The Process
Independently authenticated before delivery.
Every watch is checked by a certified watchmaker — an independent specialist, not Caveau. A piece that doesn’t pass is returned and you’re refunded in full.
The inspection
Five checks, one independent bench.
What an independent watchmaker checks before a piece reaches you.
Reference comparison
Case, dial, hands, and bracelet are compared against manufacturer reference material for the exact model and year.
Serial check
Serial and reference engravings are read for depth, font, and consistency — where a married watch gives itself away.
Lost-and-stolen database
The serial is run against a global lost-and-stolen database, so a clouded history is caught before money moves.
Movement, case & dial
The caseback comes off. The movement is confirmed correct; case and dial inspected for originality and prior service.
Certified — or returned
A piece that passes is certified and released. One that doesn’t goes back, your escrow refunded in full.
An independent specialist
The bench isn’t ours. That’s the point.
A marketplace that grades its own inventory is grading its own homework. Independence is what makes the seal mean something.
We name the partner generically in preview; in a live order the certifying specialist is named on your certificate.
What you receive
The certificate.
A piece that passes is issued a tamper-evident certificate — its number, the reference, a verification link.
Certificate of Authentication
Caveau
This certifies the piece
Rolex Explorer 36
Reference 124270
Inspected against reference, serial, and a global lost-and-stolen database by an independent watchmaker, then certified — independently authenticated before delivery and protected by escrow.
Certificate no.
CAV-2026-0488
Issued
June 4, 2026
Specialist
Independent watchmaker
Reading the seal
What each badge means.
One badge, four honest states. The word is always on the seal.
- Passed inspection by our independent watchmaker partner and certified before delivery.
- Curated onto the house shelf by Caveau; independent certification follows on sale.
- Escrowed and en route to the watchmaker; the seal updates on pass.
- Below our independent-authentication threshold. Shown plainly, never dressed up as verified.
Independently authenticated before delivery by a certified specialist, and protected by escrow.