Watch Knowledge

A dealer's checklist for authenticating luxury watches before purchase: references and serials, movement, papers, finishing, and when to use a professional.

What a watch reference number is, how it differs from a serial, how to read Rolex and Patek references, and why they anchor valuation and authentication.

What the grey market is, why it exists, whether it's legal, and how pricing and warranties differ from authorized dealers. A 2026 guide for watch dealers.