Discussion
Nothing at all, evidently...
It would seem such a shame to bin them all, but there's not much point in keeping them. Offering them for sale feels a bit like selling a VIN plate, in that it gives somebody an opportunity to legitimise a dodgy watch.
I guess I'll shove them in storage, in the forlorn hope that one or more watches may be recovered by plod at some point.
It would seem such a shame to bin them all, but there's not much point in keeping them. Offering them for sale feels a bit like selling a VIN plate, in that it gives somebody an opportunity to legitimise a dodgy watch.
I guess I'll shove them in storage, in the forlorn hope that one or more watches may be recovered by plod at some point.
They've had photos of the boxes and copies of all the paperwork, including receipts. I don't have any photos of me wearing most of them, but they haven't asked for that anyway.
I was really asking more about the long term. Is there ever a time when you say "f
k it", and bin the boxes, or are there attics across the land full of orphaned watch boxes?
I was really asking more about the long term. Is there ever a time when you say "f
k it", and bin the boxes, or are there attics across the land full of orphaned watch boxes?Sorry to hear that, there really are some low life's out there.
I wouldn't give up hope on getting the watches back. Have you let local watch shops, jewellers and pawnbrokers know? May be worth letting people on here know too to keep an eye out. You could sell the boxes but I'd hold on to papers.
I wouldn't give up hope on getting the watches back. Have you let local watch shops, jewellers and pawnbrokers know? May be worth letting people on here know too to keep an eye out. You could sell the boxes but I'd hold on to papers.
Sorry to hear of your loss.
I think you've arrived at the answer - there's little intrinsic value to them on their own now, which is a shame.
The papers are useless to anyone else (unless they plan on using them for ill purpose). The boxes you might be able to get a few quid for on e-bay, but probably only for the major 'name' brands - Rolex in particular attract decent money, the rest not so much, unless you find someone who needs exactly what you have, or just fancies completing their set of instruction booklets, cleaning cloths etc.
I agree with the advice re retaining the papers, receipts etc. They are easily stored in case they turn up later.
If they are limited editions, or numbered, you stand a slightly better chance of them being recognised somewhere. Have you contacted the Watch companies to register them as stolen, in case they come back for servicing later & can be picked-up from the serial number etc? Perhaps check local pawn shops near you, or e-bay. As I'm sure you know, your ownership rights as the original owner will supersede that of anyone else who later buys them in good faith, unaware they were stolen.
That is a bit of a long shot, however.
In general terms of whether most people keep their boxes forever & a day - probably more so nowadays than in years past. Most people bought watches as tools years ago, or with no intention of re-selling, so the investment/watch-geek thing as a wider angle is a relatively recent phenomenon, with potential buyers often preferring a 'full set'. With most brands, they won't make much of a difference to the selling/investment price, but they definitely do matter for re-selling Rolex & the like, adding a few hundred to the price & making for an easier sale. In terms of the papers, the original guarantee is quickly expired & useless, but there are service papers or on-demand papers from some companies which are as good for later establishing authenticity.
Unfortunately, for the above to matter, you do need to retain the watches themselves - without them, there's less point in retention.
Best of luck, I hope something positive turns-up for you.
I think you've arrived at the answer - there's little intrinsic value to them on their own now, which is a shame.
The papers are useless to anyone else (unless they plan on using them for ill purpose). The boxes you might be able to get a few quid for on e-bay, but probably only for the major 'name' brands - Rolex in particular attract decent money, the rest not so much, unless you find someone who needs exactly what you have, or just fancies completing their set of instruction booklets, cleaning cloths etc.
I agree with the advice re retaining the papers, receipts etc. They are easily stored in case they turn up later.
If they are limited editions, or numbered, you stand a slightly better chance of them being recognised somewhere. Have you contacted the Watch companies to register them as stolen, in case they come back for servicing later & can be picked-up from the serial number etc? Perhaps check local pawn shops near you, or e-bay. As I'm sure you know, your ownership rights as the original owner will supersede that of anyone else who later buys them in good faith, unaware they were stolen.
That is a bit of a long shot, however.
In general terms of whether most people keep their boxes forever & a day - probably more so nowadays than in years past. Most people bought watches as tools years ago, or with no intention of re-selling, so the investment/watch-geek thing as a wider angle is a relatively recent phenomenon, with potential buyers often preferring a 'full set'. With most brands, they won't make much of a difference to the selling/investment price, but they definitely do matter for re-selling Rolex & the like, adding a few hundred to the price & making for an easier sale. In terms of the papers, the original guarantee is quickly expired & useless, but there are service papers or on-demand papers from some companies which are as good for later establishing authenticity.
Unfortunately, for the above to matter, you do need to retain the watches themselves - without them, there's less point in retention.
Best of luck, I hope something positive turns-up for you.
They have all been reported stolen to dealers, manufacturers and so on, as have the serial numbers. Never having experienced this sort of thing before, I have no idea how much chance there is of getting anythgin recovered. It's been three weeks so far, and nowt.
Some are effectively irreplacable, because they were limited editions, and I could only now buy a second hand one, which I don't want. A few had significant sentimental value, which is a pissrr.
I think. I'll put all the boxes and paperwork away, and reassess my watch habit. I do have security (for the house as well as for valuables in the house), but when you only nip out for a couple of hours in the afternoon, it's easy to be blasé. Note to all: Don't be.
Some are effectively irreplacable, because they were limited editions, and I could only now buy a second hand one, which I don't want. A few had significant sentimental value, which is a pissrr.
I think. I'll put all the boxes and paperwork away, and reassess my watch habit. I do have security (for the house as well as for valuables in the house), but when you only nip out for a couple of hours in the afternoon, it's easy to be blasé. Note to all: Don't be.
Thanks for the sympathy guys. I didn't want to make this public, as I'm feeling a litle paranoid. It was really a queston about the boxes and paperwork. At present, I'm letting the police do their thing, and to be fair, they've been great for the last three weeks.
I've spoken to friends and contacts who might come across this stuff, and would recognise what they're looking at, but just now, I'm going to stay low-key.
As and when things change, I'll update here, and I may list the items later if there's no progress.
I've spoken to friends and contacts who might come across this stuff, and would recognise what they're looking at, but just now, I'm going to stay low-key.
As and when things change, I'll update here, and I may list the items later if there's no progress.
I think there's far more chance one of us may spot one if you list them here than the thief gaining some advantage by reading your list.
If he then discovers what he has, there's more likelihood he'll sell in the kind of places we look rather than down the pub, and that may be his downfall.
They make mistakes too. I was ripped off by an internet ad for a £120 item. Police traced him by his mobile phone and bank account details (simples) and successfully prosecuted him for 11 offences. Desperation leads scum to overlook the obvious.
If he then discovers what he has, there's more likelihood he'll sell in the kind of places we look rather than down the pub, and that may be his downfall.
They make mistakes too. I was ripped off by an internet ad for a £120 item. Police traced him by his mobile phone and bank account details (simples) and successfully prosecuted him for 11 offences. Desperation leads scum to overlook the obvious.
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