Rolex Lost and Stolen??

[calumw456]

Apologies if this has been asked before but is there a Rolex lost and stolen database? A one where you could check if a watch had been stolen or lost or had a claim made for insurance? I suppose a database of serial numbers etc?

I’m interested in buying a Rolex and would like to check a database first if one is available before commiting.

Hope someone can help

[bondtoys]

Rolex has such a database but it‘s not public.

If you want to be certain prior to a purchase have the seller replace a part ( such as a bezel insert etc) or do a complete service by a Rolex RSC recently or let them check the waterresistance.

If the watch is in the stolen database, the watch will not be returned until the legal owner has been determined.

Also be advised, that you can‘t obtain legal ownership of stolen goods. So if you are in doubt, pass.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by calumw456

Apologies if this has been asked before but is there a Rolex lost and stolen database? A one where you could check if a watch had been stolen or lost or had a claim made for insurance? I suppose a database of serial numbers etc?

I’m interested in buying a Rolex and would like to check a database first if one is available before commiting.

Hope someone can help

Rolex has one on watches reported stolen, but it's not public. If you take a watch to an RSC for service and it's on the stolen list, Rolex will confiscate it.

If you're thinking about buying a Rolex with a potentially dubious history, I'd suggest buying elsewhere. That's another reason to buy only from sellers with impeccable references. You need to know you'd get a refund if the watch has any issues.

[FlGreenie]

Here’s my very recent story of buying a stolen Rolex. I located a Daytona 116520 (pre ceramic bezel) via Chronos. Price was in the ballpark for the year and quality, there were no papers. I made the deal, received the watch and as is my practice, took it to my AD upon receipt to have them open it and check the movement. All checked out at the surface level only the crystal did not have the etching of the crown under the glass at the 6, yet the movement checked out. I decided to sent it into Rolex to have an authentic crystal put on. That’s when the call came from Rolex legal. The watch had been reported stolen and the crooks had altered the serial number on the rehaut. But Rolex checked the serial number and determined it didn’t exist and then compared it to the movement; I now learned that the serial number is also engraved on the movement of each watch. So, while the watch was authentic, it was ‘hot’. Rolex put me in contact with the real owner. I’m in South Florida and the watch was stolen in LA. Rolex explained that they would retain the watch until any dispute over who ‘owned’ the watch was resolved. I told the real owner that I did not want it as it was rightfully his, and then I went to work on the jewelry store. After a few rounds of increasing threats, I received a full refund of my money, and now the watch is heading back to LA. Lesson learned: I will never buy another Rolex without the full papers and matching serials


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[mrs_LA]

Originally Posted by FlGreenie

Here’s my very recent story of buying a stolen Rolex. I located a Daytona 116520 (pre ceramic bezel) via Chronos. Price was in the ballpark for the year and quality, there were no papers. I made the deal, received the watch and as is my practice, took it to my AD upon receipt to have them open it and check the movement. All checked out at the surface level only the crystal did not have the etching of the crown under the glass at the 6, yet the movement checked out. I decided to sent it into Rolex to have an authentic crystal put on. That’s when the call came from Rolex legal. The watch had been reported stolen and the crooks had altered the serial number on the rehaut. But Rolex checked the serial number and determined it didn’t exist and then compared it to the movement; I now learned that the serial number is also engraved on the movement of each watch. So, while the watch was authentic, it was ‘hot’. Rolex put me in contact with the real owner. I’m in South Florida and the watch was stolen in LA. Rolex explained that they would retain the watch until any dispute over who ‘owned’ the watch was resolved. I told the real owner that I did not want it as it was rightfully his, and then I went to work on the jewelry store. After a few rounds of increasing threats, I received a full refund of my money, and now the watch is heading back to LA. Lesson learned: I will never buy another Rolex without the full papers and matching serials


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Thank you for sharing that. I also was not aware that the serial is engraved in the movement. Crooks are surely getting smarter these days. I think some people might not be so lucky with stolen watches, and unless the seller voluntarily refunds, I have read stories on losing so much money on a stolen watch that was confiscated.

[Haywood_Milton]

In the UK and increasingly internationally, I would recommend the Art Loss Register's www.thewatchregister.com

Most of the serious players in the UK now use it and it is growing in scale, recognition and use all the time. You may pay for a one-off search, or buy hundreds for a better deal if you are a trader etc.

No database can ever guarantee that a watch is not stolen.

Haywood

Insta : haywood_milton_rolex

[ThatExplorer]

When you look at a Rolex movement the serial is under where the cal # is on the main plate. It will have the serial plus “ROLEX” after it.

Sorry for the luck OP, but glad everyone came out safe in the end.


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