Identification7 min read
How to Identify a Watch: A Step-by-Step Checklist
A practical checklist for identifying any watch: dial, case, caseback engravings, bracelet codes, movement and papers, plus photo-based identification.
Updated
New release · September 2026The standard for collectors
Identify Any Watch
From a Photo
Snap a picture and WatchID names the brand, model and reference number in seconds. Our AI compares your photo with 100,000+ watch references from 500+ brands, then shows where the watch is listed for sale.
1M+ watches identified so far
Identify watches from 500+ brands
How it works
From photo to reference number in three steps
WatchID does not guess from the logo alone. It matches the whole watch against real reference photos, so you get the exact model, not just the brand.
Take or upload a photo
A wrist shot, a photo from your camera roll or a screenshot from a listing. The dial should be visible and in focus.
The AI reads the watch
Dial layout, hands, bezel, case shape and text are compared with 100,000+ references from 500+ brands.
Get the name and the reference
Brand, model and the most likely reference numbers, ranked by similarity, with marketplace listings in the app.
Everything you need to master your collection
More than an identifier. WatchID is your companion for discovering, tracking and buying timepieces.
Instant Identification
Snap a photo and get the brand, model and reference candidates immediately, from vintage pieces to the latest releases.
Marketplace Listings
See where the identified watch is for sale. Horoview aggregates listings from around a hundred dealers and marketplaces.
Reference-Level Accuracy
Computer vision trained on real watch photos narrows the match down to the exact reference, not just the brand.
Collection and History
Keep every scan in your history, build your collection, and share public scans with other enthusiasts.
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HOROVIEW
As watch collectors, we knew how tedious it is to search a dozen websites to find the right second-hand watch.
So we built HOROVIEW, a search engine that consolidates most of the watch listings available in the world.
We gather data from around a hundred specialised and generalist sites, from dealers to marketplaces, which gives WatchID the broadest possible view of the market once your watch is identified.
Guides
Learn to identify watches like a dealer
Reference numbers, serials, brand codes and the visual cues that separate one model from another. Written by collectors for collectors.
Technology6 min read
How to Identify a Watch From a Photo: A Practical Guide
Learn how to identify a watch from a photo: how to shoot a usable image, what AI identifiers read, how to interpret results and when a photo is not enough.
Updated
Identification7 min read
How to Identify a Rolex: Reference, Serial and Model Guide
Find and decode a Rolex reference and serial number, recognise each model family by its visual cues, and understand why identification is not authentication.
Updated
Snap, Identify, Browse
Join the collectors who already use WatchID to put a name and a reference on every watch they see.
No download needed? Identify a watch in your browser
