RSC Authentication

[cascadez71]

If sending for full paid service to RSC, I presume the service confirmation will still include boilerplate "It does not attest to or guarantee the authenticity of a watch." Obviously any non-standard parts, if found, will be replaced at customer cost.

Has anyone sent a watch and paid a separate authentication fee (on top of or separate from service) and actually received a "Yes, this is authentic."? I assume authenticity itself is technically a difficult term to define.

I would presume a completed service and service card would satisfy any owner or buyer, no? Plus any papers, hangtag with matching serial number, etc.

[richardlo]

I believe if they work on it thats about as much as a guarantee as you will get. Since I never known Rolex to work on a non Rolex sent for service.

[omar-rye]

Once a watch goes through Rolex’s full service, it’s deemed authentic by their standards, and there’s no need to pay for a separate authentication fee. The disclaimer you mentioned “It does not attest to or guarantee the authenticity of a watch” only appears on service quote forms and not after the service is completed. The overhaul itself serves as a validation of authenticity.

[saxo3]

Once you receive a specific offer from RSC to service a watch, it has passed their internal pre-service tests and can be considered authenticated to Rolex SA standards.

[996marty]

As mentioned if they are working on it then it’s already passed the test of it being legit. Bit of a strange question

[brandrea]

I’ve paid RSC for authentication. I didn’t bother with the service.

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’ve paid RSC for authentication. I didn’t bother with the service.

Just curious, what was the cost?

TIA

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

Just curious, what was the cost?

TIA

It was $150 CAD at RSC in Toronto. That was about 5 years ago I’d say


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[1William]

You can submit a watch for a service estimate and Rolex will evaluate the watch for any repairs that need to be done. Once they have completed the estimate you will receive it in writing. Rolex does not work on fake watches nor will they allow aftermarket parts to remain on watches they service. It will all be noted. You can decline the service and have the watch shipped back to you for the cost of the shipping. Rolex will also check and see if the watch has been reported stolen to them, if so, they will keep the watch and involve the Authorities. All very simple but time consuming.

[FlyinHawaiian]

Originally Posted by 1William

Rolex will also check and see if the watch has been reported stolen to them, if so, they will keep the watch and involve the Authorities. All very simple but time consuming.

Is this what you've received in writing from the RSC or what their customer service told you?

[77T]

Originally Posted by FlyinHawaiian

Is this what you've received in writing from the RSC or what their customer service told you?

It is what they do...
I know because I've recovered a stolen Platona due to that policy.


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[FlyinHawaiian]

Originally Posted by 77T

It is what they do...
I know because I've recovered a stolen Platona due to that policy.


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Thanks! Is this policy posted somewhere on their official website?

[77T]

No it isn't posted on the website.


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[Calatrava r]

If a hype new piece is sent to RSC for 'authentication" in the US, RSC will notify the area sales representative who will contact the selling AD to discuss the matter. Buy the seller and let bygones be bygones.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

If a hype new piece is sent to RSC for 'authentication" in the US, RSC will notify the area sales representative who will contact the selling AD to discuss the matter. Buy the seller and let bygones be bygones.

You mean, that is, if it's real.
If a hype new piece that a buyer got from a secondary market seller - and it is not authentic - then the buyer gets to ask for a refund (presuming the seller is honest).

I agree - buy the seller.


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[cascadez71]

Thanks to all for the responses.

[ArtNouveau]

It may vary in different countries but AFAIK RolexUSA will not “authenticate” a watch per se. You send a watch in for a service quote and if you get a quote you can consider it authentic.

[buckeyechemie]

Seeing as how the RSC will not work on a watch that has a Rolex Date Wheel of a different color than stock or a diamond studded bezel that is non-standard, I'd say their quoting to work on it and subsequent service pretty well guarantees authenticity to the best of their knowledge.

[TimeLord2]

I was considering using the RSC in Beverly Hills (when it was open to walk in customers in 2019) to service my watch. ±1973 GMT Master 1675 Gold and stainless (brown dial) with Tiffany & Co. branding. They said they would not service until it was authenticated for $260, which would be folded into the cost of the service assuming all was correct. I did not receive any "documentation" per say, just a service list of required and optional repairs. However, I did not have it serviced there, I paid the $260, and that was that. Oh, and there was no mention of the Tiffany branding in the service form as they don't do dial descriptions. And no, replacing the dial was not on the service form. It was my dad's watch, which he purchased directly from Tiffany back in the day, so there was never the question of authenticity in that regard.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by FlyinHawaiian

Is this what you've received in writing from the RSC or what their customer service told you?

I've had it happen to me, personally. Bought a coke GMT 16710 years ago from an old oriental gentleman. Turns out the watch was stolen. The old timer bought it second-hand in Hong Kong - probably had no idea. RSC confiscated the watch and that was the end of it. That's how my "box and papers" mantra became a strict rule.