New to collecting in Toronto - need advice on certifying my JLC purchase

[watcherofwatches]

Hey from Toronto,
Happy to see a Canadian-focused forum on watches. I'm getting into my first watch and am curious how to certify that it is legit. Who can I contact in the Toronto area to certify a vintage (1950s) Jaeger-LeCoultre watch.

Regards

 

[MrYYZ]

Welcome to the forum! I see Sam Messiha’s name referenced on some of the FB groups when it comes to authentication, and his FB profile shows Rolex, PP, Cartier, etc. I believe he‘s CEO of ‘The Geneva Group’ at (416) 386-9910, Yonge, N of Sheppard. Maybe give him a call.

Has anyone on here used Sam’s services?

 

[spotr]

@watcherofwatches Are you looking to get the watch certified before you buy it or after the fact?

The #1 rule of watch buying, whether new or vintage, is that you buy the buyer, not the watch. In almost all cases, you have to rely on the seller for the authenticity and provenance of the watch you are buying, as the option to get 3rd party appraisals or evaluations is almost impossible as part of the purchase.

The risk of fraud, fakes, or franken watches goes up exponentially with the value of the watch - and even experts can and have been taken in.

That said, why do you want to get the watch certified?

 

[watcherofwatches]

you buy the buyer, not the watch.

You mean buy the "seller"?

Yes, I agree. Ideally I would buy something that has a return policy, to give me enough time to check the watch and return if need be. I'm looking at sub $1500 CAD range so am hoping to be relatively safe from major frauds. It's my first purchase I am being cautious, hence getting it certified.

 

[spotr]

You mean buy the "seller"?

Yes, I agree. Ideally I would buy something that has a return policy, to give me enough time to check the watch and return if need be. I'm looking at sub $1500 CAD range so am hoping to be relatively safe from major frauds. It's my first purchase I am being cautious, hence getting it certified.

@watcherofwatches Yes - thanks for catching that typo - you always buy the seller first a foremost when purchasing a watch. Buy the buyer applies when you're selling online.

If you're buying from a dealer, assuming that the dealer is reputable, then yes, you should have recourse if the watch isn't what it was represented to be.

That said, it's very unlikely that a legitimate dealer will misrepresent a $1500 watch. On a $15k vintage watch, maybe.....on a $150k vintage watch, a lot more temptation.

If you're buying from an individual, in almost all circumstance, it's a final sale.

Also to keep in mind, there is a cost attached to getting a vintage watch properly authenticated - and really not worth doing on a $1500 watch.

My advice is to you is to find a dealer you trust and are comfortable with and not worry about authenticating or certifying the watch you're buying - rely on the dealer being legit and being upfront.

 

[watcherofwatches]

Ok, ive now upped my price and have found some nice vintage watches.

@watcherofwatches Yes - thanks for catching that typo - you always buy the seller first a foremost when purchasing a watch. Buy the buyer applies when you're selling online.

If you're buying from a dealer, assuming that the dealer is reputable, then yes, you should have recourse if the watch isn't what it was represented to be.

That said, it's very unlikely that a legitimate dealer will misrepresent a $1500 watch. On a $15k vintage watch, maybe.....on a $150k vintage watch, a lot more temptation.

If you're buying from an individual, in almost all circumstance, it's a final sale.

Also to keep in mind, there is a cost attached to getting a vintage watch properly authenticated - and really not worth doing on a $1500 watch.

My advice is to you is to find a dealer you trust and are comfortable with and not worry about authenticating or certifying the watch you're buying - rely on the dealer being legit and being upfront.

Thanks!

Do you have any suggestions on dealers? Sorry of this is against forum rules.

 

[spotr]

@watcherofwatches I can't offer you any suggestions on dealers for vintage - but it's pretty easy to do some research online on who's good and who's not. Good luck in your search!