[Numismatist]

I don't know all the details either on this one; however, as someone who ran a very high end art and antique auction house (considerably larger than this one being talked about), I can say it never crossed our minds to document a watch serial number either. Nor did we have anyone experienced in taking off a bracelet to do so (at the time I was there, I didn't know the serial number was on the lugs). I can vouch for the seemingly unlikely story that there are no serial numbers. We were just sellin' stuff...

As to the other stuff in this thread, I have no idea.