How to know if a Rolex is stolen

[alphahandswatches]

There is some past discussion here, but just to update -

Rolex no longer makes a database of stolen watches available via their service centers.

You should, prior to purchase, obtain the serial number, which will let you search to see if the watch has been reported stolen.

Certainly not all stolen watches will be reported or available via registries, but you should consider referring to:

-  Google or other engines to search for that serial

- Free stolen watch registries, such as the Alpha Hands stolen watch registry

- Paid registries (common structure is to pay per search)

eBay does not run checks on pieces before they are posted for sale

[theauthenticangelofdeath]

ebay is withholding the money on a Rolex watch I sold on eBay. The watch was a gift from my mother-in-law to my father-in-law in 1966. It was handed down to my husband. Our adult sons have no interest in the watch, so we decided to sell it on eBay. Initially it was sold to an individual, then eBay sent it to their Authenticator, where we were charged $80 to be told the watch needed servicing and it was not clear enough in the ad, which we actually did say. So we relisted it at a lower price and repeatedly said what eBay told us to say. The watch was sold 2 weeks ago and eBay is insistent we need a receipt showing we own the watch. How can that be done as it was handed down. My husband sent extremely clear pictures of numerous pictures of my father-in-law wearing the watch with my husband in the pics. We have a serial number for it. Which identifies it as not stolen according to numerous databases. The serial number is 1317713. The person has the watch. eBay has our money. But we don’t have the watch or money. What can we do? I am at a loss. eBay keeps saying the same thing, but offers no potential options to prove the watch belonged to us. Please help, we really need the money. Thank you. D. Fisher