Luxury watch theft continues to rise globally. Based on data from our database of over 120,000 reported watches, police reports, insurance claims, and industry sources, we have compiled the most important numbers buyers and collectors need to know heading into 2026.
Global Theft Volume
An estimated 50,000 to 75,000 luxury watches are stolen each year worldwide, with a combined retail value exceeding $1.5 billion. This figure includes street robberies, home burglaries, and organised crime targeting dealers and logistics companies.
The true number is likely higher — many thefts go unreported, particularly in private sales and when watches are uninsured. Our database captures a significant portion of reported losses, but not all.
Most Targeted Brands
The distribution of stolen watches in our database is heavily weighted toward a small number of brands:
- Rolex — accounts for approximately 40% of all stolen luxury watches in our database. The Submariner, Daytona, and GMT-Master are the most commonly reported models.
- Audemars Piguet — the Royal Oak is disproportionately targeted due to its recognisable design and high resale value.
- Patek Philippe — lower volume but the highest per-unit value of stolen pieces. The Nautilus 5711 is the most commonly reported.
- Omega — strong theft volume driven by the Seamaster and Speedmaster lines.
- Richard Mille — small volume but extreme per-unit values. RM thefts regularly make international news headlines.
Most Affected Cities
Watch theft is concentrated in major urban centres with active luxury markets. London, Paris, Milan, New York, Los Angeles, and Dubai consistently account for the highest volumes of reported thefts. London alone accounts for approximately 15% of all European reports in our database.
Recovery Rates
The overall recovery rate for stolen luxury watches remains low — estimated at 5 to 10% globally. However, watches registered in databases like StolenWatchCheck see significantly higher recovery rates. In our data, watches that are registered within 48 hours of theft have a recovery rate approximately three times higher than the industry average.
The single most effective action a theft victim can take is to register the serial number in a stolen watch database immediately. The faster the registration, the higher the chance of recovery.
Where Stolen Watches End Up
Stolen watches typically circulate through three channels: online marketplaces (social media, classified sites), grey market dealers who do not perform due diligence checks, and international shipping to markets where the watch is less likely to be recognised. Many stolen watches change hands multiple times within weeks of the theft.
What Buyers Can Do
The most effective protection for buyers is a serial number check before any purchase. At $5 per check, it is a negligible cost relative to the price of any luxury watch — and eliminates the risk of unknowingly purchasing stolen property.
Protect Yourself Before You Buy
Run a serial number check against our database of 120,000+ stolen and lost watches.