Best way to verify authenticity via serial number?

[jeezy]

Hi all,

Looking at buying what will be my first Rolex, its a 116508 and I have come across one which doesn't have the authentication card or original receipt. I have the serial number and wanted to ask

- What is best way I can verify it before buying it (online purchase)

-What other things should I be mindful of or ask the seller

On the face of it, it looks like a great deal but as the saying goes if it is too good to be true and all that, wanted to try and make sure before parting with 5 figure sum!

Thank you

[HogwldFLTR]

It's always the same answer; buy the seller and not the watch. Papers can easily be forged. If it looks to good to be true it likely is. Some one with a good record and plenty of positive feedback is whom you should be buying from.

[amphr1]

First do a Google search on the serial. No result should return. Next post the sale here to see of you can get some help. But as a first, I would not buy without warranty card because even of it was genuine, how do you know if it was stolen? No way of checking that until you try to service it.

[jeezy]

Originally Posted by amphora001

First do a Google search on the serial. No result should return. Next post the sale here to see of you can get some help. But as a first, I would not buy without warranty card because even of it was genuine, how do you know if it was stolen? No way of checking that until you try to service it.

Thank you for the reply, i have paid for a report off watch register to see if anything comes up on there

Tried typing into google, nothing come up

[Harry-57]

Let's summarise: it doesn't have the authentication card or original receipt and it looks like a great deal.

Not a tough decision for me.

[Driftwood]

Originally Posted by jeezy

Hi all,

Looking at buying what will be my first Rolex, its a 116508 and I have come across one which doesn't have the authentication card or original receipt. I have the serial number and wanted to ask

- What is best way I can verify it before buying it (online purchase)

-What other things should I be mindful of or ask the seller

On the face of it, it looks like a great deal but as the saying goes if it is too good to be true and all that, wanted to try and make sure before parting with 5 figure sum!

Thank you

Best way is to buy from an AD period...

[mountainjogger]

Welcome to the forum.

You have not mentioned anything about the seller.

Sounds like you are buying the price, not the seller.

Good luck.

[Tools]

There is no such thing as an "authentication card".

There also is nothing that the serial number will tell you except for a few obviously fake numbers out there.

Watch Register is also a very limited site; I am shocked if you have to pay them for anything.

You can check with your local police department to see if anybody has reported a stolen watch, but you need to know what you are looking at for a counterfeit, of have somebody knowledgeable check it over.

[jeezy]

Thank you for the replies guys, looks like it is an easy decision to leave it!

[aniconic]

Originally Posted by Driftwood

Best way is to buy from an AD period...

The only problem with buying from an AD (at least in my area) is that the AD won't sell you anything because you won't buy $10K of crap jewelry first. The few ADs in my area are notorious for this; not even subtle: "We'll consider adding you to the list once you have a large enough spend history on things you don't want." They won't guarantee you're on the list; they'll just consider it.

I'd go with a trusted seller (e.g., those who sponsor TRF and have boutiques in the classified section). Their prices are usually lower than MSRP + sales tax + $10K.