Stolen Property search

[MoBe]

Can you have a watch serial number checked against the state or national stolen property registry on request at your local cop shop in the US ?

Can you check with Rolex USA if a watch has been reported stolen?

[nch209]

This is a good question. Years ago I came across a "too good to be true" 16622, and wrote about it on the forum. I had a buddy run it through the cop (ncic???) database, and called rolex to inquire about it... and nothing was shown. I am confident this watch was hot and of course passed- perhaps it was never reported, or at least not at that point. I wanted no part of it, nor the bad karma from it!!! As a side note, I suspsect an actual list could be used for non legit purposes. I learned alot from that potenial transaction, and continue to expect much from sellers...

[Grissom]

NCIC is correct, however there is usually no protocol for "running" a watch for a citizen, and evidently Rolex USA will likewise not disclose that information.....

[FLHP]

Probably easier to do in small town America. They absolutely can check any serial number though NCIC for a stolen entry. Just a matter of what it takes to get them to do it. A smaller agency will most likely just run it, the larger, probably have a process.

[m_allie]

if a rolex is reported stolen it then is forwarded to rolex which they keep a record of . if any one brings the stolen lost watch in for service they confiscate it and give you a document stating why. how do i know ( it happened to me ) long time ago when i purchased a watch without papers turned out to be stolen.

[mikkolopez]

In Manila, if a questionable watch, stolen, lost or otherwise was reported at RSC Manila, it is tagged. the next time it comes in for service, it will be held and the real owner informed. The the real owner can arrange for a "sting" operation with RSC and the police once the "other" owner claims it.

There were already a number of such sting conducted and watches recovered thru RSC. Before they confiscate it, but they changed the policy, now it's the above. But still the result is same. So I register all my Rolexes and Tudors. At least, no thief will be enjoying my hard-earned watch with legitimate RSC service.

[MoBe]

So unless I have a friend on the police force I can`t get any stolen property information as a regular citizen it seems.Anytime I`m looking at a preowned Rolex without a documented history then I would assume that it`s possible that I`m looking at stolen property.If the average citizen can`t check to see if something has been reported stolen then I reckon thieves don`t have to worry about selling a stolen watch and given the number of watches that get stolen every year there must be a number of them walking around on the wrists of unsuspectng owners.Rolex service centers I`m sure find several of them every year.Occasionally we hear about them here at TRF and in rare cases they are found by police in the course of some crime investigation but mostly they remain stolen it would appear.

[dddrees]

Personally MoBe I think it better to pass on something you have reason to suspect might be stolen, and just buy one from a reputable dealer in the first place.

[MoBe]

I`ll try one more question before this thread fades into the sunset.

Would a private investigator be able to access the stolen property data base on behalf of a client or would an investigator be regarded the same as a private citizen and be denied the information requested?

[Grissom]

I think not......it is a private data base held by a private company....their's to disclose to whomever they are so inclined to grant access to, and whenever they feel so inclined! Perhaps a court order would work to force access to the Rolex USA data base, from the US, at least....

[77T]

Just curious, would a US citizen be able to call up RCMP and asks them to run Rolex case number against the Canadian system?

I think the resources required to support a virtual service desk in major urban areas (where the greatest crime rates exist) would not be supportable with the existing funding.

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by 77T

Just curious, would a US citizen be able to call up RCMP and asks them to run Rolex case number against the Canadian system?

I think the resources required to support a virtual service desk in major urban areas (where the greatest crime rates exist) would not be supportable with the existing funding.

I don`t know anything about the Canadian system.

[Tools]

Rolex doesn't just give out the information over the phone... You need to take it in, or send it in..

They will then notify the authority that reported it stolen and begin the process..

If all you had to do is call them up, or check a database, they would never recover any stolen watches...

[sierra11b]

Maybe this is crazy talk but shouldn't RSC give a 90day settlement period where you state your case with proof of purchase and then if they cannot contact the original owner relinquish ownership rights to the new owner? I would be extremely pissed if I found out my watch was stolen. I know it's unlikely given Rolex secrecy but I would be crushed if I found out a watch was stolen.

I don't count on this ever happening to me as I intend to purchase from the trusted sellers here or AD exclusively, the idea just popped in my head

[superscot69]

Would i be right in saying that if you were to lose or have your Rolex Stolen? The said watch is then put on a lost/stolen register and the first time that watch was put in for a service be it any place in the world it’s then traceable. Would the Rolex Service centre atommatillcally check the serial number as part of the service? I had one stolen a few years back and never recovered and would hate to think that this sub is now on someone’s wrist and fully serviced

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex doesn't just give out the information over the phone... You need to take it in, or send it in..

They will then notify the authority that reported it stolen and begin the process..

If all you had to do is call them up, or check a database, they would never recover any stolen watches...

A telephone accessible database is exactly what was available in the UK up until about 18 to 24 months ago and I don`t recall if any reason was given for it`s cancellation but cost would be the obvious guess.

I think making this information available to the public would increase the chance of recovering stolen goods after all if a buyer can check a serial number against a database and expose the seller then it increases the possibility of recovery,not to mention the benefit of buyers being able to avoid buying a stolen Rolex.

More information is always better when doing your due diligence before a purchase,it is the lack of information that benefits the dishonest sellers.

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by superscot69

Would i be right in saying that if you were to lose or have your Rolex Stolen? The said watch is then put on a lost/stolen register and the first time that watch was put in for a service be it any place in the world it’s then traceable. Would the Rolex Service centre atommatillcally check the serial number as part of the service? I had one stolen a few years back and never recovered and would hate to think that this sub is now on someone’s wrist and fully serviced

I`m guessing that Rolex service centers from the UK or any other country for that matter don`t share information with service centers from all other countries but I would be pleased to learn that I`m wrong about this assumption.As far as I know service centers only access records for their own country.A worldwide database administered by Rolex via their service centers would be ideal but I don`t think Rolex has any interest in this type of a service if for no other reason than that of the expense.

[JGX]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

Maybe this is crazy talk but shouldn't RSC give a 90day settlement period where you state your case with proof of purchase and then if they cannot contact the original owner relinquish ownership rights to the new owner? I would be extremely pissed if I found out my watch was stolen. I know it's unlikely given Rolex secrecy but I would be crushed if I found out a watch was stolen.

Stolen property remains stolen property regardless as to how many times it may change hands. A watch may become the property of an insurance company if they have paid out or, if the original owner is uncontactable then I would imagine the watch be handed over to the local law enforcement authority for sale/scrapping as per their local policy.

Here in the UK, the offence is 'Handling Stolen Goods'. This offence is created by section 22(1) of the Theft Act 1968 which provides:
A person handles stolen goods if (otherwise than in the course of stealing), knowing or believing them to be stolen goods he dishonestly receives the goods, or dishonestly undertakes or assists in their retention, removal, disposal or realisation by or for the benefit of another person, or if he arranges to do so.

It has been argued that a deal 'too good to be true' provides cause for 'knowing or believing' under the act and as such a person guilty of handling stolen goods is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years, or on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

As I said this applies just in the UK but it's sobering stuff indeed.

[superscot69]

Sobering stuff right enough! You would think that since Rolex is at the high end of the watch market that a central database could or would be set up to help and trace stolen /lost watches at what cost. When you think that the police in the UK now can find out instantly if the car you’re now driving is fully taxed and insured. A Rolex central data base where the watch technician inserts the serial number into the data base and if it’s flagged as lost or stolen then proceedings for further investigation should take place. Also bearing that the insurance companies have to take the brunt of any loss so would be in their own interest to help fund! Makes my bloody blood boil to think that probably some person has my hard earned Sub firmly attached to their wrist!

[JGX]

Originally Posted by superscot69

Sobering stuff right enough! You would think that since Rolex is at the high end of the watch market that a central database could or would be set up to help and trace stolen /lost watches at what cost. When you think that the police in the UK now can find out instantly if the car you’re now driving is fully taxed and insured. A Rolex central data base where the watch technician inserts the serial number into the data base and if it’s flagged as lost or stolen then proceedings for further investigation should take place. Also bearing that the insurance companies have to take the brunt of any loss so would be in their own interest to help fund! Makes my bloody blood boil to think that probably some person has my hard earned Sub firmly attached to their wrist!

True indeed and the Rolex Stolen Register (or whatever it's called since its move to Kent) exists. But, conversely (and I say this as someone who has been 'releived' of TWO Rolex's over the years) I wouldn't be too happy about a public stolen line. I take great comfort from the fact that someone (maybe 20 years from now) will take my hard-earned watch (that they bought for 'a song' from the bloke down the pub) into a dealer for whatever reason and have it impounded. Had the person in question been able to dial 0898 ISMYROLEXNICKED then he would avoid ADs or RSCs like the plague and continue reaping the benefits of my misfortune. . .

[myh]

My Watches got stolen a few years back in US.

I did service my Rolex previously @ one of the authorized RSC in US. When my Rolex got stolen. I called the RSC to report it, but before they can place it on their worldwide database. They wanted me to send or fax them a police report.
I bought a replacement watch year later and went to RSC for service recently. I asked about my stolen watch SN is still in their database. They checked it for me and said ...yes .... and Rolex will contact me if they find it...don't know when but lost my hope...

I have no idea with the NCIC report. The detective who take care of the report never mention to me about the national or NCIC database. But I hope they filed it.