Verifying Authenticity

[Rog007]

I’m a new member. Trying to buy my first Rolex and not faring so well with local AD’s. I’m learning …. I’m on a “wait list”, probably never getting that call. I’m looking to buy on Chrono 24. How can I verify the watch serial number once I buy it. I have 14 days , is there a reliable data base to match serial numbers with date of production? Seller has good reviews but says white tag has been removed.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rog007

I’m a new member. Trying to buy my first Rolex and not faring so well with local AD’s. I’m learning …. I’m on a “wait list”, probably never getting that call. I’m looking to buy on Chrono 24. How can I verify the watch serial number once I buy it. I have 14 days , is there a reliable data base to match serial numbers with date of production? Seller has good reviews but says white tag has been removed.

There is no data base now,so always buy the seller,white tag is not all that important it's just a bit of plastic and some ADs don't always give the white tag when purchasing.

[Calatrava r]

Any reputable experienced seller can verify if a Rolex watch they are selling is authentic. What they cannot do, all the time, is know the exact ownership history and whether the watch has been stolen at some point. This becomes more of an issue with older watches which do not have box and papers. Most newer watches come from the original owners, so you are fairly safe there if you try to find only those watches. Most dealers will tell you if they bought from the original owner.

[ROlesorusLEX]

Originally Posted by Rog007

I’m a new member. Trying to buy my first Rolex and not faring so well with local AD’s. I’m learning …. I’m on a “wait list”, probably never getting that call. I’m looking to buy on Chrono 24. How can I verify the watch serial number once I buy it. I have 14 days , is there a reliable data base to match serial numbers with date of production? Seller has good reviews but says white tag has been removed.

I perceive you may be asking 2 questions. First, can the serial number tell me if the watch is real? Second, can the serial number tell me the year of production?

In the first case, the serial number generally cannot provide authenticity. There is a whole replica watch world that uses real stolen serial numbers on their replicas, so no guarantees from that standpoint.

To address the second question, yes, the serial number can provide the year of manufacture up to about year 2010, when Rolex moved to an 8 digit random alphanumeric system, instead of the 7 digit sequential numeric or alphanumeric system. Prior to that, there are charts available to give year of manufacture. After 2010, only the papers or the good word of the seller can provide this information. This is one of the many reasons people want the full Monty when buying a pre-owned Rolex, and why we all say "buy the seller."

Here is a good link to year-of-manufacture serial numbers:

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers

Good luck on your purchase, feel free to ask any further questions you may have.

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[Pboned]

Depending on which model you're trying to get, you might be able to find it from one of the trusted sellers on this forum.

[Cauhauna]

Originally Posted by Pboned

Depending on which model you're trying to get, you might be able to find it from one of the trusted sellers on this forum.

right. skip chrono 24 and type the reference number you're looking for into watchrecon.

I personally look for any of these sellers:
davidsw
justrolexes aka sdwatches
OCRolexGuy
BriBoxer
Takuya
SOHAIS

[KatGirl]

Yup! Just buy it from one of the boutique trusted sellers here. No worries. If you don’t see the watch you want , call them. Likely, they can source it for you, and if they do have the one you want, they will overnight it to you, after you wire them payment. Good luck!

Kat


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[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by Rog007

I’m a new member. Trying to buy my first Rolex and not faring so well with local AD’s. I’m learning …. I’m on a “wait list”, probably never getting that call. I’m looking to buy on Chrono 24. How can I verify the watch serial number once I buy it. I have 14 days , is there a reliable data base to match serial numbers with date of production? Seller has good reviews but says white tag has been removed.

Which reference watch/model are you trying to buy at your local AD?

[Harry-57]

You need to buy the seller before you consider buying a watch. A good seller will professionally address any after sales issues. For a US purchase this forum is an excellent reference source for trusted sellers.

I use C24 as a UK shop window and then contact sellers directly. The UK is a small place and the good sellers with proper facilities are well known.

[milgauss2232]

How can I tell if the watch is stolen? If I were to send it to RSC to do a “health check” on the movement, would the be able to sniff it out if that serial has ever been reported stolen?

[1William]

Nothing wrong with Chrono24 but the prices are inflated to offset the fees the sellers must pay. Many times I have looked the seller up and contacted them directly outside of the site. This works for businesses that have a store and a reputation. Most times though I just find the watch through our network of Trusted Sellers here on TRF. Most have websites and if I can not find the watch I want on the sites I call and ask if it can be sourced. As said above, "Always buy the Seller". Good luck.

[77T]

Originally Posted by milgauss2232

How can I tell if the watch is stolen? If I were to send it to RSC to do a “health check” on the movement, would the be able to sniff it out if that serial has ever been reported stolen?

No, if a theft victim never submits their police report to Rolex, then the unwitting buyer would get a "clean" reply from the RSC.


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