WATCH AUTHENTICATION

With an increasingly tech savvy population of watch savants, the purchase of luxury timepieces over the internet can be done with such ease that any watch from every far flung corner of the world can be purchased and couriered to your doorstep in a matter of days! Imagine your delight when your “grail” watch is delivered to your doorstep at a click of a button! Unfortunately, this ease has also led to a proliferation of replicas and outright fakes being pawned off as the real deal.

How does one ensure the provenance and authenticity of our newly begotten “grails” aside from personally travelling and actually handling the watch?
At Bonfield, all your worries and concerns can be answered.

Bonfield watch authentication offers reassurance that a watch is what it purports to be, prior to valuation or sale.

Bonfield’s valuers regularly see four different categories of watch:

  • The genuine article[s] still in its original condition, which will command the full value
  • The genuine article[s] but with embellishments such as customised diamonds which may in fact devalue it
  • An article made from genuine components sourced from different models, of significantly less value
  • A well made copy which is partially counterfeit and of very little value


APPRAISAL

Why do you need a watch appraisal

Losing or damaging a precious watch/jewellery is always distressing and none of us likes the loss of a treasured watch/jewellery.

As with all treasured possessions, we would safe keep our watch/jewellery by insuring them. Unfortunately, this is when confusion arises. Your typical insurance policy taken out on your prized possessions would not indicate a value/fixed sum. Rather the insurance company would generally value any insured item under “replacement market value” and not the sum you would expect should your watch/jewellery be lost. Furthermore the onus falls upon the owner to prove to the insurance company that the watch/jewellery was worth such an amount at time of loss, if unable, the insurance company would, based on the advice of the claims adjuster, see to payout only what it deems fit for your lost/stolen watch/jewellery.

Bonfield’s appraisal is able to provide you with a piece of mind when asked to provide appraisal documentation by your insurance company. Without it, one would be left with little or no room to argue the value of one’s prized possession.

Insurance claims involving items covered by Bonfield’s appraisal are straightforward and likely to result in a quicker and much more satisfactory outcome for you. Many major global insurers recognise Bonfield’s appraisal.

Valuation

This appraisal includes digital photographs and detailed assessment of the appraised item as mentioned in above paragraphs, along with its replacement value, which we promise you an unbiased opinion.

This service will determine the provenance, service history, and gemology and include a specific detailed analysis of the crown, dial, case, its complications and band of your appraised timepiece.


The Valuation Procedure

  • An experienced expert carefully assesses the watch under a 10x microscope, using their knowledge to scrutinise any distinctive characteristics and to determine its authenticity.
  • Our trained watchmaker opens the watchcase to authenticate the caliber/movement numbers.
  • All serial numbers are recorded and checked.
  • The watch will be case back in line with the manufacturers’ recommended procedures.
  • Digital photographs are taken and included in your valuation document with a full and accurate description. Any distinguishing features will be also recorded.
  • Valuation Report