In Apple TV+ show Your Friends & Neighbors, disgraced financier Andrew “Coop” Cooper, played by Jon Hamm, casually plunders the wealth of his elite suburban social circle after he falls on hard times in the middle of a professional and personal collapse.
In one early episode, Coop slips into a neighbour’s empty mansion and makes his way out with a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5811, a timepiece the show lists at $175,000. In another episode, he scarpers off with a rare Richard Mille RM011 sports watch, asserted to be worth $250,000.
With his own Drive de Cartier on his wrist – a comparatively understated personal piece maybe more in line with the trend towards smaller watches – Coop amasses a trove of trophies from friends’ vaults and drawers with apparent ease. The series, a satirical caper set among New York’s ultra-rich, has been described by one reviewer as “if The White Lotus came back from holiday".
While the luxury elements are comparable, it presents the fencing of these high-end watches as deceptively simple. A local pawnbroker named Lu pays cash for a stolen Patek, warning Coop only to keep quiet about their arrangement. It all makes for slick television. But how realistic is this portrayal of stealing and reselling six-figure watches?
Fiction vs reality
To seasoned collectors and industry insiders, Your Friends & Neighbors takes creative liberties with how easy it is to steal and flip a luxury watch. In the show, victims are oblivious to their missing Patek and Richard Mille – one character supposedly had not worn his $250,000 watch in years and might not even realise it has gone. Coop operates with impunity, banking on the idea that the ultra-wealthy are too distracted to notice the loss of a “spare” watch.
In reality, however, owners of a 5811 or RM011 are usually acutely aware of their whereabouts. These watches are not casually strewn about, they are typically secured in safes or safety deposit boxes, often for insurance purposes. The disappearance of a $250,000 timepiece would likely be noticed immediately.
Unlike on TV, a thief in the real world cannot expect an easy, no-questions-asked sale. A Patek or Richard Mille is instantly recognisable to anyone in the trade and any legitimate dealer would be deeply suspicious if one surfaced without provenance – “box and papers”, in watch industry speak - especially from a shifty seller lacking even a basic backstory.
Each high-end watch carries a unique serial number. The moment one is reported stolen, that serial is circulated through industry and law enforcement channels. Trying to offload a flagged watch to a reputable shop or pawnbroker is more likely to result in arrest than profit.
In one real-life case in Dubai in 2023, police issued an alert with a stolen Rolex’s serial number and the thief was promptly arrested when he tried to sell it to a dealer in the city’s Gold Souk.
The fiction of a frictionless resale omits a key truth: today’s secondary watch market is no longer an off-the-books bazaar. It is a globally networked ecosystem, increasingly adept at sniffing out illicit goods.
Technology and brand intervention
Luxury watchmakers are also turning to technology to make theft and resale harder. Some high-end brands now issue digital certificates of authenticity anchored to blockchain ledgers, permanently linking each watch to its serial number and transaction history.
“We decided to use the most secure and most recognised solution," says Stephane Carlier, chief digital officer at watchmaker Ulysse Nardin, who started using blockchain authentication in 2019. "Ninety per cent [of customers] see the value of using the blockchain to protect their certificate and 100 per cent are satisfied with receiving a protected digital certificate," he says.
Meanwhile, top brands have become more assertive in policing resale channels. Rolex, for example, launched a certified pre-owned programme that authenticates second-hand watches sold through authorised retailers and issues new guarantees. "Only Rolex can confirm the authenticity of a Rolex watch," the brand said in a press release at the time. "This is why any pre-owned Rolex watch that is part of the Rolex certified pre-owned programme must return to the brand’s workshops, where its original configuration is rigorously verified."
Any watch lacking papers and certification becomes much harder to legitimise or resell at full value. When a stolen watch does reappear – such as during servicing – it often triggers a quiet alert to authorities or the original owner.
Collector’s market, not an easy mark
As entertaining as Your Friends & Neighbors is, its premise of a one-man crime spree exploiting the watch resale market does not reflect the checks and chokepoints of today’s reality. Yes, luxury watches are tempting loot – they are small, portable and immensely valuable – but the industry’s defences are growing more sophisticated.
Thieves may be quick to snatch a Patek Philippe Nautilus, but the clock starts ticking the moment it is stolen. As serial numbers enter databases, each passing hour increases the odds of detection. Many stolen pieces do resurface, only to be flagged or seized when buyers or service centres check their IDs.
The show’s plot device, a friendly neighbourhood fence handing over cash with a wink, is more fantasy than fact. This is a market that thrives on trust, traceability and verified provenance.
From the perspective of a collector in Dubai or an auctioneer in Geneva, the lesson is the same: luxury watches carry trail marks that are hard to erase. So when Your Friends & Neighbors features a Richard Mille or Nautilus changing hands at the click of a latch, viewers should remember that those gleaming trophies are among the most traceable objects a thief could steal.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UJDA CHAMAN
Produced: Panorama Studios International
Directed: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 3.5 /5 stars
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
