Too Good To Be True - How To Check If A Rolex Is Stolen

[emkwan]

Hi Y'll!

Kinda stuck with a question and thought I'd run it past the forum as there may be someone with knowledge to help.

I've come across a desirable Rolex SS model (HULK) that I'm interested in purchasing. Spoke recently to someone I know (a client) who's refereed his friend who sells watches. Seems legit... grey dealer based in a nearby city. Images of the watch he's sent through seem to be ok BUT...

1- it's a hard to source the HULK and hes offering it below MRSP (Box with stickers and paperwork). My client mentioned he'd get friend's rates... but is this a little too good to be true?

2- he doesn't want to send me the warranty card picture as he says he doesn't want it online... I've made clear I won't do that but he insists he'll show me if I visit in person. Is this a cause for concern from a dealer?


3- he has multiple models of this hard to source watch... from various countries and dealers. But from 2017/2018 Again, a cause for concern?

So I'm currently uneasy. It's not way below MRSP for me to be doubtful but I just want to do my due - diligence. The only negative I can think of is the watch may be obtained in a non-legal manner.

Question:
Am I over thinking this?
Is there anyway to check it's not reported stolen?
Any other things I need to check!

Value you're feedback y'll and thank you in advance.

[WJGESQ]

Under list?

Wow.

He's giving money away.

And he'll come to you?

Sounds like authentication and references might be a great idea.

[RolexComplex]

There’s probably good reason you feel uneasy, so don’t diminish that. Ask him to meet you at an AD or a jeweler who can authenticate the watch. If he refuses, you have your answer.

[Swiss Mad!]

Tough one for sure.

You are in a difficult position as you don't want to directly come out and ask the guy 'is this watch stolen!' but you are obviously having doubts so just need some kind of assurance that everything is as it should be.

Maybe you could go and have a look at the watch and if possible try and make a note of the serial number.

Not easy I know to do on the quiet without the seller noticing or getting suspicious.

Alternatively you could just be honest & ask if he minds if you take a note of it. If everything is legit he shouldn't have a problem with it. If he does then maybe think twice.

If you can get the serial number, do you have an AD you use or know anyone that works at an AD?

That way they could possibly check the number on the Rolex database and confirm its the genuine article.

The other thing would be to check with local Police department if they could tell you if it had been reported stolen?

In all honesty, it's probably very unlikely this guy is dealing stolen watches, but you are right to be a little dubious as it does appear to be too good to be true.

.... or maybe you just got lucky! Lol

Good luck

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[emkwan]

Originally Posted by RolexComplex

There’s probably good reason you feel uneasy, so don’t diminish that. Ask him to meet you at an AD or a jeweler who can authenticate the watch. If he refuses, you have your answer.

True... I think that's actually the best idea. Meet at the local Rolex Service Center. Would they be able to check if it's listed as 'stolen'?

[watchmework]

Originally Posted by RolexComplex

There’s probably good reason you feel uneasy, so don’t diminish that. Ask him to meet you at an AD or a jeweler who can authenticate the watch. If he refuses, you have your answer.

Go with your gut on this one Emkwan. The AD as far as I know will not authenticate the watch for you like a sports place does a piece of memorabilia. The only true way to get a definitive answer is to send it into RSC for a service. If you’ve got pictures of the watch why not post them on here and have TRF weigh in?

[emkwan]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

Tough one for sure.

You are in a difficult position as you don't want to directly come out and ask the guy 'is this watch stolen!' but you are obviously having doubts so just need some kind of assurance that everything is as it should be.

Maybe you could go and have a look at the watch and if possible try and make a note of the serial number.

Not easy I know to do on the quiet without the seller noticing or getting suspicious.

Alternatively you could just be honest & ask if he minds if you take a note of it. If everything is legit he shouldn't have a problem with it. If he does then maybe think twice.

If you can get the serial number, do you have an AD you use or know anyone that works at an AD?

That way they could possibly check the number on the Rolex database and confirm its the genuine article.

The other thing would be to check with local Police department if they could tell you if it had been reported stolen?

In all honesty, it's probably very unlikely this guy is dealing stolen watches, but you are right to be a little dubious as it does appear to be too good to be true.

.... or maybe you just got lucky! Lol

Good luck

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

Some sound advice! Thank you for that.

I don't think the watches are local. Else it would be easy to call the contacts I have at ADs and check. RE: serial number, I could memorize easily, I have a good memory lol. But would that serial number show up if I asked an AD outside the country of original purchase? E.g. Watch has a dealer from Kuwait stamp... would AD in abudhabi or dubai know?

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by emkwan

Some sound advice! Thank you for that.

I don't think the watches are local. Else it would be easy to call the contacts I have at ADs and check. RE: serial number, I could memorize easily, I have a good memory lol. But would that serial number show up if I asked an AD outside the country of original purchase? E.g. Watch has a dealer from Kuwait stamp... would AD in abudhabi or dubai know?

I'm pretty sure any AD will be able to run the the serial number through the system regardless of country of original purchase.

Usually, (not always obviously) if a watch is stolen it's sold on as 'watch only'

I would be more suspicious if there were no box or papers (warranty card etc)

If the watch comes as a full set with hang tags and everything, there's a good chance it will be ok, but as before, if you have any doubts whatsoever, just walk away however tempting the price may be.

Regards

Cheers.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

[emkwan]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

I'm pretty sure any AD will be able to run the the serial number through the system regardless of country of original purchase.

Usually, (not always obviously) if a watch is stolen it's sold on as 'watch only'

I would be more suspicious if there were no box or papers (warranty card etc)

If the watch comes as a full set with hang tags and everything, there's a good chance it will be ok, but as before, if you have any doubts whatsoever, just walk away however tempting the price may be.

Regards

Cheers.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

Cheers mate! I'll keep you posted!

[Rocket_Man]

Yes I can see how he would not want to have images of the warranty card circulating on line. You may not trust him, but why should he trust you? If he really is a grey market dealer he has for more to lose from doing business with you.

If he is really doing your mutual friend a favor, offering the watch below MSRP may not be out of the question. An AD pays ~60% of the MSRP for the watch, that AD made some profit on the watch when they sold it to the grey. He probably still has room for profit even if he sells to you below MSRP. As a favor to his friend, your client.

I can't really imagine an AD facilitating a grey market deal right in their own store.

The conundrum you find yourself in is the classic 'Trusted Seller conundrum.' How do you know you can trust him? Buy the seller first. On TRF that is done by a series of referrals by others that have successfully used the TS and the TS builds their reputation. You are breaking the golden rule on TRF... buy the seller first. You are drawn in by the human desire to 'get a good deal' so you are willing to break this rule.

So you can try to establish this guys trust level by asking your client, in a way that does not insult them by questioning the good deal he is trying to set up for you. Does he sell on another website? Like Chronos 24? TRF? Or, you can meet the guy and check out the watch yourself. If you are familiar with the reference you would probably be able to tell upon close inspection if the watch is legit.

There are legitimate reasons this seller is acting this way. He is trying to protect himself from someone he doesn't know and doesn't know if he should trust. If you feel uncomfortable there is no reason you need to buy from them. That is what ADs are for.

[m j b]

This "stolen watch serial number check" is just Internet lore, don't count on it.

Is the watch new or used, you don't say. I think a lot of gray market dealers are buying them in one market and using the advantages of exchange rates to make a profit.

If you've got any kind of "gut feel" to avoid this deal, then walk away. Just because it's green doesn't mean that there aren't a whole truckload of fakes out there.

Boxes and papers can be forged easier than the watch itself.

[101031-28]

Meet in person at AD or better yet, RSC and have watch fully vetted and confirmed. Keep us posted

[cht]

Originally Posted by emkwan

Hi Y'll!

Kinda stuck with a question and thought I'd run it past the forum as there may be someone with knowledge to help.

I've come across a desirable Rolex SS model (HULK) that I'm interested in purchasing. Spoke recently to someone I know (a client) who's refereed his friend who sells watches. Seems legit... grey dealer based in a nearby city. Images of the watch he's sent through seem to be ok BUT...

1- it's a hard to source the HULK and hes offering it below MRSP (Box with stickers and paperwork). My client mentioned he'd get friend's rates... but is this a little too good to be true?

2- he doesn't want to send me the warranty card picture as he says he doesn't want it online... I've made clear I won't do that but he insists he'll show me if I visit in person. Is this a cause for concern from a dealer?


3- he has multiple models of this hard to source watch... from various countries and dealers. But from 2017/2018 Again, a cause for concern?

So I'm currently uneasy. It's not way below MRSP for me to be doubtful but I just want to do my due - diligence. The only negative I can think of is the watch may be obtained in a non-legal manner.

Question:
Am I over thinking this?
Is there anyway to check it's not reported stolen?
Any other things I need to check!

Value you're feedback y'll and thank you in advance.

This should be fun and a hobby, not anxiety and grief provoking.

Have you checked craigslist?

seriously, BUY your seller first ,sounds like you don't trust this guy.

[HogwldFLTR]

This is a friend and client helping you out? I'd think with most of my friends I could trust them. You have to evaluate how well you know him and trust him. If you can't trust him then maybe reevaluate the friendship.

[AK797]

Could be a fake, most fakes are underpriced. Post some pics here. Stolen usually doesn't have box papers but then robbers are more savvy too now that they can get more cash with these. If you can stay in touch with this seller afterwards, you can send the watch to RSC and ask for a repair quote and they will tell you if stolen or not first, then you get a refund from the seller if so.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

This is a friend and client helping you out? I'd think with most of my friends I could trust them. You have to evaluate how well you know him and trust him. If you can't trust him then maybe reevaluate the friendship.

This, 10000%

If my ‘friend’ referred this person, I would have absolutely no concern and would chalk this up as getting a hook up. If you need to question the legitimacy, I’d perhaps question the friendship to begin with. I only deal with a close circle of friends though......

[GB-man]

Here in the US Rolex service centers will authenticate a watch for about $160. I’d check with your local service center.

Gut feeling is it’s a fake.

[MonsterSS]

if something sounds to good to be true, it usually isnt.... But, I hope in your case it is!

[c0de]

Honestly, I wouldn't touch a grey dealer in that part of the world.. If you have ANY hesitation, then you're probably better off walking away..

Then again the good thing about that part of the world is how close people are, I am sure you know someone who knows someone who knows the guy.. Ask your friends (actual friends, not clients) if they know about him and go from there..

Obviously, authenticating the S/N at your AD is a sure shot. Just thinking of secondary methods..

[Wcdhtwn]

Is there anyway to tell if the bezel/dial are aftermarket? This could have been a Sub LN that had the dial and bezel swapped to become a LV. There is a gray/used dealer in Houston who put an aftermarket (not Rolex) Deep Blue dial on a DSSD LN and tried to sell it for the premium the Deep Blue commands over the LN to some unsuspecting person. I would never buy a watch from this place. Certainly this store in Houston isn't the first or only to try this.

[RazorD]

I'd only trust a RSC if I wasn't comfortable authenticating by my own eye. I've read too many stories of ADs declaring something real (or fake) and be proved incorrect. Of course there are some better than others, I'd still say play it safe.

[rallyx]

When in doubt, walk.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by RazorD

I'd only trust a RSC if I wasn't comfortable authenticating by my own eye. I've read too many stories of ADs declaring something real (or fake) and be proved incorrect. Of course there are some better than others, I'd still say play it safe.

An AD is not a RSC....