Curious what happens if you win a watch in an auction that turns out to be a franken or other non-original piece? Do most auction houses give you your money back or are you generally SOL? I've read the fine print and usually there are an awful lot of disclaimers but often this specific question is not addressed.

 

My experience tells me, that most auction houses take the watches back if it is a franken AND if the auction is online. But if you have been physical present at the auction house and you have seen the watch physical before the bidding then there is no return.

 

Boils down to the actual issue with the watch and which auction house. In vast majority of cases there is no return

 

Conditions of the sale will give you the answer. Most auctions do have a 'if not up to description' clause (but not all!!).

 

Most general auction houses have a specific disclaimer about watches and in particular regarding the originality of parts - so ‘franken’ watches are not their liability.
They also usually state that the watch is available for inspection - it is up to the potential buyer to do so.
Fake watches, if described as authentic, are generally returnable.

Here are the T&Cs for a major watch auction house.

 

Uh oh, you didn't just buy an 'Ultraman,' did you?

 

If the watch is NOT what the catalogue entry says it is, a true fake or way different than the description says it is, the auction house will usually take it back. It is a grey area, though, because the auction houses tell you to do your own due diligence. The buyer better count on owning that watch once the hammer comes down.

 

does anyone offer "auction bidder" insurance for this type of thing?