Rolex Daytona question/help

[nigh_train]

Good afternoon gentleman, i'm a brand new member here and was wondering if one of you fine people could help with a question.

I purchased a Rolex Daytona from a co-worker about a year ago (VP of operations for a large oil and gas company) at the time of purchase I had asked about the documentation and box to the timepiece because they were not included, he had indicated they were destroyed in a house fire, which I can confirm because he received a call at work and it made it on the local news.

I just recently went to a Rolex AD and inquired about somehow getting the documentation for my Daytona because I was considering selling the timepiece, he naturally asked me why I didnt have the original paperwork so I explained I was the second owner and that the first owner lost it during a house fire.

He then made a statement that really worries me, he said I could bring the watch to them and have it authenticated but if the original owner claimed it under their house insurance due to the house fire then they could confiscate the watch. I immediately returned home to dig up the phone number of the gentleman I bought it from because he no longer works for us, I found the number but it is no longer is service.

My question is how can I know for sure whether this gentleman did in fact do this or not? I of course dont want to lose the watch that I paid $11,000 so bringing it back to the AD is not an option at this time. Is there some way I can give someone the serial number and they can find this info out?

Thank you for any help or suggestions,

[Tools]

Welcome to the Forum...

Your question cannot be answered by us.... Unfortunately there are some folks out there who do scam their insurance by claiming loss which did not occur.

If the watch was either stolen or lost (fire, ocean, etc.) and that serial number was turned in to Rolex, then they would have the right to hold the watch and notify the proper authorities..

Only you know the character of the person who sold it to you.. Unfortunately, Rolex will not just give us the information, they require that it be sent in.

If you are looking to sell it, you do not need any paperwork or anything else.... There are plenty of folks who will pay the same for a Daytona, regardless if it has those things or not..

[chenx15]

oh shmokes! well what you can do to get some paper work for it is by getting a simple service such as getting an extra link which may cost about 50 dollars. the RSC will give you a certificate that it's yours. then with regards to boxes and other stuff you can get that over the ebay or this forum in decent prices. the only risk you will take is when you get it serviced by RSC and it was declared as missing/stolen or reported to the insurance.

but IMHO i don't think the original owner would have reported it missing. i have a gut feeling he didn't know the serial number by heart. I'm a risk taker so i'll do it in a heartbeat and so far my guts have been mostly right.

go to RSC and don't tell them you're the second owner and they really don't care

[nigh_train]

Thank you very much for the info sir, the character of the gentleman I purchased it from would be considered by me as a truthfull and trustfull person but I am not an expert of character by any means, i've been very wrong in the past. In this day and age I feel its almost impossible to trust anyone which is very sad!

I would also be concerned for the person I would sell it to, naturally I would not want to be responsible if someone were to purchase it and then have it confiscated, I would feel absolutely terrible!

I suppose if I were to be unfront and disclose all the info in regards to the watch prior to selling it and if the person still wanted to purchase the watch knowing this info then I guess it would be their decision.

Could anyone recomend a safe a trusting place where I might be able to sell my Rolex Daytona? There are alot of scams going on out there that I would like to avoid.

Thanks again,

Originally Posted by Tools

Welcome to the Forum...

Your question cannot be answered by us.... Unfortunately there are some folks out there who do scam their insurance by claiming loss which did not occur.

If the watch was either stolen or lost (fire, ocean, etc.) and that serial number was turned in to Rolex, then they would have the right to hold the watch and notify the proper authorities..

Only you know the character of the person who sold it to you.. Unfortunately, Rolex will not just give us the information, they require that it be sent in.

If you are looking to sell it, you do not need any paperwork or anything else.... There are plenty of folks who will pay the same for a Daytona, regardless if it has those things or not..

[daytona1]

Originally Posted by chenx15

oh shmokes! well what you can do to get some paper work for it is by getting a simple service such as getting an extra link which may cost about 50 dollars. the RSC will give you a certificate that it's yours. then with regards to boxes and other stuff you can get that over the ebay or this forum in decent prices. the only risk you will take is when you get it serviced by RSC and it was declared as missing/stolen or reported to the insurance.

but IMHO i don't think the original owner would have reported it missing. i have a gut feeling he didn't know the serial number by heart. I'm a risk taker so i'll do it in a heartbeat and so far my guts have been mostly right.

go to RSC and don't tell them you're the second owner and they really don't care

This makes sence. If the guy didnt report the serial number I think your fine going to the RSC. His papers are all burnt up and most likley he couldnt remember his numbers.

[nigh_train]

Thank you for the suggestion, maybe I will try this before placing an add, I also dont think the first owner reported it missing either, my concern is that he claimed the watch destroyed due to the house fire and then was compensated for it through his home owners insurance, if in fact he did do this he would have had to provide the insurance company some kind of proof which I assume would have had to be the serial number or something to receive any kind of compensation, therfore when I bring it in they will confiscate it.

So even if I do bring it in to a RSC they would check the serial and I would be out my watch and money, i'm not sure if I want to take that chance because i'm not 100% sure if thats what the previous owner did or not.

I think I would much rather keep it then take that chance, or sell it to someone who is aware of the possible issue and is okay with it.

Thanks,

Originally Posted by chenx15

oh shmokes! well what you can do to get some paper work for it is by getting a simple service such as getting an extra link which may cost about 50 dollars. the RSC will give you a certificate that it's yours. then with regards to boxes and other stuff you can get that over the ebay or this forum in decent prices. the only risk you will take is when you get it serviced by RSC and it was declared as missing/stolen or reported to the insurance.

but IMHO i don't think the original owner would have reported it missing. i have a gut feeling he didn't know the serial number by heart. I'm a risk taker so i'll do it in a heartbeat and so far my guts have been mostly right.

go to RSC and don't tell them you're the second owner and they really don't care

[swatty]

My insurance company asked for copies of receipt and valuations for my watches. If I ever made a claim, they have the serial numbers on file .

[nigh_train]

Thank you for your help sir, that is exactly why I am concerned, I dont know if he has done the same thing or not and there is apparently no way I can find out.

Can anyone recomend a safe and honest place to sell my Daytona under the current circumstances?

Thanks again,

Originally Posted by swatty

My insurance company asked for copies of receipt and valuations for my watches. If I ever made a claim, they have the serial numbers on file .

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by nigh_train

Thank you for your help sir, that is exactly why I am concerned, I dont know if he has done the same thing or not and there is apparently no way I can find out.

Can anyone recomend a safe and honest place to sell my Daytona under the current circumstances?

Thanks again,

Trade it into an AD?

[nigh_train]

The AD said they would confiscate it if in fact the previous owner did claim it under his home owners insurance.

Thanks,

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Trade it into an AD?

[scottschoe]

Originally Posted by nigh_train

The AD said they would confiscate it if in fact the previous owner did claim it under his home owners insurance.

Thanks,

Oh by safe transaction do you mean a way to sell it without getting in trouble, even if it was claimed through insurance?

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by nigh_train

Can anyone recomend a safe and honest place to sell my Daytona under the current circumstances?

Thanks again,

Your probably going to have a tough time selling this watch due to the issues you have stated here.

Of course, the best thing would be to find out from the original owner if he did claim it on his insurance as a loss.

I wish you luck!

[nigh_train]

Yes, I want to make sure both myself and the potential buyer will not be in any kind of trouble if in fact the previous owner did claim it.

Thanks,

Originally Posted by scottschoe

Oh by safe transaction do you mean a way to sell it without getting in trouble, even if it was claimed through insurance?

[nigh_train]

Thank you, I figured as much, I really have myself in a pickle here dont I?!?!

I do have the previous owners full name but cant seem to track a phone number down for him, the one I had and the one in the phone book are one in the same and is currently disconnected.

Thanks,

Originally Posted by Felly Jr.

Your probably going to have a tough time selling this watch due to the issues you have stated here.

Of course, the best thing would be to find out from the original owner if he did claim it on his insurance as a loss.

I wish you luck!

[Andad]

IMO
You need to establish the authenticty of this Rolex before you can move on because as the owner or the potential seller of this item it seems you have a question that needs to be answered. Is it stolen?

[nigh_train]

It is without question an authentic Daytona, I highly doubt it is stolen unless Rolex considers an insurance claim as stolen?!?

If in fact this is what has happened and Rolex was notified do they report it as stolen or as a insurance scam? It could be viewed both ways, now i'm really confused and worried!! Is it possible I could be in possesion of a stolen Rolex?

Originally Posted by directioneng

IMO
You need to establish the authenticty of this Rolex before you can move on because as the owner or the potential seller of this item it seems you have a question that needs to be answered. Is it stolen?

[dweb]

Talk to an insurance adjuster/claims agent and a lawyer. Never get legal advice from anonymous, online sources.

Your welcome...

[nigh_train]

It appears I might just have to get a lawyer involved, I dont want to be screwed out of my watch nor do I want to be involved in a insurance scam. I could just be blowing the whole thing out of proportion but its so hard to trust people and give them the benefit of the doubt, I dont think he would have done that but not sure I want to take that chance!

Thanks,

Originally Posted by dweb

Talk to an insurance adjuster/claims agent and a lawyer. Never get legal advice from anonymous, online sources.

Your welcome...

[TheVTCGuy]

"I am not an expert of character by any means"

Me neither Nigh Train, take my Ex Wife for example.....

[marshallr47]

I wish you the best of luck Nigh Train. One way to determine if it was stolen is to call the local authorities and ask if the serial number of your watch is on the list. That should alleviate that question. The next thing is to try your best to get a hold of the seller. If he can answer your question referencing the insurance claim, then that would really put your mind at ease. Keep us posted.

[nigh_train]

Unbelievable, I went to the local police station today and inquired about my Rolex to see if the serial number was on their list as someone suggested here, he said they could not give me that info and that I would have to bring the watch in and they would then process it and I would get it back in a couple of weeks, he then said something that I could not believe, he actually said to me "if I were you and I paid that kind of money for that watch I would just keep it" I couldnt believe that actually came out of his mouth, are there any honest people out there anymore?

I also asked if I could give him the name of the person who I purchased it from so they could get him to contact me, he says no, it is in violation of the privacy act!

Alot of help they were!! What a complete waste of time!

Anyone happen to have any other suggestions?

Thanks,

[nigh_train]

Thank you for the suggestion Ron, I didnt get much help from the local police at all. Any other suggestions by chance?

Thanks,

Originally Posted by marshallr47

I wish you the best of luck Nigh Train. One way to determine if it was stolen is to call the local authorities and ask if the serial number of your watch is on the list. That should alleviate that question. The next thing is to try your best to get a hold of the seller. If he can answer your question referencing the insurance claim, then that would really put your mind at ease. Keep us posted.

[nigh_train]

Well gentlemen, I have completely exhausted all my options to find out the true history of this watch, not even a Lawyer could give me a straight answer, he basically in not so many words said the same thing as the local authorities, keep the dam thing.

Can anyone else offer some last bit of advice as to where I might be able to obtain information in regards to the history of this watch before I place a for sale add?

Thanks in advance,

[Welshwatchman]

In my opinion the watch should not be offered for sale to anyone until it has returned from Rolex Service Centre with its service papers.

If it were on the stolen register then it will not be returned to you, of course. But that fate should happen to you and not someone else down the line.

You would then also be able to sell the watch at its true value.

This is the reason I am deleting your FS post in the other section.