How does a buyer or business know if a Rolex is stolen before purchasing

[Dennis7]

So I purchased a Rolex Sea Dweller online a while back with no box or papers, but had it authenticated by its pictures through a reputable authenticator on Instagram. After owning the watch for a while I reached out to a local watch company in Huntsville Alabama to get the watch appraised and possibly sell it. After showing the watch to him, he took pics of the serial number and he offered me 5800 for it and wanted to meet in a few days to buy it, then ghosted the moment we left that meeting. He never responded to another message I sent. I got the feeling he looked up the serial number and saw that the watch was stolen, as he wasn’t just an average joe backing out of a deal. He owns a watch company in downtown with great reviews. And when he just stopped responding I started doing research on trying to find a database of stolen Rolex serial numbers. I’ve read about people trying to sell a Rolex they didn’t know was stolen and the police get involved and that’s the last thing I need. Does Rolex have this list? Can I call and find out if it’s stolen somewhere? How do professional businesses check for a stolen serial number before buying a watch? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Much love!

[antoflo]

You can check with Rolex only by bringing it to a RSC.
RSC will keep it if the watch serail number is declared stolen.

[HK Islandboy]

A bit late for this, but don’t buy watches with no papers.

Having papers is no guarantee of a piece not being stolen, but reduces the chances.

[Tools]

If you want local peace-of-mind, check with the police department. It's what all the pawn shops are required to do.

Buying on-line leaves you up a creek, as they say. Wear it, enjoy it - while you can.

[springer]

Have your local police run an NCIC check on the serial number.

I had one stolen and made sure it was entered in the NCIC database.

[Chewbacca]

“Through a reputable authenticator on Instagram...” wait, what?




Anyway, he likely ghosted you because their buyer ghosted them and the $5800 was too high with no boxes, papers or likely service history.

A reseller wouldn’t make a dime off it.

[Chilly Coconut]

As the owner of a reputable watch company with great reviews, as you say, I don’t see why he would stop communicating with you. If he did, in fact, find out the watch was stolen, why wouldn’t he just tell you what he found out? Seems pretty unprofessional to just “ghost”, as you put it. That kind of behavior really annoys me.

[Chilly Coconut]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

“Through a reputable authenticator on Instagram...” wait, what?

I got a chuckle out of that, too.

[Jim Smyth]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

“Through a reputable authenticator on Instagram...” wait, what?

Ya that and a $5800 price tag......................sumtins rottin in Denmarc...................... Plus its always the guys that just joined (same Month) with very low/no thread counts. Now if he said he inherited it from his Grandfather................

[THC]

Originally Posted by Jim Smyth

Ya that and a $5800 price tag......................sumtins rottin in Denmarc...................... Plus its always the guys that just joined (same Month) with very low/no thread counts. Now if he said he inherited it from his Grandfather................

Ever thought he may have joined to simply gather info on his situation?

[Chilly Coconut]

Originally Posted by Jim Smyth

Ya that and a $5800 price tag......................sumtins rottin in Denmarc...................... Plus its always the guys that just joined (same Month) with very low/no thread counts. Now if he said he inherited it from his Grandfather................

I don’t understand what you have a problem with. $5800 is what a dealer had allegedly offered him for his SD. The transaction was never consummated, firstly. Secondly, he didn’t say what model SD, how old, the condition, etc. Depending on those specifics, that offer could be entirely plausible.

[Glidelock]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

“Through a reputable authenticator on Instagram...” wait, what?

What’s so funny about that guys?

Seems like a perfectly Reputable way to authenticate to me! Personally...I always authenticate mine by asking the Magic 8 Ball, unless it tells me to “try again later”, in that case I ask for opinions on Snap Chat...which is super reliable!

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Tools

If you want local peace-of-mind, check with the police department. It's what all the pawn shops are required to do.

Buying on-line leaves you up a creek, as they say. Wear it, enjoy it - while you can.

Originally Posted by springer

Have your local police run an NCIC check on the serial number.

I had one stolen and made sure it was entered in the NCIC database.

As a former police officer with well over two decades of experience this is sound advice. If it was indeed stolen in the United States and if the serial number was given to the investigating agency it should be in NCIC (Nation Crime Information Center)
If you’re walking around with someone’s stolen property on your wrist I’d certainly want to know and do the right thing. Bad karma otherwise, just my opinion.

[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by THC

Ever thought he may have joined to simply gather info on his situation?

Duh! Yes sir.

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[MinMay]

Now, a worthy thread. Thanks!. Subscribed as I'm curious myself.

At the end, BUY THE SELLER I guess.

Imagine this....

You're the original owner of a watch and registered your name to Rolex. After 10 years, you sell the watch without the original paper work, but later report it to Rolex that it was stolen/missing. What happen when the new owner sends it to Rolex for service...and Rolex db shows as "stolen/missing".

[RJRJRJ]

Originally Posted by MinMay

Now, a worthy thread. Thanks!. Subscribed as I'm curious myself.

At the end, BUY THE SELLER I guess.

Imagine this....

You're the original owner of a watch and registered your name to Rolex. After 10 years, you sell the watch without the original paper work, but later report it to Rolex that it was stolen/missing. What happen when the new owner sends it to Rolex for service...and Rolex db shows as "stolen/missing".

I would imagine police reports would be involved, which opens up a can of worms if you're trying to cheat somebody. Most communication is on permanent record these days as well.

[Relentless]

I am in the area if you need help. Also, it would be good to post pics of the watch here. We are pretty damn good at spotting a fake. Have a good one.

Bryant

[ROLEXster]

Send the watch to RSC for Authentication / Registration and hope for the best. I think it cost about $150 US. You will get a paper back stating watch is authentic and your name will be registered to the model / serial number. Good luck.

[MinMay]

Originally Posted by RJRJRJ

I would imagine police reports would be involved, which opens up a can of worms if you're trying to cheat somebody. Most communication is on permanent record these days as well.

There is a scammer every minute in this world...so I wouldn't be surprised.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by antoflo

You can check with Rolex only by bringing it to a RSC.
RSC will keep it if the watch serail number is declared stolen.

Easiest way, but make sure you have it insured first. Same if you hand it in for the police check.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by AK797

Easiest way, but make sure you have it insured first. Same if you hand it in for the police check.

can you insure something you don't have clear title to? I suspect not. If you buy stolen property it was never yours no matter if you paid for it IMO.

I guess you can insure when you don't know but after it gets confiscated it may be a hassle to get the claim paid.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Dennis7

So I purchased a Rolex Sea Dweller online a while back with no box or papers, but had it authenticated by its pictures through a reputable authenticator on Instagram. After owning the watch for a while I reached out to a local watch company in Huntsville Alabama to get the watch appraised and possibly sell it. After showing the watch to him, he took pics of the serial number and he offered me 5800 for it and wanted to meet in a few days to buy it, then ghosted the moment we left that meeting. He never responded to another message I sent. I got the feeling he looked up the serial number and saw that the watch was stolen, as he wasn’t just an average joe backing out of a deal. He owns a watch company in downtown with great reviews. And when he just stopped responding I started doing research on trying to find a database of stolen Rolex serial numbers. I’ve read about people trying to sell a Rolex they didn’t know was stolen and the police get involved and that’s the last thing I need. Does Rolex have this list? Can I call and find out if it’s stolen somewhere? How do professional businesses check for a stolen serial number before buying a watch? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Much love!

How would you know that anything bought second hand is not stolen today there is too much internet based hysteria about Rolex watches in general.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by padi56

How would you know that anything bought second hand is not stolen today there is too much internet based hysteria about Rolex watches in general.

i agree

All of this requires time to be updated, reported etc even if its in the same country. If someone steals a watch in the UK though and sells it in the US, contacting the police probably wont help anyway as i doubt police departments communicate internationally on low level property theft.

RSC might know but again how long does it take to get it reported and updated? People usually try to unload watches quick. At least watches in general have to go in for service at some point so there is a better chance of recovery than buying handbags, jewelry online etc as that stuff gets sold and just disappears forever.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

can you insure something you don't have clear title to? I suspect not. If you buy stolen property it was never yours no matter if you paid for it IMO.

I guess you can insure when you don't know but after it gets confiscated it may be a hassle to get the claim paid.

That's an interesting point, I would set this scenario out when taking out the insurance to see if you are covered in the event the watch turns out to be stolen and see if it can be insured on that basis.

[TeddyS]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i agree

All of this requires time to be updated, reported etc even if its in the same country. If someone steals a watch in the UK though and sells it in the US, contacting the police probably wont help anyway as i doubt police departments communicate internationally on low level property theft.

RSC might know but again how long does it take to get it reported and updated? People usually try to unload watches quick. At least watches in general have to go in for service at some point so there is a better chance of recovery than buying handbags, jewelry online etc as that stuff gets sold and just disappears forever.

This is the most sensible reply on the thread.


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[brandrea]

I’m curious why you don’t go downtown and speak to the appraiser? Unless I’m missing something here, why not just ask what happened to the deal

[Jim Smyth]

Theres a lot of questions but this all follows a pattern. If you follow the watch out section here its a common pattern. They usually never respond again after starting threads like this and almost always never post any pictures.