“Albino” Daytona Made In Tuscany – Vintage Panerai and other iconic timepieces under the loupe at Perezcope


Who would have thought we might return to the planet of the fakes so quickly? Barely two weeks have handed since my final exposé that in the end compelled Antiquorum to withdraw a faux “Rinaldi” Submariner Ref. 5510, however the incorrigible public sale home is at it once more. This time with what they describe as an “exceptionally” uncommon “Albino” Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239.

Long story quick, “Albino” dial is faux, case and reference quantity engravings are faux too, motion is from a a lot earlier Daytona. This “Foulbino” is a so-called faux & franken watch, distinctive solely in its diploma of worthlessness. The findings you might be about to see and browse have been confirmed by the best authorities of classic Rolex Daytona gathering.

LOT 293 – Rolex Ref. 6239, Daytona Albino Big Red Dial – 1626271

Albino Daytona dials are extraordinarily uncommon. According to scholarship, solely 4 items are identified to exist. Three items of Ref. 6263, amongst them the well-known Eric Clapton watch with case quantity 2874334 that fetched CHF1,325,000 in 2015, and one Ref. 6239 with a case quantity within the 1.6 million vary auctioned by Christie’s in London arund the yr 2000. The latter was offered in Pucci Papaleo’s spectacular Ultimate Rolex Daytona e-book. According to the rarity of those items, Antiquorum set the estimate for his or her faux “Albino” between 700,000 and 1,200,000 Swiss Francs. Shameless!

Lot 293 – Fake Rolex Daytona “Albino” Ref. 6239, 1626271

Auction hyperlink: LOT 293 – Rolex, Ref. 6239, Daytona Albino Big Red Dial (Antiquorum)

Admittedly, the current “Albino” dial is effectively achieved, however not effectively sufficient. A comparability with the one present Ref. 6239 instance would have sufficed to detect the apparent points. But there appears to be no due diligence at Antiquorum or they merely don’t care whether or not the items are unique or not.

Before the rest, let’s evaluate the case quantity engravings between the lugs at 6 o’clock. See the deviations? These faux engravings are among the greatest I’ve seen up to now however they’re nonetheless off. The no 1 is kind of apparent. Also the quantity 2 which isn’t as clean as the unique ones. Notice additionally the second 6 with double line on the unique ones.

Comparison case quantity engravings

The engravings of 1626271 are faux past any doubt. Does that imply the case is faux too? Not essentially. The case may very well be an unique one, though closely altered. The solely identified Rolex Daytona “Albino” Ref. 6239 has a case quantity within the 1.6 million vary so to make the current faux & franken watch look extra legit, the counterfeiters erased the unique case quantity and reapplied a extra becoming one. They might have purchased a correct 1.6 million Daytona however these guys had been too stingy.

An analogous scenario will be discovered between the lugs at 12 o’clock. The engravings are good however can’t idiot the eager eye. The unique ones correspond to the above proven case numbers from the exact same 1.626 million batch.

Comparison reference quantity engravings

Before stepping into the dial, let’s have a fast have a look at the motion of this watch. For this case quantity vary the right motion could be a Rolex Cal. 722-1. Instead, the current watch encompasses a Cal. 72B with serial quantity 6338 which will be discovered on Daytonas from the 1.19 million case quantity vary.

Wrong Cal. 72 B as an alternative of Cal. 722

Until only in the near past, actions weren’t that necessary in classic Rolex gathering however that is shortly altering on account of my in-depth analysis. So-called matching numbers is the best way to go now. A mistaken motion can minimize the worth of a watch dramatically as a nonmatching caliber is also a sign that the watch has been tinkered with.

Alright, up to now we received faux engravings between the lugs and a motion that doesn’t match the case quantity vary. There will be little doubt that this watch has been messed round with, so why would a made-up piece of junk like this function an exceptionally uncommon dial? Makes no sense, proper?

Let’s have a more in-depth have a look at the dial now. The very first thing that captures the attention is after all the completely different Rolex brand and lacking Cosmograph designation on the Antiquorum watch. That fashion of Rolex brand is from a special sort of dial altogether. Making a 1:1 copy is extraordinarily troublesome, even when the artwork of printing has been mastered. To keep away from comparisons and discussions, counterfeiters normally attempt to create one thing distinctive as an alternative. I’m not going to assist them enhance their strategies, so all I’ll say is the emblem is means too excellent and lacks necessary particulars.

The soleil end is in all places, as is the dial color. The unique Albino dial is a very completely different breed and appears tremendous excessive tech from each perspective. A better have a look at the subdials reveals the actual points. The azurage end (ripples) on the faux “Albino” dial is awful and imprecise. This impact creates the optical phantasm of concentric circles however in actuality it’s really a spiral with a starting and an finish. Just evaluate how the spirals run out on the edge (crimson arrows, backside). On the unique dial (prime) it’s barely noticable, on the Tuscan-made one it is extremely apparent. What has been seen can’t be unseen. It is the dearth of high quality and end that unmasks this dial because the counterfeit it’s.

Comparison subdials (click on to zoom in)

Generally, all graphics are off, some extra, some much less. One huge faux-pas occurred with the ten minutes marker within the half-hour sub dial (far proper) whose place is means off.

Another element the counterfeiters didn’t perceive are the palms. Look by the hands on the unique Albino which was auctioned 20 years in the past in London. Those are Ref. 16520 palms! They had been put in throughout a service or so. From what I gathered, when the images had been taken for the e-book Ultimate Rolex Daytona, some argued the 16520 palms ought to be changed with interval appropriate ones however the writer stored the watch within the very situation it was present in 2000.

Original Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 “Albino” (Photo: Pucci Papaleo)

The counterfeiters replicated this element 1:1 believing it was a signature function of the Albino however it isn’t! The palms alone are purpose sufficient to dismiss the watch.

An attention-grabbing passage in Antiquorum’s description is the next:

Please notice that the watch is at the moment at Rolex, Atelier de Restoration in Geneva for an overhaul estimate and might be obtainable round June 2021.

Antiquorum is implying Rolex accepted the look ahead to an overhaul and due to this fact it have to be legit. This is an outrageous and by no means earlier than seen try at utilizing Rolex’s good title – most definitely with out their consent nor information – to push a highend faux.

To conclude on the “Albino”, I’ll depart you with one other wonderful image of the one present Ref. 6239 “Albino”. Enjoy the perfection.

Perfection! Detail of the unique “Albino” (Photo: Pucci Papaleo)

So the query is, who’s accountable for this faux? There are many rumours however I cannot go there. However, I seen over the previous few months that one specific Tuscan seller from Forte dei Marmi, a man named Maurizio De Angelis, has dealt quite a few reengraved Rolex Daytonas that includes an nearly equivalent faux typeface as seen above. The comparability under exhibits a kind of watches, a Rolex Daytona Ref. 6240 from the 1.65 million vary (165XXXX). The faux engravings are very comparable. In the 1.65 million vary there are two batches of Ref. 6240, one that includes Typeface A (1658493) and one engraved with Typeface B (1659487). Both are significantly completely different.

Comparison case quantity engravings Ref. 6240, 1.65 million vary

Here is one other magnificence at the moment on sale with De Angelis. A Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263. The case quantity engravings are utterly off for this batch of Daytonas. There are two batches of Rolex Daytonas on this case quantity vary, a Ref. 6263 batch and a Ref. 6265 batch. All unique items from the 4.13 million vary featured a brand new typeface (Typeface C) that was launched round case quantity 4.0 million.

What is the cope with reengraving watches? In most instances it’s achieved to match the watches to free papers which are being offered on particular whatsapp teams. A watch with papers can simply be was a so-called full set, one thing that may command a a lot greater worth. Then there are after all the stolen watches which require new numbers to change into “authorized”.

Anyway, along with the above points, in February 2021 it was delivered to my consideration that De Angelis had taken over a Rolex Ref. 6150 Pre Explorer traded in for a Tudor Ref. 7928 with tropical dial. According to the ex proprietor of the 6150, the lume of his watch had been reapplied at the least twice. The dial was lifeless on the geiger counter, one thing he had disclosed to the seller. The Tuscan seller was unbothered by this truth. Weeks after, the ex proprietor noticed the 6150 on De Angelis’ microsite on a serious watch promoting platform. The itemizing implied the watch was untouched and nonetheless radioactive (video proof was offered later). The earlier proprietor additionally seen the case had been recut/repolished. I reached out to the platform proprietor and the watch was instantly eliminated. De Angelis then claimed the watch had been radioactive all alongside and that the earlier proprietor had used a mistaken instrument. This very watch with case quantity 944925 is now on sale with Antiquorum, in the identical public sale because the faux “Albino”.

LOT 397 – Rolex, Ref. 6150, Pre Explorer, 3-6-9 Chapter Ring, Gilt Dial, 944925

As you possibly can see under, the 6150 was clearly relumed, presumably with radium.

Left: watch as traded in, proper: relumed with radioactive materials

Auction hyperlink: LOT 397 – Rolex, ref. 6150, Pre Explorer, 3-6-9 Chapter Ring, Gilt Dial (Antiquorum)

The subsequent image was offered by the earlier proprietor and exhibits the dial situation in late 2019. As you possibly can see, the dial was badly relumed. It was then once more repainted earlier than it was purchased by the earlier proprietor.

The Antiquorum itemizing states the dial is “very effectively conserved”, “superb” and “patinated”. No mentioning of a relume job with radioactive materials nor that the case was recut/repolished. The palms are described as unique, although they clearly are service elements.

I feel this speaks for itself. Rumour has it, De Angelis offered a lot of Rolex Daytonas in 18k gold with utterly faux instances. We are investigating this matter as we communicate. Antiquorum wouldn’t be Antiquorum if there weren’t extra fakes round, proper? So right here we go.

LOT 294 – Rolex, ReF. 6240, RCO Dial so referred to as “Oyster Sotto”

The RCO variant of the Rolex Daytona which can be identified beneath the Italian nickname “Oyster Sotto” (Oyster Underneath) is a very uncommon and sought-after beast. RCO is brief for “Rolex Cosmograph Oyster”. The story goes Rolex added the phrase Oyster beneath Rolex Cosmograph on already completed dials. This occured with the introduction of the screw-down pushers, when Rolex started to really feel comfy designating the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph an Oyster. In actuality, the Daytona had at all times been an Oyster with a depth score of 165 ft/50 m. The solely concern had been the push-down pushers which may very well be by chance engaged underwater leading to a water injury. The screw-down pushers didn’t improve the water resistance, they had been merely a mechanical lock.

With Lot 294, Antiquorum is seemingly providing one in every of these uncommon watches. Problem is, the Oyster print was certainly added later, a lot a lot later, most likely a number of months in the past. Meaning, this isn’t an actual “Oyster Sotto”. The Oyster print with exagerated serifes in every single place appears cartoonish, unreal. It screams “look, we mastered the serifes”. Speaking of unreal, the plastic bezel insert of this watch is indisputably faux. Original inserts bear particulars which haven’t been replicated but and I cannot go into extra element about this. If you understand, you understand.

LOT 294 – Rolex Ref. 6240 with faux Oyster Sotto (RCO) dial

Auction hyperlink: LOT 294 – Rolex, Ref. 6240, RCO Dial So Called “Oyster Sotto” (Antiquorum)

The base dial that was used to create this faux “Oyster Sotto” seems to be unique. I intentionally say “seems” trigger given the abilities these counterfeiters have developed, all graphics might very effectively be faux. In addition to the faux Oyster print, the counterfeiters added two dashes earlier than and after T SWISS T (designation for tritium lume) to create the phantasm of the earliest “Oyster Sotto” dial ever made. The dashes had been a particular designation for metal markers versus valuable steel markers (Sigma image). In my in depth classic Daytona database with over 8,000 documented watches, I’ve not discovered any unique dials with equivalent graphics that function the dashes. In addition, the place and angle of the dashes is extraordinarily awkward. Dashes like this are unprecedented.

If you look intently on the Cosmograph print, you’ll discover that among the letters are awkwardly thickened in sure areas, as if it was double printed. So far I’ve not seen something comparable.

The lume plots are fairly attention-grabbing as effectively. There is an ungainly darkish ring round every plot and among the plots look as in the event that they by some means melted onto the dial floor. Similar darkish rings across the lume plots may also be discovered on the “Albino”. I don’t recall seeing this on different dials.

Comparison awkward lume plots

Could this be a sign that each dials had been made by the exact same counterfeiter?

Thoughts

As talked about earlier, I mentioned these fakes with prime Daytona consultants. Some imagine it could not be good for the market to reveal counterfeits of this elevated high quality as collectors might lose confidence and costs might collapse in consequence. It could be higher to let these fakes slip by way of even when somebody will get burned. I strongly disagree! This was precisely the modus operandi for the previous 20 years, earlier than Perezcope was established.

Yes, the danger that the market might take successful on account of these top quality fakes may be very actual. But protecting quiet just isn’t going to unravel something. Silence will solely intensify the issue. There is just too a lot cash to be made and the individuals concerned are unscrupulous. I’ll proceed to work exhausting to establish as many fakes as doable so as to shield what I really like dearly, watches and their historical past.

Thank you on your curiosity.

Read extra: Planet of the fakes: A Rinaldi “Big Crown” 5510 at Antiquorum Hong Kong



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