Behind CJ William’s authentication and valuation expertise is a team of New York-based luxury watchmakers, Hermès specialists, and antique silver appraisers working out of our Surfside showroom at 9573 Harding Avenue. Our combined 40+ years of luxury asset expertise underpins every authentication, appraisal, and buying decision. Sun-Fri 11 AM to 5:30 PM.
New York-based luxury watchmakers
CJ William’s authentication desk is staffed by watchmakers trained in the New York luxury watch industry, with combined 40+ years of experience across Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Richard Mille, and vintage collector references. Our team members have worked at authorized service centers and independent luxury watchmakers before joining CJ William. Each authentication draws on hands-on movement disassembly experience, factory technical documentation, and cross-referenced archival data from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet manufacturer records.
What our watchmakers actually verify
- Movement caliber verification: Rolex 3135/3235/4130/3186, Patek 240Q/324/26330/CH28-520, AP 3120/3126/3132/3300 and equivalents
- Case reference and serial number cross-check against manufacturer archives
- Dial signature, printing quality, and applied indices under 10x-20x magnification
- Rehaut engraving depth and font for Rolex references post-2005
- Bracelet construction, end link fit, clasp mechanism verification
- Tapisserie pattern integrity on AP Royal Oak dials
- Geneva Seal or Patek Seal inspection on Patek movements
- Vintage-specific verifications: lume type (radium/tritium), matching serials, unpolished case criteria
Hermes specialists for Birkin, Kelly, and Constance authentication
Our Hermès specialists authenticate Birkin, Kelly, Constance, and rare Hermès references using Hermès workshop reference data. Verifications include blind stamp (workshop year) identification, saddle stitch pattern analysis, leather grain characteristics for Togo/Epsom/Clemence/Swift/Chevre/Barenia, hardware inspection (palladium, gold, rose gold, ruthenium), and CITES documentation review for exotic leathers. Special editions including Himalaya, Ostrich, Crocodile Porosus, and Alligator Mississippi are authenticated by our lead Hermès specialist.
Antique silver, jewelry, and metals appraisers
Our antique silver desk authenticates Buccellati, Tiffany, Georg Jensen, and Puiforcat sterling using hallmark reference guides and workshop production records. Our jewelry desk includes GIA-trained gemologists for diamond grading (4Cs verification), colored stone identification, and estate jewelry maker attribution (Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Harry Winston, David Webb). XRF verification for precious metals content and karat verification for all gold, silver, and platinum acquisitions.
Why in-house expertise matters
Most South Florida luxury asset buyers outsource authentication to third-party services (7-14 day turnaround, third-party fees) or bypass authentication entirely (relying on visual inspection alone). CJ William’s in-house watchmaker and Hermès specialist team means: same-day authentication for modern references, 24-48 hour authentication for vintage or complicated pieces, written authentication determinations for insurance and legal purposes, and offers based on verified authenticity rather than assumption. This is why CJ William pays premium offers on authenticated pieces — we know exactly what we are buying.
Continuing education and market intelligence
Our team monitors auction results (Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Phillips), manufacturer archive updates, and secondary market trends to price offers accurately. We track daily Rolex and Patek secondary market data, quarterly Hermès pricing shifts, and material commodity pricing for gold, silver, and platinum. Our 2026 valuation data is updated quarterly across all luxury asset categories.
Visit our team in Surfside
Visit CJ William at 9573 Harding Avenue, Surfside FL 33154. Sun-Fri 11 AM to 5:30 PM. Four minutes north of Bal Harbour Shops. All authentication and buying decisions handled in-person at our Surfside showroom. Call (347) 510-0668 or WhatsApp to schedule an authentication appointment or valuation consultation.