I got mugged for my watch in London!
Discussion
- UPDATE NOW ON PAGE 6**
So, Wednesday 11th December, after the Bonhams watch sale, went for a couple of drinks and dinner with friends.
Dropped them back at their hotel off Bond Street, and walked up to Selfridges on Oxford Street.
Browsed around for Christmas gift inspiration in the lower ground floor, and took the escalator up to the watch room.
Mooched around the watch counters for a few minutes, into the Rolex room, and then walked through to the food hall.
Left by the side door, and walked up Baker Street to Portman Square, and was approaching the Home House exclusive members club when BANG! jumped by four Asian men in their mid-20's at 19:57.
I called for help as they pushed me up against the fence. I hooked my arms through the railings, and bear-hugged myself into the fence as two of my assailants tried to rifle through my coat pockets, one muffled me with his arm across my face, and the fourth worked on getting the watch off my left wrist.
Having finally got my watch, they ran off towards Baker Street. I ran after them, but by the time I got to the corner, they had disappeared (I suspect into the Co-op Supermarket opposite).
I went back to reception at Home House, where the staff and guests were very sympathetic and supportive.
The security men played back the CCTV footage showing the full mugging (scary!).
No weapons used, no verbal threats, over in seconds. My Barbour jacket with its pop-stud and zipper pockets saved everything else, and even my messenger shoulder bag and brolly were still with me.
Back at my hotel I recorded the theft with The Watch Register and Audemars Piguet, and the Police turned up at midnight to take my statement.
So yes, I was targeted for wearing a rose gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, and "marked" (-most likely-) in Selfridges watch room.
Other than a few bruises and dented pride, I'm absolutely fine.
I have to admit, it's a wake up call I didn't want, but will remember for a long time.
Be safe all, and learn from my misfortune!
Mike Wood
The watch is reported with The Watch Register, the Police, and the manufacturer.
Details:
18ct rose gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 39mm black dial automatic date watch on brown crocodile strap with 18ct rose gold AP folding buckle.
Model ref. 15300OR 3580 3120.740297
Case no. G37699
Edited by mikewood on Thursday 19th December 10:43
Nickbrapp said:
Sorry to hear that
Only makes me think more how pointless expensive watches are.
The Police officers taking my statement after the mugging said they are inundated by mobile phone muggings, and you can buy one of them for under a tenner. Only makes me think more how pointless expensive watches are.
Unfortunately my watch was identifiable as an expensive piece, and I foolishly thought it was tucked well out of view under my jacket cuff, but the thieves knew exactly what they were going for. And I wasn't particularly smartly turned out: old black Barbour jacket, M&S jeans, blue Karrimor yomping trainers.
Latest development:
I got a telephone call from the Police on Tuesday evening as some of my muggers were being arrested in Selfridges.
Three of the five (I thought it was four, but there was a fifth attacker!) are now in custody and will remain so until they appear in Crown Court.
My watch has not been recovered, but at this moment, I am very happy that at least some of the gang are off the streets.
Security at Selfridges spotted the three after identifying them following me into and around the store on the Wednesday evening when I was attacked and robbed.
MW
I got a telephone call from the Police on Tuesday evening as some of my muggers were being arrested in Selfridges.
Three of the five (I thought it was four, but there was a fifth attacker!) are now in custody and will remain so until they appear in Crown Court.
My watch has not been recovered, but at this moment, I am very happy that at least some of the gang are off the streets.
Security at Selfridges spotted the three after identifying them following me into and around the store on the Wednesday evening when I was attacked and robbed.
MW
Ayahuasca said:
Any response to this?
Yep, I had my hands clenched together to hopefully stop one attacker pulling my watch off over my wrist (I presume the crocodile strap and deployant buckle broke), and hugged into the fence to stop the other attackers getting into my jacket pockets (mobile phone in top left outer pocket, wallet in left inside pocket, billfold with cash in right inside pocket, car keys and house keys in lower right outside pocket).And I figured if I stayed standing upright and clinging tight to the railings I'm less likely to get punched to my face or torso, or knocked to the ground and kicked.
JDiz said:
what is retail on one of these watches btw? no idea what sort of price we are talking
The new replacement value of the watch I was wearing is £31,200, however the watch on my wrist was pre-owned, worth £15k. Unfortunately, the watch was not insured, and the loss is on me. MW
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