Luxury watches on eBay continue to grow at double digit rates. If you’ve ever considered selling or buying your next watch online, the online giant recently made the process even more secure: As one of the world’s largest luxury watch marketplaces, eBay launched its “Authenticity Guarantee ” for watches in 2020, a post-sale authentication service for watches sold for $2,000 or more in the U.S.
“eBay has become a convenient tool for someone like me, if you benefit from all the advantages the platform offers.”
In partnership with eBay, WatchTime reached out to a watch enthusiast and self-proclaimed “flipper” in Los Angeles to talk about how eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee has helped him safely finance his first haute horlogerie watch:
Can you tell us a little bit about how you use eBay?
I consider myself a flipper, even though this description has, unfortunately, gotten a much more negative touch in recent years. I love watches, and I love wearing them, but I have come to realize that I only have two wrists, limited funds, and that I often enjoy the hunt more than owning the same watch for years. So, for me, eBay is a very convenient way to occasionally sell a watch in order to finance my next purchase.
What did you learn?
I quickly realized that by selling one or two watches per year, I wouldn’t be able to compete with the ratings of the heavyweights that are much more active on the platform. Even worse, while I initially was scared to buy a fake or frankenwatch, my first listing taught me that selling a watch was much more nerve-racking than I had anticipated.
Why?
Again, I am not a professional or full-time seller. I am an IT consultant and therefore quite busy these days. Answering questions from potential buyers that I thought were already in the description, dealing with requests and proposals is one thing, but how do I make sure as a seller that I am not being scammed? Losing money is one thing, losing your watch and money the other. People usually are focused on buying an authentic watch; I, on the other hand, quickly started to realize that selling a watch could be as challenging. The blue badge that denotes a watch is eligible for eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee service has solved this for me.
How did eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee change things for you?
I mainly buy new watches, and I sell some of them on eBay. Thanks to eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, I can now fully rely on the platform and its functions. That actually convinced me to sell a couple of watches in 2021, which in turn allowed me to buy a Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet. My journey started with a Longines; now I have an Omega Seamaster Diver, and the AP, and I think this configuration should keep me happy for awhile.
What is your favorite watch?
I always wanted to have a platinum Lange 1. So if you know someone who’s looking for a Royal Oak sometime next September, let me know….
Authenticity Guarantee is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands sold on eBay.
Ebay Authenticators are careless. I bought what was supposed to be a Lady Day Date Rolex on Ebay. However when I got it, upon examination it had a Lady Day dial face, not a Day Date one. The authenticators nevertheless authenticated it. I was careless in not looking at the dial pictures carefully, but it should have been sent back by the authenticators. The seller did refund me, however I would not trust any certification by the Ebay hired authenticators