You just had your watch stolen. Hopefully you are safe and unharmed. As the dust settles you may be wondering what strategy to implement to give you the best chances of recovering your stolen watch. You could also be thinking, “should I even bother attempting to invest time in my stolen watch recovery?” Yes, you should definitely implement a strategy towards potential recovery and report your stolen watch to the appropriate authorities. Here are the steps you can take:
- Contact the Police: As soon as you realize your watch has been stolen, you should report the theft to your local police department. Provide them with all the relevant information, such as the time and place it was stolen, any identifying features of the watch, and its estimated value. Our stolen watch register will need this police report in order to a
- Provide Documentation: If you have any documentation related to the watch, such as its purchase receipt, serial number, or photographs, be sure to provide these to the police. This information can be helpful for the investigation and will be necessary in order to activate a “report stolen watch” report in the Watch CSA stolen watch registry or the Rolex registry.
- Notify Insurance: If your stolen watch is covered by insurance, inform your insurance company about the theft. They may require a police report and the watch’s details for your stolen watch claim.
- Check Online Marketplaces: Keep an eye on online marketplaces, auction sites, and classified ad websites where stolen goods are often resold. Sometimes, stolen items end up being sold online, and if you can identify your stolen watch being sold, inform the police. An active “report stolen watch” submission with the Watch CSA stolen watch register may increase the odds that auction sites and online sellers may get a “report stolen watch” database alert, potentially leading to a contact with the proper authorities.
- Inform Local Pawn Shops and Jewelry Stores: Visit or contact local pawn shops and jewelry stores and inform them about the stolen watch. Provide a description and any relevant details. Thieves may attempt to sell stolen items to these businesses. If you file a “report stolen watch” report with the Watch CSA stolen watch registry and it is approved, it will be made available to thousands of pawnshop/ jewelry store scans each month.
- Use Social Media: You can also post information about your stolen watch on social media, asking for help from your friends and followers. Include a photo and description to increase the chances of someone recognizing it.
- Keep Records: Maintain a copy of the stolen watch police report and all related documents, as these may be required for insurance claims and for proving ownership if the stolen watch is recovered.
- Report Stolen Watch to Trade Organizations: Reach out to trade organizations such as the International Watch & Jewelry Guild (IWJG), Polygon Network, WWT shows, and Pawnbrokers Helping Pawnbrokers (PHP). See if they can send an email notification or social post to members regarding your stolen watch report. Request that your notification be very detailed to improve the chances that the industry recipients will notice the key details fo the stolen watch notification i.e. “Report Stolen Rolex”, “Report Stolen Breitling”, “Report Stolen Omega”, “Report Stolen Cartier”, and so on. Include details regarding the strap color, the type of dial, and any differentiators like engraving on the stolen watch. Such efforts may aid in the chances of recovery.
- Check your Watch Brand Company (i.e. Rolex USA): In addition to filing a “report stolen watch” submission to the Watch CSA stolen watch register, it’s recommended that owners experiencing loss look into filing a “report stolen watch” request with the brand owner. Example would be filing a “report stolen Rolex” with Rolex U.S.A (assuming they maintain such a reporting in the form of a stolen Rolex register or Rolex registry). It’s important to find out if the brand has a system for reporting stolen watches because it may increase recovery. Many stolen watches resold illegally end up at the brand service centers and get flagged by systems like the Rolex registry or the Watch CSA watch registry.
Reporting the theft of your stolen watch is crucial, as it increases the chances of recovering your property and can assist in apprehending the thief. Take an extensive approach to recovery by getting your “report stolen watch” submission in with leading stolen watch register database systems. Additionally, it helps law enforcement track and address theft in your area.