The value of luxury watches stolen in the UK has passed £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in a year for the first time, research shows.
Thousands of watches were stolen last year but only one in five were recovered.
The fear of having luxury watches ripped from their arms is forcing wearers to be more vigilant during a surge in thefts, the findings by pre-owned luxury watch specialist Watchfinder & Co show.
In recent years there has been an explosion in the market for luxury watches, new and second-hand, and it has attracted criminals as well as speculators.
Two thirds of watch owners say that the current crime wave is making them more vigilant when wearing their watch and 36 per cent are keen to do more to try to deter thieves, the survey found.
Of those whose watches were stolen, 68 per cent believe their timepiece has already been sold on.
The researchers found that only one in five stolen watches are ever recovered, meaning of the 100,000 stolen across the UK, 80,000 have yet to be returned to their rightful owner.
“These figures clearly show luxury watch owners are fearful of having them stolen,” Watchfinder chief executive Arjen van de Vall, told The National.
“That's hardly surprising given the startling rate at which robberies are being committed. We calculate there's one every 30 minutes. What's also worrying is that only a fifth of robbery victims believe they will get their beloved watches back.
“The crime wave is beginning to have an serious impact on luxury watch owners.”
A former detective chief superintendent, Steve Wilkins, said: “With watch crime having been particularly prevalent in the UK last year, it’s no wonder Britons want to do more to protect their possessions against thieves.”
Data provided to Watchfinder through a Freedom of Information request, shows 33 of the country’s 45 forces recorded a combined 11,035 thefts – up 41 per cent on the 7,821 reported in 2021.
If all forces had provided data, the annual total would be in the region of 15,000, equal to one theft every 30 minutes.
The increase in thefts has meant a demand for watchfinders who recover stolen timepieces, such as Art Recovery International, run by art student-turned-lawyer Christopher Marinello.
The Watch Register, which runs a database and also recovers watches, says it now has about 80,000 watches registered as stolen or missing with a total value of more than £1 billion ($1.3 billion).
At least 6,815 watches were newly recorded on its database as being missing or stolen in 2022, which was a 60 per cent increase on 2021.
About 90 per cent of watches on databases are men’s models, whose higher retail prices make them an attractive target for thieves, according to The Watch Register.
In terms of the most popular brand of high-end watches registered on The Watch Register’s database, Rolex accounts for 44 per cent of all stolen or lost watches, followed by Omega (7 per cent), Breitling (6 per cent) and Tag Heuer (5 per cent).
Its managing director Katya Hills said: “Given that trading in stolen luxury watches is lucrative and safer for criminals than dealing in drugs, we expect the level of luxury watch thefts to increase.”
The Watch Register advises owners to always insure luxury watches and keep pictures of watches, paperwork and serial numbers in case owners need to report a theft and prove their ownership.
Owners need to stay alert and have their wits about them because many thieves use distraction techniques and work in pairs, the organisation says.
They are advised to keep car windows shut when wearing a luxury watch and to keep sleeves rolled down with the watch under the cuff.
Do not talk about watch prices in public places, don’t post locations on social media, and only post after you have left a location, The Watch Register advises.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Read more about the coronavirus
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
