Anthony Farrer, once known as the “Timepiece Gentleman” in Beverly Hills luxury watch circles, now finds himself at the center of a federal fraud case that rocked the high-end watch market in late 2024. This former luxury watch dealer, who built a reputation selling high-end timepieces worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and was sentenced by a U.S. District Judge. His story has become a cautionary tale for collectors, dealers, and investors in the luxury goods space.

Farrer, 36, previously lived in Downtown Los Angeles before his legal troubles caught up with him. He operated a consignment business called The Timepiece Gentleman, which catered to affluent clients seeking rare and valuable watches. But behind the polished image, Farrer allegedly orchestrated a scheme that defrauded customers of over $5.6 million between late 2022 and early 2023.

His case has raised questions about trust and transparency in the luxury resale market. So what exactly happened? How did a respected dealer end up behind bars? And what does this mean for the future of high-end watch trading?

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Table of Contents

• Anthony Farrer: A Brief Biography
• The Fraud Case That Changed Everything
• How His Business Practices Led to Legal Trouble
• What Happened After His Sentencing?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Farrer

Anthony Farrer: A Brief Biography

Anthony Farrer carved out a niche for himself in the luxury watch market, presenting himself as a trustworthy dealer with access to rare and valuable timepieces. He operated out of Beverly Hills, a hub for high-end collectors and investors. But beneath the surface, Farrer’s dealings were far from transparent.

He built a reputation selling watches worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to clients who believed they were investing in tangible assets. But by late 2024, the truth came out—he had been running a scheme that left many high-net-worth individuals out of pocket and questioning the integrity of the luxury resale market.

The Fraud Case That Changed Everything

Anthony Farrer pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count each of wire fraud and mail fraud. The charges stemmed from a scheme that took place between November 2022 and 2023, during which Farrer allegedly defrauded customers of $5.6 million. His case was handled by the U.S. District Court, and he was sentenced by Judge Josephine L.

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According to court documents, Farrer collected funds from clients under the pretense of purchasing or reselling luxury watches. In some cases, he failed to deliver the promised items. In others, he misrepresented the authenticity or value of the watches he sold. These actions violated federal laws regarding wire and mail fraud, both of which carry serious penalties.

He was taken into federal custody in November 2023 and remained there until his sentencing. The Department of Justice noted that cases like Farrer’s are taken seriously because they undermine trust in financial markets and victimize individuals who may not fully understand the legal protections available to them.

How the Scheme Worked

So, how did Anthony Farrer manage to pull off such a large-scale fraud? Well, here’s what’s known so far:

• False Representations: Farrer allegedly misrepresented the value and authenticity of certain watches to inflate their worth.
• Non-Delivery: In some cases, he accepted payments for watches but never delivered them to the buyers.
• Unsecured Transactions: Transactions were often made through private agreements without clear legal contracts, making it harder for victims to seek recourse.
• Use of Communication Channels: Since much of the communication happened via email and postal mail, the fraud fell under both wire and mail fraud statutes.

These tactics allowed Farrer to operate under the radar for a time. But once victims began speaking out and cross-referencing transactions, red flags started to appear.

How His Business Practices Led to Legal Trouble

The Timepiece Gentleman was more than just a storefront—it was a brand. Farrer positioned himself as a luxury watch expert, often using social media and word-of-mouth to attract clients. He sold watches from top-tier brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet. But not all of these transactions were on the up and up.

Many of his clients were high-net-worth individuals who trusted him based on reputation alone. That trust was misplaced. His business model relied heavily on consignment, meaning he acted as a middleman for people looking to sell or buy watches. But instead of facilitating honest deals, he manipulated the system for personal gain.

So what can buyers and sellers in the luxury watch market learn from this? Well, for starters:

1. Always get a written contract. Deals made over text or email aren’t enough to protect you legally.
2. Verify authenticity independently. Don’t rely solely on the dealer’s word—use third-party authentication services.
3. Use escrow services. Holding funds in escrow until delivery ensures that both parties are protected.
4. Research the dealer thoroughly. Look into their history, customer reviews, and legal background before doing business.

Anthony Farrer’s case is a reminder that even in a niche market like luxury watches, scams can happen. The more you know, the better protected you’ll be.

What Happened After His Sentencing?

Following his guilty plea and sentencing, Anthony Farrer is expected to serve time in federal prison. His sentencing marks the end of a chapter for a man who once appeared to have it all. But the fallout from his actions continues to ripple through the luxury watch community.

Many victims are still seeking restitution, and some are consulting legal experts to see if they can recover their losses. Meanwhile, the luxury watch market has become more cautious, with buyers and sellers taking extra steps to verify transactions and protect themselves.

Law enforcement agencies have also taken note. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicated that cases like Farrer’s are part of a broader effort to crack down on fraud in high-value asset markets. That means more scrutiny for dealers, especially those who operate outside traditional retail channels.

As for The Timepiece Gentleman, the brand has effectively been shut down. Online listings and social media accounts have been removed or deactivated, signaling the end of what was once a well-known name in Beverly Hills luxury watch circles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Farrer

Who is Anthony Farrer?

Anthony Farrer is a former luxury watch dealer who operated a business called The Timepiece Gentleman in Beverly Hills. He pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud in late 2024 and was sentenced for defrauding customers of over $5.6 million.

What charges did Anthony Farrer face?

Anthony Farrer pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud and mail fraud. These are federal offenses that involve using electronic communication (like email) or the postal service to deceive victims for financial gain.

How much money did Anthony Farrer steal?

According to federal prosecutors, Anthony Farrer defrauded customers of approximately $5.6 million between November 2022 and 2023. His scheme involved misrepresenting the value of watches and failing to deliver on promised sales.

Where is Anthony Farrer now?

Anthony Farrer was taken into federal custody in November 2023 and remained there until his sentencing in late 2024. He is currently serving his sentence in a federal facility.

Learn more about fraud cases in the luxury market on our site.