Use this guide to understand listings, ask better questions, and follow conversations in watch groups. Slang varies between groups, so always confirm exactly what a seller means.
Buying, selling and chat shorthand
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FS / WTS | For sale / Want to sell. |
| WTB | Want to buy. |
| WTT | Want to trade. |
| FSOT | For sale or trade. |
| ISO | In search of a particular watch. |
| LF | Looking for. |
| Trade up / Trade down | Trading toward a more expensive or less expensive watch, usually with cash added by one party. |
| TV | Trade value—the value assigned to a watch in a proposed trade. |
| SV | Sale value—the requested cash price. |
| OBO | Or best offer. |
| ONO | Or nearest offer. |
| Firm / FIRM | The seller says the price is not negotiable. |
| NFS | Not for sale. |
| POA / POR | Price on application / Price on request. Ask privately for the price. |
| Head only | The watch without its bracelet or strap. Confirm whether any accessories are included. |
| Watch only / Naked | Usually no box or original papers. Confirm the bracelet, links and other inclusions. |
| Bump / TTT | Bringing a listing back to the top of the group. TTT means “to the top.” |
| PM / DM | Private message / Direct message. |
| Interested / Following | Someone wants updates; this does not necessarily mean they are buying. |
| Dibs | A request for first chance to buy. It does not automatically reserve the watch. |
| Pending / SPF | A sale is in progress / Sold pending funds. |
| Sold / Gone | The seller says the watch is no longer available. |
| Cross-posted | Listed in more than one group or marketplace. |
Price and market language
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MSRP / RRP / Retail | The manufacturer’s suggested or recommended retail price. |
| Secondary market | Buying and selling outside the original authorized retail sale. |
| Grey market | Genuine watches sold outside the brand’s authorized dealer network. Warranty arrangements can differ. |
| Asking price / Ask | What a seller wants—not proof of what buyers actually pay. |
| Sold price | The amount a watch actually sold for, when verifiable. |
| Comps / Comparables | Similar watches used to assess value. Model, condition, year and accessories matter. |
| Market value | An estimate of a watch’s value in a specified market at a particular time. |
| Dealer bid / Buy price | What a dealer is prepared to pay to acquire the watch. |
| Wholesale | Trade pricing, generally between businesses or dealers. |
| Spread | The difference between buying and selling prices. |
| Margin | Profit expressed relative to selling price. Costs can reduce the final margin. |
| Premium / Over retail | A price above the manufacturer’s retail price. |
| Below retail / Back of retail | A price below retail. “Back” means a reduction from a stated baseline. |
| Back of market | Below an agreed market benchmark. Ask which benchmark and by how much. |
| Net to me | The amount the seller expects to receive after agreed fees or costs. |
| All-in / Out the door | A total price. Confirm whether taxes, shipping and fees are included. |
| Landed cost | Total acquisition cost, including applicable shipping, duties, taxes and fees. |
| Liquid | Relatively easy to sell at a realistic price. |
| Quick sale / Priced to move | The seller wants a fast sale; it does not prove the price is a bargain. |
| Consignment | A dealer sells a watch on its owner’s behalf for an agreed fee or commission. |
| Lowball | An offer viewed as substantially below the seller’s expectations or the market. |
For Check My Watch estimates: Market asking prices and dealer purchase estimates are different figures. An automated estimate is approximate and requires dealer confirmation.
Box, papers and included items
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| B&P | Box and papers. Ask exactly which documents are included. |
| Full set / Complete set | Usually the original box, warranty documents and accompanying accessories. Usage varies—request an itemized list. |
| Double boxed | Includes both inner presentation box and outer box. |
| Papers | Usually original warranty documents or a warranty card—not necessarily a purchase receipt. |
| Dated card | A warranty card carrying a sale or activation date. |
| Open papers / Open card | Documents with certain fields left blank. This does not automatically establish an active warranty. |
| Matching papers | Documents whose identifying details correspond to the watch. |
| Hang tags | Tags originally supplied with the watch. |
| Booklets / Manuals | Instructions and other printed material. |
| Full links | Claimed to include all original bracelet links. Confirm the count and fit. |
| Spare links / Extra links | Removed bracelet links supplied separately. |
| Missing links / Short bracelet | Some links are absent, potentially limiting wrist fit and adding replacement cost. |
| Service papers | Records of maintenance or repairs. They do not replace original warranty papers. |
| Extract from the archives | A brand’s record-based document about a watch. Its scope varies; it is not automatically an authenticity certificate. |
| Provenance | Evidence of a watch’s history, ownership or origin. |
| Original owner / One-owner | A claim that the watch has had one owner since its original purchase. |
| Year / Birth year | A year associated with the watch. Clarify whether this means production, sale or warranty-card date. |
Condition and originality
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BNIB / NIB | Brand new in box / New in box. These are seller descriptions; inspect the evidence. |
| Unworn | Claimed not to have been worn. It may still have handling marks or have been sized. |
| NOS | New old stock—older inventory described as unused. Age can still affect servicing needs. |
| LNIB / Like new | Like new in box / Very close to new condition. |
| Mint | A seller’s description of exceptionally clean condition; there is no universal grading standard. |
| Excellent / Very good / Good | Broad condition grades. Request detailed photos rather than relying on the label. |
| Daily wearer / Beater | A watch used regularly, often with visible wear. |
| Hairlines | Fine surface scratches. |
| Desk-diving marks | Wear commonly found on the clasp or bracelet from contact with desks. |
| Ding / Dent | An impact mark or indentation. |
| Polished | Metal has been refinished to reduce marks or restore appearance. |
| Unpolished | Claimed never to have been polished. This can be difficult to establish. |
| Overpolished | Refinishing has noticeably softened or altered the case’s original shape. |
| Sharp case / Sharp lugs | Well-defined case edges and contours. |
| Chamfers / Bevels | Angled edges on the case or bracelet that form part of its finishing. |
| Bracelet stretch | Looseness caused by wear in bracelet components—not simply metal stretching. |
| Patina | Changes in appearance that develop with age. |
| Tropical dial | A dial whose color has changed with age, often toward brown. Causes and desirability vary. |
| Spider dial | A nickname for a dial with a web-like pattern of lacquer cracking. |
| Lume | Material that helps hands or markers glow in darkness. |
| Tritium | A radioactive material used in some older luminous displays. |
| Relume | Replacement or reapplication of luminous material. |
| Redial / Refinished dial | A dial that has been repainted or refinished. |
| Service dial / Service hands | Replacement parts installed during servicing. |
| Period-correct | Appropriate for the watch’s production era; not proof the part originally came with that watch. |
| All original | A claim that the watch retains its original components. Ask which parts were checked. |
| Aftermarket | Made by a third party rather than the watch’s manufacturer. |
| Factory-set diamonds | Diamonds fitted by the manufacturer. |
| Aftermarket diamonds / Iced out / Bust down | Usually diamonds added outside the manufacturer’s original specification. Confirm exactly what was modified. |
Authenticity and due diligence
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Authentic / Genuine | Made by the stated manufacturer. This does not mean every component is original to that watch. |
| OEM | Original equipment manufacturer; commonly used for brand-produced parts or accessories. |
| Franken / Frankenwatch | A watch assembled from a mixture of components, potentially from different watches or periods. |
| Replica / Rep / Fake | A watch made to imitate another brand’s product. |
| Superclone | Marketing slang for a convincing counterfeit. It remains counterfeit. |
| Mod / Modified | A watch changed from its original specification. |
| Ref. / Reference number | Identifies a model or configuration. |
| Serial number | Identifies an individual watch within a manufacturer’s numbering system. |
| Authentication | An assessment of whether the watch and its components are genuine, within the scope of the inspection. |
| Appraisal | A written valuation for a stated purpose, such as insurance. It may differ from resale value. |
| Stolen-watch check / Registry check | A search against specified records. No match does not prove clean ownership. |
| Clean / Clean serial | Ambiguous slang. Ask which checks were performed, where and when. |
| Vouch / Reference check | Asking others about their experience with a seller or buyer. |
| Timestamp / Tagged photo | A photo with a requested name and date, used as evidence of possession. It is not conclusive proof. |
| Buy the seller | Advice to assess the seller’s identity, reputation and conduct as well as the watch. |
Box, papers, a serial-number search and photographs alone do not establish authenticity or lawful ownership.
Watch parts and technical features
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Movement / Caliber | The mechanism inside the watch; caliber often identifies its movement model. |
| Mechanical | Powered by a wound spring. |
| Automatic / Self-winding | A mechanical movement wound by a rotor as the watch moves. |
| Manual wind / Hand-wound | A mechanical movement wound using the crown. |
| Quartz | A movement regulated by a quartz crystal, commonly powered by a battery. |
| Power reserve | How long a watch can run on its stored energy. |
| Complication | A function beyond basic timekeeping, such as a date or chronograph. |
| Chronograph | A stopwatch function. |
| Chronometer | A watch or movement certified against specified accuracy criteria. Not the same as a chronograph. |
| GMT / Dual time | Displays another time zone; the exact mechanism varies. |
| Annual calendar | Accounts for different month lengths but generally needs correction around the end of February. |
| Perpetual calendar | Accounts for month lengths and leap-year cycles, subject to its design limits. |
| Moonphase | A display representing the Moon’s phase. |
| Tourbillon | A rotating mechanism carrying regulating components, originally intended to reduce certain positional errors. |
| Minute repeater | Chimes the time on demand. |
| Dial | The watch’s face. |
| Indices / Markers | Symbols or numerals marking positions on the dial. |
| Subdial / Register | A smaller display within the main dial. |
| Bezel | The ring surrounding the crystal. |
| Crystal | The transparent covering over the dial. |
| Crown | The control used to wind the watch or set its functions. |
| Pushers | Buttons operating functions such as a chronograph. |
| Lugs | Projections connecting the case to the bracelet or strap. |
| Caseback | The rear cover of the watch. |
| Exhibition caseback | A transparent caseback showing the movement. |
| Integrated bracelet | A bracelet designed to connect directly into the case’s overall design. |
| Deployant clasp | A folding clasp on a bracelet or strap. |
| Water resistance | A tested resistance rating; seals, condition and service history affect actual performance. |
Common brand and model shorthand
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AD | Authorized dealer. |
| AP | Audemars Piguet. |
| PP / Patek | Patek Philippe. |
| VC | Vacheron Constantin. |
| RM | Richard Mille. |
| JLC | Jaeger-LeCoultre. |
| ALS | A. Lange & Söhne. |
| Holy Trinity / Big Three | Traditional collector shorthand for AP, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. |
| DJ | Rolex Datejust. |
| DD / President | Usually Rolex Day-Date. “President” also names a Rolex bracelet. |
| OP | Usually Rolex Oyster Perpetual; context matters. |
| Sub | Rolex Submariner. |
| SD / DSSD | Usually Rolex Sea-Dweller / Deepsea Sea-Dweller. |
| RO / ROO | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak / Royal Oak Offshore. |
| Speedy | Omega Speedmaster. |
| Pepsi | Usually a Rolex GMT with a red-and-blue bezel. |
| Coke | Usually a Rolex GMT with a red-and-black bezel. |
| Batman / Batgirl | Commonly a blue-and-black Rolex GMT on an Oyster / Jubilee bracelet, respectively. |
| Root Beer | A nickname for certain brown-toned Rolex GMT configurations. |
| Hulk | Rolex Submariner reference 116610LV, with a green dial and green ceramic bezel. |
| Kermit | Commonly the black-dial, green aluminum-bezel Submariner 16610LV. |
| Starbucks | Commonly the black-dial, green ceramic-bezel Submariner 126610LV. |
| Panda / Reverse panda | Usually a light dial with dark subdials / dark dial with light subdials. |
| Jubilee / Oyster / President | Different Rolex bracelet designs. |
| SS / TT / PM | Stainless steel / Two-tone / Precious metal. PM can also mean private message. |
| YG / WG / RG / PT | Yellow gold / White gold / Rose gold / Platinum. |
Nicknames are informal. Always confirm the reference number, dial, bezel, metal and bracelet.
Delivery and payment language
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| F2F | Face-to-face transaction. |
| Shipped / Delivered | May mean shipping is included in the price; confirm insurance and destination. |
| Insured shipping | Shipping covered by a specified policy. Confirm that watches and the full value are covered. |
| Escrow | A third party holds funds until agreed conditions are met. |
| Wire | Bank transfer. |
| Cleared funds | Funds confirmed available under the receiving institution’s rules—not merely shown in a screenshot. |
| G&S / F&F | Goods and Services / Friends and Family payment categories. Purchase protections differ. |
| Hold / Deposit | An agreement to reserve a watch. Confirm the deadline and refund terms in writing. |
| Inspection period | An agreed time to examine the watch after delivery. |
| Return window | The period and conditions under which a return is permitted. |
How to read a watch-group message
“WTB DJ41, blue dial, Jubilee, full set, full links. DM price, year and refs.”
“I want to buy a Rolex Datejust 41 with a blue dial and Jubilee bracelet. I want its accompanying box, documents and accessories, plus all bracelet links. Send the price, year and seller references privately.”
“FS Sub, watch only, light hairlines, two links short, OBO.”
“A Rolex Submariner is for sale without its box and papers. It has fine scratches, is missing two bracelet links, and the seller will consider offers.”
A clear listing format for members
- Brand and model:
- Reference number:
- Year and basis for that year:
- Condition and known polishing:
- Box / papers / service records:
- Bracelet fit and included links:
- Known replacement parts or modifications:
- Price and currency:
- Location:
- Shipping, insurance and payment terms:
- Return or inspection terms:
- Clear photos and current timestamp:
Group rule: Describe what you know, disclose what is missing, and mark anything unverified.