Can RSC Confiscate a stolen watch?

[tigey]

I purchased a Submariner, no box or papers from a local Jeweler. They have a good reputation, and have been in business for a long time. Its time for a service, and I want the Rolex Warranty, however after reading horror stories I am reluctant to send to RSC. Suppose it was on their Black List as a stolen watch, Insurance would not cover it, and I would be out a 116610. How true is this "stolen watch" blacklist? What should I do? I am fine with an independent but I want the Rolex warranty and card, RSC receipt in case I ever sell or trade the watch.

[Xenon]

A service center must follow the Pawn shop stolen goods law which explicitly states that "If the shop accepts an item without taking steps to ensure it isn't stolen and the owner or law enforcement finds it, they must return the item to the owner at a loss for the amount they paid or loaned against it. It doesn't matter how much the pawn shop paid: the agreement is void."

So you would lose the watch if it were stolen.

[kieselguhr]

If you bought it from a reputable source, you have nothing to worry about. Send it in.

In the unlikely event it was in fact stolen. Pay your reputable source a visit with receipt in hand because they will need to make things right.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

If you bought it from a reputable source, you have nothing to worry about. Send it in.

In the unlikely event it was in fact stolen. Pay your reputable source a visit with receipt in hand because they will need to make things right.

This ^

[GMT Aviator]

Yes, it’s true because it happened to me and I did buy from a reputable source as well.

Took a GMT Master in for service a couple of years ago which I bought used from a reputable dealer. Turned out the watch had been reported stolen in 2004 in Germany.

Rolex retained it but could not establish who the rightful owner was and eventually it was returned to me after service. Happily I am now the registered owner and the watch is like new after having new dial, hands, Crystal and bezel insert.

The dealer was super. He even wrote to Rolex explaining he had sold me the watch and assured me an immediate refund if the watch was not returned. Thankfully it never came to that.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by tigey

. . .. Suppose it was on their Black List as a stolen watch, Insurance would not cover it, and I would be out a 116610. How true is this "stolen watch" blacklist? What should I do? I am fine with an independent but I want the Rolex warranty and card, RSC receipt in case I ever sell or trade the watch.

It's not a horror story if it is your watch being returned to you.

You don't get to keep stolen property, it's the same as the original crime.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

If you bought it from a reputable source, you have nothing to worry about. Send it in.

In the unlikely event it was in fact stolen. Pay your reputable source a visit with receipt in hand because they will need to make things right.

Amen


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[donas]

It's a headache to deal with, but why would you want to own a stolen watch or even have a thought that your watch may be stolen? As others have stated, worse case scenario Rolex seizes the watch, return to the reputable dealer for reimbursement. If that doesn't work, go a second time with the police. Though they can't force a refund, they can document the sale of stolen property (to which you should have plenty of proof) and follow up from there. I promise, his headache will be bigger than yours in the end.

[scooba]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

Yes, it’s true because it happened to me and I did buy from a reputable source as well.

Took a GMT Master in for service a couple of years ago which I bought used from a reputable dealer. Turned out the watch had been reported stolen in 2004 in Germany.

Rolex retained it but could not establish who the rightful owner was and eventually it was returned to me after service. Happily I am now the registered owner and the watch is like new after having new dial, hands, Crystal and bezel insert.

The dealer was super. He even wrote to Rolex explaining he had sold me the watch and assured me an immediate refund if the watch was not returned. Thankfully it never came to that.

I had the same with a SS Daytona I purchased in 2015 it turned out it was stolen in Belgium in 2000 ,RSC UK eventually returned the watch to me

[77T]

Originally Posted by tigey

I purchased a Submariner, no box or papers from a local Jeweler. They have a good reputation, and have been in business for a long time. Its time for a service, and I want the Rolex Warranty, however after reading horror stories I am reluctant to send to RSC. Suppose it was on their Black List as a stolen watch, Insurance would not cover it, and I would be out a 116610. How true is this "stolen watch" blacklist? What should I do? I am fine with an independent but I want the Rolex warranty and card, RSC receipt in case I ever sell or trade the watch.

I think you’ve hit upon a worry that comes from buying an undocumented watch. I can’t unravel the “What should I do?” for you... I have the opinion you should use the RSC because then you’d have no worries.

Yes, Rolex has a theft list. Yes, they confiscate watches every week and send them to the police department that took the theft report. It is a good thing they do IMHO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[N2theCAPE]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

Yes, it’s true because it happened to me and I did buy from a reputable source as well.

Took a GMT Master in for service a couple of years ago which I bought used from a reputable dealer. Turned out the watch had been reported stolen in 2004 in Germany.

Rolex retained it but could not establish who the rightful owner was and eventually it was returned to me after service. Happily I am now the registered owner and the watch is like new after having new dial, hands, Crystal and bezel insert.

The dealer was super. He even wrote to Rolex explaining he had sold me the watch and assured me an immediate refund if the watch was not returned. Thankfully it never came to that.

How long was this process and also did you still have to pay for the service. How did this go?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[SudiYunus]

Originally Posted by N2theCAPE

How long was this process and also did you still have to pay for the service. How did this go?

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

I'm curious too, 1 of my DJ 36 bought w/o paper n box.

[OrangeKenny]

So you are afraid the watch might be returned to its rightful owner? Please explain how that is a bad thing.

[peterpl]

As other have said just send it in if you bought it from a reputable source.

Otherwise use an independent. They wont check if its stolen and they dont care.

[steveclr]

What a strange ability you have Tools. I think its called empathy, i.e. putting yourself in somebody else's place.

[RJRJRJ]

If you bought it from a very reputable source, I would hope that they would reimburse you, even if it was confiscated. Otherwise, kiss your money goodbye, and they can kiss their reputation goodbye. You still may have a lawsuit assuming they want to stay in business.

[newenglandpatriot]

Why doesnt rolex just release their database, so all can view, either for free or a subscription. It would put a hamper on stolen watches for the thief, if everywhere they went it could be checked and declined at point of sale, private or other.

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by OrangeKenny

So you are afraid the watch might be returned to its rightful owner? Please explain how that is a bad thing.

I think you’re being a little obtuse. As others have stated, the watch was bought in good faith, with buyer and seller unaware it was on a stolen list.

[rootbeer7]

OP as others have stated, RSC will change confiscate watch until the rightful owner is established. Very often if insurances have paid out, watch will be returned to you.

[scooba]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's not a horror story if it is your watch being returned to you.

You don't get to keep stolen property, it's the same as the original crime.

Having Paid £34,000 for a 6263 in 2015 from one off the good guys in the vintage sellers and being involved with two trusted well established members on here .I don’t know if I agree after doing as much DD as possible and ended up owning a Stolen watch .

All I know is due to the correct paper trail and money transfer between all parties and the time involved .I was fortunate to have mine returned .

I fell out of love with it and it was sold back to the American Dealer who supplied the Collector I purchased it from and it was removed from the stolen register by Rolex CH

[scooba]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

OP as others have stated, RSC will change confiscate watch until the rightful owner is established. Very often if insurances have paid out, watch will be returned to you.

Ditto

[Harry-57]

Surely honesty is the best policy? If it's stolen why would you not want this ascertained?

If you bought it from a reputable seller you will have their full support. They will be insured against this kind of thing. You may even get to keep the watch - legally this time.

Maybe it's not stolen. This is more likely. Time to find out.

[Rori]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's not a horror story if it is your watch being returned to you.

You don't get to keep stolen property, it's the same as the original crime.

This.
That’s why if I’ll ever buy a used watch, I would never buy it without papers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[campfire]

Originally Posted by Rori

This.
That’s why if I’ll ever buy a used watch, I would never buy it without papers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is an informative thread. So if I'm understanding it right, the reason that it's a bit "safer" to buy preowned watches with papers is because in most cases, the probability of a watch being stolen with its papers is relative rarer? Or for that matter it's rarer that a stolen watch is stolen with its full set?

[peterpl]

Originally Posted by Rori

This.
That’s why if I’ll ever buy a used watch, I would never buy it without papers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Even if box and papers watches can be stolen or come from ill gotten gains.

[Chuckwagon]

Originally Posted by newenglandpatriot

Why doesnt rolex just release their database, so all can view, either for free or a subscription. It would put a hamper on stolen watches for the thief, if everywhere they went it could be checked and declined at point of sale, private or other.

Because if people can preview whether a watch that they have is on the Rolex stolen register, then they might choose to not send it in to RSC for service. Which defeats the whole point of it, and reduces the opportunity to reunite the watch with the original owner.

I am surprised in the above anecdotes the unsuspecting owners kept the watch in the end. Was this because the original owner, who had reported it stolen, could no longer be traced, perhaps due to obsoleted contact details after so many years? Or, if insurance had paid out, won’t the insurance company have claim on it?

[rootbeer7]

Originally Posted by campfire

This is an informative thread. So if I'm understanding it right, the reason that it's a bit "safer" to buy preowned watches with papers is because in most cases, the probability of a watch being stolen with its papers is relative rarer? Or for that matter it's rarer that a stolen watch is stolen with its full set?

Papers can be faked more easily than the watch. If you’re comfortable removing an older models bracelet to check serial matches the paperwork then yes it’s safer.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by campfire

TSo if I'm understanding it right, the reason that it's a bit "safer" to buy preowned watches with papers is because in most cases, the probability of a watch being stolen with its papers is relative rarer?

It's less likely. Rare? Well, there are an awful lot of fakes, clones and scammers out there, many with boxes and papers. Buying the seller first is a sensible precaution, but not a means of prevention. At least a reputable seller will assist you, as will be the case of the OP's watch turns out to be suspect.

[jimcameron]

If it is stolen, your concern for the rightful owner is severally lacking. Hence, if RCS grabs it, my sympathy for you is severally lacking.

[18078pres]

How does Rolex get the intel that in fact its stolen ? Is it just a notification from the owner ? Or a police report ? If they tell me my watch is stolen and take it from me they better damn well prove it with documented facts that it is stolen !!!! They're not a law enforcement agency .