Even though I have been collecting for years and years, and have masked certain serial numbers of my watches in the past, I also have not encountered any negative incidents when sharing serial numbers.

I guess I have been masking nrs. because 'everyone' is masking nrs.

I am curious if there are any real examples of reasons why to mask/hide the nrs?

 

Beacause watches get cloned. One such example is a mil SM300 which appeared in a Japanese book and next thing dozens of fakes and Frankens appeared wearing the same markings. I was offered one. This can have a negative impact on the value of original since when people google the number they get info that it relates to fakes, or they get multiple hits which amounts to the same thing. You don’t want to be holding the original when a slew of good fakes appear wearing the same number.

 

Plenty of threads on it. Some do some don't.

Never bothered myself

 

Wrong on both, try again

 

Yep realised after a second look ok and gave up lol

 

Both seamasters.....?

 

Yep sussed that eventually. 861 SM chrono but the second foxed me. Has the curved horn look of the 2852 but not chrono certed so I settled on SM. Which one I have no idea.

 

First one


Here is a hint for the second

 

I don’t think I will get the second. Clearly a very nice 501 or 505 movement late 50s SM (1959?) but that is not my area of expertise. I have a lovely 2577 but not one of those!

 

2989

https://omegaforums.net/threads/wth-is-this.1037/

 

Bravo!

 

Overthinking IMO.
If you can't recognize a fake, avoid buying certain watches.

 

This is why most people do it. There really is no logical reason - a faker can simply pick numbers out of the air so they don't need to copy one from someone's picture.

 

In One way I can understand that people don't want to show serial number or LE number but for me when I buy a new watch then I prefer to see it all before I buy it. Eg was offered a snoopy, all looked good and then when I requested the LE number it stated 0000/1979, which resulted I that I realized it was a fake.

I actually would like to see that there was a register of the LE# and even which country, just fun to see where the watches are located and also be able to see if there is dublicate..

Just my thoughts.

 

How is this even a question hahah

It really should be the default position when posting personal watches online. Protection against identity theft and counterfeiters of course

 

Should you be using Social Media because someone has your IP address now let alone your metadata

 

Haha I understand your point. I am guessing people do that because it creates a sense of ownership: much like the same logic as to why people do watermark their personal photography.

 

A lot of people on eBay won’t show their license plates when selling cars, for a similar reason. On the other hand, all the high end coins on eBay, registered and sealed by coin grading services like NGC or PCGS, show their complete registration numbers.

 

Curious how someone could possibly steal your identity (i.e. get official ID, credit cards, etc.) using the serial number of a watch...