Why a condition report prevents disputes
Most disputes after a sale come down to a gap between what the buyer expected and what arrived. A written report, graded component by component, closes that gap before money changes hands. Once the buyer has signed that they received and reviewed it, "it wasn't as described" is a much harder claim to make.
It also marks you as the kind of dealer people want to buy from: careful, specific, and willing to put an assessment in writing.
How the grading works
Each component gets one of five grades, from excellent to poor, and the report prints the definitions so a grade means the same thing on every watch you sell. Grade what you see under good light and magnification, and use the notes for anything specific: a hairline on the clasp, a mark on the bezel insert, lume that has aged unevenly.
Be exact about what you checked
The authenticity section lists only the checks you actually performed, from a visual inspection to opening the caseback or sending the watch for third-party authentication. That precision is the point: a buyer can see what your assessment rests on, and you haven't claimed more than you did.
The same goes for the movement. Running is not the same as keeping good time. If you measured the rate on a timegrapher, say so; if you didn't test water resistance, the report says not tested.
Pair it with good photos
A condition report and a set of photos taken on the same day support each other. Note how many photos you have on file and keep them with your copy of the report. The photography guide covers how to shoot them.
Common questions
Do I have to give buyers a condition report?
No, but it's one of the cheapest ways to prevent a return or a dispute, and it sets you apart from sellers who offer only a paragraph of description.
Is a condition report a guarantee?
No. It records what you observed and tested on the date shown, and it says so on the report. Any promise about future performance belongs in the warranty terms of your bill of sale.
Should the buyer sign it?
Ideally, yes. A signature showing they received and reviewed the report is what gives it weight later.
Is what I type stored anywhere?
The contents of your documents stay in your browser. They're saved on your device so you don't lose work, and they're never sent to us. The only things sent are the name and email you enter to unlock downloads, which add you to our email list. Your business name stays on your device.