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.

[Cassian739]

deleting duplicate posting

[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

[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

[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'.