A violent home invasion in Nottinghamshire has seen a businessman's prized collection of rare watches, valued at an estimated £1 million, stolen by a masked gang armed with sledgehammers. The targeted attack occurred at the gated residence of Matthew Simpson, 57, and his wife in Kimberley on December 4, leaving the couple traumatised and injured.
Violent Confrontation in Family Home
According to Mr Simpson, five men clad entirely in black forced their way into the property by smashing through a patio door. The assailants immediately confronted the couple in their kitchen, demanding to know the location of valuable watches and a safe. Mr Simpson, who bravely attempted to resist the intruders, was struck multiple times with a sledgehammer during the altercation.
The gang then systematically ransacked the home. Mr Simpson was forced to open a safe downstairs, while three of the attackers dragged his wife upstairs where the majority of the watch collection was stored. The entire raid, captured on CCTV, lasted less than thirty seconds from the moment the gang entered the property from adjacent woodland.
A Life's Passion Stolen
The stolen collection represents two decades of careful curation by Mr Simpson. It included exclusive timepieces from prestigious brands such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Tissot. Many were limited-edition models acquired through long-standing relationships with manufacturers, rather than items readily available for purchase.
'They are generational things,' Mr Simpson told the Daily Mail, expressing his devastation. 'I took a bit of pride in the fact that when I am no longer here my son could be walking around with a watch that would have been his dad’s.'
In addition to the watches, several high-end handbags belonging to Mrs Simpson were taken, including distinctive pieces from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, and Chanel. Notably, a white Chanel 'Boy' bag, available exclusively in Milan, was among the stolen items.
Police Investigation and Crimestoppers Reward
Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed they are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry in connection with the 'vicious and frightening' raid. Detectives have traced a grey hatchback vehicle using false number plates, seen on the A610 between 7.21pm and 7.49pm on the evening of the crime. It is believed the vehicle subsequently travelled into the West Midlands region.
The charity Crimestoppers has offered a £7,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Lydia Patsalides, Regional Manager for Crimestoppers in the East Midlands, described the incident as 'a shocking and violent attack on a family in their own home.'
'They were confronted by five masked men, armed with weapons and prepared to use serious force to get what they wanted, leaving lasting trauma and injury behind them,' she stated, urging anyone with information to come forward anonymously.
Concerns Over Inside Knowledge
Mr Simpson has expressed his belief that the perpetrators must have had some connection to the family, given the precise nature of the theft. The couple reportedly did not widely publicise their collections or share images on social media, making the targeted demand for watches particularly suspicious.
'We don't know how close it is, but we know there is some information there,' Mr Simpson said. He has encouraged everyone in their circle to cooperate with police, emphasising that 'if you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide.'
Each stolen watch has its serial number registered with The Watch Register, meaning any attempt at legitimate sale should automatically flag the items to authorities. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to apprehend those responsible for this brazen and violent crime.
