• Observing the quality and finishing on the dial such as SuperLuminova material on the hands and plots and the depth of the text applied on the dial
• Observing the quality and finishing of the Rolex oyster bracelet including the bracelet pins, material used, finishing applied to the bracelet and text on the inside of the bracelet
• Our watchmakers check if the ceramic bezel and finishing of the dial is correct and in accordance with Rolex standards, and if the materials have been applied conform Rolex standards. 
• Observe the laser etched Rolex logo in the glass 

The laser etched Rolex logo in the sapphire glass. Due to the angle you see no straight lines, but the depth of the etched dots is critical to authenticate the glass. 

Rolex Submariner 126610 reference number engraved on the case between the lugs.

Step 5: Waterproofness and timekeeping tests

When validating the quality of a watch, waterproofness and timekeeping testing is crucial. This can be done with several tools (water pressure, air pressure and different Timegrapher machines). 

During step 5 of this Rolex authentication service, our Rolex watchmakers execute the following procedures.

• Verifying timekeeping is within certificated (COSC* in this case) with a Timegrapher machine, this machine detects the beats per second and daily deviation in 1/10 of a second.
• Validate waterproofness testing (making sure a watch is waterproof) 

*COSC stands for Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (which is an institute that certifies timekeeping measurements)

The conclusion on authenticity and quality

This watch was sold as unworn/in new condition. Based on our authentication steps performed, we deem this Rolex is authentic and passed our quality assessment. 

After the authentication and quality report was issued to the buyer, the watch was delivered to our customer who said "even though I bought it from a company (professional dealer), now I finally have peace of mind this Rolex Submariner is indeed authentic and correct".

Rolex Submariner 126610LN with Relleb tag. 

Where to buy an authentic new 2020 Rolex Submariner

If you are looking to buy an authentic new 2020 Rolex Submariner there are multiple options you can go with. For the best find we do advise to use marketplaces like our Relleb marketplace for private sellers, eBay or Chrono24 with our Relleb authentication & buying service.

Many certified pre-owned sellers like Chronext or Watchfinder&Co are most of the times far more expensive. They have more overhead costs and service every watch (in our opinion sometimes overservice watches) which adds up to the cost price of a new 2020 Rolex Submariner 126610LN. But, buying from private sellers bears risks and therefore we always advise to have a Rolex expert or watchmaker help you authenticate a watch. 

 

How to authenticate guides

We have authenticated multiple watches from several brands in the past years. For example the authentication of Hublot Big Bang, Rolex Submariner Hulk and a vintage Cartier Tank. The reason we share this information is to explain how difficult it is to say if a watch is real. As we like to say, spotting a fake watch can be easy, knowing it is real is definitely not.