Ebay authentication services OPENS watches!!

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by TimepieceRPP

Honestly this service is ridiculous and they are no where any expert. How do they prove and check the authenticity.

You don't know how they check authenticity but you know they are ridiculous non-experts?

Sounds like you are the "no where any expert".

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[Incroyable12]

How long does the authentication service take?

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Incroyable12

How long does the authentication service take?

1-2 days.

[8202632]

This thread is ridiculous. How else could an authenticity service prove that a watch was real unless they inspected the inside. Forget about a busted warranty, blah, blah. Period.

If that bothers someone, then buy a new one from an AD. End of story. End of thread.

[Moondoggy]

Yeah I’m going to buy an 10k+ watch off ePrey and have some random open the case back then send it to me. Insanity.

Bloody long covid is alive and well.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by rambo99

ebay and c24 are not trustworthy for sure. build relationship, be patient and buy from an AD/boutique is the only way you can get a rolex and bring you the peace of mind.

Amen brother…

[Polar Bear]

I've seen 2 examples of eBay authenticating a watch as genuine only to later be found out as a fake
They were both Panerais, which are notoriously easy to fake, and eBay refunded the buyers on both counts but it was enough for me to steer clear of the service

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I've seen 2 examples of eBay authenticating a watch as genuine only to later be found out as a fake
They were both Panerais, which are notoriously easy to fake, and eBay refunded the buyers on both counts but it was enough for me to steer clear of the service

Aren't all Panerais fake!

[Tqmb79]

You do realize that all grays open up watches also…so if you bought from a reputable gray they also have opened the watch. They have too.

[donas]

How would you suggest they verify the authenticity of the movement without seeing it?

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by Ale

You mean you assumed it was the caseBACK….

Sorry I’ll see myself out.

[fskywalker]

Thanks for sharing

[SubMillennial]

Originally Posted by Tqmb79

You do realize that all grays open up watches also…so if you bought from a reputable gray they also have opened the watch. They have too.

Yeah i'm trying to see what those crapping on this service think they are saying? That they either think reputable Grays don't do this, or they *prefer* to buy from Grays that don't verify the authenticity of the watch and might be selling a fake? What's so great about that?

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by SubMillennial

Yeah i'm trying to see what those crapping on this service think they are saying? That they either think reputable Grays don't do this, or they *prefer* to buy from Grays that don't verify the authenticity of the watch and might be selling a fake? What's so great about that?

You can see the red strip on the caseback tape that their watchmakers mark them with after opening and checking.

[TimepieceRPP]

Originally Posted by zengineer

You don't know how they check authenticity but you know they are ridiculous non-experts?

Sounds like you are the "no where any expert".

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of course I am "no where any expert". I admit that.

[JRedford]

Originally Posted by SubMillennial

Yeah i'm trying to see what those crapping on this service think they are saying? That they either think reputable Grays don't do this, or they *prefer* to buy from Grays that don't verify the authenticity of the watch and might be selling a fake? What's so great about that?

Don’t be silly, everybody knows it’s better to buy a fake from a trusted Grey than a legit watch from Fleabay.

[illiguy]

I specifically avoid eBay because of this nonsense.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by illiguy

I specifically avoid eBay because of this nonsense.

Hey.... I've got your next watch. Great deal too!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Tqmb79

You do realize that all grays open up watches also…so if you bought from a reputable gray they also have opened the watch. They have too.

Originally Posted by SubMillennial

Yeah i'm trying to see what those crapping on this service think they are saying? That they either think reputable Grays don't do this, or they *prefer* to buy from Grays that don't verify the authenticity of the watch and might be selling a fake? What's so great about that?

Here's the difference (I think): Most of those dealers probably sell the watch with their own warranty, ostensibly as a substitute for the manufacturer's. An individual selling on eBay wouldn't be doing that. Sooooo, if some months later the watch fails, that reputable secondary market seller will fix it (or pay to have it fixed), while the individual seller won't. This matters if the opening of the case back voids the warranty.

Nothing wrong with any of this, I just think there needs to be a disclaimer about it.

[funkright]

Buyer beware but that said I very do APPRECIATE this service offered by eBay. It sounds like, from what you and others have said, they make good when an issue does arise. For that, it is worth it, at least to me

Originally Posted by Bensrolex

I recently discovered that the eBay authentication process involves opening each watch. Obviously this is problematic since it may affect manufacturer warranties, and also can introduce problems that did not exist when the watch left the seller's hands.

In my case, this resulted in the the need to do a full service of the watch due to an improperly replaced gasket. Fortunately, eBay agreed to pay for the entire cost of the repair.

Buyer beware. However, I have got some fantastic deals on eBay, so....

[Champagnepapi]

OP, How else would you suggest authenticating a watch? These days some fakes are close to impossible to spot by just inspecting the exterior of their case and their documentation.

Also, How do you think the trusted grey dealers authenticate watches they buy and sell? Would it surprise you to hear that most grey dealers also tend to polish and touch up even new watches to make them “retail ready”?

Unless you buy directly from an AD then you better buy the seller first.


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[Austerlitz7]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I still think that there should be an option to decline it (agreed upon by buyer and seller) for watches still under warranty.

Just a heads up
If you buy and your address is a PO Box, the watch can’t be sent in for authentication. I had this issue not to long ago.


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[thesharkfactor]

I think someone needs to point out the process. The seller sends the watch to Stoll & Co (I speak of the process in the UK). Stoll & Co check it over and send it onto the buyer. If there’s a problem they will handle it. No one loses out. It’s not a random worker at eBay.

[3wheeler7]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

I think someone needs to point out the process. The seller sends the watch to Stoll & Co (I speak of the process in the UK). Stoll & Co check it over and send it onto the buyer. If there’s a problem they will handle it. No one loses out. It’s not a random worker at eBay.

Well said that man! There's a lot of sharks out there and it's nice to know someone on your side is catching them.
I used the process to buy my OP Date and Stoll phoned me up to say the watch was perfect but they wouldn't be forwarding the box as it was a fake. The lady also commented on how nice the watch was and that it was 100% authentic.

[Nodates]

This authentication failed.

Stoll labeled your watch a Submariner, which it obviously is not. A Rolex Submariner has no date.

[njlam]

I have bought three nice watches thru eBay with their authentication service, a Panerai GMT, a JLC Reverso and a Rolex Batman and have been thrilled with the watches and the peace of mind.

The one time I used Chrono24 (a zenith via a private seller) the outcome was not as good and cost me $1200 in servicing (born by me). If Chrono24 had an authentication service, all the problems could have been avoided.


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[Luap1976]

I thought or I think I was told that if the case back is opened by a random person that the 5 year warranty is void

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by joli160

for me reason enough never to go this route

+1.

[Hardtimes]

What is the alternative...no authentication?

[928ktgold]

Originally Posted by drrd

Clearly not in this instance.

If you’re not competent at opening and closing a case back then at least always pressure test.

No this isn’t clear from the OP. Maybe the gasket was old and upon inspection degraded and needed to be replaced anyway. OP didn’t give us all the details as to what happened