Watch stolen: Gutted!

[Red 5]

I recently had a few trades in, during some light renovation and a new kitchen. All nice people and recommendations etc.
Non of them were ever in the house alone, due to wfh.
I’d packed my Breitling B1 away, at the back of cupboard above my wardrobe. I’d not worn it for a year or so.

Sometime later…..

Two days ago I went to retrieve it and pack it off to Breitling for a battery, only to find it missing!
I knew immediately.
Obviously we still searched the whole house pointless. Twice

All the boxes, papers, service receipts and spare straps were there, just no watch!
I bought it new in 2000 from Alexander’s in Reigate, where I’d ogled through the window as a child. I visited with my late father and we selected it together.
I know it’s not the most expensive watch in the world, but it was almost unbelievably fantastic to me when I bought it, and I always treasured it. I’d have never sold it.

I’ve reported it, just to get a crime number really, and am going to make my first ever home insurance claim.
It cost me £1500 new, with used examples with papers now fetching around £2000, so let’s see what they say.

At this point, I’m not sure if I want somebody else’s ‘old’ watch of unknown history. I might just see it as a reminder.
If they pay out, it’s not enough to go for a new model, as Breitling has got more exclusive / expensive over the years. It looks like I’d be wanting one close to £5k now too. Not sure what to do. As I have all the spares for the B1.

Anyway…
Gutted it’s gone.
That somebody I liked took it, as well as the money I paid them for their work.
Not sure what to do and am really angry with nowhere to direct it.

What would you do?
Can really trust second hand 20+ year old watches, or should I just bite the bullet and spend more for a new one I like?


This was it at 17 years old, on the original bracelet.

Edited by Red 5 on Wednesday 17th April 00:07

[markiii]

Most insurance excludes theft by someone you let in

[DoubleSix]

Damn. That is really sh**ty.

I’ve had a lot of trades in over the last 12 months and am generally a pretty trusting guy. I’ve left them in my house whe doing the school run etc and generally just leave my Rolex by my bed, albeit the more expensive ones live in a roll.

I am questioning myself.

I would be livid if i were you.

[Red 5]

markiii said:

Most insurance excludes theft by someone you let in

I’ve filled in the forms online now, so let’s see what happens.
I was too annoyed to read all the small print and exclusions haha

[Red 5]

DoubleSix said:

Damn. That is really sh**ty.

I’ve had a lot of trades in over the last 12 months and am generally a pretty trusting guy. I’ve left them in my house whe doing the school run etc and generally just leave my Rolex by my bed, albeit the more expensive ones live in a roll.

I am questioning myself.

I would be livid if i were you.

I am livid.
The funny thing is, if I’d left it out where it was before, I’d have noticed the day it went missing and would know who’d taken it.
Or they’d have not bothered, knowing it would be immediately missed.
The fact it was tucked away made it easier, for anyone SO dishonest as to actually search for valuables.

I’m trusting too, and always think the best of people. I wish I still had the stty old kitchen now, and my watch back!

You might as well go and check everything is where it should be now (If you’re not already doing so)
This was my only nice watch. My others are basic work G-Shock things and an Apple Watch.

[The Goat]

Gutted for you! It's a really stty thing to do, especially by someone you put your trust in.
Perhaps if you had left it out, in a place where it would obviously be noticed if went missing, it may have removed the temptation?

Maybe you could get friend to advertise the box and papers for sale locally and see if the thief takes the bait?

I would try and get a payout for a like for like replacement at todays market value and, if successful, maybe put it towards something new if you're not keen on a used replacement?

[nuyorican]

Sorry for your loss.

I can't believe an actual tradesman would steal something out of a customer's house. Ignoring the fact that it's a dick move and illegal, it's their reputation at stake. Labourers for the trades though, no such scruples. Would it be worth having a word with the gaffer?

[cogflation]

nuyorican said:

Sorry for your loss.

I can't believe an actual tradesman would steal something out of a customer's house. Ignoring the fact that it's a dick move and illegal, it's their reputation at stake. Labourers for the trades though, no such scruples. Would it be worth having a word with the gaffer?

Good point; had a plasterer with some scally labs do some work for me on a job some years ago, a camera of significant value owned by the client went walkies and when my cousin (who'd recommended the plasterer who was his mate) was told exactly who one of them was he went nuts, suggestions of poor short term health outlooks may have been made, and $ was stumped up.

[Red 5]

nuyorican said:

Sorry for your loss.

I can't believe an actual tradesman would steal something out of a customer's house. Ignoring the fact that it's a dick move and illegal, it's their reputation at stake. Labourers for the trades though, no such scruples. Would it be worth having a word with the gaffer?

Thanks.

There is no gaffer. I have sought out trades via recommendations as I’ve needed them, filling in the gaps with some DIY

By the time I noticed the other day, I’ve had about 18 people in.
Mostly owner operators, with obviously a few younger helpers.

[DoubleSix]

Bloody frustrating. And any suggestions you should have done anything differently should be roundly ignored.

It’s your home. You placed trust in those who entered. The thief is a sh*t but you are a normal decent person. Continue.

And yes, i did immediately check my valuables!!

[Scarletpimpofnel]

Op such bad luck, can't replace sentimental items. I also once had a sentimental watch stolen by an employee (never knew which one as 8 or so had the opportunity).

I think I'd be going all full on stalker and follow them going on a night out to see what they wear as well as setting alerts for similar watches for sale on line etc!

[Red 5]

DoubleSix said:

Bloody frustrating. And any suggestions you should have done anything differently should be roundly ignored.

It’s your home. You placed trust in those who entered. The thief is a sh*t but you are a normal decent person. Continue.

And yes, i did immediately check my valuables!!

Thanks DS
I hope my insurance agree, as I (or my partner) were in the house when the searching and stealing occurred in our bedroom!

Glad you valuables are present and correct

[Red 5]

Scarletpimpofnel said:

Op such bad luck, can't replace sentimental items. I also once had a sentimental watch stolen by an employee (never knew which one as 8 or so had the opportunity).

I think I'd be going all full on stalker and follow them going on a night out to see what they wear as well as setting alerts for similar watches for sale on line etc!

Wow! That was possibly even worse!

I don’t even know the name of the plumbers mate, or the lads the the carpet fitter had in training.
Too many people!

I also think it would have a negative effect on me. I’m not sure what I’d want to do if I found out who dun it. I don’t think I’d like myself

Edited by Red 5 on Wednesday 17th April 00:03

[fridaypassion]

That's really annoying. Must admit my watch box goes in the safe if we have anyone around doing work. Not necessarily lack of trust of our regular guys but you never know if they have a wayward subbie or apprentice.....

[bristolbaron]

A couple of bit on the figures you quoted..

Retail on these was around £1800-2000 back in 2000ish, a bracelet alone would’ve been about £500. I can’t see that you bought it new for £500?

Insurance wise, they’d quote ‘new for old’ and base on the nearest current equivalent, so claim value would likely exceed single article limit if you didn’t have a named item policy.

Sorry it’s happened, but if insurers are willing to pay out the don’t lose out twice!

[Geertsen]

This is absolutely awful, and scary really. I’m sorry to hear your experience. I would absolutely have a go at looking up as many of them as I could think of on social media / Instagram, if any of them have such a thing. Slim chance of spotting it but possible. No doubt they sold it on. Scumbags.

[Red 5]

bristolbaron said:

A couple of bit on the figures you quoted..

Retail on these was around £1800-2000 back in 2000ish, a bracelet alone would’ve been about £500. I can’t see that you bought it new for £500?

Insurance wise, they’d quote ‘new for old’ and base on the nearest current equivalent, so claim value would likely exceed single article limit if you didn’t have a named item policy.

Sorry it’s happened, but if insurers are willing to pay out the don’t lose out twice!

Thanks for pointing that out! It was £1500 and I’ve corrected above
I didn’t ‘name item’ insure, so at looking at £2000 - £200 excess best case scenario.

[Terminator X]

What a shame, lovely looking watch.

TX.

[e600]

We let someone in our house who stole my wife’s Rolex. Insurance didn’t pay out. There is a clause about letting people in being excluded from claims.

[Norton850]

I trust no one and keep my good watches in my floor safe but do keep a couple of daily watches in a drawer which is lockable.

Gutted for you

Great looking watch and often memories mean more than value ...