Stolen Watches

Newsletter archive | 11th April 2012 

Mail from one of my subscribers: 

Hi Nick, I am a customer and have purchased a couple of cheaper 
watches from you and appreciated the value and the service.

Can you tell me how dealers  protect yourself and customers from the 
reselling of stolen watches?

I ask because over Easter thieves entered my home and stole my prized 
IWC Portuguese Chrono Rose Gold watch...I am devastated to know that 
this beautiful watch will be in a dealers or pawn shop or even worse 
on E-Bay shortly and a buyer will take the sellers word that it's 
their property...

Regards,

D.U.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi David,

Sorry to hear about your loss.

If the watch ends up with honest second hand dealer then this would be your best chance for recovery.

All second hand dealers are required to submit watch serial numbers and sellers details to the police within 24 hours. The Police will then keep details on file and match the watch details with their database of stolen watches.
When a dealer buys a watch from a member of the public, it is considered to be at the dealer's own risk, and this system works well. Plus a dealer would never buy a watch from someone who refuses to disclose his details and sign a declaration of ownership.

Unfortunately most stolen watches are 'exported' overseas

or sold online. Private buyers and sellers are not required to

report or register deals to police.

However, dealing in stolen goods is a criminal offense, even when

the purchase is made 'in good faith'.

In your particular case: you should contact the police as soon as possible,

in writing, and provide watch details -

full description, any unique properties and serial / model reference numbers.

Here are couple of tips

- Always keep all the receipts

- Have the watch valued for insurance purpose

- Have the watch insured

- Store it in a safe place.

- Be smart! Don't leave the watch unattended or on sight; even if you are     leaving the house for just short period of time.

In the case of burglary, the first things that will be stolen are watches, jewellery and cash.

Nick

A repair job that could have been avoided

An ‘unbreakable mechanical watch’ has yet to be invented.

Unfortunately, bad things happen to good watches.

Accidentally dropping a watch on a hard surface (tiled floor for example) is bad but in some cases even more damage is done after the watch has hit the floor.

For some reason, the watch owner, recovering from a state of shock, will pull the winding crown and try to turn the hands. By the time he realizes that the hands are ‘stuck’, it will be too late – the dial (and hands) would have already been scratched by floating debris of the watch crystal.

While crystal replacement is a relatively straight-forward and not terribly expensive job, a dial and hand replacement is, on the opposite, always a complex and pricey repair. A job that in most cases, could have been avoided.

So, if you are unlucky enough to have dropped your watch, do not make it worse. Here are a few tips to avoid further disaster:

• shattered crystal is not the end of the world – it is reparable, so do not panic.

• unscrew the winding crown and pull it straight out to stop the watch.

• DO NOT SET TIME or DATE.

• if the glass is only chipped or cracked, but not shattered (and the watch appears to be keeping time), DO NOT WEAR IT.
  
  Small crystal particles could still float inside the watch mechanism and will definitely cause further damage. Take it to an authorised Service Centre or an independent watch expert.
  

• if you accidentally dropped your watch, but cannot see any sign of external damage: I would strongly recommend to observe its timekeeping for the next 24 hours. Make sure to carefully examine the watch case, crystal, bezel, pushers and winding crown.
  
  If you notice anything unusual or find that 'something does not feel right’, do the right thing: take it to a watchmaker for an expert assessment.
  

Bottom of the Harbour haven for Rolex

What would you say if I told you that there is a place where you can find a treasure trove of Rolex watches just waiting to be picked up? It's true. That's got your attention, hasn't it ? What will keep your attention is the knowledge that your Rolex may be the next to end up here. Yes, your trusty Submariner or Seadweller that you think is almost indestructible. “It's a Rolex you say, what could go wrong?”. And where is this Ali Baba's cave ? It's much closer to home than you think. It's called Sydney Harbour!

Personally, I know of at least a dozen or so Rolex watches that have been lost between the Harbour Bridge and the Heads. Imagine it … all of them are now sitting at the bottom of the harbour glinting up to the surface, yearning to be reunited with their careless custodian. Why is it so ? Well for one simple reason - the bracelet broke.

Before you start blaming Rolex for making inferior bracelets, let me tell you that after repairing thousands of Rolex watches, I have come to the conclusion that a lot of trusty Rolex owners simply don't give a second thought to the condition of the bracelet. It's rare that anyone bringing a watch in for service asks me to inspect the bracelet for wear and tear.

The one that nearly got away

Here are photos of a Rolex Submariner [ref 5513] that came in for repair just recently. This is the very watch that prompted me to post this story on the web to alert you watch collectors and watch aficionados. It's a good example of a bad example if you follow my logic. The proud, but misguided owner specifically requested that the bracelet must not be touched or repaired "because this will spoil its originality". He went on to add that he does not mind the 'stretch' because he prefers to wear it 'loose'. Well after all, it doesn't look too bad, does it?



Except that on the wrist, his bracelet looks more like this: What he chooses to call a loose or comfortable bracelet is actually a worn out bracelet where the links are cutting into each other to the point where the gap between them is now 2-4mm.



The reason for such an extensive wear is mostly due to a build up of dirt, grit, perspiration, skin acids, UV creams etc that over time act like a grinding paste that is accelerated with the constant flexing movements of the bracelet on your wrist. Steel links are very effectively ground to death by you wearing your watch too loose.



When the bracelet was separated from the case, another booby trap emerged. The spring loaded bar (pin) was worn out to the point where it was as thin as a paper clip. Just as a little test, grab a paper clip and bend it a few times and see what happens. That could be what your Rolex is relying on to not become an orphan. Interestingly, the other end of the pin is still in reasonably good condition, but it only takes one break at one end to lose your watch.



Out of sight – out of mind

Take a closer look at x15 magnification.

"She'll be right mate" attitude at its best! No, she won't be right. It's just crazy luck that this poor victim has survived the last fishing trip.



Another weak point is steel bar ('rivet pin') that holds the flip lock clasp assembly.



The entire weight of watch and bracelet is relying on the strength of this piece of wire. In a new bracelet this steel wire is exactly 1 mm thick. Here, at its weakest point it is now only half that - 0.55mm. It does not take much to snap ½ millimetre of pitted, corroded and flexed worn out piece of metal wire.



Keeping the watch bracelet in "original and unaltered condition" should not be your utmost priority. Bracelet links, clasp parts and spring loaded bars should be serviced or replaced whenever your watch is due for an overhaul or immediately when you notice any damage or wear.

A lot of watch fanciers also adore classic & vintage cars. Is that you ? Ask yourself, “would I keep my car's brake pads, tyres and shock absorbers in 'original' condition or should I replace them whenever they are defective?”

Here is what you should do to avoid the disappointment of losing your valuable and cherished Rolex:

• Service your watch on a regular basis - ideally every 3-4 years. Keep it clean - have the bracelet cleaned in ultrasonic cleaner at least once every 12 months.


• Avoid excessive polishing. DO NOT polish bracelet with metal polishing paste unless you can clean it in ultrasonic cleaner after. Metal polish will dry into a fine powder and embed itself in the bracelet and it will also act as abrasive material.


• Wear your watch reasonably tightly. Steel Submariner or Seadweller is NOT a piece of jewellery but a precision machine.


• Rinse in tap water after a day out in the elements.

As you all realise, your well looked-after Rolex will last for generations. The best way to preserve something in 'original precision condition' is to look after it. When it is time for your Rolex to be passed on as a treasured family heirloom, don't be the one who will be remembered by your family by the question, "Whatever happened to that glorious Rolex he had ?”

Happy fishing, sailing, boating, kayaking, diving, surfing, hang gliding, parachuting, aerobatics or whatever is your extreme pursuit!

Text and photos copyrighted.