The watch on your wrist has become a target
Luxury watch thefts are rising across the UK. Here is what the data shows, how thieves operate and how to protect yourself without giving up the watch you love.
There was a time when stealing a luxury watch meant breaking into a safe, searching a bedroom or forcing open a shop window. Increasingly, the target is much simpler: the person wearing it.
Across Britain, expensive watches have become highly visible prizes for organised thieves. Rolexes, Patek Philippes and Audemars Piguets can be worth tens of thousands of pounds, yet they can be taken in seconds and carried away in a pocket.
The numbers tell the story
Between 2019 and 2023, almost 50,000 watches were reported stolen across 21 UK police forces, according to figures compiled by The Watch Register. Almost 13 per cent involved violence. London was by far the biggest hotspot, accounting for nearly 29,000 of the reported thefts.
For owners, the most troubling figure may be the recovery rate. Metropolitan Police data shows that just 1.8 per cent of watches reported stolen in London in 2019 were subsequently recovered.
In 2022, the Met recorded 6,015 stolen watches, with an estimated combined value of more than £50 million. During the first six months of 2023, a further 3,190 were reported stolen, worth an estimated £19.7 million.
There are signs that policing is having an impact. Met figures obtained in 2025 showed 783 thefts of watches worth at least £3,000 in London during 2024, down from 2,054 in 2023. That is a substantial fall, but it does not make the problem disappear.
How the thefts happen
Behind those statistics is a particular type of street crime. The victim may be walking home, leaving a restaurant or sitting in traffic. The watch is spotted, the victim is followed and the robbery can be over almost before they have understood what is happening.
The appeal of a luxury watch to a thief remains obvious. It is valuable, portable and relatively easy to sell. And as long as there is a thriving market for prestigious second-hand watches, there will be people prepared to steal them.
Social media has not helped
Luxury-watch culture has exploded online. Owners post photographs of their latest purchases, share wrist shots from restaurants and hotels, and document holidays and nights out. Most of it is harmless. But a photograph can also reveal the make and model of a watch, the owner’s location and, sometimes, where they are likely to be later.
For criminals, that information can be valuable. Posting photographs after leaving a restaurant or holiday destination is safer than announcing your whereabouts in real time. Close-up photographs of serial numbers or other identifying details should never be shared publicly.
The simplest protection is often the least glamorous
Discretion. That does not necessarily mean leaving an expensive watch at home. It means thinking about when and where it is worn. A £20,000 watch may attract little attention at a private event but considerably more on a late-night journey through an unfamiliar part of a city.
Owners can also reduce their digital footprint, vary routines and stay alert in busy areas. Situational awareness matters more than any single gadget.
Keep the paperwork
Every luxury-watch owner should have a proper record of the watch, including photographs, the serial number, purchase documents and service history. Registration with a recognised database such as The Watch Register can give police, dealers and legitimate buyers a way to identify a stolen timepiece if it reappears on the market.
Insurance is another area where complacency can be expensive. Owners should check that their policy covers theft away from home and understand any requirements surrounding valuations, security and proof of ownership.
Do not fight for the watch
A robber wants the watch. Giving it up may be infuriating, particularly when it represents years of savings or carries sentimental value, but it is still property. Fighting back can turn a robbery into a serious assault within seconds.
What it means for owners
For the owner, the answer is not to become paranoid every time they glance at their wrist. It is to understand what is now sitting there.
A luxury watch is no longer simply a piece of jewellery or a symbol of success. On the streets of Britain’s biggest cities, it can also be an advertisement of value.
Sometimes, the safest thing an owner can do is make sure nobody notices it.
Questions owners ask us
Which watches are most often stolen in the UK?
Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are the most frequently reported stolen brands, largely because they are portable, valuable and easy to resell. Any luxury watch worth several thousand pounds can be a target.
Where are watch thefts most common?
London is by far the biggest hotspot, accounting for the majority of reported luxury-watch thefts. Busy nightlife, restaurant and hotel districts are particularly risky because thieves can spot, follow and confront victims quickly.
How do thieves choose their victims?
Watches are visible from a distance. Thieves also use social media posts — wrist shots, location tags and real-time updates — to identify who is wearing something valuable and where they are.
What should I do if I am robbed for my watch?
Give it up. Property can be replaced; serious injury cannot. Hand the watch over calmly, move to safety, then report the theft to police and your insurer immediately. Registering the serial number with The Watch Register improves the chance of recovery.
Does insurance cover watch theft away from home?
Not automatically. Many home contents policies limit cover outside the house or require high-value items to be named separately. Check your policy, get a current valuation and confirm whether theft outside the home is included.
How can I reduce my risk without stopping wearing my watch?
Vary your routines, be discreet in unfamiliar or busy areas, avoid posting real-time location updates, and keep photographs and serial numbers private. Situational awareness matters more than any single gadget.
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