Stolen today, wife’s Rolex

[e600]

Yes, he used what I now know to be the envelope scam, switching the envelope with the money in to one with paper in. He then took the watch and left hurriedly and a bit aggressive, he was running up the drive and down the road into a waiting car as my wife realised the envelope didn’t contain money. By the time I had car keys and got out of the drive they were long gone.

We have reflected on the incident and thought if we had caught him out mid act what would of happened. My wife is early 60’s I am nearly 70 with 2 heart attacks in my past. He was about 6’2” and would be eager to leave.

We, and our dog, were all unharmed.

Lesson learned.

[robscot]

Where was the item listed for sale / how was contact made?

[e600]

Fbook market place and elsewhere.

[Wills2]

I feel really sorry for you, but this is why I only sell to the likes of WF etc....

I hope he gets caught and that your insurance pays out as he has stolen it, it's theft no matter what the means.

[Chicken_Satay]

When selling a higher value item like this, could you not do what the independent dealers do first before letting a customer view a watch i.e. ask for passport/driving licence identification, check, and hold onto it until the sale is complete?

[e600]

I feel once he was in the house he wasn’t leaving without the watch and money. On reflection there are several things I would do differently.

[fourstardan]

Deep said:

I don't think that's what he is saying at all. I think he's stating a way to deal with the insurance company if they try and cheat you.
Btw, were you at home when this guy came to buy the watch?

Thanks...of course I wasn't!

[Deep]

e600 said:

Yes, he used what I now know to be the envelope scam, switching the envelope with the money in to one with paper in. He then took the watch and left hurriedly and a bit aggressive, he was running up the drive and down the road into a waiting car as my wife realised the envelope didn’t contain money. By the time I had car keys and got out of the drive they were long gone.

We have reflected on the incident and thought if we had caught him out mid act what would of happened. My wife is early 60’s I am nearly 70 with 2 heart attacks in my past. He was about 6’2” and would be eager to leave.

We, and our dog, were all unharmed.

Lesson learned.

Truly awful.
You're all fine and that's the main thing. Hopefully insurance company pays out in full and you can put this thing to bed.

[amare32]

Sorry to hear and I know it's no consolation but having heard all sorts of scams people can get up to nowadays, it's just not worth it selling it privately IMO especially inviting a stranger to your home.

I recently sold my Omega Speedmaster to Dom Hackett. I probably could've got maybe £400-£600 more selling on Chrono24 but after giving C24 their cut and possible associated issues selling privately, I couldn't be bothered. Took the watch into Dom, got it appraised and the money was wired to my account instantly.

[L1OFF]

I'm beginning to wonder if its worth owning a Rolex any longer *(I bought my GMT2 in 2002 for £2300), it rarely comes out now and I certainly won't wear it or my Speedmaster moonwatch when I have to go into London for work meetings. Daily now seems to be my £150 15yr old Tissot on a NATO strap.
This thread reminded me to check my house insurance (watches are listed on that) the GMT2 is 5K and the Omega 1.5K, may need to change those )

[fourstardan]

L1OFF said:

I'm beginning to wonder if its worth owning a Rolex any longer *(I bought my GMT2 in 2002 for £2300), it rarely comes out now and I certainly won't wear it or my Speedmaster moonwatch when I have to go into London for work meetings. Daily now seems to be my £150 15yr old Tissot on a NATO strap.
This thread reminded me to check my house insurance (watches are listed on that) the GMT2 is 5K and the Omega 1.5K, may need to change those )

Im the same with the Speedy, I wouldn't be wearing into the city if I went in like I used to.

[carreauchompeur]

Prohibiting said:

Absolute scum…. and even with the CCTV image, I assume police aren’t interested?

Why would you assume that?

[e600]

carreauchompeur said:

Prohibiting said:

Absolute scum…. and even with the CCTV image, I assume police aren’t interested?

Why would you assume that?

The reality has been a crime number issued on the initial call with the police, who asked us to keep any evidence untouched in a sealed container for forensics to check for prints and dna, also if we and any neighbours have cctv to make it available. Since the initial call, last Wednesday there has been no response despite a follow up call from us and an e mail which received an automated response stating that the KPI is 5 working days to provide a response.

I hope to be proved wrong but I doubt that a forensic team will call. If they do I will update.

[gregs656]

fourstardan said:

L1OFF said:

I'm beginning to wonder if its worth owning a Rolex any longer *(I bought my GMT2 in 2002 for £2300), it rarely comes out now and I certainly won't wear it or my Speedmaster moonwatch when I have to go into London for work meetings. Daily now seems to be my £150 15yr old Tissot on a NATO strap.
This thread reminded me to check my house insurance (watches are listed on that) the GMT2 is 5K and the Omega 1.5K, may need to change those )

Im the same with the Speedy, I wouldn't be wearing into the city if I went in like I used to.

It's kind of mad that after 10 years I am increasingly conscious of wearing my more expensive watches, particularly in the summer as it's hot enough here that I never wear long sleeves. In the winter I don't think about it. I used to sometimes think about it in clubs but always wore them, even in Barcelona.

Was part of my justification for buying the Mido.

I would also say that I think my concerns are basically irrational.

[btdk5]

gregs656 said:

fourstardan said:

L1OFF said:

I'm beginning to wonder if its worth owning a Rolex any longer *(I bought my GMT2 in 2002 for £2300), it rarely comes out now and I certainly won't wear it or my Speedmaster moonwatch when I have to go into London for work meetings. Daily now seems to be my £150 15yr old Tissot on a NATO strap.
This thread reminded me to check my house insurance (watches are listed on that) the GMT2 is 5K and the Omega 1.5K, may need to change those )

Im the same with the Speedy, I wouldn't be wearing into the city if I went in like I used to.

It's kind of mad that after 10 years I am increasingly conscious of wearing my more expensive watches, particularly in the summer as it's hot enough here that I never wear long sleeves. In the winter I don't think about it. I used to sometimes think about it in clubs but always wore them, even in Barcelona.

Was part of my justification for buying the Mido.

I would also say that I think my concerns are basically irrational.

I see people in the city, Canary Wharf or on the tube in those areas almost daily wearing £10k+ watches

Maybe instead of walking home from a bar alone it would be wise to get a cab if you want to be super cautious but otherwise I think you’re panicking for no reason.

OP - sorry to hear this news, it’s disgusting someone would come to your house to do that.

[gregs656]

I'm not panicking about anything, it's just something I've thought about in the summer since moving to a warmer (at least in the summer) country and since watches have become more mainstream in that time as well.

[Maxus]

e600 said:

I feel once he was in the house he wasn’t leaving without the watch and money. On reflection there are several things I would do differently.

Really sorry to read this story and sad that Rolex theft appears to be a growing trend. Understandable to reflect on what you would do differently with hindsight but thankfully you are doing it safe and well.

[AndrewCrown]

I was reflecting on this yesterday and had a look at Rolex values…Naturally I have been appreciative of the trends but hadn’t looked for a while…somewhat surprised to see where they are going.

I have stopped wearing anything valuable in certain cities and especially in hotels & restaurants.

[e600]

Short update, given we have now exceeded the KPI of 5 working days (7 in total) we phoned Surrey Police, several times, to try and get an update. The shortest hold time was 17 mins and answered, the longest 32 mins and we gave up, the remaining call times on hold were between the two.

The response has been a case number issued but no officer assigned and they will be in touch within the KPI response time of 5 working days.

[Portofino]

Whereabouts in Surrey e600?