Crime

‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars

CrimeFeb 05, 2025

‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars

Luxury watch dealer Anthony Farrer pleaded guilty late last year to defrauding clients in a scheme with Ponzi-type elements.

Stock image of a gavel
Anthony Farrer, 36, the luxury watch dealer who made a name for himself as “The Timepiece Gentleman,” pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud in late 2024. Last week, a federal judge sentenced him to 70 months in prison.
Los Angeles—A 36-year-old luxury watch dealer who gained notoriety and the trust of timepiece enthusiasts via social media will spend the next nearly six years behind bars.

Anthony Farrer, known as “The Timepiece Gentleman,” was sentenced on Friday to 70 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles announced.

Farrer, who was arrested in late 2023, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud in October 2024. 

According to an affidavit filed in the case, “The Timepiece Gentleman” started his watch business in Texas in 2017, collecting watches from prospective sellers and finding buyers for them while earning a 5 percent commission on the sale.

In early 2022, Farrer moved to Los Angeles, opened a store that sold and consigned watches, and registered a business called “The Timepiece Gentleman” in the state of California. 

This was both the name of Farrer’s store and the moniker he used on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram. 

According to the affidavit, around November of that year, he began defrauding customers in a scheme that had Ponzi-style elements, using the money he made to fund what the U.S. Attorney’s Office described as a “lavish” lifestyle that included a red Lamborghini and two Ducati motorcycles.

The affidavit alleges he would sell the watches sent to him on consignment and then keep the proceeds for himself.  

He also convinced people to wire him money for watches they wanted to buy and then, according to the affidavit, either never sent them the watch they wanted or sent them a completely different watch than the one they intended to purchase. 

In one instance, he sent a Rolex watch to one individual in lieu of the money owed to them. That watch actually belonged to another individual who, “did not authorize Farrer to use the watch as payment for Farrer’s debts to other victims,” court papers state.  

He also used client watches as collateral for loans that he took out from lenders without the client’s knowledge or permission, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Eventually, The Timepiece Gentleman’s victims began contacting law enforcement and in August 2023, officers paid a visit to The Timepiece Gentleman store in Beverly Hills only to find it closed. 

Farrer’s social media posts made around this time showed him to be traveling around the country, spending time in South Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Colorado, the affidavit notes.

 Related stories will be right here … 

On Aug. 4, he began posting a series of YouTube videos he titled “Road to Redemption,” in which he admitted to lying and defrauding people to fund what he described as his “look-at-me lifestyle,” and said he was $5 million in “debt.”

In his final YouTube video, posted Aug. 9, Farrer discussed “possibly” getting out of the luxury watch industry.

He also talked about his desire to pay back his victims and complained about the “blowback” received by anyone who tried to help him by giving him a job or an opportunity to make money.

Because of all the negative attention, Farrer said he would be whittling his social media presence down to one account, @anthony on Instagram. 

The last post to that account, a picture of Farrer working out, was made on Nov. 4, 2023.

Three days later, on Nov. 7, authorities arrested him at a storage facility in Venice, California. He has been in federal custody ever since. 

In its release announcing Farrer’s sentencing, the U.S. Attorney Office for the Central District of California said The Timepiece Gentleman defrauded more than 40 individuals out of a total of at least $5.7 million. 

It said he will be subject to a restitution order for payment owed to victims in amounts to be determined later.

“The so-called ‘Timepiece Gentleman’ was actually a con-man whose time living lavishly ran out when the high-end watch owners he victimized brought his crimes to the attention of law enforcement,” said Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field. 

“This successful prosecution is the result of a joint collaboration among local and federal partners working together in order to bring Mr. Farrer to justice.”

The Latest

Stock image of container ship in port
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials Say

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

David Kellie
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step Down

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Ella Klein Internship
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Morgan Keefe
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education Scholarship

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy