Short answer
A fake Rolex Yacht-Master 268622 copies a 37 mm steel watch with a platinum bezel. Rolex released the ref. 268622 in 2016. The genuine watch runs the caliber 2236 with a Syloxi hairspring, a 55-hour power reserve, and 100 m water resistance. Counterfeits sell for $80 to $500. They match the outline. They do not match the metal, the movement, or the finish.
Genuine specs for the ref. 268622
- Case: 37 mm Oystersteel, solid case back, no crown guards
- Bezel: platinum, bidirectional, 60-minute scale, sandblasted top, polished raised numerals
- Dial: slate grey, Chromalight markers, blue glow
- Movement: Rolex caliber 2236, automatic, 28,800 vph, 55-hour power reserve
- Crystal: sapphire, Cyclops lens at 2.5x
- Bracelet: Oyster, Oysterlock clasp, 5 mm Easylink extension
- Water resistance: 100 m (330 ft)
- US retail: about $12,000 at an authorized dealer
Rolex calls the steel and platinum mix Rolesium. The 40 mm sibling is the ref. 116622. The 37 mm Everose gold version on Oysterflex is the ref. 268655.
Where replicas fail
Bezel
Platinum sits near 21.4 g/cm3. Steel sits near 7.9 g/cm3. A platinum bezel of a given size weighs about 2.7 times a steel one. Most replicas use 316L or 904L steel, polish the top face, and paint the numerals. Under light, the genuine bezel reads flat grey. A fake reads mirror bright.
Movement
Caliber 2236 uses a silicon Syloxi hairspring and a free-sprung balance. Replicas use a 2824 clone, a Sea-Gull ST2130, or a Hangzhou 6300. Those run metal hairsprings at 28,800 vph. Setting the hands feels rough on most clones, and the winding action is lighter. A watchmaker can confirm the difference in under a minute.
Case and crystal
The genuine case back is solid and smooth. A display back means the watch is not genuine. The Cyclops lens magnifies the date 2.5 times. Replicas use 1.5x or 2x. The inner ring, or rehaut, carries ROLEX engraving at 12 o'clock. Engraving depth on a fake is shallow and the font is wide.
Lume
Chromalight glows blue. A green glow points to a fake dial or an aftermarket relume.
Price tiers in the replica market
- $80 to $150: quartz or low-grade automatic, painted bezel numerals, mineral glass
- $150 to $300: 316L case, 2824 clone, sapphire crystal, weak bezel finish
- $300 to $500: super clone claims, 904L steel, better dial print, steel bezel
No mass-market replica uses a solid platinum bezel or a Syloxi hairspring. Both parts come from Rolex and are not sold to third parties.
Legal status in the US
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy counterfeit watches at the border. Rolex holds trademarks on the name, the five-point crown, and the watch design. Buying a fake for personal use is a different offense from selling one, but the item can still be seized on import.
Six checks before money changes hands
- Bezel face: matte top, polished numerals.
- Date magnification: 2.5x.
- Lume color: blue.
- Case back: solid, no glass.
- Weight: the platinum bezel adds heft.
- Serial and reference numbers between the lugs match the card.