Horology House / Chris Essery - Scam

Bill Sohne · Feb 2, 2020

Ssunnylee24
So many acting kind, blind souls.

Hi @Ssunnylee24

The more I think about it.... Best thing to do is create a website and document it and make sure it stay LIVE and current !

Anytime anyone googles his name it will come up with his old videos that people already saved... the whatsup txts logs... etc...

and as others postulated... if it is more the a single person... keep digging... posting... etc..

But no good will come from piling up and name calling... waste of energy and time.... make the website instead and reach out to any and all authorities... but the more information that can be gathered and the more cases that can be documented will make the difference...

Good Hunting
Bill Sohne

JwRosenthal · Feb 2, 2020

Agree with Bill-be careful about mob rule, it can escalate quickly and innocent people can get caught in the crossfire. We had a similar situation here not long ago with an ex-member who swindled a few of our own (and who knows how many others) and those involved handled it with grace, perseverance and determination while operating within the law. But there were a lot of fellow members offering to throw bricks through windows or ‘pay a visit” to the swindler.
When we lose our civility, we lose our humanity. As our friends in the south say- C’mupins is a bitch.

redpcar · Feb 2, 2020

After reading all the transcripts and complaints it's easy to see that Chris Essery is a pathological liar. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Spiraling deeper and deeper down. I think his only way out was to get caught. Best thing for him. Own up to the crimes and get some help.

Burr · Feb 2, 2020

This situation reminds me somewhat of what happened in the documentary Sour Grapes to the vintage wine community/enthusiasts - worth a read to see how those impacted by that scammer handled it, interesting perspectives

tritto · Feb 2, 2020

I've been following this one since it first popped up (and initially got shut down) on a couple of Australian Facebook forums. I was never comfortable with Chris' practice of shutting down any criticism of his practices and banning members for the slightest infraction of his rules.
In the various accounts of his victims (reputedly at least seven have come forward) he comes across as a pathological liar. He may have started out legit (he initially had a cosy relationship with an AD that allowed him to source hard to get Rolex and then flip them at a 100% mark up), but that relationship ended when the AD realised what he was up to - Chris went on a massive rant about AD spies on his FB forum. The practice of taking up front payment and then delaying repayment by any means possible screams of someone trying to juggle money to cover debts. There are some rumours floating of serious gambling debts, which doesn't seem unlikely given his behaviour.
In my mind, he deserves everything he gets - some of his victims won't see their money again.
Kudos to TRF for allowing the thread to run, but in typical TRF style, it's a bit of a slanging match. I find Omega forums and my Seiko forums to be a lot more courteous than TRF.

base615 · Feb 2, 2020

Burr
This situation reminds me somewhat of what happened in the documentary Sour Grapes to the vintage wine community/enthusiasts - worth a read to see how those impacted by that scammer handled it, interesting perspectives

Very similar

CaptainWinsor · Feb 2, 2020

I’m not a Rolex person and don’t know the parties involved. That said, I believe people like him deserve what he gets. I also believe that it’s unjust to deprive someone of their livelihood, as people have informed his employer. Like Michael Vick, who many wanted to have banned from football, I supported his playing in that he would then be able to work, live and pay restitution. Which he did. He’s still a total D Bag IMO

oinkitt · Feb 3, 2020

janice&fred
I agree and I wouldn't have suspected anything nefarious about the guy as well. Despite the old saying we were taught as kids "don't judge a book by it's cover", I still rely on appearances when meeting someone although I must admit most of the time my initial reactions are wrong.

However this guy's spectacular downfall reminds me of that well-respected-but-eventual-scammer Steve Mulholland. Steve was practically the word of God on forums and watch meetups for years. Online we never really saw eye-to-eye but no biggie. We were tolerant of each other. Then came a chance opportunity to meet him in person. We were visiting my wife's parents up in Benedict Canyon and Steve posted that he was also in L.A. for a brief visit. We PM'ed him and made arrangements to meet down on Sunset for coffee and chat. He was wearing a very loose unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt and my wife remarked that he had a lot of ink. Since she has a couple tatts herself he showed his off and I spotted a swastika. I kept my cool but knew at that point and despite all the glowing reports and gushing followers on TRF and elsewhere the guy was scum. A couple years later the shit hit the fan. To me it was obvious with Steve but with this Aussie guy I would have fell for his line of shit easily. Guess it's 50/50 when it comes to judging a book by it's cover.

Steve was a cluster fυck..... it was always going to end the way it did.

Evose · Feb 3, 2020

janice&fred
I agree and I wouldn't have suspected anything nefarious about the guy as well. Despite the old saying we were taught as kids "don't judge a book by it's cover", I still rely on appearances when meeting someone although I must admit most of the time my initial reactions are wrong.

However this guy's spectacular downfall reminds me of that well-respected-but-eventual-scammer Steve Mulholland. Steve was practically the word of God on forums and watch meetups for years. Online we never really saw eye-to-eye but no biggie. We were tolerant of each other. Then came a chance opportunity to meet him in person. We were visiting my wife's parents up in Benedict Canyon and Steve posted that he was also in L.A. for a brief visit. We PM'ed him and made arrangements to meet down on Sunset for coffee and chat. He was wearing a very loose unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt and my wife remarked that he had a lot of ink. Since she has a couple tatts herself he showed his off and I spotted a swastika. I kept my cool but knew at that point and despite all the glowing reports and gushing followers on TRF and elsewhere the guy was scum. A couple years later the shit hit the fan. To me it was obvious with Steve but with this Aussie guy I would have fell for his line of shit easily. Guess it's 50/50 when it comes to judging a book by it's cover.

Probably the saddest thing in all this. Chris had a loyal following, not of blind sheep, but of passionate enthusiasts that mutually respected and admired the hobby. He reached many people. Nearly 70k subscribers isn’t a small number. Sucks that he let so many people down. Makes me wonder if buying online is ever worth the risk.

Njnjcfp88 · Feb 3, 2020

CaptainWinsor
I’m not a Rolex person and don’t know the parties involved. That said, I believe people like him deserve what he gets. I also believe that it’s unjust to deprive someone of their livelihood, as people have informed his employer. Like Michael Vick, who many wanted to have banned from football, I supported his playing in that he would then be able to work, live and pay restitution. Which he did. He’s still a total D Bag IMO

i don’t have any “skin in this game “ nor know of the parties involved .... yet, I have zero sympathy for this gentleman....He abused his position and deserves a full and complete reckoning of his alleged crimes - granted full process of course. Regarding the aspect of this unfolding story of his employer being notified ... Let them be notified !!! In my business , financial advisory - Any ALLEGED personal crime above a misdemeanor- is to be self reported my ME to my OSJ ( office of supervisory jurisdiction) and Compliance Dept ASAP..
.... Why? Because I’m a fiduciary...because I’m supposed to do the right thing. ... while not condoning any sort of mob rule , nor consenting to threats - he does possibly represent a threat to his employer and they should be notified as to his “outside business” ... hopefully he wasn’t up to any malfeasance there as well.

STANDY · Feb 3, 2020

Njnjcfp88
i don’t have any “skin in this game “ nor know of the parties involved .... yet, I have zero sympathy for this gentleman....He abused his position and deserves a full and complete reckoning of his alleged crimes - granted full process of course. Regarding the aspect of this unfolding story of his employer being notified ... Let them be notified !!! In my business , financial advisory - Any ALLEGED personal crime above a misdemeanor- is to be self reported my ME to my OSJ ( office of supervisory jurisdiction) and Compliance Dept ASAP..
.... Why? Because I’m a fiduciary...because I’m supposed to do the right thing. ... while not condoning any sort of mob rule , nor consenting to threats - he does possibly represent a threat to his employer and they should be notified as to his “outside business” ... hopefully he wasn’t up to any malfeasance there as well.

Rumour has it his occupation was one of the white lies, as he hadn’t worked for several years at the place he claimed in most of his correspondence to have worked.
LinkedIn Profile was also falsified to show his trustworthiness.

queriver · Feb 3, 2020

STANDY
Rumour has it his occupation was one of the white lies, as he hadn’t worked for several years at the place he claimed in most of his correspondence to have worked.
LinkedIn Profile was also falsified to show his trustworthiness.

Looks like he deleted his Linkedin entry but I suspected he would and took screen shots yesterday. PM me if needed.

nzshadow · Feb 3, 2020

I really enjoyed his youtube channel. What a damn shame.

140dave · Feb 3, 2020

Wow. I would assume most of his social media platforms will disappear if not already.

The AD’s must kinda love this and the super fakes out there, does nothing but drive business back to them. Some tongue in cheek intended, no one likes a brand to have an image issue.

janice&fred · Feb 3, 2020

tritto
I was never comfortable with Chris' practice of shutting down any criticism of his practices and banning members for the slightest infraction of his rules.

in some circumstances power is a very corrupting force. I would guess this guy didn't go bad by design, but a culmination of circumstances fueled by a false sense of infallibility led to this eventual mess he got himself into. I also agree with Bill that restraint should be exercised in handling this ongoing drama. There's no use in the virtue-signaling piling on of non-involved parties with declarations of "he should get what he deserves" or making things worse for those innocents close to him. The wheels are already in motion for his comeuppance. Just let it happen.

STANDY · Feb 3, 2020

https://www.bosshunting.com.au/gear/chris-essery-accused-of-scamming-buyers

Riviera Paradise · Feb 3, 2020

From what I have seen on online videos and here on the OF, the quality of high end luxury watch replicas (Rolex and Omega), including almost exact movement replicas will probably drive many to purchase only from well established commercial channels. Watchbox, Watchfinder, Hodinkee etc. were probably smiling when this story broke across the WIS forum space. As soon as some of the major brands start to offer trade-in and certified preowned I think many will prefer to do business with them directly.

I was a fan of the Horology House channel, his content was really good. I am truly shocked, I would have certainly considered Chris to be a trustworthy dealer based on his online persona. Madoff managed to run a pyramid scam conning intelligent and successful people, so it goes to show how you should always approach any transaction with a high level of distrust before committing.

I have never purchased a watch online. I can only imagine how many trustworthy/honest sellers here on the OF are pissed off with what Chris has done, as it will probably scare off potential customers and impact their business.

Mad Cow · Feb 3, 2020

We love some good scandal in our little watch world don't we?

Has happen before, will happen again. Something never changes, so expect it and watch your own back.

JwRosenthal · Feb 3, 2020

My local AD carries used Rolex on the regular- had 2 5- digit subs (date & no date) and one of the newer wide-load models, not to mention a 1675, Tudor Snowflake and a full case of other goodies- all very fairly priced (about 15-20% more than I see them listed here and they do negotiate). I know not everyone is lucky enough to have dealers locally that specialize in used high dollar watches, but threads like this make me realize it’s worth paying the premium to a trusted brick & mortar when one is available.

Lazy_Lightning · Feb 3, 2020

JwRosenthal
My local AD carries used Rolex on the regular- had 2 5- digit subs (date & no date) and one of the newer wide-load models, not to mention a 1675, Tudor Snowflake and a full case of other goodies- all very fairly priced (about 15-20% more than I see them listed here and they do negotiate). I know not everyone is lucky enough to have dealers locally that specialize in used high dollar watches, but threads like this make me realize it’s worth paying the premium to a trusted brick & mortar when one is available.

While buying from an AD is safe, you still have to be pretty knowledgeable. As an example, Tourneau “restores” Rolex watches to factory specs for their certified pre-owned. So if you’re buying a watch that came with tritium dial/hands from them, they’ve been swapped to Luminova to align with current Rolex standards.

Horology House / Chris Essery - Scam

Bill Sohne

JwRosenthal

redpcar

Burr

tritto

base615

CaptainWinsor

oinkitt

Evose

Njnjcfp88

STANDY

queriver

nzshadow

140dave

janice&fred

STANDY

Riviera Paradise

Mad Cow

JwRosenthal

Lazy_Lightning

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