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Shermstead · 12 April 2011, 03:01 AM

What is the reason that people don't list the full serial number of a watch, especially when selling?

Are they fearful of counterfeiting?

moviefreak · 12 April 2011, 03:03 AM

Yup... they do not want a real serial used on a fake watch...

Danand · 12 April 2011, 03:04 AM

Yes. Also you never know if someone might try to report it as stolen or some such crap. Better safe than sorry.

HKtoter · 12 April 2011, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviefreak

Yup... they do not want a real serial used on a fake watch...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danand

Yes. Also you never know if someone might try to report it as stolen or some such crap. Better safe than sorry.

Agreed

dddrees · 12 April 2011, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviefreak

Yup... they do not want a real serial used on a fake watch...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danand

Yes. Also you never know if someone might try to report it as stolen or some such crap. Better safe than sorry.

Yep, Yep.

mfer · 12 April 2011, 03:16 AM

Yeah, if you tick off someone they could report your watch stolen. Have fun with that. Best to cover it up.

MrCowboy99 · 12 April 2011, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfer

yeah, if you tick off someone they could report your watch stolen. Have fun with that. Best to cover it up.

x2

HRHaldermn · 12 April 2011, 12:46 PM

The same reason most of all us are very reluctant to give out our ss#. Most people wouldn't do anything with them, but it's that 1 out of 1000 you need to be concerned with. As stated, you absolutely do not want somebody taking the serial number from your precious timepiece and stamping it on a fake. Counterfeit products are getting so good that proper serial numbers are sometimes the only real line of defense left.

StarSovereign · 12 April 2011, 01:32 PM

Interesting...

JUSTROLEXES · 12 April 2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shermstead

What is the reason that people don't list the full serial number of a watch, especially when selling?

Are they fearful of counterfeiting?

To protect the AD where the watch came from and to protect the privacy of the potential buyer

Zirotti · 12 April 2011, 01:39 PM

they still put real serial numbers on replicas. Blurring serial numbers on watches is like when the guys on the car forums blur their license plates in pictures.

Someone just can't report a watch stolen without proof of ownership.

Jan Davis · 12 April 2011, 02:06 PM

I have seen infinite number of photos showing complete serial numbers on Rolex watches. It is another tool to determine the exact year it was sold when you have the complete serial number.

S52 · 12 April 2011, 02:11 PM

Yeah its not like counterfiters need a number to make a fake... they know the format...

Here: F982169

I just made up a serial number following the format, Im sure that watch is out there somewhere...

So I think its more to protect the watch from reported stolen, and prevent others from stealing pics and trying to sell a persons watch with a good serial and pics as a scam...

I know that has happened before on car forums I frequent where a scammer will use good pics from a sale that happened before or pics a member posted...

cody p · 12 April 2011, 02:33 PM

Cause wouldn't it suck to have a fake(s) out there with your serial number on it.

usbzoso · 12 April 2011, 02:45 PM

what happens if someone reports your watch as stolen?

Roxas · 12 April 2011, 07:42 PM

I don't think it is an issue. If somebody really wants a serial number they can walk to a Rolex AD, try a watch and remember the number.

Regarding reporting as stolen, I believe the reporter need some proof. I imagine if I try a watch at an AD and I report it as stolen with no proof, I think who will be in trouble would be me not the AD.

Rolex116520 · 12 April 2011, 07:48 PM

I think hiding the serial on a modern rolex watch is pretty much pointless if you do it to keep it from being used by counterfeiters .
However for certain rare vintage models the serial becomes more important and yes these could be used , and I believe have been used , by counterfeiters specializing in these very rare models . This goes for batch / production numbers on Comex and Milsubs case backs

mfer · 13 April 2011, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zirotti

they still put real serial numbers on replicas. Blurring serial numbers on watches is like when the guys on the car forums blur their license plates in pictures.

Someone just can't report a watch stolen without proof of ownership.

If it is stolen and you don't have it, how do you prove you don't own it anymore? Now, I could mind you, but there are plenty of people who aren't as organized as me with all receipts filed, insurance, appraisals, etc.

There are plenty of poeple out there that just have a watch they bought from a Pawn store, with no box, no papers, but just a serial number. I'm fairly certain many of those people didn't keep their receipts. Why risk it?

Roxas · 13 April 2011, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfer

If it is stolen and you don't have it, how do you prove you don't own it anymore?

That is the issue of the reporter. They need to find an evidence like receipt or a witness. I don't think that anybody will do a false report to the police. It isn't worth the trouble.

Speed · 13 April 2011, 01:28 AM

It's so easy to mask. Why take chances?

HL65 · 13 April 2011, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed

It's so easy to mask. Why take chances?

Exactly!!

Casey VP-26 · 13 April 2011, 02:08 AM

Also, some watches are bought for resale and not having the exact number of the watch bought and sold keeps that exact transaction private.

Flyjet601 · 13 April 2011, 02:19 AM

I think the majority of people who buy a Rolex dont even know it has a serial number

As stated above, anyone can make up a fake number. Check any of the websites around and there is all they need to know about production year etc.....
Even if you walk into an RSC with a serial number looking for info.......without the watch, they wont help you......

As far as stolen, you need proof of ownership first.........if someone doesn't keep the receipt on a $5K-10k watch.....shame on them.
I better go check... i thing someone just stole my Ferrari Enzo

Speed · 13 April 2011, 02:43 AM

I think folks shopping for Rolexes on the web are pretty keen - rightly or wrongly - on series, serial numbers etc.

12 April 2011, 03:01 AM	#1
Shermstead "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 11	Why so private on serial numbers? What is the reason that people don't list the full serial number of a watch, especially when selling? Are they fearful of counterfeiting?

12 April 2011, 03:03 AM	#2
moviefreak "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: in my house... Posts: 5,524	Yup... they do not want a real serial used on a fake watch... __________________ Cheers, Eduardo Be a WIS not a WUSS... and remove all the stickers..

12 April 2011, 03:16 AM	#6
mfer "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Mik Location: USA Posts: 13,724	Yeah, if you tick off someone they could report your watch stolen. Have fun with that. Best to cover it up. __________________ member#3242

12 April 2011, 01:32 PM	#9
StarSovereign "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Erik Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: 116234, 116710LN Posts: 936	Interesting... __________________ Submariner 116610LN - Black Dial & Stainless Steel DateJust 116234 - White Stick Dial & Roulette Wheel GMT-Master II 116710LN - Black Dial & Green "Fouth Hand"

12 April 2011, 07:48 PM	#17
Rolex116520 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: EEC Watch: Daytona & Deepsea Posts: 2,387	I think hiding the serial on a modern rolex watch is pretty much pointless if you do it to keep it from being used by counterfeiters . However for certain rare vintage models the serial becomes more important and yes these could be used , and I believe have been used , by counterfeiters specializing in these very rare models . This goes for batch / production numbers on Comex and Milsubs case backs __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Assoc. of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

12 April 2011, 03:04 AM	#3
Danand "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Jonathan Location: Ottawa Watch: 116610LN Posts: 1,246	Yes. Also you never know if someone might try to report it as stolen or some such crap. Better safe than sorry.

12 April 2011, 12:46 PM	#8
HRHaldermn Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Jim Smith Location: Colorado Springs Watch: SS & Plat Yachty Posts: 9	The same reason most of all us are very reluctant to give out our ss#. Most people wouldn't do anything with them, but it's that 1 out of 1000 you need to be concerned with. As stated, you absolutely do not want somebody taking the serial number from your precious timepiece and stamping it on a fake. Counterfeit products are getting so good that proper serial numbers are sometimes the only real line of defense left.

12 April 2011, 01:39 PM	#11
Zirotti "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Jason Location: Tejas Watch: Invicta Posts: 1,066	they still put real serial numbers on replicas. Blurring serial numbers on watches is like when the guys on the car forums blur their license plates in pictures. Someone just can't report a watch stolen without proof of ownership.

12 April 2011, 02:06 PM	#12
Jan Davis Fake Identity Cyber-Criminal Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Jan Location: Hong Kong Watch: DateJust Posts: 394	I have seen infinite number of photos showing complete serial numbers on Rolex watches. It is another tool to determine the exact year it was sold when you have the complete serial number.

12 April 2011, 02:11 PM	#13
S52 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: FL230 Watch: me fly-by Posts: 789	Yeah its not like counterfiters need a number to make a fake... they know the format... Here: F982169 I just made up a serial number following the format, Im sure that watch is out there somewhere... So I think its more to protect the watch from reported stolen, and prevent others from stealing pics and trying to sell a persons watch with a good serial and pics as a scam... I know that has happened before on car forums I frequent where a scammer will use good pics from a sale that happened before or pics a member posted...

12 April 2011, 02:33 PM	#14
cody p "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Watch: Air-King 114200 Posts: 2,878	Cause wouldn't it suck to have a fake(s) out there with your serial number on it.

12 April 2011, 02:45 PM	#15
usbzoso Banned Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: Stan Location: Dallas Watch: 16610/16600/16800 Posts: 1,231	what happens if someone reports your watch as stolen?

12 April 2011, 07:42 PM	#16
Roxas "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Earth Watch: 14060M Posts: 516	I don't think it is an issue. If somebody really wants a serial number they can walk to a Rolex AD, try a watch and remember the number. Regarding reporting as stolen, I believe the reporter need some proof. I imagine if I try a watch at an AD and I report it as stolen with no proof, I think who will be in trouble would be me not the AD.

13 April 2011, 01:28 AM	#20
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	It's so easy to mask. Why take chances?

13 April 2011, 02:08 AM	#22
Casey VP-26 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: America Posts: 2,721	Also, some watches are bought for resale and not having the exact number of the watch bought and sold keeps that exact transaction private.

13 April 2011, 02:19 AM	#23
Flyjet601 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hong Kong Watch: All of them Posts: 2,789	I think the majority of people who buy a Rolex dont even know it has a serial number As stated above, anyone can make up a fake number. Check any of the websites around and there is all they need to know about production year etc..... Even if you walk into an RSC with a serial number looking for info.......without the watch, they wont help you...... As far as stolen, you need proof of ownership first.........if someone doesn't keep the receipt on a $5K-10k watch.....shame on them. I better go check... i thing someone just stole my Ferrari Enzo __________________ I used to be indecisive, now I'm not sure

13 April 2011, 02:43 AM	#24
Speed "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 19,706	I think folks shopping for Rolexes on the web are pretty keen - rightly or wrongly - on series, serial numbers etc.

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