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Rolex Ripping Is Now a National Sport, So Potential Owners Need Educating on Wearing Them

What sense is there in buying an expensive something-new if you don’t get to wear it in public and / or show it off? If you’re in London, though, you might want to think twice about investing a lot of your hard-earned money in a pricey timepiece, no matter how much of a collector you are.
WATCH campaign urges owners of expensive timepieces to hand them over, if prompted by thieves 17 photos
Photo: Watch Collecting
Millionaire's Bugatti Chiron smashed with a hammer by moped thieves in LondonMillionaire's Bugatti Chiron smashed with a hammer by moped thieves in LondonMillionaire's Bugatti Chiron smashed with a hammer by moped thieves in LondonAmir Khan was robbed of his Franck Muller diamond watch while in LondonAmir Khan was robbed of his Franck Muller diamond watch while in LondonAmir Khan was robbed of his Franck Muller diamond watch while in LondonAmir Khan was robbed of his Franck Muller diamond watch while in LondonAmir Khan often shows off his luxury timepieces on social mediaAmir Khan often shows off his luxury timepieces on social mediaAmir Khan was robbed of his Franck Muller diamond watch while in LondonCharles Leclerc wears the RM 67-02 Leclerc Prototype, sold in 2021 for $2.3 millionCharles Leclerc wears the RM 67-02 Leclerc Prototype, sold in 2021 for $2.3 millionCharles Leclerc wears the RM 67-02 Leclerc Prototype, sold in 2021 for $2.3 millionCharles Leclerc wears the RM 67-02 Leclerc Prototype, sold in 2021 for $2.3 millionCharles Leclerc wears the RM 67-02 Leclerc Prototype, sold in 2021 for $2.3 millionCharles Leclerc wears the RM 67-02 Leclerc Prototype, sold in 2021 for $2.3 million
Rolex (or any other expensive watch) ripping is becoming a sort of a national sport in the UK, with the hardest hit city being the country’s capital, London. No well-heeled watch-wearer is safe, whether he or she is a regular person with some cash to burn or a millionaire collector, on foot or traveling by car – or even in the poshest, most select neighborhoods. Moped thieves, once set on stealing purses or mobile phones from the hands of the users, are now on the lookout for expensive-looking timepieces.

Rolex, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille or Omega pieces are preferred, based on the reported incidents so far. Clearly, the flashier the piece, the more unwanted attention it gets, and while tracking them is seemingly easier because of their unique identification numbers, there is a market for them even after they’re stolen.

Perhaps the most mediated (and violent) incident of the kind is the August 2022 robbery of Kuwait businessman Abdullah F. Al Basman, who was attacked in traffic while in his Bugatti Chiron, with thieves trying to get to his $130,000 Platinum Rolex Daytona. Armed with a hammer and, reportedly, a machete, they tried to break the window of the Bugatti on the driver's side, but were eventually unsuccessful. The story had a happy ending, with Basman able to drive off from his attackers – two of them, both on mopeds, known in the exclusive areas for similar attacks – but it capped off a long string of such incidents.

Millionaire's Bugatti Chiron smashed with a hammer by moped thieves in London
Photo: Instagram / Crime Watch London
These include boxer Amir Khan and F1 driver Charles LeClerc being robbed of their one-off timepieces. The bottom line is that, if you’re into watches or, even worse, into watch collecting, living in London is not the most ideal situation right now. That’s putting it lightly.

This brings us to the latest story: a reputed online auction platform that specializes in watches, Watch Collecting (sister of Car Collecting), has been running a PSA-like campaign in the city, using large billboards that educate potential owners on what to do in case of an attack. The campaign is called WATCH and aims to counter whatever decrease in interest in watch buying might occur as a result of the spikes in incidents. In other words, if you wish to buy a collectible watch, don’t let thieves discourage you, but be prepared.

WATCH stands for the steps one should take in case he or she is being robbed: Wear it with care, Avoid unnecessary risks, Travel with a friend, Cover it up, and most importantly, Hand it over, if prompted. It’s the same kind of message regular people get when it comes to traveling to crowded tourist areas, to avoid pickpockets, and could boil down to this: leave the showing off for some other occasion, be proactive so that you don’t become a victim.

Amir Khan was robbed of his Franck Muller diamond watch while in London
Photo: SuperWatchman.com
“The recent spike in high-value watch crime in London has gathered a lot of attention both within the watch industry and the mainstream media. Much of the coverage is alarmist and could easily put people off buying expensive watches,” Watch Collecting says. “We care about our community and, rather than scaring them, look to provide practical support.”

The PSA calls these tips practical support, but we’d call them common sense, with the exception of the one advising traveling chaperoned by a friend. Even so, it is chilling to have an entire campaign educate and advise watch owners to not risk their lives for a timepiece in the worst case scenario. Especially when the worst case scenario seems to be the new normal.



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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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