Send your 2nd hand Rolex to RSC

[Bendey]

In a HK, a lot of the trader would encourage to trade at RSC, to check for authenticity etc. Do you guys have such practice/habit on other part of the world?
Does Rolex keep a centralized DB of stolen S/N etc?

Just bought my a 2nd hand Rolex, and I am a bit paranoid, should I send in RSC for:

1) Movement condition/water resistance
2) Possible theft history?


Bendey

[Old Expat Beast]

In Hong Kong, the RSC usually will only check the watch background if you have it serviced. This costs around HK$2,200 to HK$2,700. If your watch was originally sold in HK, they will have the serial number on record, if it was sold overseas (and you do not have the original receipts), they will send the number to Geneva for verification and this takes about two weeks. What model is it and who did you buy it from?

[Bendey]

Second hand/Grey import shops in TST. Have heard from the news watch shops getting raided (in both Jap & HK) in the past. Don't want to get informed 10 yrs down the road when I send it in RSC and realize it part of a loot

[Old Expat Beast]

PM sent.

[mew]

Yes, some buyers in Singapore do prefer to deal at RSC. Costs about $120 sgd and usually verification is done within a few hours.

As far as I understand, the DB is localized and only applicable for the pieces reported missing within your country.

I only buy from the few select dealers I trust so I don't usually do it. I would if I were to buy from an individual with no box/papers or service history.

It can be rather inconvenient as well since RSC only opens during office hours from Monday to Friday here

[crowncollection]

Not a habit for me, but not a bad idea.

[AK797]

You will lose the watch if it is stolen so have it insured before you send it in or agree with the seller that they will refund you. Also post pics here and we can tell if it is real.

[Old Expat Beast]

Watch is real with warranty, he already posted it here recently, and RSC is downtown so he'll take it in himself.

[ExplorerChris]

In Canada Rolex keeps a data base of serial numbers
When I purchased my pre owned Exlporer II I went to Rolex and they registered my name and personal information to the serial number of the watch in case it's ever lost or stolen.
They will do an authenticity check here are well although it costs $150 and takes ten day to two weeks to complete.
They also provided me with a letter that sates the model number, serial number, what style of bracelet including part number, number of links on the bracelet and the type of clasp as well as replacement value for my insurance company.
I was lucky in that I purchased my watch in April and it had been Rolex serviced in January so I had the service papers and two year Waranty card when I purchased.

I think it's a worth while service for the peace of mind it provides.

[Kobayashi]

Originally Posted by Bendey

Does Rolex keep a centralized DB of stolen S/N etc?

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=309839

[hbombkid]

How does this work in the US? I was browsing the classifieds here as I want to buy my first rolex. I have an Omega and some other watches, but really want to buy a date just II. Do I just go to any rolex dealer for the verification / change of ownership etc?

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Bendey

In a HK, a lot of the trader would encourage to trade at RSC, to check for authenticity etc. Do you guys have such practice/habit on other part of the world?
Does Rolex keep a centralized DB of stolen S/N etc?

Just bought my a 2nd hand Rolex, and I am a bit paranoid, should I send in RSC for:

1) Movement condition/water resistance
2) Possible theft history?


Bendey

In the US, I would only buy from a trusted seller (ideally on this forum) with whom I would not need to worry about authenticity or questionable acquisition. But, if I went a different route, yes, I would try to find a local sale where I could go to a jeweler to verify authenticity. History of theft would be a bit more difficult I presume.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by hbombkid

How does this work in the US? I was browsing the classifieds here as I want to buy my first rolex. I have an Omega and some other watches, but really want to buy a date just II. Do I just go to any rolex dealer for the verification / change of ownership etc?

Jeweler can verify authenticity, but don't know how - or if they could verify change of ownership.

If you buy from a trusted seller (personally recommend DavidSW) essentially all concerns you raise will be allayed.

[Bendey]

Not to question anyone integrity, but without a centralised and internationally recognised database, i would not place too much faith on "personal" trust. The closest assurance is that those seller would not intentionally sell you a stolen watch, but with the amount of good changing hands, its just not possible to perform the required investigative work and due diligence on each piece they sell.

[ExplorerChris]

Originally Posted by Bendey

Not to question anyone integrity, but without a centralised and internationally recognised database, i would not place too much faith on "personal" trust. The closest assurance is that those seller would not intentionally sell you a stolen watch, but with the amount of good changing hands, its just not possible to perform the required investigative work and due diligence on each piece they sell.

The explination I got from Rolex Canada was if the serial number is registered to you as the owner and the watch is lost or stolen you report it to Rolex the serial number is flagged and if someone takes your watch to Rolex anywhere in the world as soon as they run the serial in the system they will take the watch away from whoever walked iti in and contact you
It's peace of mind for me

[Kobayashi]

Originally Posted by ExplorerChris

The explination I got from Rolex Canada was if the serial number is registered to you as the owner and the watch is lost or stolen you report it to Rolex the serial number is flagged and if someone takes your watch to Rolex anywhere in the world as soon as they run the serial in the system they will take the watch away from whoever walked iti in and contact you

It's peace of mind for me

Rolex does not have a worldwide database of registered watches:

http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=309839

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Bendey

Not to question anyone integrity, but without a centralised and internationally recognised database, i would not place too much faith on "personal" trust. The closest assurance is that those seller would not intentionally sell you a stolen watch, but with the amount of good changing hands, its just not possible to perform the required investigative work and due diligence on each piece they sell.

I would like to believe that the trusted sellers in this form are cautious in their Rolex dealings - their reputation depends on it. I expect if there is any question or concern that a Rolex is of dubious origins, it would not be part of their inventory.

[Kobayashi]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

I would like to believe that the trusted sellers in this form are cautious in their Rolex dealings - their reputation depends on it. I expect if there is any question or concern that a Rolex is of dubious origins, it would not be part of their inventory.

The trusted sellers can not verify if a watch is stolen. The RSC will not provide that data if you call about a serial number.

[Bendey]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

I would like to believe that the trusted sellers in this form are cautious in their Rolex dealings - their reputation depends on it. I expect if there is any question or concern that a Rolex is of dubious origins, it would not be part of their inventory.

Yes, that's why a reputable dealer would not intentionally sell a stolen watch (or reactively refund should you prove the watch is stolen), but what kind of due diligence a so called reputable seller go thru when sourcung their watches? Base on buying from another reputable seller? And where did they get their watches from? On that assumption, then all reputable seller should at least only deal with watch with paper(just for the simple fact that its so much harder to hold up someone at knife/gun point and steal their watch together with the paper and box). I personally would not buy any second hand watch without paper, but head only watch are frequently traded all the time. On a decades old watch, who know how many hands it went thru, what is to say the 3th owner did not gain that watch unlawfully and passed on to his imediate family memeber as heirloom, who then would question that watch history? I personally would only place that kind of trust on immediate family member or life long friends, I doubt those "trusted sellers" hold that kind of relationship with every owner of every watch they source from. Then again i have been told i over worry and paranoid:p

[Vaxe]

A trusted seller would refund you should the watch be confiscated by RSC. It's happened many times on this forum already.

I would advise everyone to send in their non-AD purchase to RSC for service between 1-2 years from date of purchase. Enough time for Rolex to update any info and within a reasonable time span to pursue a refund.

Originally Posted by Bendey

Yes, that's why a reputable dealer would not intentionally sell a stolen watch, but what kind of due diligence a so called reputable seller go thru when sourcung their watches? Base on buying from another reputable seller? And where did they get their watches from? On that assumption, then all reputable seller should at least only deal with watch with paper(just for the simple fact that its so much harder to hold up someone at knife/gun point and steal their watch together with the paper and box). I personally would not buy any second hand watch without paper, but head only watch are frequently traded all the time. On a decades old watch, who know how many hands it went thru, what is to say the 3th owner did not gain that watch unlawfully and passed on to his imediate family memeber as heirloom, who then would question that watch history? I personally would only place that kind of trust on immediate family member or life long friends, I doubt those "trusted sellers" hold that kind of relationship with every owner of every watch they source from. Then again i have been told i over worry and paranoid:p

[mew]

An RSC check amounts to little imo, it only means the watch wasn't reported as stolen in the local RSC database.

The owner might have not reported to RSC, it might be flagged in some other part of the world or it may even belong to an oligarch that didn't realise that 1 of his 500 watches are missing... there are just too many variables to be concerned with.

I would just keep any reciepts issued by the dealer as a paper trail, worry less and enjoy the watch.

[Old Expat Beast]

As I mentioned above in post #2, before servicing, the RSC in Hong Kong will send your serial number to Geneva for verification if the watch was not bought locally. Not sure why they would do this if they do not have an international database of some kind in Geneva.