Time to authenticate

[professorcraig]

Hi-

I am brand new, but happy to have found you all. I am considering purchasing a Daytona from an eBay seller with all positive feedback. He is guaranteeing the authenticity of the watch, but I was wondering what it really takes to authenticate the watch. Does it need to go to Rolex, or can a local watchmaker do it? Also, any additional thoughts you have for someone very new to all of this would be appreciated. I'm looking at a U serial# two-tone daytona for about 7grand. I'd hate to find myself being pennywise and pound foolish, but in all honesty the full retail of 12.7K is just too much for me to swallow.

Thanks,

Craig

[jmjm]

Don't buy it on ebay. Why would you prepay 7 grand to someone you don't even know?

I can see that you are a lover of this watch. Wait another year and get it from an authorized dealer. Or second choice is to buy a fake to hold you over until you get the Real McCoy!

[CPTL]

Did you really just use this forum to advise someone to buy a fake Rolex?

[CPTL]

Hey prof,

Several ways to authenticate, in order of fidelity:

1. Send to RSC. Most complete authentication possible, though not unheard of to have a really, really good fake slip through RSC.
2. Take to a Rolex trained watchmaker. Only way to do a complete authentication is to have them remove the caseback and verify the movement. However, the movement could still have non-Rolex parts that would be undetectible without full disassembly.
3. Post pics here. These guys can spot any external flaw with remarkable accuracy, provided that you post clear photos from multiple angles.
4. Take watch to an AD and have the AD verify the serial number (bracelet must be removed).

If the guy gives a good guarantee, provides actual contact address/phone numbers, has good business history selling Rolex, and is willing to give you an "inspection period," then he's probably legit. But you can never be really sure.

[Tallboy]

Originally Posted by jmjm

Don't buy it on ebay. Why would you prepay 7 grand to someone you don't even know?

I can see that you are a lover of this watch. Wait another year and get it from an authorized dealer. Or second choice is to buy a fake to hold you over until you get the Real McCoy!

You're kidding, right?

[Rawhyde]

If you do eBay, consider having the seller meet you at an authorized Rolex dealer so you can have the watch authenticated on the spot. If the watch passes inspection, you can then buy it. I'd be much more leery of eBay transactions of watches that cannot be done face to face.

[frostie]

Originally Posted by Rawhyde

If you do eBay, consider having the seller meet you at an authorized Rolex dealer so you can have the watch authenticated on the spot. If the watch passes inspection, you can then buy it. I'd be much more leery of eBay transactions of watches that cannot be done face to face.

Totally agree

[Alcan]

Hi Craig, welcome aboard!

Post a link to the auction so we can take a look at it.

[jmjm]

Sorry everyone. No, I did not really mean "But a Fake". I actually posted a comment about a fake, only to later read on the "Rules" not to talk about fakes both "+" or "-".

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=27341

Both of these posts, I wrote last night. Very late last night because I couldn't sleep due to late nite Starbucks. I guess, I was a bit of a smart ass. My apologies.

Originally, I signed up in this forum to read from other enthusiasts only. I guess I was in a "Sharing" mood last night.

Anyway, my message was intended to say, ".... to make sure that you buy real, buy from an authorized dealer. A used real, is better than a new fake. There are too many fakes on ebay to take a chance, pre sending seven thousand dollars to a guy you do not know is too risky."

note: now I'll have to go the the other post, where I gave my 2cents about owners of fakes and this lost generation of "class", and apologize for my "more than neutral post"

[jmjm]

Okay, correct me if I am wrong, but I would think that in order to authenticate a watch from ebay,

The good scene:

1. You would have to send the money to get the watch.
2. Go to an AD and pay more money to open up the case.
3. If it is real, have the watch serviced anyways while it is open. More money.
4. Be happy.

The realistic scene

1. Send seven thousand dollars to the guy on ebay.
Go through the hassle of going to bank or using computer to set up the wire transfer, or what ever that ebay guy is requesting.
2. Be nervous and ask if you are doing the right thing.
3. Lose some sleep.
4. Lose some more sleep, telling yourself that tomorrow for sure the watch will arrive.
5. Make sure that you take off work and stay home so you don't miss the Fed-Ex guy,, less you take off more work time and drive to the Fed-Ex warehouse.
6. Be glad that you at least got the package.
7. Be glad that there is a watch inside the box.
8. Thank God that it says "Rolex" on the dial.
9. Be glad that the watch is not covered with concrete scratches.
10. Wonder if it is real.
11. Go to internet and go to forum to learn what a real one of this model looks like.
12. Maybe ask some questions to experts on this forum
13. Ask your self if you want to fork out some more monry to take to a AD.
14. Ask youself if a regular jeweler can do the same inspection for less money.
15. Ask yourself if there is any chance for a major embarasment at the dealer.
16. Look in the Forum again to see if there are more clues.
17. Oh wait, I have only a few days to check out the watch, if this was agreed with the seller.
18. Ask your self what are the leagal limitations of this transaction if the worst imaginable happens.
19. Whew, the guy says it looks okay.
20. Be happy that it is real.
21. Be happy that you saved tons of money. (?)
22. Be happy that you lost some weight during the whole process.
23. Save some more money by cancelling the membership to 24hr fitness, that you never use. One ebay tansaction made you lose more weight in a few weeks than a whole year at the health spa.


It would be nice to actually have the seller be within driving distance. This would truly be the best scenario.

[unclesallie]

you're going to buy a DAYTONA on E-bay? Are you nuts? IMHO, buying a Daytona, which is a top of the line Rolex, requires having the watch in front of you and having it authenticated BEFORE you pay any money. Good luck!
best, dan

[melloyello]

thats amazing...i just went thru all of those 23 steps just this past week when i purchased a watch off of ebay

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by melloyello

thats amazing...i just went thru all of those 23 steps just this past week when i purchased a watch off of ebay

How did it pan out?

[horsmanp]

I will have it checked out fully before I give this guy dime...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...id=p2759.l1259

[sjrhuang76]

Hello, can someone tell if this watch is real? Here are some pictures.








Thanks

[Lol-x]

Yeah it's real alright......a real FAKE piece of junk!

Sorry about that

[blaine mattison]

i don't know what to say, i stomach hurts from LAUGHING!

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Yeah it's real alright......a real FAKE piece of junk!

Sorry about that

Man, I hope you did not pay a lot for that....

[TimeToGo]

I think the guy is just playing...

[Safetrends]

Why do some of the people with one new post ask us if something is real?

Maybe it is a test to see if we are dumb?

Anyways hello and welcome to the forum.

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Originally Posted by sjrhuang76

Hello, can someone tell if this watch is real? Here are some pictures.








Thanks

Love that plastic ring to hold the "engraved "movement get out of here fast !

[MikeyTX]

Originally Posted by ;1530418

Love that plastic ring to hold the "engraved "movement get out of here fast !

Can't type ......... tears in my eyes from laughing .......... (sighs) Omg you're in a benevolent mood this AM BASSETHOUNDS. I scrooled to the end of your post just holding my breath.

[tudorman8276]

...between a FAKE/COUNTERFEIT, then you have NO business making a purchase from anyone, other than an AD. IF you have the time, then hang around here and READ the many posts in "WATCHOUT" to learn what to look for BEFORE making a purchase from anyone, other than an AD.

...additionally, this junk was threaded here and the great TRF'ers reported and respectively removed.

Originally Posted by sjrhuang76

Hello, can someone tell if this watch is real? Here are some pictures.








Thanks