Found Rolex on Golf Course, Now What?

[Thainer]

There is absolutely no possibility that the watch is fake. Of that I am sure. It has been opened up and the serial number has been verified.

[Thainer]

[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1415460742' post='10415595']I find it depressing that at your club it's a given it would be stolen. Maybe that entire staff needs to be cleaned out. I always return any item found on the course to my club staff, it doesn't matter how big or how small, and I have never once thought there was any chance the item would be "lifted"[/quote]

It's not my club. It was a club I was playing at. I knew the manager and pro shop staff. We let them know that we found a very expensive piece of jewelry. We left our info. We went and had it checked for serial number and to verify its authenticity.

I work in the golf industry, cart kids, young proshop staff, servers, etc. If I found a Rolex, I will take responsibility to get it back to the owner. I don't trust anyone-club or not-but my inner-circle to do the right thing to get it back.

Leaving it in the hands of someone who may have different morals than me, no chance. I'd feel horrible if I left it at the club, then came across a lost Rolex ad on Craigslist or what have you, only to get the guys hopes up and tell him I found it and turned it in at the pro shop, only for him to show up and have someone tell him that someone already claimed it or that "it was here last week"

Plus there is always a chance that no one comes and claims it, then what? They keep it at the club?

Finding an expensive piece, and doing my damnedest to return it to the rightful owner, if it never gets claimed, I would be semi-comfortable keeping it or selling it. But in today's world, I trust very few people to do the right thing in a case like this. Im thrilled that you have more trust in society than I do. That's special.

[12tamale]

If it had been an expensive golf club, or an iphone it would have been most likely turned in at the pro shop.
But it was an expensive watch, so that's different?

[southpaw72]

[quote name='12tamale' timestamp='1415577384' post='10421429']If it had been an expensive golf club, or an iphone it would have been most likely turned in at the pro shop.
But it was an expensive watch, so that's different?[/quote] I'm pretty sure this Rolex is more valuable than a phone or club. Apples and oranges.....

[Seth Pistol]

usually with lost items reported to the police, if its not claimed after 6 months, i believe legally its yours. i would either wear it for yourself or sell it and donate some of $$$ to charity to pay it forward and do some good will with the newfound windfall of $$$

[Thainer]

[quote name='12tamale' timestamp='1415577384' post='10421429']If it had been an expensive golf club, or an iphone it would have been most likely turned in at the pro shop.
But it was an expensive watch, so that's different?[/quote]lots of people have iPhones and clubs. Yes, this is absolutely different. This is about 30 times different than an iPhone or 1400 times different than a Vokey.

[Marand]

A stainless steel Submariner must go for at least $7,500, if you found a gold one that could be $12,000 easy, maybe much more if solid 18k gold.

[12tamale]

I'm betting 99% of the members at the club I belong to, would have just turned it in.
Not to mention all the people in the pro shop are decent, and would have made sure it was returned to its owner.
If it hadn't been claimed by the rightful owner, I suppose it's yours.
That's how I got a Tag Heuer I still have, no one claimed it, after I turned it in.
We get a lot of corporate events, and sponsor some large tournaments, and people are constantly loosing things.
It's not apples and oranges, it's the same thing.

[12tamale]

[quote name='Thainer' timestamp='1415597374' post='10422751']
[quote name='12tamale' timestamp='1415577384' post='10421429']If it had been an expensive golf club, or an iphone it would have been most likely turned in at the pro shop.
But it was an expensive watch, so that's different?[/quote]lots of people have iPhones and clubs. Yes, this is absolutely different. This is about 30 times different than an iPhone or 1400 times different than a Vokey.
[/quote]
Your math is suspect!

[Thainer]

[quote name='12tamale' timestamp='1415628642' post='10423407'][quote name='Thainer' timestamp='1415597374' post='10422751']
[quote name='12tamale' timestamp='1415577384' post='10421429']If it had been an expensive golf club, or an iphone it would have been most likely turned in at the pro shop.
But it was an expensive watch, so that's different?[/quote]lots of people have iPhones and clubs. Yes, this is absolutely different. This is about 30 times different than an iPhone or 1400 times different than a Vokey.
[/quote]
Your math is suspect![/quote]haha maybe one too many zeros on the 1400. Whoops!

[Thainer]

[quote name='Marand' timestamp='1415598317' post='10422769']A stainless steel Submariner must go for at least $7,500, if you found a gold one that could be $12,000 easy, maybe much more if solid 18k gold.[/quote]yes

[rich_s2]

I am a watch guy and the best way to sell a high end watch is on a high end watch website. There are plenty of them and guys sell watches worth way more than that daily.

[PZero]

Sell it and sit on the money until you retire. If it's a vintage or sought after model year, keep it and watch it appreciate.

[esketores]

Wear it.
Enjoy your find until someone lays claim to it. Its not like you didn't try and find the owner.
If no one ever claims it you have a great story to tell the grandchildren.

[Spicoli]

[quote name='Wriggles' timestamp='1415537130' post='10419359']
The watch is now yours. You did all you could to find its owner. As someone pointed out, insurance money has probably been paid to the guy who lost it. I'd just enjoy wearing it. If it's real, you can relate a good story for years to come.

It's possible it's fake. There's some really good copies out there. I had an accounting client, who had a penchant for trying to pull the wool over people. He had really good stories for everything he sold. He had a profitable antique business and really took in some good stuff. One day, we're chatting and he gives me a story how he bought a Rolex for $500 from someone. He shows it to me, and tells me that he found it was fake after he bought it. I knew it was a fake on first glance, I'm sure he did, too. (I have an older, SS Datejust, bought when they were reasonably priced.) His was a very poor quartz copy of a Submariner, in really beat up condition. I told him to contact the seller, and get his money back. The guy told me, he made the deal, he never backs down on a deal. He then wants to sell it to me for $50. I decline.

Later that month, when I pick up his write up work, I see an entry with proper ID and such. He bought a box of junk watches for $5, including the fake Rolex. Had it listed as the "Rolex lot".

What a character!

Enjoy your watch!
[/quote]

There's a word for characters like that..it's called *****

[Swoosh-Thud]

I'd never wear it. You've done the right thing by trying to keep it for the rightful owner.

Sell it and donate the money to charity. That's the only right thing to do.

Keeping it and calling it your own would speak volumes for your total lack of integrity. Just plain ghetto. You can think of whatever insult you want- low life, scumbag, etc and it would fit.

[RRFireblade]

[quote name='Swoosh-Thud' timestamp='1415979836' post='10446179']
I'd never wear it. You've done the right thing by trying to keep it for the rightful owner.

Sell it and donate the money to charity. That's the only right thing to do.

Keeping it and calling it your own would speak volumes for your total lack of integrity. Just plain ghetto. You can think of whatever insult you want- low life, scumbag, etc and it would fit.
[/quote]

I feel the same when I play a golf ball I found lost the course.

[ERN2428]

[quote name='Swoosh-Thud' timestamp='1415979836' post='10446179']
I'd never wear it. You've done the right thing by trying to keep it for the rightful owner.

Sell it and donate the money to charity. That's the only right thing to do.

Keeping it and calling it your own would speak volumes for your total lack of integrity. Just plain ghetto. You can think of whatever insult you want- low life, scumbag, etc and it would fit.
[/quote]
Not sure if serious....

[Marand]

[quote name='ERN2428' timestamp='1416013023' post='10448979']
[quote name='Swoosh-Thud' timestamp='1415979836' post='10446179']
I'd never wear it. You've done the right thing by trying to keep it for the rightful owner.

Sell it and donate the money to charity. That's the only right thing to do.

Keeping it and calling it your own would speak volumes for your total lack of integrity. Just plain ghetto. You can think of whatever insult you want- low life, scumbag, etc and it would fit.
[/quote]
Not sure if serious....
[/quote]

I wonder what he means by "Just plain ghetto"? And when did finding a lost object and being unable, after considerable effort, to find its owner bring with it a total lack of integrity?

[ERN2428]

[quote name='Marand' timestamp='1416014431' post='10449103']
[quote name='ERN2428' timestamp='1416013023' post='10448979']
[quote name='Swoosh-Thud' timestamp='1415979836' post='10446179']
I'd never wear it. You've done the right thing by trying to keep it for the rightful owner.

Sell it and donate the money to charity. That's the only right thing to do.

Keeping it and calling it your own would speak volumes for your total lack of integrity. Just plain ghetto. You can think of whatever insult you want- low life, scumbag, etc and it would fit.
[/quote]
Not sure if serious....
[/quote]

I wonder what he means by "Just plain ghetto"? And when did finding a lost object and being unable, after considerable effort, to find its owner bring with it a total lack of integrity?
[/quote]
That's what i am saying. The op did everything he could do to find the owner i see no reason why anyone for any reason would look down on him for keeping that watch.

[Marand]

[quote name='ERN2428' timestamp='1416017377' post='10449335']
[quote name='Marand' timestamp='1416014431' post='10449103']
[quote name='ERN2428' timestamp='1416013023' post='10448979']
[quote name='Swoosh-Thud' timestamp='1415979836' post='10446179']
I'd never wear it. You've done the right thing by trying to keep it for the rightful owner.

Sell it and donate the money to charity. That's the only right thing to do.

Keeping it and calling it your own would speak volumes for your total lack of integrity. Just plain ghetto. You can think of whatever insult you want- low life, scumbag, etc and it would fit.
[/quote]
Not sure if serious....
[/quote]

I wonder what he means by "Just plain ghetto"? And when did finding a lost object and being unable, after considerable effort, to find its owner bring with it a total lack of integrity?
[/quote]
That's what i am saying. The op did everything he could do to find the owner i see no reason why anyone for any reason would look down on him for keeping that watch.
[/quote]

Yes

[RJRJRJ]

[quote name='Marand' timestamp='1416018294' post='10449425']
[quote name='ERN2428' timestamp='1416017377' post='10449335']
[quote name='Marand' timestamp='1416014431' post='10449103']
[quote name='ERN2428' timestamp='1416013023' post='10448979']
[quote name='Swoosh-Thud' timestamp='1415979836' post='10446179']
I'd never wear it. You've done the right thing by trying to keep it for the rightful owner.

Sell it and donate the money to charity. That's the only right thing to do.

Keeping it and calling it your own would speak volumes for your total lack of integrity. Just plain ghetto. You can think of whatever insult you want- low life, scumbag, etc and it would fit.
[/quote]
Not sure if serious....
[/quote]

I wonder what he means by "Just plain ghetto"? And when did finding a lost object and being unable, after considerable effort, to find its owner bring with it a total lack of integrity?
[/quote]
That's what i am saying. The op did everything he could do to find the owner i see no reason why anyone for any reason would look down on him for keeping that watch.
[/quote]

Yes
[/quote]

Lets cross out fingers and hope we never find anything nice. Would hate to have that black cloud over my head for the rest of my life.

[ERN2428]

Lol

[Thrillhouse]

Lol this thread went off the rails!

FWIW the OP seems like a pretty moral guy to me, just saying.

[Thainer]

[quote name='Thrillhouse' timestamp='1416031211' post='10450215']Lol this thread went off the rails!

FWIW the OP seems like a pretty moral guy to me, just saying.[/quote]thanks!!


Wow did this thread ever get sideways. Thanks to the people who gave me the benefit of the doubt and F the people who don't play lost golf balls lol

[Bonneville85308]

[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1415460742' post='10415595']
I find it depressing that at your club it's a given it would be stolen. Maybe that entire staff needs to be cleaned out. I always return any item found on the course to my club staff, it doesn't matter how big or how small, and I have never once thought there was any chance the item would be "lifted"
[/quote]

It's very dishonest but it happens. A former assistant pro at a club I play at would take home any golf club or other item of value (headcovers, sunglasses, etc.) from the lost and found bin that sat there for more than a couple of days, and put them on ebay. He eventually got canned in part for that and pocketing petty cash from guest fees in the shop.

[6thFairway]

[quote name='Thainer' timestamp='1415548582' post='10419865']
[quote name='highdraw69' timestamp='1415460742' post='10415595']I find it depressing that at your club it's a given it would be stolen. Maybe that entire staff needs to be cleaned out. I always return any item found on the course to my club staff, it doesn't matter how big or how small, and I have never once thought there was any chance the item would be "lifted"[/quote]

It's not my club. It was a club I was playing at. I knew the manager and pro shop staff. We let them know that we found a very expensive piece of jewelry. We left our info. We went and had it checked for serial number and to verify its authenticity.

I work in the golf industry, cart kids, young proshop staff, servers, etc. If I found a Rolex, I will take responsibility to get it back to the owner. I don't trust anyone-club or not-but my inner-circle to do the right thing to get it back.

Leaving it in the hands of someone who may have different morals than me, no chance. I'd feel horrible if I left it at the club, then came across a lost Rolex ad on Craigslist or what have you, only to get the guys hopes up and tell him I found it and turned it in at the pro shop, only for him to show up and have someone tell him that someone already claimed it or that "it was here last week"

Plus there is always a chance that no one comes and claims it, then what? They keep it at the club?

Finding an expensive piece, and doing my damnedest to return it to the rightful owner, if it never gets claimed, I would be semi-comfortable keeping it or selling it. But in today's world, I trust very few people to do the right thing in a case like this. Im thrilled that you have more trust in society than I do. That's special.
[/quote]

I think that is 100% the correct approach. Keep possession of the watch and tell the club to contact you if someone is looking for it. Notify the police, etc. Maybe put an ad in the club newsletter saying an expensive item was found (make someone describe it in detail to claim it.) Wait a period of time- six months or a year- and then it's yours.

If no one claims it after your very serious attempts to find the owner, I really very very strongly disagree with anyone who would call you a low-life for keeping it and wearing it. And I've come from the most stable foundations of integrity ever.

[3eagles18]

[color=#000000]Approximately 20 states have enacted laws governing the disposition of lost property as distinguished from abandoned or unclaimed property. If you post a reply with your state of domicile I'll do the research for you. Typically, there is a procedure to serve notice by publication. If the true owner comes forward it's his. If not, it's yours. In any event, be sure to keep a chronicle of events in the event the owner calls the club to make a claim. [/color]

[mshills]

[quote name='somaplr' timestamp='1415547428' post='10419775']
[quote name='Wriggles' timestamp='1415537130' post='10419359']The watch is now yours. You did all you could to find its owner. As someone pointed out, insurance money has probably been paid to the guy who lost it. I'd just enjoy wearing it. If it's real, you can relate a good story for years to come.

It's possible it's fake. There's some really good copies out there. I had an accounting client, who had a penchant for trying to pull the wool over people. He had really good stories for everything he sold. He had a profitable antique business and really took in some good stuff. One day, we're chatting and he gives me a story how he bought a Rolex for $500 from someone. He shows it to me, and tells me that he found it was fake after he bought it. I knew it was a fake on first glance, I'm sure he did, too. (I have an older, SS Datejust, bought when they were reasonably priced.) His was a very poor quartz copy of a Submariner, in really beat up condition. I told him to contact the seller, and get his money back. The guy told me, he made the deal, he never backs down on a deal. He then wants to sell it to me for $50. I decline.

Later that month, when I pick up his write up work, I see an entry with proper ID and such. He bought a box of junk watches for $5, including the fake Rolex. Had it listed as the "Rolex lot".

What a character!

Enjoy your watch![/quote]

You are correct there are some very very very good fakes these days. Most really good Rolex fakes will even have the same copied ETA SWISS auto movement inside of it. Some of the fakes are so good that the only way to tell is to stare at the second hand for a few minutes to tell if it jumps.
[/quote]

Even if you do that, there are fakes out there now that will fool you. There are so many, and they are so good, that I'd only purchase from an AD now.

Fake golf equipment is NOTHING compared to fugazi watches. It's quite depressing.

[theboypinoy]

[quote name='mshills' timestamp='1417911476' post='10554309'][quote name='somaplr' timestamp='1415547428' post='10419775']
[quote name='Wriggles' timestamp='1415537130' post='10419359']The watch is now yours. You did all you could to find its owner. As someone pointed out, insurance money has probably been paid to the guy who lost it. I'd just enjoy wearing it. If it's real, you can relate a good story for years to come.

It's possible it's fake. There's some really good copies out there. I had an accounting client, who had a penchant for trying to pull the wool over people. He had really good stories for everything he sold. He had a profitable antique business and really took in some good stuff. One day, we're chatting and he gives me a story how he bought a Rolex for $500 from someone. He shows it to me, and tells me that he found it was fake after he bought it. I knew it was a fake on first glance, I'm sure he did, too. (I have an older, SS Datejust, bought when they were reasonably priced.) His was a very poor quartz copy of a Submariner, in really beat up condition. I told him to contact the seller, and get his money back. The guy told me, he made the deal, he never backs down on a deal. He then wants to sell it to me for $50. I decline.

Later that month, when I pick up his write up work, I see an entry with proper ID and such. He bought a box of junk watches for $5, including the fake Rolex. Had it listed as the "Rolex lot".

What a character!

Enjoy your watch![/quote]

You are correct there are some very very very good fakes these days. Most really good Rolex fakes will even have the same copied ETA SWISS auto movement inside of it. Some of the fakes are so good that the only way to tell is to stare at the second hand for a few minutes to tell if it jumps.
[/quote]

Even if you do that, there are fakes out there now that will fool you. There are so many, and they are so good, that I'd only purchase from an AD now.

Fake golf equipment is NOTHING compared to fugazi watches. It's quite depressing.[/quote]

Yeah. There are forums like this dedicated to replica watches