The Counterfeiter ’ s Connection Between Modigliani and Rolex
COUNTERFEITING HAS BEEN THE BANE OF THE COLLECTING MARKET FOR MILLENNIA and has in many ways served to gin up and extend interest in coveted items , like art and luxury watches . While both these respective markets have been dogged by aggressive and continually advancing counterfeiting techniques , new authentication measures and technologies are entering the fold which promise to more effectively separate the real from the pipe dream . These techniques may deliver a boost to both markets , according to two experts who provide a parallel analysis on current countercounterfeiting activities .
By way of introducing a new piece analyzing the Modigliani market by forensic art historian Daniel J . Voelker ( below ), we can draw a simile with the luxury watch market , with commentary provided by Anthony Fabiano Watch Certification Services of America ( Watch CSA ).
Watch Certification Services of America ( Watch CSA , www . watchcsa . com ) is the authority in online watch authentication , powered by artificial intelligence . It is a SaaS company providing service to pawnbrokers , jewelers and watch dealers in order to reduce their exposure to counterfeit watches .
According to Fabiano , Rolex is the most counterfeited watch brand in the world , sharing that ignominious title with Modigliani , as the most counterfeited artist , by production volume . The issue with both “ brands ” lies in their pedigree : in the case of Modigliani , early documentation and cataloging is sketchy , as illustrated in Voelker ’ s article . In terms of Rolex , it ’ s the early assembly process and use of sub-contractors , essentially opening the door for non-standardization and historical interpretation .
“ Prior to 1998 Rolex used a select list of sub-contractors to produce case , dial , bracelet , and movements to support the production . This may explain why we can look at auctions and see so many variations in dial printing , that did not exist in early auctions , publications and expert discussions . These pieces just surface , and because they appear to be a rare anomaly , they drive auctions to unreached levels . People buy on the rarity , just like in the art world . And , these works are not necessarily always validated by Rolex USA ;
86 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2021