New data has revealed that luxury watch theft has escalated dramatically, reaching a staggering record high of £1.7 billion in value over the past year. This alarming surge has sparked renewed concerns about muggings and street crime, particularly in London, where high-value timepieces are frequently targeted.
Record-Breaking Figures for Stolen Luxury Watches
According to a comprehensive study, the total value of luxury watches registered as lost or stolen on a global database hit an unprecedented £1.7 billion in 2025. This represents a significant increase from previous years, highlighting a growing trend in high-value thefts.
The Watch Register, which maintains the database, reported that 10,000 luxury watches were logged as lost or stolen in 2025 alone. This equates to approximately one watch being reported every hour, bringing the cumulative total on the database to 114,000 watches.
How the Database Helps Combat Crime
The database serves as a crucial tool for the pre-owned watch market, allowing potential buyers to verify the legitimacy of a watch by checking its unique serial number against reported thefts. This system aims to disrupt the illegal trade in stolen luxury timepieces.
Online checks through The Watch Register's platform increased by 29 per cent year-on-year, with more than 280,000 watches now being verified annually across the global pre-owned market. This uptick in usage indicates a growing awareness and reliance on such tools to prevent crime.
Increased Adoption by Businesses
The number of businesses signing up to check watches against the database when trading has also seen a substantial rise. In 2025, there was a 42 per cent increase compared to 2024, suggesting that more retailers are taking proactive steps to ensure they are not dealing in stolen goods.
Katya Hills, managing director of The Watch Register, commented on this trend, stating, "This is evidence of the global pre-owned watch market actively using our database as a tool to fight watch crime." She added, "The speed at which many of these watches are now being identified shows how effective global data sharing has become in disrupting the market in stolen watches."
Rolex Remains the Most Targeted Brand
Rolex continues to be the most sought-after brand by thieves, accounting for 44 per cent of all watches checked against the database by traders and private buyers. Furthermore, 51 per cent of watches registered as lost or stolen this year were Rolex models, underscoring their high desirability in both legitimate and illicit markets.
Success in Identifying Stolen Watches
The volume of successful identifications has accelerated alongside the increase in thefts. In 2025, 1,375 lost and stolen watches were identified through the database, up from 1,136 in the previous year. This represents a 21 per cent increase, demonstrating the growing effectiveness of the system in recovering stolen property.
As luxury watch theft continues to pose a significant challenge, particularly in urban areas like London, the role of databases like The Watch Register becomes increasingly vital. With more businesses and individuals utilising these tools, there is hope for curbing this costly crime wave in the future.
