Provenance for pre-owned and second-hand watches
The pre-owned watch market runs on trust. A buyer cannot see where a second-hand watch has been, and a seller cannot easily prove it. A provenance record closes that gap.
For buyers
Before you buy, you can check for free whether a watch is already registered on TIMEVAULT®. The answer is yes or no, and the owner's details are never disclosed. If the seller shares the watch's passport, you can see its registered history and Trust Score.
An optional paid check against the Watch Register shows whether a watch has been reported lost or stolen.
For sellers and dealers
A watch that comes with a verified record is easier to sell with confidence. You can share the passport link with a buyer, and transfer the record to them when the sale completes, so the history stays with the watch.
For certified pre-owned programmes, any servicing a service partner has carried out is recorded on the watch, so the buyer can see it.
Open to every brand
The record is not limited to one manufacturer, so a dealer or auction house can use the same system across a mixed stock of watches.
Questions
How do I check a second-hand watch before buying it?
Use the free check on TIMEVAULT® to see whether the watch is registered. Ask the seller for its passport and service records, and have a qualified watchmaker inspect it for a high-value purchase.
What is a certified pre-owned (CPO) watch?
It is a pre-owned watch that has been inspected and prepared by a dealer or manufacturer before sale, usually with a warranty. A provenance record can document that inspection and the watch's history.
Can a dealer register stock in bulk?
Yes. We help dealers register their stock from a spreadsheet. Contact us to set this up.
Does TIMEVAULT® sell watches?
No. TIMEVAULT® is a record-keeping service. It does not buy, sell or value watches.
Check a watch before you buy
Free, no account needed. A yes-or-no answer, with ownership details never disclosed.
Verify a watch