To check if a watch is stolen, get its serial number from the seller before you pay, search it on a stolen-watch register such as Enquirus or The Watch Register, and make sure it matches the watch and its papers. A clean result lowers the risk. It doesn't remove it, so check the seller too.
Key takeaways
- No serial number, no deal. A genuine seller will show it on the watch itself.
- Enquirus is free to search. The Watch Register is the database dealers and pawnbrokers use.
- A clean search means "no report found today", not "not stolen".
- On a watch with a Shado module, you can tap it with the Shado app before paying and see its registry status.
Why it matters
Luxury theft isn't rare. Marsh Private Clients reported that more than £22 million of luxury watches, jewellery and designer handbags were stolen across London in 2024-25. If you buy a stolen watch, you can lose both the watch and the money, even if you bought it in good faith.
How to check a watch before you pay: 5 steps
- Get the serial number first. Ask for a clear photo of the number on the watch, not just the paperwork. If the seller won't give it, walk away.
- Search a stolen-watch register. Enquirus (set up by Richemont) is free and is already used in eBay's watch authentication and by Watchfinder. The Watch Register is checked by dealers and pawnbrokers. Searching both covers more reports.
- Match every number. The serial on the watch should match the box, warranty card, invoice and any service records.
- Check the seller. Ask where and when they bought it and ask for proof of purchase, such as the receipt or the bank transaction.
- Get it inspected. For a significant purchase, have a qualified watchmaker or the brand's service centre examine it. A theft check says nothing about whether the parts are genuine.
Does a clean search mean the watch isn't stolen?
No. It means no matching report was found in that database at that moment. Thefts are often reported late, serial numbers can be entered wrongly, and no single register holds every report. Treat it as one piece of evidence next to the seller's story and the paperwork.
Can a serial number or papers be faked?
Yes. A serial number is static. It can be engraved onto another case or printed onto papers that don't belong to the watch. That's why matching the numbers and inspecting the watch matter, and why some brands now give each watch a digital identity that can't simply be copied.
How a tap-to-verify watch changes the check
Some watches carry a Shado module built into the clasp. Before you pay, tap the watch with the Shado app. It checks the module against the Shado registry and shows the watch's status: registered, transfer pending, reported stolen or under review. If something is being reviewed, you'll see "Status under review. Contact Shado." If the module has recorded a tamper, that shows at every tap.
The app never shows who owns the watch. You see the item's status, not anyone's name or contact details. You can also check a Shado ID on Vault Lookup before you meet the seller. Confirming that the watch in front of you carries that ID needs a tap in the app.
| A Shado tap tells you | A Shado tap doesn't tell you |
|---|---|
| The module is genuine and registered | That every part of the watch is original |
| The watch's current registry status | Who the owner is |
| Whether a tamper has been recorded | Who legally owns it |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free way to check if a watch is stolen?
Yes. Enquirus lets you search a serial number for free. Some paid services, such as Chrono24 Certified, include a theft check as part of a wider inspection.
What if the seller won't give me the serial number?
Don't buy the watch. There's no legitimate reason to hide it from a serious buyer.
What should I do if the search flags the watch?
Don't buy it. Contact the register that flagged it and your local police.
Can a watch reported stolen be transferred to me through Shado?
No. A Shado-registered watch that's flagged stolen, under review or has an uncleared tamper can't be transferred until that's resolved.
Does Shado decide who legally owns a watch?
No. Shado records the registered owner. Legal ownership is a matter of law, not the registry.
Sources
Next step: see how a Shado tap works or read the 10 questions to ask before buying a pre-owned watch.