Why do people link the laser-marked clasps to China?
The
transition to laser-etched clasps in 2015 caused immense confusion in the watch
community, giving birth to the China rumor for two reasons:
- The
"Cheaper" Appearance Mistake: When the laser-etched clasps first
appeared on genuine models, many collectors thought the flat, dark
laser-etched text looked "cheaper" compared to the deeply
stamped, textured "frosted" engravings of older Rolexes.
Skeptics online immediately jumped to conclusions, claiming Rolex was
cutting costs by outsourcing bracelet production to China. This was
entirely false.
- The Replica
Clones Got Confused: By 2015, Chinese counterfeit factories ("Super
Clones") had perfected the art of mimicking the old stamped Rolex
clasps. When Rolex suddenly switched to laser etching,
counterfeiters in China quickly adapted and bought laser-engraving
machines to copy the new style. Casual buyers who saw videos of Chinese
factories laser-etching Rolex clasps mistakenly assumed that all
laser-etched Rolex parts originated from China.
Summary
Rolex
introduced laser markings on its bracelets around 2015. Every single one of
these bracelets was—and continues to be—manufactured out of Rolex's
specialized, multi-acre bracelet and case facility in Plan-les-Ouates,
Switzerland. The change was purely a technological upgrade to modern
watchmaking standards, not a move to offshore.
HK Snob
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