Luxury watch theft value hits record £1.7bn
The total value of luxury watches reported as lost or stolen reached a staggering $2.15 billion in 2025, highlighting ongoing concerns about high-value watch crime. According to The Watch Register, 10,000 luxury watches were added to their database in the past year, averaging one theft reported every hour. The database has become a vital tool for pre-owned watch buyers and traders, allowing them to verify the status of watches through their unique serial numbers. Engagement with the database has surged, with online checks rising by 29% year-on-year and a 42% increase in businesses utilizing the service. Rolex remains the most frequently targeted brand, comprising 44% of all checks in the database and 51% of watches reported as lost or stolen in 2025. The number of successfully identified stolen watches also saw a significant rise, with 1,375 identifications made, marking a 21% increase from the previous year. These statistics underscore the growing reliance on data-driven verification tools in the secondary market for luxury watches, reflecting a concerted effort within the industry to combat theft and enhance security.
