What appeared to be rare, highly coveted Rolex “limited editions” turned out to be an elaborate illusion, landing three Italian nationals behind bars after a carefully orchestrated fraud was exposed in Monaco…
The three men, all from Naples, were convicted of fraud and attempted fraud after selling genuine Rolex watches that had been discreetly modified to appear as rare collector pieces. While the watches themselves were authentic, key elements had been altered and paired with falsified certificates to inflate their value and deceive experienced professionals.
The scheme succeeded on at least two occasions in 2025, when Monaco-based dealers purchased what they believed to be rare Daytona models for sums exceeding €70,000. Suspicion only arose months later, when industry professionals noticed an impossible detail: two supposedly unique watches carrying the same serial number. Information shared among retailers quickly triggered alerts to the authorities.
As reported by Monaco Matin, the investigation revealed a clearly structured operation, with defined roles for each defendant. One acted as the main salesman and organiser, another as driver and logistics support, while the third served as a lookout. Phone data and travel records showed repeated trips to Switzerland and extensive exchanges relating to luxury watch trading.
Despite attempts to downplay their involvement in court, judges rejected the explanations as implausible, noting the sophistication of the modifications and the scale of the profits involved. Sentences ranged from six to eighteen months in prison, alongside a five-year ban from Monaco, confiscation of seized items, and substantial compensation to the victims.
The case has sent a clear message through Monaco’s luxury watch market, even the most convincing fakes leave a trace and in a tightly connected market, deception rarely stays hidden for long.
Image: Hodinkee
