Watch stolen: Gutted!
Discussion
raceboy said:
Great result, I'm sure watchfinder would take a cheeky bid on this
https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling/B1/A68362/...
That would pretty much put you back where you were before the unfortunate incident.
I’m really tempted by that one, but will have a scan around and see if there is anything else / other suggestions before I jump https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling/B1/A68362/...
That would pretty much put you back where you were before the unfortunate incident.
Red 5 said:
Update!
My insurance company have agreed to settle my claim without quibble
They appreciate the paid price / value meant I didn’t name the item on my policy.
But they also appreciated that my new for old policy terms will not cover the cost of a replacement, as they have gone up in price a bit (£2000 item limit)
To that end, they have waived my excess, So will pay me the full £2000 as a cash settlement.
They cannot offer to find me a replacement B1 on the secondhand market.
So now I have a dilemma.
Do I buy another B1? I still really like them.
I also have my spare rubber strap.
However, it will not be the same as it’s not MY B1.
Spending £2000 on a watch if that age Seems crazy somehow.
Or perhaps I should put some more money with it and go and buy the new version, that seems to be a commemorative red arrows edition.
What would you do?
Am I safe on the secondhand watch market?
What do you think of the red arrows edition?
Any thoughts, much appreciated
I'm not a watch guy but my gut feeling says buy a new one. My insurance company have agreed to settle my claim without quibble
They appreciate the paid price / value meant I didn’t name the item on my policy.
But they also appreciated that my new for old policy terms will not cover the cost of a replacement, as they have gone up in price a bit (£2000 item limit)
To that end, they have waived my excess, So will pay me the full £2000 as a cash settlement.
They cannot offer to find me a replacement B1 on the secondhand market.
So now I have a dilemma.
Do I buy another B1? I still really like them.
I also have my spare rubber strap.
However, it will not be the same as it’s not MY B1.
Spending £2000 on a watch if that age Seems crazy somehow.
Or perhaps I should put some more money with it and go and buy the new version, that seems to be a commemorative red arrows edition.
What would you do?
Am I safe on the secondhand watch market?
What do you think of the red arrows edition?
Any thoughts, much appreciated
I'd even go as far as to say get a different model as you won't be able to replace the lost one as it'll never have the memories attached to it like the last one did.
Good news about the insurance.
OMITN said:
Glad the insurers have paid out OP. Still pretty grizzly to know that a carefully looked after possession with more than just monetary value could be stolen like that.
As with others, I agree that whoever took it knows how to pinch things and will probably make a tidy living out of it. On a smaller scale I had the same happen around a year ago with a socket set going walkies from the garage when we had building work going on.
I know the builder (he has worked for us before) and he has high standards for everything he and his people do. He was really disappointed and, when he asked his team directly and they all said no, he replaced directly and apologised profusely. My feeling it was the sub-contracted plumber's mate....
I had a watch stolen in a break-in a few years ago (target were the car keys and the watch - a JDM Seiko diver - was next to them). Took me ages to work out what to replace with - went with a s/h Grand Seiko diver that cost me 10 times as much as the stolen one..!
It was lucky you even noticed it was missing so promptly. Decent builder then As with others, I agree that whoever took it knows how to pinch things and will probably make a tidy living out of it. On a smaller scale I had the same happen around a year ago with a socket set going walkies from the garage when we had building work going on.
I know the builder (he has worked for us before) and he has high standards for everything he and his people do. He was really disappointed and, when he asked his team directly and they all said no, he replaced directly and apologised profusely. My feeling it was the sub-contracted plumber's mate....
I had a watch stolen in a break-in a few years ago (target were the car keys and the watch - a JDM Seiko diver - was next to them). Took me ages to work out what to replace with - went with a s/h Grand Seiko diver that cost me 10 times as much as the stolen one..!
I’m going to try to NOT over spend on a replacement, lime you did!
It’s a want, not a NEED item after all
I expect the thief knew it was there after a rummage and then took it on their last day!
As I have the serial number of the stolen B1, it will be registered bent, so if it ever turns up at Breitling for a service it’ll be retained and returned to the insurance company.
The sad thing is, I’m sure it’ll change hands (pun intended) a couple of times quite quickly and end up with someone who has no idea it’s stolen.
Such a person is highly likely to take it to a Breitling Boutique, or send it back to Tunbridge Wells.
I now have to send off the papers and my lovely box, so they stay out of circulation permanently.
They are even reimbursing me for the postage cost!
The sad thing is, I’m sure it’ll change hands (pun intended) a couple of times quite quickly and end up with someone who has no idea it’s stolen.
Such a person is highly likely to take it to a Breitling Boutique, or send it back to Tunbridge Wells.
I now have to send off the papers and my lovely box, so they stay out of circulation permanently.
They are even reimbursing me for the postage cost!
ChocolateFrog said:
I'm not a watch guy but my gut feeling says buy a new one.
I'd even go as far as to say get a different model as you won't be able to replace the lost one as it'll never have the memories attached to it like the last one did.
Good news about the insurance.
This is good advice, as I think a ‘new’ second hand one will feel a bit hollow and imposter I'd even go as far as to say get a different model as you won't be able to replace the lost one as it'll never have the memories attached to it like the last one did.
Good news about the insurance.
-ish.
I’ll also not have to worry about it needing an £1100 display, or other service work anytime soon.
My last B1 service / cosmetic tidy in 2017 was £799!
I don't know how effective this is, but I bought a few Shanghai specials when I was travelling through there frequently. Copies of IWC/Breitling/Omega/Rolex. No more than $10 a piece.
I've never really worn them but ended up keeping them in obvious places like bedside cupboards, drawers etc.
Surely the best use of a fake ever if you have opportunistic thieves in your house?
I've never really worn them but ended up keeping them in obvious places like bedside cupboards, drawers etc.
Surely the best use of a fake ever if you have opportunistic thieves in your house?
Uncle Meat said:
I've got a B1 (blue face) and a GMT. I won't be buying another Breitling, their 'service' is usually shocking. They smashed the ceramic display on my B1 the last time they had it. They did replace it FOC but so many other issues with Bretling I won't buy another one.
That’s a shame. They were always fine for me on the four occasions my B1 visited HQ.
Hedgedhog said:
I have a lot of sympathy for you. My fathers signet ring was stolen by a cleaner and a scaffolder managed to steal a cheque from a chequebook in a study drawer and then tried to use it to buy a car. The cheque was a pita but it still upsets me that I lost that ring.
Well that’s way worse! Not only an heirloom, but you knew who took it. I think that would eat me up more!
This was my watch that I bought, so I have memories yes, but not like that!
The check was just annoying though.
What tasty motor were they trying to buy?
a340driver said:
I don't know how effective this is, but I bought a few Shanghai specials when I was travelling through there frequently. Copies of IWC/Breitling/Omega/Rolex. No more than $10 a piece.
I've never really worn them but ended up keeping them in obvious places like bedside cupboards, drawers etc.
Surely the best use of a fake ever if you have opportunistic thieves in your house?
Ah yes, like the sacfificialwallet that some travellers carry just in case. I've never really worn them but ended up keeping them in obvious places like bedside cupboards, drawers etc.
Surely the best use of a fake ever if you have opportunistic thieves in your house?
Red 5 said:
bristolbaron said:
Awesome! I expected you to be disappointed to be honest!
Personally, I’d stay away from another b1. Whilst they’re a great looking watch, that digital display is a killer if it needs replacement - it was over £1100 5 years ago (just for the module, servicing on top). They’re only going to get more likely to fail as they get older.
A B2 would be a much more sensible alternative.
Sheeee-it that’s a bit steep! Personally, I’d stay away from another b1. Whilst they’re a great looking watch, that digital display is a killer if it needs replacement - it was over £1100 5 years ago (just for the module, servicing on top). They’re only going to get more likely to fail as they get older.
A B2 would be a much more sensible alternative.
It had never even occurred to me that that might be an issue!
Thanks for pointing it out. I’ll take that into account
Edit : Thanks for the B2 suggestion. It’s really similar in a lot of ways, but I’m not sure about the face. It seems really cluttered after the B1!
I didn’t realise there were 2013 B1 available either.
Edited by Red 5 on Thursday 18th April 15:56
So I’ve searched high and low, to find something I like for a sensible sum.
I’m looking at new ones, as I’m struggling with the price of the old B1!
I like the Avenger Night Mission.
What do you think of these? No complications, or digital displays to service.
Any downsides to these?
On sale at WOS
I could get a coloured strap for a change if I wanted and I still have a deployment buckle from a crocodile B1 strap I might be able to use.
They also have a model of this V17319101B1X1 ending in 2 as well, at £4250.
I guess that’s the new model, but does that even matter, given they look the same and I plan to keep for decades.
Edit : Looks like it’s the different clasp / buckle types.
I’m looking at new ones, as I’m struggling with the price of the old B1!
I like the Avenger Night Mission.
What do you think of these? No complications, or digital displays to service.
Any downsides to these?
On sale at WOS
I could get a coloured strap for a change if I wanted and I still have a deployment buckle from a crocodile B1 strap I might be able to use.
They also have a model of this V17319101B1X1 ending in 2 as well, at £4250.
I guess that’s the new model, but does that even matter, given they look the same and I plan to keep for decades.
Edit : Looks like it’s the different clasp / buckle types.
Edited by Red 5 on Thursday 18th April 21:19
Red 5 said:
Well that’s way worse!
Not only an heirloom, but you knew who took it. I think that would eat me up more!
This was my watch that I bought, so I have memories yes, but not like that!
The check was just annoying though.
What tasty motor were they trying to buy?
Unfortunately it couldn't be proven and we'd already sacked them for nicking delivery packages caught on an external camera. The cheque issue was totally bonkers. It took me ages to try and figure out what happened after the bank called me. At first I thought that my wife had lost the plot. I think the bloke tried to buy a second hand Golf for £5,000 or something like that but even with all the evidence I don't think the police did anything in the end. It just goes to show sadly that you can't trust anyone in your home.Not only an heirloom, but you knew who took it. I think that would eat me up more!
This was my watch that I bought, so I have memories yes, but not like that!
The check was just annoying though.
What tasty motor were they trying to buy?
For what its worth I think the Night Mission is a good looking watch.
Red 5 said:
As I have the serial number of the stolen B1, it will be registered bent, so if it ever turns up at Breitling for a service it’ll be retained and returned to the insurance company.
The sad thing is, I’m sure it’ll change hands (pun intended) a couple of times quite quickly and end up with someone who has no idea it’s stolen.
Such a person is highly likely to take it to a Breitling Boutique, or send it back to Tunbridge Wells.
I now have to send off the papers and my lovely box, so they stay out of circulation permanently.
They are even reimbursing me for the postage cost!
We had a watch stolen when as a side hustle when they stole our car - a new Mont Blanc for my wife that she hadn't even seen ahead of our 10th anniversary. It wasn't insured and I hastily found a similar 2nd hand one to replace it.The sad thing is, I’m sure it’ll change hands (pun intended) a couple of times quite quickly and end up with someone who has no idea it’s stolen.
Such a person is highly likely to take it to a Breitling Boutique, or send it back to Tunbridge Wells.
I now have to send off the papers and my lovely box, so they stay out of circulation permanently.
They are even reimbursing me for the postage cost!
Mont Blanc got me to register it with something called Enquirus and they said they would pick it up if it ever came back for service, which I did. I also set up a search on ebay for it. 9 months later I found it on ebay and the police went and recovered it! It had gone through a legitimate jewellery auction house before the next guy bought it and his wife decided she didn't want it.
So now we have two very similar Mont Blancs.
Hedgedhog said:
I have a lot of sympathy for you. My fathers signet ring was stolen by a cleaner and a scaffolder managed to steal a cheque from a chequebook in a study drawer and then tried to use it to buy a car. The cheque was a pita but it still upsets me that I lost that ring.
Not watch wise, but my grandmother lived in sheltered housing and had a genuine 1st edition of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol.It disappeared. No idea if it was due to a carer, workman or a relative.
seefarr said:
We had a watch stolen when as a side hustle when they stole our car - a new Mont Blanc for my wife that she hadn't even seen ahead of our 10th anniversary. It wasn't insured and I hastily found a similar 2nd hand one to replace it.
Mont Blanc got me to register it with something called Enquirus and they said they would pick it up if it ever came back for service, which I did. I also set up a search on ebay for it. 9 months later I found it on ebay and the police went and recovered it! It had gone through a legitimate jewellery auction house before the next guy bought it and his wife decided she didn't want it.
So now we have two very similar Mont Blancs.
I’m not sure of the particular register, but apparently if it ever turns up, I’ll be notified. It’ll belong to the insurance company though. Mont Blanc got me to register it with something called Enquirus and they said they would pick it up if it ever came back for service, which I did. I also set up a search on ebay for it. 9 months later I found it on ebay and the police went and recovered it! It had gone through a legitimate jewellery auction house before the next guy bought it and his wife decided she didn't want it.
So now we have two very similar Mont Blancs.
That’s a good idea though, regarding the eBay item alert, thanks
ChevronB19 said:
Not watch wise, but my grandmother lived in sheltered housing and had a genuine 1st edition of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol.
It disappeared. No idea if it was due to a carer, workman or a relative.
It’s remarkable that people in positions of trust, just steal left right and centre. It disappeared. No idea if it was due to a carer, workman or a relative.
This has opened my eyes for sure.
My Dad always told me, that if I have a nice pocket knife and use it regularly, there might well be somebody with their eye on it.
He was right, as I had two taken from me when I was younger. I just left it where I was sitting / working for a few mins. Poof! Gone!
I’ll add it to the list….
A bike went walkies when I was a kid and nobody locked them up. Different times.
My first mountain bike, which had a carrier containing my dinner too
A shotgun after I lost my Dad.
The fella (previously thought highly of by my Dad) handling the guns knew I couldn’t do anything about it. I had no licence and nobody would offer more than 20% of the selling price to buy. I offered to pay him, which he refused, but one gun still went missing. It turned up in the hands of member of his old shooting club. The chap paid £250 for it!!!
The people in care homes are ripe for the picking I guess
I do like that Night Mission, but it has a 40hr back up, and I was thinking of wearing once a week ish.
Not keen to add automatic watch winders to my list of possessions really.
Can’t I just wind it up and wear it? Does that shorten the life?
Red 5 said:
seefarr said:
We had a watch stolen when as a side hustle when they stole our car - a new Mont Blanc for my wife that she hadn't even seen ahead of our 10th anniversary. It wasn't insured and I hastily found a similar 2nd hand one to replace it.
Mont Blanc got me to register it with something called Enquirus and they said they would pick it up if it ever came back for service, which I did. I also set up a search on ebay for it. 9 months later I found it on ebay and the police went and recovered it! It had gone through a legitimate jewellery auction house before the next guy bought it and his wife decided she didn't want it.
So now we have two very similar Mont Blancs.
I’m not sure of the particular register, but apparently if it ever turns up, I’ll be notified. It’ll belong to the insurance company though. Mont Blanc got me to register it with something called Enquirus and they said they would pick it up if it ever came back for service, which I did. I also set up a search on ebay for it. 9 months later I found it on ebay and the police went and recovered it! It had gone through a legitimate jewellery auction house before the next guy bought it and his wife decided she didn't want it.
So now we have two very similar Mont Blancs.
That’s a good idea though, regarding the eBay item alert, thanks
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