A Rolex watch is one of the most iconic and desired watches of all time. Over the years the accuracy, reliability and elegance of Rolex watches has made it set standards in the industry. People from all star athletes, to royalty to adventurers like to wear them. However, the attractiveness of Rolex watches makes them also enviable to thieves. If you think you're in the vicinity of a stolen Rolex, there are things you can do to tell if the watch indeed is a stolen piece.

Call Rolex headquarters and ask for them to search a serial number of a watch from their Lost or Stolen Database. Read the serial number off the back of the watch in question. If it has been reported lost or stolen, it will be in their database.

Visit the website Rolex Tracker. Enter the serial number of the watch in question. If it has been reported stolen or lost, there's a good chance it's in that database.

Examine the box the Rolex comes in. It should be much, much larger than a standard watch box, which is usually just a bit larger than the size of a fist. A Rolex box will be quite a bit bigger than this.

Ask for the paperwork. A legitimate Rolex will come with both a warranty and chronometer certification paperwork.

Examine the vendor and place of the person who is selling the watch. If it looks and feels like anything less than a top notch jeweler, the watch could very likely be stolen. Jewelry stores which sell Rolex's must should be certified as Rolex dealers.