Is Chrono24 certification worth it?

[J.P.Jones]

I'm looking at a $6k Rolex on Chrono24. The dealer has a solid 5.0 rating (over 300 reviews).
Chrono24 offers a $249 authentication service, which they advertise as the following:When you add Chrono24 Certified to your order, the seller sends the watch to our certification center after you've purchased it. There, the authenticity of your new watch is checked and certified by our watchmakers. The certification cost of $249 includes insured shipping.
Advantages
Digital Certificate of Authenticity including Authenticity Guarantee
Comprehensive authenticity check of the watch and box & papers (if available) as well as a check of the functionality of individual components
Insured shipping included in the price
Confirmation that your watch is not listed in a stolen watch database


Should I bother with this, if the dealer has proven himself trustworthy over and over again?

[928ktgold]

If I’m buying from a dealer I know then not necessary. A dealer with good feed back? Tougher decision but $250 for peace of mind worth it

[GST15]

I personally never by gray, but if I every did, I would think that it would be worth the money.

[rmagoo57]

No need to authenticate a watch if the seller and watch are real. If you don't trust the seller, find another watch.

[Jerrocop]

No need in the situation described. Agree with above, if you don’t trust the seller find another one.


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[Zach69SS]

Always buy the dealer first, look at reviews and any information you can find on the web.
I don’t think a seller would lose his Chrono24 selling privileges for $6K. But if you still feel uncomfortable then pay for the service , I don’t think it’s necessary unless it’s a rare dial watch or something really hard to get.

Cheers,

[Harry-57]

The seller should pay for this service surely?

[Cassian739]

As others have said, buy the seller. No need from a trusted seller with a solid reputation. Exceptions for private sellers or newer dealers could be warranted.

From a private sellers perspective (me): I recently sold a watch on Chrono24 for over $15k. Buyer paid for the $250 certification. I loved it. Price included overnight insured shipping to certification center and buyer, watch was certified and C24 verified that my listing description matched the actual condition of the watch. Gave both parties peace of mind - for me that the buyer couldn't come back later and claim that the watch wasn't in the condition I listed.

[alllexandru]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

From a private sellers perspective (me): I recently sold a watch on Chrono24 for over $15k. Buyer paid for the $250 certification. I loved it. Price included overnight insured shipping to certification center and buyer, watch was certified and C24 verified that my listing description matched the actual condition of the watch. Gave both parties peace of mind - for me that the buyer couldn't come back later and claim that the watch wasn't in the condition I listed.

this

[Roddypeepa]

C24 authorisation often seems to be done by a watchmaker in the employ of the seller. I don’t think it’s I dependent in a lot of cases. So totally not worth it.

In fact, checking just now I can’t find any with it anymore.


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[10splaya]

You probably dont need it. Just look at the chrono reviews and then go from there. You can always google the vendor and check eBay or other places that have reviews

[worldofoyster]

You can find better deals locally

[Calatrava r]

I would not buy a watch I felt I needed to get this certification for. Just buy the seller.

[nighthawk77]

When looking grey, I usually do the following;

- Check feedback, not just on Chrono24, but also everything else online
- Check how long the dealer has been trading
- Check if the dealer has a website, any social media accounts etc
- Check if the dealer has a bricks & mortar store
- Check if the dealer has a registered company
- Speak with the dealer

Chrono24 and eBay authentication processes are nice to have, but they arent fool proof which is why you should always 'buy the dealer'.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

I would only purchase from a well respected dealer with a solid history and good feedback, and only if they agree to C24's escrow service.

If it was me I'd have the watch inspected by my own watchmaker (whom I trust) once the watch comes in. If anything unexpected pops up, you're covered because your money remains in escrow. It's not like the seller can just "cut and run".

[Moonwatcher]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

I would only purchase from a well respected dealer with a solid history and good feedback, and only if they agree to C24's escrow service.

If it was me I'd have the watch inspected by my own watchmaker (whom I trust) once the watch comes in. If anything unexpected pops up, you're covered because your money remains in escrow. It's not like the seller can just "cut and run".

C24 escrow of course. However, letting a stranger, instructed by the buyer, fiddle with MY watch? No way! That’s exactly why, as a seller, i would mandatorily impose C24certified upon prospective buyers. C24 or their certified partner receives the watch, inspects it, buyer gets it and i get the money. End of story.

[wcgreiner]

Call and make sure they are a legit dealer. Chron24 usually vets out their dealers and it's a long process.

[joli160]

Not worth it for me. Who is the guy checking the watches? What about knowledge to distinguish service parts ? Too many unknowns.

As others said do the homework and find a solid dealer.

Mind you all sellers on C24 have the label ‘trusted’ with lots of poor watches on sale. The term trusted on C24 is therefor meaningless.

Check outside the C24 platform for experiences i.e. on watch forums

[PenDelicate]

If I see two watches, same price, same condition, etc., but one has certification and one doesn't, I'll choose the one that does.

[garyk]

Nothing will replace the worry free feeling you get buying a Rolex from an AD…period…

[obywan]

Always buy the seller first, look for solid sales history and positive feedback.

[njlam]

Over the last three years, I have bought 9 watches over on-line platform.

I have used C24 once, and ebay six times. My experience with C24 wasn't good (private seller) and I have really come to trust eBay's Authenticity Guarantee.

YMMV.

[Sergio_UKR]

Recently bought a 15k+ watch from the private seller via Chrono24.

Obviously bought the certification. $250 for insured shipping to certification center (company in NYC) and then from certification center to myself. They did open the watch and checked movement (sticker on the back of the watch was reapplied). Also they did check if it was stolen or not and verified the condition of the watch.

Overall totally worth it IMO. Insured shipping will cost you like $100 anyway, why not add $150 for a piece of mind?


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