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bogo · 23 June 2016, 10:59 PM

Team, never bought watches at an online auction. I know there are some horror stories that sometimes houses pass on Franken watches, watches with dubious history and sometimes out right fakes. I am looking at some lots at the upcoming Knightsbridge auction as I have friends in London who can receive the watch and bring them over to Shanghai.
Any tips on online bidding/auctions in general? I know when buying from dealers or people - "If it is too good to be true, it is." Hoping to get some watches at a decent price and sneak a steal (but cannot forget that 18% commission - ouch).
Has anyone dealt with Watches of Knightsbridge?

Thanks in advance

Rolex fan 61 · 24 June 2016, 02:06 AM

With this type of sale you never know what your purchasing, there are plenty of trusted sellers on this forum.

joe100 · 24 June 2016, 02:57 AM

Avoid. I stay away from this kind of thing and I know what I'm looking at in most cases. Just buy here, you'll have a better experience and pay real prices.

iliketime · 24 June 2016, 03:13 AM

had a patient come in to the office with a datejust. we got to chatting about it and he told me bought it at auction no box no papers. He eventually found out it was a stolen rolex when he took it to a jeweler to get it checked out. he said the serial was filed off but it was too late since he only found out at the jewelers. id becareful

Nielsmpe · 24 June 2016, 07:31 AM

Watches of Knightsbridge is one of the most respected auction houses and I wouldn't hesitate buying from them. Wonder if the general mistrust in this thread is aimed at them or just auctions in general? Anyone with(or heard of) a bad experience with Watches of Knightsbrige?

Haywood_Milton · 24 June 2016, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nielsmpe

Watches of Knightsbridge is one of the most respected auction houses and I wouldn't hesitate buying from them. Wonder if the general mistrust in this thread is aimed at them or just auctions in general? Anyone with(or heard of) a bad experience with Watches of Knightsbrige?

I would and do happily buy from some auction houses in the UK.

Watches of Knightsbridge is not among them.

H

harry in montreal · 24 June 2016, 02:26 PM

Well, I have had incredible luck on eBay. I have not been burned to date. I am pretty skilled at recognizing the models I like and I have a healthy understanding of the risks. I can't afford to pay $7k for a tudor sub from trusted sellers. However, I have bought them on eBay and on boards for a fraction of this amount

bogo · 24 June 2016, 03:05 PM

Thanks for your input guys.
Will not be getting anything at auction then - although the Brexit LEAVE vote makes my dollars stronger against the pound.

d.edwards · 24 June 2016, 03:06 PM

I've bought from Watches of Knightsbridge and had no issues. Very professional and very prompt.

There are two things I will say to keep in mind about auctions:

1. The premium - Don't forget the premium. So many times I bid an amount without remembering that I need to add the premium to reflect the true cost.

2. The fever - Auctions can kind of sweep you away and get you into the heat of the competition. I have blown past my set "limits" almost every time trying to win. I keep thinking... I've got it this time.

Either way, they can be a lot of fun if you know what you're doing. Good luck.

joli160 · 24 June 2016, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogo

Thanks for your input guys.
Will not be getting anything at auction then - although the Brexit LEAVE vote makes my dollars stronger against the pound.

Imo this is a wise decision. Online pictures can show only so much and somebody with lightroom skills can transfer a beater in a crisp example

Wing Zero · 25 June 2016, 06:30 AM

Buy here, Buy there.

Nowhere is 100% safe and Nothing beats Experience.

You have to know what to look for, do the leg work and get knowledgeable about the watch you are hunting. Read, Study the variations, look at pictures, ask questions.

ref1655 · 25 June 2016, 11:44 AM

topic coincidence...today's mail brought two 'resident addressed' flyer advertisements for auctions pertaining to seized assets by law enforcement authorities.

included were a number of Rolexes (SS Submariner/18K President/PM Skydweller/various 26mm ladies models) + assorted jewelry, Hermes handbags & whatnot.

talk about bad vibe/bad karma 'high-end' merchandise...who would actually bid on this kind of stuff?

jban5 · 25 June 2016, 12:23 PM

topic coincidence...^^^

Yeah, how much of that is from fraudulent Civil Asset Forfeiture

ref1655 · 25 June 2016, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jban5

Yeah, how much of that is from fraudulent Civil Asset Forfeiture

scary thought...

http://www.heritage.org/research/rep...ou-should-know

Too Old · 27 June 2016, 03:20 AM

i have noticed in the last couple of auctions WOK have held, that a high percentage of items are passed. I worked it out to about 30% at the last one. I reckon this is because they over value the estimates and set the reserves at the lower estimate figure.

23 June 2016, 10:59 PM	#1
bogo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Real Name: Bobby Location: San Francisco Posts: 32	Buying Rolex at auction Team, never bought watches at an online auction. I know there are some horror stories that sometimes houses pass on Franken watches, watches with dubious history and sometimes out right fakes. I am looking at some lots at the upcoming Knightsbridge auction as I have friends in London who can receive the watch and bring them over to Shanghai. Any tips on online bidding/auctions in general? I know when buying from dealers or people - "If it is too good to be true, it is." Hoping to get some watches at a decent price and sneak a steal (but cannot forget that 18% commission - ouch). Has anyone dealt with Watches of Knightsbridge? Thanks in advance

24 June 2016, 02:57 AM	#3
joe100 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Joe Location: New Mexico Watch: Explorer Posts: 12,838	Avoid. I stay away from this kind of thing and I know what I'm looking at in most cases. Just buy here, you'll have a better experience and pay real prices. __________________ It's Espresso, not Expresso. Coffee is not a train in Italy. -TRF Member 6982-

25 June 2016, 06:30 AM	#11
Wing Zero "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: JC Location: Earth Watch: 1680 ~ 16610LV Posts: 811	Buy here, Buy there. Nowhere is 100% safe and Nothing beats Experience. You have to know what to look for, do the leg work and get knowledgeable about the watch you are hunting. Read, Study the variations, look at pictures, ask questions. __________________ ********************** **********************

24 June 2016, 02:06 AM	#2
Rolex fan 61 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: UK Posts: 1,262	With this type of sale you never know what your purchasing, there are plenty of trusted sellers on this forum.

24 June 2016, 03:13 AM	#4
iliketime "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Real Name: Jack Location: NYC Watch: 16570, 16710 Posts: 1,535	had a patient come in to the office with a datejust. we got to chatting about it and he told me bought it at auction no box no papers. He eventually found out it was a stolen rolex when he took it to a jeweler to get it checked out. he said the serial was filed off but it was too late since he only found out at the jewelers. id becareful

24 June 2016, 07:31 AM	#5
Nielsmpe "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Real Name: Niels Pedersen Location: Copenhagen Posts: 57	Watches of Knightsbridge is one of the most respected auction houses and I wouldn't hesitate buying from them. Wonder if the general mistrust in this thread is aimed at them or just auctions in general? Anyone with(or heard of) a bad experience with Watches of Knightsbrige?

24 June 2016, 02:26 PM	#7
harry in montreal "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montreal Watch: The Habs pick 1st! Posts: 3,589	Well, I have had incredible luck on eBay. I have not been burned to date. I am pretty skilled at recognizing the models I like and I have a healthy understanding of the risks. I can't afford to pay $7k for a tudor sub from trusted sellers. However, I have bought them on eBay and on boards for a fraction of this amount

24 June 2016, 03:05 PM	#8
bogo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Real Name: Bobby Location: San Francisco Posts: 32	Thanks for your input guys. Will not be getting anything at auction then - although the Brexit LEAVE vote makes my dollars stronger against the pound.

24 June 2016, 03:06 PM	#9
d.edwards "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Seattle Posts: 20	I've bought from Watches of Knightsbridge and had no issues. Very professional and very prompt. There are two things I will say to keep in mind about auctions: 1. The premium - Don't forget the premium. So many times I bid an amount without remembering that I need to add the premium to reflect the true cost. 2. The fever - Auctions can kind of sweep you away and get you into the heat of the competition. I have blown past my set "limits" almost every time trying to win. I keep thinking... I've got it this time. Either way, they can be a lot of fun if you know what you're doing. Good luck.

25 June 2016, 11:44 AM	#12
ref1655 Banned Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: SF Bay Area Watch: 1655/MkI Posts: 1,100	topic coincidence...today's mail brought two 'resident addressed' flyer advertisements for auctions pertaining to seized assets by law enforcement authorities. included were a number of Rolexes (SS Submariner/18K President/PM Skydweller/various 26mm ladies models) + assorted jewelry, Hermes handbags & whatnot. talk about bad vibe/bad karma 'high-end' merchandise...who would actually bid on this kind of stuff?

25 June 2016, 12:23 PM	#13
jban5 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA Watch: 5513~1675x2~1680~ Posts: 523	topic coincidence...^^^ Yeah, how much of that is from fraudulent Civil Asset Forfeiture

27 June 2016, 03:20 AM	#15
Too Old 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Brian Location: Bucks, UK Posts: 1,096	i have noticed in the last couple of auctions WOK have held, that a high percentage of items are passed. I worked it out to about 30% at the last one. I reckon this is because they over value the estimates and set the reserves at the lower estimate figure.

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