Chrono24 - Why You Should Reverse Image Search A Listing or Another Sketch Ball Seller Tale

Take Aways:
[Edit - OF doesn't seem to set up for nice ordinal and nested bulleted lists and I'm not messing with BB code, you can read this in a nicer format on WUS or CWC].

1. I must preface this by stating that: Yes, I got the 57GS that was listed and in the represented condition it.
   1. I am thankful for this because of the Chrono24 horror stories that abound, including a recent horror story on another forum where Chrono24 has left a buyer twisting in the wind.
      1. I also don't care if someone is repairing and fixing and selling watches from Country X - Just fully disclose this in the listing and don't hide behind sketchy tactics and BS.
      2. Remember to "Trust but Verify".
2. I'm writing this because it'd sure be nice if Chrono24:
   1. Did something about sketch ball sellers who are misrepresenting where they (or the watch) are located (again, see the recent horror stories).
   2. Added private seller feedback. The lack of this is a major trust gap the on Chrono24 platform.
3. Reverse image search any listing photo shown on Chrono24 (or hell, anywhere else) to see where else the watch may be listed.
   1. BEFORE you make a purchase commitment.

The Bulleted Summary:

1. I make a deal for a 57GS with a United States-based "private seller" who claims the watch was serviced in the past year.
   1. I can see the watch as a couple condition issues that tell me "serviced but not by someone who cares deeply" (bezel clocked incorrectly).
      1. Chrono24 listing shows me a 5722-9990 with serial 5601277 and 5722A movement serial 521659.
2. Seller takes 6 days after payment and 2 days after actually shipping to upload tracking info.
   1. Tracking info shows package originates in Vietnam.
3. My "this is a ****ing scam" alert goes off.
   1. Seller feeds me lines of BS about why watch is shipping from Vietnam
   2. "Oh, I'm traveling and have watch with me" - ing ****.
4. I reach out to Chrono24, who respond:
   1. shrug "This private seller has been on the plattform for two years and so far we did not receive complaints about the authenticity of his items" and let us know if there are issues when you get it shrug
5. Watch arrives in condition stated (whef) and some interneting based on the watchband markings and serial # leads me to the listing on Long's Fine Watches for the watch (same SNs and some of the same photos from Chrono24).
   1. Listing on Long's, a Vietnam based watch seller.
      1. Shipper is listed as "GIFTVALUE COMPANY LIMITED" in Hanoi....oh look not a private seller based in the United States.
      2. Watch goes on the timegrapher and the performance is better than advertised.
      3. I blow the watch apart, clean the case, chip out the solid gasket, restore the "newish" crystal, remove the plastic from the chapter ring, properly install the bezel.
6. Seller is either:
   1. A front for an established dealer (Long's Fine Watches); OR
      1. Purchasing/having someone purchase a watch from Long's when they make a sale on C24 and shipping for them.
      2. No, I can't out them because C24 doesn't tell me who they are.
         1. The inability to leave private seller feedback on Chrono24 is a major gap in that platform.
7. I love the watch but the Chrono24 purchase experience sucked.
   1. I've sent comments to Chrono24 with the forgoing info and listing link. If a response is received, I'll update.
8. Wish I could have bought this on OF or CWC!

Post clean up:

The Longer Story With Photos
I wanted a 57GS and ended up monitoring Chrono24 for the model I wanted (Chronometer dial and movement, so likely a 5722-9990). With these watches, the dial and case condition (did some idiot machine polish it?) can make or break it. Sifting through the listings. there were also a few watches where the pieces don't add up. Lots of these middling to "OK" condition 57GS available from Japanese dealers, but I wanted "better than OK". I find a decent example at a decent price from a US-based "private" seller and sit on it. I've sold a few watches on C24 and a motivated private seller will drop prices every now and again and you'll get a price alarm.

We agree to a good price, and on Dec 23 I pay into the escrow service and wait. Expecting that a private seller is busy over the holidays and won't get the watch shipped right away (but hoping they take the time to generate a label and update tracking info). I didn't save the Chrono24 listing and photos (I should have) in full.


On Dec 29 (6 days) the C24 order updates with tracking info showing that watch shipped out of Vietnam. I am not pleased about this due to the high probability of a scam or a frakenwatch. Tracking shows VN-SK-AK-KY (and some weirdness that I'll blame on UPS). I reach out to both seller and Chrono24. Seller feeds me line of ****ing BS about traveling, Chrono24 says "shrug". Tracking also shows that the label was created and package dropped for shipment on Dec 27, 2 days before the seller uploaded the tracking info. My guess is this helps hide the origin right away.

Package arrives on Dec 30 and I do the usual video of unboxing. Watch is the same watch pictured and runs. Relief. Put it on the timegrapher etc.... and then blow apart to clean. The crystal's chapter ring/rehaut was installed with protective plastic on it and the crystal needed some fine grit sandpaper and Polywatch. Dial gets some dirt removed with Rodico.

I also start searching the name "Longs Fine Watches" that appears on watchband. And lo-and-****ing-behold here it is on their site, same SN and movement SN and many of the photos are the same watch and as used on Chrono24 (but not all of them). Look how disgusting and dirty that timegrapher area is!


Seller starts asking me about "did you get?" because they want the funds and feeds me more "sorry I didn't mention this Vietnam thing" BS.

But hey, I feel lucky relative to others with Chrono24 horror stories. I got the watch I bargained for a good price and it has cleaned up nicely:


Thanks for reading and remember to "Trust but Verify".

Thank you for sharing this story. Glad you received the watch you wanted. I have bought more than a dozen watches directly from Long in Vietnam, directly through IG. All of them were as described and delivered promptly without issue. It may be worth messaging him and asking for comment. I think he sells mostly off his website now.
I have had nothing but positive experiences buying from Long. I have also bought from 2 other sellers on IG in Vietnam with good results.
I think there has been a lot of hacked IG selling accounts in SE Asia but don't know details.

TLDR, but glad it worked out ok in the end.

Checked out Long's site. Painfully slow at times. Needs someone to help with some pic upkeep. Other than that, pricing looks ok. Some interesting watches. Nothing exotic.

That's good hear, leading me to think that the C24 seller was a 3rd party who bought it from Long's when they made the sale to me.

That’s a really nice watch, and helpful advice for when buying a watch from anywhere, whether it be C24 or elsewhere. Enjoy it!

Read the post.

The response from C24 is can be restated as "we're glad we got paid because there wasn't a dispute and here's something to mollify your concerns"

The full response:
"thank you for your message.

We are happy that you received the item in good order.

We will montior the sellers activities.

Best regards,

Your Chrono24 Team"

I think it is a combo of location and low cost skilled labiur
Seller representing that they and the watch are in the US.

Seller not disclosing that they, in fact, need to purchase the watch from a dealer in Vietnam and ship from there.

This is a PSA to others dealing with C24 to reverse image search and ask private sellers to provide their bona fides.

C24 does not provide for reviews of private sellers, a key gap in that platform.

Shipping was not an issue.

In ancient times (pre-2025), I’m not sure I would have cared too much about where the shipment originated.

However, in today’s bizzaro world, where all shipments from outside the U.S. are subject to some sort of tariff, I don’t think I can be as forgiving regarding shipping from outside the country.

I’m going to assume that in this case, the seller ate the tariffs and any other import costs out of their end of the deal. But not all sellers are going to be honest or knowledgeable on how to deal with these relatively new charges. Hiding information is not a good way to do business and I’m surprised that Chrono24 allows it.

This looks like a recipe for trouble, and I’ll choose to stay away.
gatorcpa

Yeap. That's another concern.

In this case, I'm not in the US BUT I pay sales tax (and courier brokerage fees) on the goods.

It is always a concern when a seller isn't honest because any continued dishonesty on a customs form will cause issues and imperil a shipment, if screened.

I won't comment on this shipment, other to say the dishonesty exhibited by the seller was consistent.