What should I do first if my watch is stolen?

File a police report immediately and obtain a crime reference number. Ensure the serial number of the stolen watch is added to the report. Then contact Watch Recovery International — we can assist in dealing with the police and registering your watch with the manufacturer and relevant databases.

How much does stolen watch recovery cost?

Most clients pay a percentage of the recovered watch value only if we successfully recover their timepiece — a no-recovery, no-fee arrangement. We also offer hourly rates. If you were insured, your insurance company will likely cover our fees. We have agreements with many fine art and specie insurance companies.

Won't the police recover my stolen watch?

With respect to law enforcement, police departments are understaffed and underfunded. Most will issue a crime reference number and that is the last they want to hear from you. We have countless examples of stolen watches held by Swiss manufacturers waiting for Interpol intervention that will never come. We operate where police cannot or will not.

I think I found my watch online. Should I contact the seller?

Do not notify the seller that they are selling your watch. Contact us immediately. Many sellers, if tipped off prematurely, will return the stolen watch to whoever they acquired it from and it may never be seen again. We specialize in approaching possessors at exactly the right moment, after a backup strategy is in place.

Can you help if my watch was stolen by fraud?

Yes. We maintain a database of bad actors in the watch world who have committed fraud. These cases are treated differently by law. We strongly recommend our Watch Escrow Service for any private sale transaction to prevent fraud.

Do you work with insurance companies?

Yes. We work directly with insurers, their loss adjusters, and legal representatives. When an insured watch is recovered, the insurance company pays our fees, not the theft victim. We assist in ensuring the recovered watch is offered back to the original owner.

Is my information kept confidential?

Absolutely. Every case is handled with the utmost discretion. We never share your personal information, case details, or the fact that you are a client without your explicit written consent. We are happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to consultation.

How long does watch recovery take?

We have recovered watches within a few weeks of engagement. However, timelines depend on the cooperation of parties, law enforcement involvement, and the jurisdiction of the theft and current location of the watch.

Do you work with watch dealers?

Yes. We work with dealers who discover that a watch purchased for resale has been flagged on a manufacturer's stolen watch database. We can help clear wrongly-listed watches so they can be legally and rightfully sold.

What is the Watch Escrow Service?

Our Watch Escrow Service holds funds independently during private watch transactions until authenticity and title clearance are confirmed. This prevents fraud for both buyers and sellers in private watch sales.

Stolen Watch Collection - Padenghe sul Garda, Italy

Watch Recovery International — Multiple Watches — Theft Alert

Watch Recovery International is seeking information that may assist in the recovery of the following stolen timepieces.

Incident Overview

Multiple watches were stolen from a residence in Padenghe sul Garda, Italy, on 17 August 2026 and reported to the Carabinieri at the Manerba del Garda Station under report reference BSCS132026 818154754671.

Stolen Watches

Audemars Piguet

Royal Oak Offshore, Brown
Reference: 26420ST.OO.A828CR.01
Serial number: LL0W-DV27

Royal Oak Offshore, Black
Reference: 26420SO.OO.A002CA.01
Serial number: UH5*H**

Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
Reference: 26574ST.OO.1220ST.02
Serial number: J10*-035

Royal Oak Chronograph
Reference: 26320ST.OO.1220ST.01
Serial number: H79*-116

Rolex

Cosmograph Daytona, White Dial, Steel
Reference: 116520
Serial number: G80*7**

Sky-Dweller, Blue Dial
Reference: 326934
Serial number: 369*K5**

Cosmograph Daytona, Everose Gold
Reference: 116505
Serial number: A92*50**

Lady-Datejust
Reference: Not available
Serial number: Not available

IWC

Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar “Rodeo Drive”
Reference: IW503001
Serial number: 620*5**

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe”
Reference: IW389105
Serial number: 630*8**

Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph
Reference: IW390206
Serial number: Not available

Big Pilot’s Watch “IWC Racing Works”
Reference: IW501019
Serial number: 643*3**

TAG Heuer

Monaco Gulf
Reference: Not available
Serial / identifier: PGSR-****-XSMQ

Venezianico

Arsenale Custom
Reference: Not available
Serial / identifier: 622*0C**

Contact Information

Tips may be submitted by phone, text, or email:
Christopher A. Marinello
chris@watchrecovery.com
UK and Italy mobile: +44 (0) 7702 206 913 (Also Via WhatsApp)