What should I do? I'm frustrated how to react? 2000 dollars plus on the line...

Question

Well it all started on a beach in Michigan with my family and my cousin. He went swimming with his watch and got irritated. He claimed it was broken and now worthless and began burying it in the sand. I later uncovered it and he quickly made me rebury the watch. Do you know what i noticed about that watch? It was a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. We had no computer at the house in Michigan, so i didn't know the value i was expecting 500 dollars. When we were leaving i sneaked to get the watch again feeling guilty about it, but he didn't want it obviously, and I was just to embarrassed to ask if i could have it. So i came home and looked up the value, the diamonds one went up to as much as 10,000 dollars.. but this was one a stainless steel male watch. I could not find an exact match for the watch but the closest one was $2100. I was shocked, he obviously did not know the value. I wanted to fix the watch immediately than resell so i told my dad. I was a bit surprised about his response, I began to suspect he didn't believe me and that i stole my watch. I don't know that for sure but i think that's how he got my vibe. I started to get irritated, and my voice shook, and i guess that just took away from everything. He agreed to take it to a jeweler and get him or her to fix it up. I was excited out of my mind and began instantly searching on possible buyers. He just came home and said, he will get it to a jeweler but he thinks i should give it back to my cousin. He said that he obviously didn't know what he was doing, and he obviously did not buy it if he was going to throw it away. I could not deny his logic but with that much money on the line, I am only 14 in addition. I couldn't understand. I guess its the right thing to do, but i find myself hoping he will deny the watch once i am forced to return it. I know that's also bad and i guess greedy. I don't know what to do...and I'm just irritated out of my mind. The fixing isn't coming out of my cousin's pocket, and he buried, it as unlikely as this story may seem. I also don't want to have to deal with his reaction of scrutiny if i return it. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh fail

Answer 1

First of all, the Rolex you describe would not be hurt by swimming with it on.  If the water damaged it, it's fake.  Second, the watch isn't yours and never was.  Sure your cousin acted like a moron and, if the watch is real, you saved him.  Your desire for money is clouding your judgment.  You're a better person than that.  You certainly have better judgment.  Give the watch back and let it go.

Answer 2

I believe you that the watch is real. It also sounds as though your cousin has some problems. Personal, mental I don't know. But his parents probably know. I suggest you sit down with your parents his parents and him to discuss the situation. If he for some reason was mentally incapable of making a decision of what to do with that watch, it belongs to him and his immediate family, not you.  

Answer 3

The Rolex is probably a cheap fake

A real Rolex can be Tracked by the Serial Number.

If it is Real a good jeweller can access the registry, and if it is real, and not registered to your cousin, it should be turned into the Police.

Answer 4

I agree that the watch was probably fake. If it's really not, where did your cousin get it? Is he wealthy? Does he have some kind of high-paying job? Do you think it's possible he bought a stolen watch somewhere?

In any event, yes, the watch is legally and morally his. It's not like you just found it lying there in the sand. Like it or not, you *should* give it back to him.