ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
20 October 2009, 08:11 PM | #1 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Henry
Location: CA, US
Watch: ing basketball
Posts: 2,977
|
Selling/Buying of a stolen Rolex
I have always been curious with the practice of buying and selling a Rolex, especially the buying part. There are a lot of reputable dealers and grey market dealers out there but how many of these dealers know the history of the particular watch they are selling:
Reputable dealer X (non-AD) sells a watch to customer Y.....that was confiscated by Rolex service center because it came up on the stolen registry. When a watch is confiscated, do you get papers from Rolex, explaining it was stolen? If so, what kind of actions can be dealt with the dealer? Eventually I see consumers wanting RSC service papers with their purchase and all papers, supporting every transfer of a watch from every source, to satisfy the buyer. |
20 October 2009, 08:16 PM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Dean
Location: Philippines
Posts: 1,037
|
not a guru but have experienced 2nd hand Rolexes. In my case, it was my brother's so it was easier -- changed the registry from his name to mine. So when I had mine serviced at the local RSC, it came out ok.
unfamiliar with the "official" SOP though and might have to wait for the other gurus to comment. |
20 October 2009, 10:28 PM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Watch: Rolex DSSD
Posts: 558
|
Is somebody keeping a registry? If they it means we can check it out before buying or after buying.
|
20 October 2009, 10:39 PM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: .
Posts: 1,343
|
I was thinking the same thing after reading the other thread Omega_Precision, Unless you get new from an AD then there is no way of telling 100% for sure.
I can remember a story in a local paper a few years ago in the UK of an AD that had found out one of their watches was fake. It was quite a while before they found out, that someone had tried one on and switched the real for a copy.
__________________
So Mote it be. |
21 October 2009, 12:06 AM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Real Name: Trevor
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,740
|
I have a couple of friends who have had the Rolex's stolen. I feel for the guy who pays a few grand only to have it taken away when it gets a servicing. I can tell you this, the thief's did not steal the box and papers. This is the main reason I wont buy a second hand watch without some kind of paperwork, especially a modern day Rolex.
__________________
My grails: |
21 October 2009, 12:32 AM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Delaware
Watch: Tudor 79190
Posts: 366
|
I have often wondered the same thing. I wish serial numbers could somehow be checked on the stolen-watch registry prior to purchase.
|
21 October 2009, 02:45 AM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Canada
Watch: Air-King 114200
Posts: 2,878
|
i've often wondered about that - seems like an easy enough scam to pull a switcheroo.
|
21 October 2009, 04:02 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 22,683
|
Well, .... it's certainly the nightmare of all of us who at one time or another purchased a watch second hand.
I do think it's important to understand it could be a Rolex, Omega, PP, or any of a number high quality watches. Whether vintage or modern it is something we must never take for granted. "Buy the seller" is never more true and in the case in question that is exactly what was done. The seller in this case will make things right if indeed there is anything out of line (which we don't know). In this hobby reputations are hard won and easily lost. In the case of this deal the word of the seller is gold. As far as papers go,....they certainly add to the watch, but papers can and have been faked as well. One of the reasons many ADs allow only one watch at a time out of the case is to protect as best they can from a switch--it has happened more than once. Let's see what develops. |
21 October 2009, 04:26 AM | #9 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Real Name: Mr. H
Location: Dallas
Watch: them for me!
Posts: 7,180
|
Quote:
Something we can do is start our own TRF registry. Just and idea!!!!
__________________
WATCHES ARE THE NEW CURRENCY!/ MEMBER 27491/OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED OLD TIMER /AP OWNERS CLUB MEMBER Instagram @watchcollectinglifestyle |
|
21 October 2009, 04:29 AM | #10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: .
Posts: 1,343
|
The only problem by having an on line registry, with serial numbers is that you will be providing the scammers with serial numbers for them, their copies would then be even harder to detect.
__________________
So Mote it be. |
21 October 2009, 05:27 AM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Delaware
Watch: Tudor 79190
Posts: 366
|
|
21 October 2009, 05:38 AM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southern US
Posts: 37
|
In a perfect world, I would make the "Registry" a subscription service for authorized businesses (whatever that might mean) AND the dealers could provide proof that this watch has been scanned and compared against the "stolen registry" and they guarantee that it is authentic and not stolen. A good guarantee like that and I would be willing to pay a few extra bucks for.
|
21 October 2009, 05:43 AM | #13 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Real Name: Scott
Location: GMT -7
Watch: GMT's & Sub's
Posts: 10,399
|
Quote:
Scott
__________________
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922 |
|
21 October 2009, 06:08 AM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Nathan
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 2,775
|
I called RSC to inquire about a 16622 I questioned, and they wernt much help. (Later, and after discussing this topic in length, there were good sides as to why.) In the end, I passed on the 16622, and learned alot from the experience.
I suppose you just have to buy the seller. Thats it. The end. Whos to say you dont buy a LEGIT watch, and then the seller turns out to be an goof and he reports the watch stolen? Many people toss papers, and many dont know of the serial in the first place (usually b/c the papers are kept with the watch. I dont know, there are tons of variables out there, so to each his own... I have bought new, used, and passed on quite a few! Roll with the punches and be careful! -Nate
__________________
nch209 |
21 October 2009, 06:46 AM | #15 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2008
Real Name: Henry
Location: CA, US
Watch: ing basketball
Posts: 2,977
|
I don't think reputable dealers are purposely selling stolen watches, it could be that they didn't know the watch was stolen.
They could have sourced the watch and a watch can go through several dealers with none, knowing the history of the watch. |
21 October 2009, 06:53 AM | #16 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: .
Posts: 1,343
|
Quote:
Perhaps a good idea would be for Rolex to encourage and authorize second hand sales, a bit like car companies now. Where for example you can go to a dealer and buy an authorized second hand Ford. You would know for sure that it is legit because it would of been through their servicing dpt.
__________________
So Mote it be. |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.