What does “Middleman” mean?

A middleman is a trusted third party who sits between the buyer and the seller in a deal. The seller sends the watch to the middleman, who checks that it is genuine and matches the description, including the set and condition, before passing it on to the buyer. Depending on the arrangement, the middleman may also confirm that payment has been made.

Middlemen reduce risk when buyer and seller don't know each other, or when the watch is valuable or commonly faked. A good middleman is independent of both sides, experienced with the brand in question and clear about their fee and process: what they inspect, how they report it, and what happens if the watch doesn't match the description. Using a middleman adds time and cost, so dealers tend to use one for first deals, large amounts or watches that need an expert check.

Example: 'Happy to use a middleman for this one. Buyer pays the fee, inspection in New York.'