Ebay launches authenticity guarantee for pre-owned watches 

My Nguyen

1 hour ago

Ebay Australia has launched its Authenticity Guarantee program for eligible pre-owned watches, introducing physical expert inspection for items sold on its marketplace and via Ebay Live.

The verification service is designed to address consumer hesitation around purchasing pre-owned luxury goods online. 

Recent research commissioned by Ebay Australia found that 53 per cent of Australians hesitate to buy pre-owned luxury items online due to fear of counterfeit products, while 40 per cent lack confidence in identifying counterfeits without expert assistance. 

In addition, 67 per cent of respondents were unaware that genuine pre-owned watches might contain non-original or replacement internal components.

Under the new process, eligible watches are routed to an authentication facility before reaching the purchaser. Specialists physically inspect key attributes, including the dial, case, movement, bezel, bracelet, and serial numbers, and verify them against the seller’s listing. 

After passing inspection, the watch receives a digital authenticity card before shipping to the buyer.

The service is included at no extra cost for eligible watches priced at $2500 and above.

For select eligible watches priced between $1000 and $2500, buyers can add the verification service at checkout for $100.

Lauren Baker, authentication operations manager for Australia and Japan, explained that physical authentication provides buyers with added confidence by ensuring high-value timepieces undergo thorough expert inspection before delivery.

“We’re seeing that appetite play out on Ebay, where ‘Vintage Watch’ was our most searched watch term over the past year,” said Alastair Low, country manager at Ebay Live Australia. “Authenticity Guarantee gives buyers greater confidence when shopping eligible watches, while Ebay Live adds another way to discover pieces, see them up close and engage with sellers in real time.”