Why Forum Sellers 'blanco' their watch serial number?

[ebpwu]

Hi All fellow Frens,

Sorry to ask (hope its not a stupid question). But i notice some sellers who post their watch often 'blanco'/did not show their watch serial number? Just curious why is this so? They scare people use the serial number to check their home address? or what? or they trying to hide somethings?

Any views from the floor?

[feilong108]

To prevent scammers to use the photos.....

[exxondus]

To prevent the number being 'stolen' by rep makers

[zameenzahari]

To prevent the number being 'stolen' by rep makers

+1 on this one. Coz if it's not blackened/blanco/distorted you will providing rep makers with actual serial that ties to the BB nos, production number etc..makes the rep more "authentic"

[Seventh Son]

Actually I dun agree with the theory of replica makers stealing the serial numbers in our photos and using them on their fake watches. Just a few clicks on google and you can easily find out that eg. M serial is 2010 manufacture and maybe 1500 pcs for PamXYZ model. Or... they can just walk into any AD posing to be a buyer, pretend to test the watch and copy the serial on the case back. Fake watch manufacturer hve gone thru great length to copy genuine pieces, such trivial matter like the serial no. cannot and will not deter them.

[zameenzahari]

Actually I dun agree with the theory of replica makers stealing the serial numbers in our photos and using them on their fake watches. Just a few clicks on google and you can easily find out that eg. M serial is 2010 manufacture and maybe 1500 pcs for PamXYZ model. Or... they can just walk into any AD posing to be a buyer, pretend to test the watch and copy the serial on the case back. Fake watch manufacturer hve gone thru great length to copy genuine pieces, such trivial matter like the serial no. cannot and will not deter them.

True they could do all those or purchase a real piece then copy it. But it's a lot easier and takes less than 1 minute to copy details from your photo on the net I'd say.
It's not so much about deterrence but how would you feel if you own a very special piece whose serial and details unfortunately has been copied the world over on reps like the famous E0117 Fiddy? I know I wouldn't want that- so why take the chances . I guess I'm just being paranoid.

[LUKE]

I think its all the above. I come across a interesting info. A pam 217 with SINGLE digit no . It was traded several times, and soon people know who wore it before , PRIVACY GONE.

[Paneraii]

You could be refering to other Pam model as well. 1, 2, 4, 9, 111E to G, 115, to.. 118, their numbers are very small in Singapore. therefore. people know who wore it before.. they could have change hands dozen of times !!

[Seventh Son]

I agree on the privacy issue but not so much on security issue. If a computer can be hacked easily, those few numbers on the caseback is just child's play which requires a little bit of footwork.

[Paneraii]

I think there is only one 117 in Singapore. According to Barry - he only seen it once. Definitely privacy issue

[ebpwu]

So to sumamrize, the explaination is more prone to the reason that the seller 'have something to hide'? as in claiming its bought from AD but had actually changed a few times?

Cos to me the serial number is like a vehicle's Number Plate. If u got nothign to hide or misrepresent, why the secrecy?

No offence to those guys who blanco. You may did that for privacy reasons but just viewing it as a whole.

[Paneraii]

Well, you can call the seller to confirm that (claiming its bought from AD but had actually changed a few times)

[Oceanklassik]

So to sumamrize, the explaination is more prone to the reason that the seller 'have something to hide'? as in claiming its bought from AD but had actually changed a few times?

Cos to me the serial number is like a vehicle's Number Plate. If u got nothign to hide or misrepresent, why the secrecy?

No offence to those guys who blanco. You may did that for privacy reasons but just viewing it as a whole.

No. The main reason for doing so is just so that those "fakers" out there cannot copy the serial no. to be used to produce fake watches.

[zameenzahari]

I'd buy if it is complete and in good condition whether the piece had 1 or 100 owners before. But if the condition is horrible even if it had only one owner, I won't buy. It matters not to me if it comes from AD , boutique or even Sig Bonati himself.

I think you already have the pre-conception that those who covers the serials have something to hide.

[KuchingKu]

I'd buy if it is complete and in good condition whether the piece had 1 or 100 owners before. But if the condition is horrible even if it had only one owner, I won't buy. It matters not to me if it comes from AD , boutique or even Sig Bonati himself.

I think you already have the pre-conception that those who covers the serials have something to hide.

Totally agree. Buy the condition and not the number of owners. If so worried about so many things, better just buy from AD.

Cover the serial is a common practice by 95% of sellers in the watch arena across the world. I will also not show the serial on photos but if you are keen in my watch and ask me, I will tell you. So, nothing to hide.