Shown below is a message posted on TZ-UK (the wonderful discussion forum from which I remain banned for life). It's an interesting situation that we might all want to consider.

Jeff

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Need help! My old watch turns out to be registered as stolen...!

A couple of weeks ago I sold a Rolex Explorer 2 on here to Tris (trisdg). Watch was received in good condition, Tris was happy with it, and the deal went great.

Today Tris went to Rolex St. James to fix an issue with the clasp, and was notified by Rolex the watch he brought in to get fixed (my old Explorer 2) is registered as stolen Since somewhere last year.

Tris sent me a message asking for the history of the watch and the previous owner. I bought the watch from a trusted member from a Dutch watchforum, who in turn bought it at a watch convention in Germany.

The problem is, neither of is really know what to expect or to do. Rolex isn't letting go of the watch at the moment and started an investigation into us and the watch. Now, I've got nothing to hide and can prove I also bought the watch in good faith for a normal (not too good to be true) price just a week before selling it.

Has anyone ever experienced something similar? Any idea of the consequences? How about accountability?

Both Tris and I would really appreciate any advice. I want to help Tris as much as I can to get the watch he was so happy with back to him.

JTrapman