San Francisco / Watch Authentication & Appraisal
Watch authentication and appraisal specialists in San Francisco. Ask whether they open the case and inspect the movement, since an outside-only check misses the best fakes.
Our guide to choosing a shop →We list 11 authentication specialists in San Francisco, CA, with an average customer rating of 4.7. Between them they cover Vintage (all brands), Rolex, Omega and Patek Philippe.

Showplace Square, San Francisco, CA
exotic & classic service in San Francisco

Showplace Square, San Francisco, CA
Upmarket reseller specializing in pre-owned high-end designer watches, plus repair services.

Union Street, San Francisco, CA
exotic & classic service in San Francisco

Tenderloin, San Francisco, CA
Cozy spot for vintage & high-end timepieces, plus restoration & repair services for luxe items.

Union Square, San Francisco, CA
Established shop features fine antique & estate jewelry from all periods in an intimate setting.

Pacific Heights, San Francisco, CA
Antique shop specializing in estate jewelry, plus European & Asian decor, porcelain & silver.

Union Square, San Francisco, CA
exotic & classic service in San Francisco

Mid-Market, San Francisco, CA
High-end boutique near the U.S. Mint known for fine gems, vintage & antique jewelry since 1912.

Little Russia, San Francisco, CA
Antique jewelry, timepieces & artwork featured at a retail shop that also buys & offers repairs.

Union Square, San Francisco, CA
exotic & classic service in San Francisco

Union Square, San Francisco, CA
Vintage restoration in San Francisco
We list 11 authentication specialists in San Francisco, CA. Each one is listed for authentication work specifically, not just general repair.
By customer rating (shops with at least 10 reviews), Arev & Co. at 5.0 from 57 reviews, Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry at 4.9 from 554 reviews and A&E Watches at 4.9 from 206 reviews lead the San Francisco list.
Listings here cover Vintage (all brands), Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. Vintage (all brands) has the most, with 11 shops.
They're spread across Showplace Square, Union Street, Tenderloin, Union Square, Pacific Heights and Mid-Market. Open a listing for the address, hours and directions.
Take it to an independent authenticator or watchmaker who will open the case and inspect the movement, then compare serial and reference numbers and check each part for originality. Ask for a written report with photos.
Obvious fakes show poor printing, a cheap bracelet or a price that's too good. The best counterfeits only reveal themselves inside, so for any watch of real value, pay for a professional authentication before you buy.
An insurance appraisal estimates what it would cost to replace the watch at retail today, which is often higher. Fair market value is what a buyer would actually pay and is the figure used for sales and estates.