How to handle when a watch is stolen?

[roalex]

Hi,

I recently had a $50k+ Rolex stolen from me while I was moving houses and I have reported it to the police. How has anyone handled this in the past where they have gotten their watch back? I assume if I post serial on here it will only alert the thief that people are looking for it or that it’s been blasted as stolen. I was thinking about doing the following:

1. Police report
2. Alert Rolex
3. Posting on local Craigslist that if the thief returns the watch I will pay them a ransom and pull back any charges
4. Thoughts or anything to add? At this point I’m not worried about pressing charges and just want my damn watch back.

Thanks - all feedback, good and bad is appreciated.

[jurob]

Give the police a chance. Hopefully you have an idea who stole it and since you have a serial number they may be able to find it on their pawn data base if it is sold to a second hand shop.

[AlabamaLawyer1988]

I’d call every pawn shop and jewelry store within a 100 mile radius and put them on notice. This happened while you were moving, correct? There must be a suspect, yes?

Good luck!

DM

[roalex]

A few suspects but it’s 2022 and pretty hard to point fingers…

[Azadwatches]

Sorry to hear that.
You should definitely post a the serial number and call around. Most likely someone will at some time try to sell it or authenticate it!

[tike71]

Hopefully you have insurance

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by roalex

Hi,

I recently had a $50k+ Rolex stolen from me while I was moving houses and I have reported it to the police. How has anyone handled this in the past where they have gotten their watch back? I assume if I post serial on here it will only alert the thief that people are looking for it or that it’s been blasted as stolen. I was thinking about doing the following:

1. Police report
2. Alert Rolex
3. Posting on local Craigslist that if the thief returns the watch I will pay them a ransom and pull back any charges
4. Thoughts or anything to add? At this point I’m not worried about pressing charges and just want my damn watch back.

Thanks - all feedback, good and bad is appreciated.

Post the serial here too- why care if the thief thinks people are looking for it ? I would have thought that would be a given. Unless he thinks the theft won't have been noticed ?

Not sure, were I a thief, I'd believe your CL posting- why wouldn't you have police lying in wait to nab me ? No harm in doing it, but I'd be surprised if you a) get a happy outcome b) don't fall prey to other criminals who meet you and rob you of the ransom....

As said above, alert all the pawn shops and dealers-

[joli160]

Sorry to hear that.

What Asiparks said Your line of thinking will never work. There are no honorable thiefs. Chase them down with everything you can.
Offer a huge reward for evidence, if there are more involved somebody might sing