Keep a close eye on your luxury watch. According to a new report, The Watch Register, a global crime prevention database, says they have recorded over 80,000 stolen watches, with the total value of stolen or missing luxury watches over $1.2 billion. The Watch Register says they saw 6,815 watches newly recorded as being missing or stolen – that’s a 60 per cent increase added to its global database during 2021.
Around 90 per cent of the database’s high-end timepieces are men’s models, with retail value between $60,000-$125,000 USD. No surprise there. These are street robberies or smash and grabs. We all watch the news now and see what’s happening in big cities with the crime tsunami. Criminals know these timepieces will re-sell for big value.
What are the top luxury watch brands listed as stolen/missing? By far, Rolex (44 per cent), followed by Omega (7 per cent), Breitling (6 per cent), Tag Heuer (5 per cent) and Cartier (4 per cent). England is the top country of theft, at 47 per cent, followed by Germany and the U.S., each at nine per cent.
Top image: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date 40
