Attorney Christopher A. Marinello Leads Watch Recovery International, a Global Specialist in Stolen Luxury Watch Recovery

Finding a Stolen Watch Is Only Half the Battle

A stolen luxury watch can travel through several countries, dealers, and private collectors before resurfacing. It may appear at an auction house, be offered for sale online, or be submitted to a manufacturer for servicing.

Even when a stolen watch has been identified, recovering it is not always straightforward.

The current possessor may have purchased the watch in good faith, without knowing its history. The original owner may have received an insurance settlement, leaving the insurer with an ownership interest in the recovered property. In other cases, law enforcement agencies may lack the resources or jurisdiction to pursue an international recovery.

These situations require more than identifying the location of the watch. They often involve negotiations, legal considerations, and cooperation between multiple parties.

This is where Watch Recovery International operates.

A Specialist Approach to Watch Recovery

WRI works with an international network of lawyers, investigators, and industry professionals to recover stolen timepieces and resolve disputed ownership claims.

The company assists clients throughout the recovery process, from reviewing documentation and establishing ownership to contacting the current possessor and negotiating the watch's return.

WRI also works with watch dealers and collectors who discover that a timepiece they have purchased has been reported stolen. In certain cases, a watch may have been incorrectly registered or remain listed despite an ownership dispute having been resolved. WRI can help investigate these situations and work towards a lawful resolution.

The company's approach prioritises cooperation and negotiated settlements wherever possible.

Experience in International Asset Recovery

Watch Recovery International is owned and operated by Christopher A. Marinello, Esq., who has extensive experience in the recovery of stolen and looted works of art and fine timepieces.

Through his work with Art Recovery International, Marinello and his team have recovered more than $600 million worth of stolen and looted artworks, classic cars, and luxury watches.

That experience is particularly relevant to the luxury watch market, where provenance, ownership rights, and international transactions can complicate the recovery process.

WRI applies this experience to cases involving leading luxury watch manufacturers, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, Cartier, and other prestigious watchmaking maisons.

Working With the Luxury Watch Industry

Preventing stolen watches from circulating through the legitimate market requires cooperation.

WRI works with insurance companies, watch manufacturers, authorised service centres, dealers, collectors, and auction houses to identify stolen timepieces and facilitate their recovery.

For insurers, the service provides a means of recovering stolen property after a claim has been paid. For dealers and auction houses, it offers assistance when a watch is discovered to have a disputed history or an unresolved theft report.

For victims, WRI provides a route towards recovery when their stolen watch resurfaces, sometimes years after the original theft.