Buying a pre-owned luxury watch on a marketplace like eBay, Chrono24, or WatchBox can be a great way to find value — but it also carries real risk. Stolen watches circulate on these platforms constantly, often indistinguishable from legitimate listings. Knowing how to check if a watch is stolen before you complete a purchase could save you thousands of pounds and considerable legal trouble.
Why You Must Check If a Watch Is Stolen Before Buying
If you unknowingly purchase a stolen watch, you do not automatically get to keep it. Law enforcement can seize the piece and return it to the original owner, leaving you without the watch and without your money. You also potentially face questioning and — in some jurisdictions — civil liability. The buyer's good faith is not always a complete defence. A single 30-second check before purchase eliminates this risk entirely.
Step 1 — Request the Serial Number Before Paying
Before you commit to any pre-owned luxury watch purchase, ask the seller for the serial number. A legitimate seller will always provide it — the serial is typically visible in photographs of the case back or between the lugs. If a seller refuses to share the serial number or is evasive, treat this as a serious red flag and walk away.
For private sellers on marketplaces, request a photograph of the serial number alongside a handwritten note with today's date. This makes it significantly harder for a seller to reuse a legitimate serial number across multiple fraudulent listings.
Step 2 — Run a Free Stolen Watch Check
Once you have the serial number, run it through StolenWatchCheck — free, no account required, results in seconds. Our database contains over 120,000 reported stolen and lost luxury watches, updated in real time by watch owners, insurers, and law enforcement worldwide.
A clear result means the serial number is not currently in our database. A match will show you the full report details — including date reported and the reporting party's description. Do not proceed with a purchase if the serial returns a match.
Step 3 — Cross-Reference the Serial With the Brand
For high-value purchases, you can also contact the brand's authorised service centre directly. Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet can often confirm production details associated with a serial number and may flag pieces reported to them. This step is not always necessary for lower-value transactions but is worthwhile when spending above £10,000.
Step 4 — Inspect the Watch in Person
Whenever possible, insist on inspecting the watch in person — or arrange for a qualified independent watchmaker to inspect it on your behalf. A physical inspection allows you to verify:
- That the serial number on the watch matches the serial number you checked
- That the serial engraving is original — not re-engraved or altered
- That the movement, case, dial, and hands are consistent with the reference
- That the watch has not been assembled from mismatched parts
Red Flags That a Watch May Be Stolen
In addition to running a check, be alert to the following warning signs:
- Seller is unusually eager to complete the transaction quickly
- Price is significantly below current market value
- Seller cannot provide original box, papers, or purchase receipts
- Serial number is scratched, worn, or appears re-engraved
- Seller refuses to meet in person or allow an independent inspection
- Payment is requested via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash only
- The listing was posted very recently with no seller history
- Watch has visible signs of a hasty clean or polish
The Safest Marketplaces to Buy Pre-Owned Watches
Not all marketplaces are equal. Chrono24 and WatchBox both have seller verification programmes and offer buyer protection that pure peer-to-peer platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree do not. Authorised dealers and established secondhand specialists carry significantly lower risk than private sellers.
Regardless of where you buy, always run your own independent stolen watch check. Marketplace verification programmes do not guarantee a watch is free of theft history — they verify seller identity, not the provenance of individual watches.
Check Before You Buy
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