CrimeJan 27, 2025
New Jersey Jeweler Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Evading CustomsCrimeFeb 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.
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 …
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.
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.”
More on Crime
The Latest
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minster sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.
AuctionsJun 10, 2025
Noonans to Auction 16th-Century Signet RingIt's one of the “Gresham grasshopper” rings English financier Sir Thomas Gresham was known to gift to acquaintances or business associates.
CollectionsJun 10, 2025
Tabayer Names Mary Chiam as CEOThe brand also debuted its new “Zorae” collection featuring a talisman of protection and harmony inspired by a sheaf of wheat.
MajorsJun 10, 2025
Lauren Johansen Joins Loudr As Loudr’s new account manager, Johansen will partner with clients to craft and execute marketing strategies.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
And the Winners of the 2025 Couture Design Awards Are … Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.
AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
IndependentsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
