What is the Rolex Sky-Dweller 326938?
The Rolex Sky-Dweller 326938 is a 42mm watch in 18k yellow gold. It has a champagne dial and an Oyster bracelet. Rolex uses calibre 9002. The movement has 72 hours of power reserve. The watch shows two time zones and an annual calendar. The month appears in a window at 3 o'clock. The Ring Command bezel controls the functions. Water resistance is 100 meters. Retail price is about $48,000 to $52,000 USD.
How to spot a fake 326938
- Weight: Genuine is about 220 grams. Fakes often weigh 150 to 180 grams. Gold has high density. Stainless steel with plating is lighter.
- Movement: Genuine calibre 9002 has 40 jewels and a 72-hour reserve. Fakes use Chinese or ETA clone movements. The annual calendar may not work. The month window may not change.
- Bezel: The Ring Command bezel rotates in three positions. It connects to the movement. On fakes, the bezel may not rotate. Or it rotates with no function.
- Dial: Font and spacing. The "ROLEX" text and crown logo are crisp. Fakes show fuzzy printing. The date font is different. The cyclops lens may lack anti-reflective coating.
- Case back: Genuine has a smooth case back. Fakes may have engravings that are too deep or off-center.
Movement and function
Rolex calibre 9002 is a self-winding movement. It has 40 jewels. The annual calendar accounts for months with 30 and 31 days. It needs one adjustment per year, in February. The dual time zone uses a 24-hour disc. The hour hand jumps in one-hour steps. Replica movements often lack these features. The GMT function may be a simple 24-hour hand. The month window may be static.
Materials and weight
Genuine 326938 uses 18k yellow gold. The case, bezel, and bracelet are solid gold. The weight is about 220 grams. Replicas use 316L stainless steel. They plate the steel with gold. Plating thickness is 3 to 5 microns. The weight is lower. The color may fade. The bracelet links may have sharp edges.
Price ranges
Genuine Sky-Dweller 326938 sells for $48,000 to $52,000 USD on the secondary market. Replicas sell for $300 to $800. High-end replicas with Swiss movements sell for $1,000 to $1,500. These prices are from online forums and dealer sites. Prices change.
Legal risks
In the United States, trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime. The penalty is up to 20 years in prison. Fines can reach $2 million for individuals. US Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watches. In Switzerland, customs seizes fake watches. The Swiss watch industry loses billions of francs each year. Buying a fake watch for personal use may not lead to prosecution. But selling or importing them does.