Fred Savage Launches Timepiece Authentication and Grading Service
The well-known actor and avid watch collector, Fred Savage, has launched Timepiece Grading Specialists (TGS), a service that could significantly transform the secondary watch market.
Fred Savage, best remembered for his role in The Wonder Years, took his passion for horology to the next level in 2016. His fascination with timepieces began in the late 1990s when he started acquiring vintage watches—primarily American-made brands like Illinois—through a trusted dealer in Los Angeles. As his confidence grew, he expanded his collection to include more distinguished pieces.
However, his journey was not without setbacks. Savage recalls an experience that changed his perspective entirely. After purchasing a Rolex 1803 Day-Date with a white gold President bracelet from a well-known auction house, he was thrilled with his acquisition—until a fellow collector pointed out that the watch had been redialled. This revelation was a shock; he had not even been familiar with the term. Upon closer inspection, he realised the printing was misaligned, the serif on the ‘x’ was incorrect, and the hash marks were uneven. This moment, though disheartening, inspired him to address a significant gap in the industry.
Identifying a Gap in the Market
Savage questioned how collectors were supposed to navigate the complexities of vintage watch authentication. Unlike other collectible markets—such as sports cards, comic books, coins, and even video games—where third-party grading and authentication services exist, the pre-owned watch industry lacked a similar standard. Drawing parallels to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which dominates diamond grading, he realised that watches needed a comparable system.
Despite the pre-owned luxury watch market being valued at an estimated $24 billion, the industry lacked a robust, independent grading and authentication service. While the complexity of watchmaking—consisting of numerous components—makes such a service challenging, Savage became determined to establish a solution. The 2022 writers’ and SAG strikes gave him the opportunity to focus on this vision, leading to the creation of Timepiece Grading Specialists.
Establishing Timepiece Grading Specialists (TGS)
Founded in 2022 and officially launched in early 2024, TGS is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, operating from the offices of Stoll & Co., a respected watch servicing company established in 1982 by Ron Stoll. TGS provides detailed reports on a watch’s condition, with services starting at $250 but capped at 3% of the watch’s value.
Image courtesy of https://timepiecegrading.com/
Partnering with Stoll & Co. was a strategic move after an extensive eight-month search for the right facility. Savage recognised that authenticating and grading timepieces required physical inspection by experts, a skill he himself did not possess. The Stoll facility, which employs 40 highly skilled watchmakers, has extensive expertise across luxury brands and also manages eBay’s watch authentication programme.
The Process of Watch Grading and Authentication
TGS offers appraisal, repair, and storage services, but its primary focus is on authentication and grading—two interconnected processes. As Savage explains, authentication without grading is meaningless, and grading without authentication lacks credibility. Each watch sent to the Dayton facility undergoes a meticulous examination, with specialists photographing, assessing, and assigning individual scores to its various components.
Every element—from the crown, lugs, case, dial, and movement to the bracelet, hardware, and case back—is evaluated. The timepiece is also tested for accuracy. The results are compiled into a weighted formula to ensure that minor imperfections, such as scratches on the crystal, do not carry the same weight as significant flaws, like dial damage. This comprehensive assessment ensures complete transparency for buyers, eliminating surprises when purchasing from dealers or online sellers.
Bringing Transparency to the Secondary Watch Market
Beyond benefiting individual buyers, particularly those without access to high-end dealers, Savage sees TGS as a way to bring greater integrity to the secondary watch market. He emphasises that while top dealers provide reliable authentication services, true impartiality can only come from an independent third party with no vested interest in a watch’s value.
TGS also aims to standardise the language used to describe watch conditions, ensuring consistency across the industry. Defining terms such as ‘scratch’, ‘corrosion’, ‘ding’, and ‘chip’ with clear parameters eliminates ambiguity. By creating universally understood grading standards, TGS enables collectors and buyers to make informed decisions with confidence.
Empowering Watch Collectors Worldwide
Savage has fully committed to the project, even relocating part-time to Dayton, where he rents an apartment and has a dedicated workspace. He believes that knowledge should be accessible to all collectors, preventing them from falling victim to misleading descriptions or undisclosed flaws.
The mission of TGS is twofold: to democratise knowledge and to empower collectors. Savage draws a comparison to his own experience purchasing an engagement ring. Armed with a GIA certificate, he could engage in informed discussions with seasoned jewellers. His goal is to provide watch enthusiasts with the same level of confidence and understanding when navigating the secondary market.
By introducing a structured, transparent grading system, Timepiece Grading Specialists has the potential to redefine how vintage and pre-owned watches are bought and sold. Collectors can now engage with the market with the same assurance afforded to those in other collectible fields, ensuring fair transactions and a greater level of trust within the industry.
You can visit TGS via their site: https://timepiecegrading.com/
