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
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
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.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
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 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
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 minister 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.
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.
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.
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.
