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eBay now tells you if that luxury watch you want is real

Nearly 7,000 authenticated luxury watches are available on the e-commerce site.

Marrian Zhou Staff Reporter
Marrian Zhou is a Beijing-born Californian living in New York City. She joined CNET as a staff reporter upon graduation from Columbia Journalism School. When Marrian is not reporting, she is probably binge watching, playing saxophone or eating hot pot.
Marrian Zhou
2 min read
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The eBay Authenticate program now includes luxury watches. 

eBay

eBay is starting to authenticate luxury watches to make sure you don't get scammed.

The e-commerce giant on Wednesday said its expanding the eBay Authenticate program to include luxury watches, which will mark the listings with an "Authenticity Verified" label. The service also expanded this month to several European markets, including the UK and Germany.

The authentication program launched last year for luxury handbags. Sellers can send their handbags to specialists who authenticate, photograph, list, sell and ship the items. The "Authenticity Verified" listings have a 100 percent money-back guarantee for buyers.

With scammers roaming virtual marketplaces, authenticating expensive items could help eBay win consumers' trust and branch into the luxury market.

"eBay has the largest selection of luxury goods -- from rare and designer handbags to fine wristwatches -- and we know this community wants an added layer of trust and confidence when buying in these categories," said James Hendy, senior director of eBay Authenticate, in a blog post. "Since launching the eBay Authenticate service in the luxury handbag category, eBay has seen that items with the "Authenticity Verified" label are more likely to sell as similar non-verified inventory." 

Shoppers can now view authenticated watches from over 30 luxury brands, including Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe and more. The watches are verified by third-party specialists. Currently, eBay's authentication program has nearly 7,000 watches available online. The company expects to have roughly 10,000 luxury watches in the coming weeks.

First published on September 5, 9:44 a.m. PT.

Corrections, 11:47 a.m. PT: The "Authenticity Verified" listings now have a 100 percent money-back guarantee for buyers.