Robbed for my Day-Date 228238

[nafis e]

Hey guys,

Never thought this would happen to me. I was robbed at gunpoint for my Day-Date (228238 Silver romans) at a nightclub that I go to practically every weekend (West Hollywood area on Sunset in LA). I was only inside of the nightclub for about 5 minutes- I stepped outside to meet my best friends that were smoking a joint on the sidewalk and instantly these two masked low lives turned the corner and got me. They both put guns on my stomach and I didn't fight I just yelled "take it" and was trying to help them pull the clasp. It was a clear and obvious set-up and I'm sure someone had been watching me for some time, because the moment I stepped foot out of the club they came out of their car with masks on (what I saw from a different CCTV clip).

Does anyone have any success stories of getting their watch back? My friend's dad is the GM of the Rolex in Chicago and he sent me a stolen report form and I was able to send it to Rolex so fingers crossed if it ever pops up I'll get it back! I also registered the watch on thewatchregister. A police report was filed on the spot, as well.

I've been scouring craigslist/ebay/chrono occasionally to see if I ever see my model pop up - is this a pointless search in your opinion? I was wondering if any of you have any recommendations in terms of increasing the odds of finding it.

Be careful out there guys!

I linked a post to the CCTV footage of the robbery as well as a photo of my watch but I don't have enough posts to add the links. I will update once I do.

Serial number H1360577

[painexpert]

that really sucks. Sorry to hear this.scumbags

[steveclr]

From your best friends smoking a joint to 'meeting low lives' and a post count of 1, I truly hope that you're looking for support and not just some bored clown. Any serial number beginning with an H13 etc will get my full attention for a few weeks at least. ��

[jb335]

Originally Posted by steveclr

From your best friends smoking a joint to 'meeting low lives' and a post count of 1, I truly hope that you're looking for support and not just some bored clown. Any serial number beginning with an H13 etc will get my full attention for a few weeks at least. ��

Strange reply


Sorry to hear OP. You did the right thing though, a watch is not worth losing your life over.


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[nafis e]

Originally Posted by jb335

Strange reply


Sorry to hear OP. You did the right thing though, a watch is not worth losing your life over.


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Precisely... thanks. All I could think about after was getting home to my dog and my family. A very scary and surreal experience and just glad I walked out of it physically unharmed.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by jb335

Strange reply


Sorry to hear OP. You did the right thing though, a watch is not worth losing your life over.


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Actually, not in this day and age. Going outside a nightclub at night to smoke a joint or for whatever reason resulting in someone loitering on the street at night in a big city is not the best example of "being aware of your surroundings" and "using common sense" phrases so often posted here.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Actually, not in this day and age. Going outside a nightclub at night to smoke a joint or for whatever reason resulting in someone loitering on the street at night in a big city is not the best example of "being aware of your surroundings" and "using common sense" phrases so often posted here.

lol

He was outside a popular nightclub on Sunset Blvd in WeHO. This is a crowded area full of ppl wearing more expensive watches than a DD. Not exactly an anomaly, and neither is someone smoking a joint. There are more people smoking joints on the street than cigarettes here.

And I don’t think this was an “inside job” from someone working at the club. These thieves will patrol an area like this and steal the first nice watch they see, because these watches are everywhere in that area. No need for an inside man.

In fairness, these street watch muggings in LA peaked a year or two ago and have slowed down a bit since. Obviously still happens though.


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[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by jb335

lol

He was outside a popular nightclub on Sunset Blvd in WeHO. This is a crowded area full of ppl wearing more expensive watches than a DD. Not exactly an anomaly, and neither is someone smoking a joint. There are more people smoking joints on the street than cigarettes here.

And I don’t think this was an “inside job” from someone working at the club. These thieves will patrol an area like this and steal the first nice watch they see, because these watches are everywhere in that area. No need for an inside man.

In fairness, these street watch muggings in LA peaked a year or two ago and have slowed down a bit since. Obviously still happens though.


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Thanks for the better description of the situation there.

[nafis e]

Originally Posted by steveclr

From your best friends smoking a joint to 'meeting low lives' and a post count of 1, I truly hope that you're looking for support and not just some bored clown. Any serial number beginning with an H13 etc will get my full attention for a few weeks at least. ��

Yep, just looking for support and advice :) I purchased it in July of 2020 to mark an achievement in my career from my authorized dealer, Ben Bridge. Right around the time the whole world went to crap due to Covid.

It's a really popular night club, I wasn't in an area where there are a lot of "low lives", it was a directed hit directed toward me. Yes, my best friends smoke weed recreationally; I don't partake but that's beside the point.

[JacksonRain]

So terrible this happened. Sorry man.

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[nafis e]

Originally Posted by steveclr

From your best friends smoking a joint to 'meeting low lives' and a post count of 1, I truly hope that you're looking for support and not just some bored clown. Any serial number beginning with an H13 etc will get my full attention for a few weeks at least. ��

Once I get to 10 posts I'll post a link to the CCTV footage as well as some photos of the watch!

[saltyandwet]

Originally Posted by nafis e

Hey guys,

Never thought this would happen to me. I was robbed at gunpoint for my Day-Date (228238 Silver romans) at a nightclub that I go to practically every weekend (West Hollywood area on Sunset in LA). I was only inside of the nightclub for about 5 minutes- I stepped outside to meet my best friends that were smoking a joint on the sidewalk and instantly these two masked low lives turned the corner and got me. They both put guns on my stomach and I didn't fight I just yelled "take it" and was trying to help them pull the clasp. It was a clear and obvious set-up and I'm sure someone had been watching me for some time, because the moment I stepped foot out of the club they came out of their car with masks on (what I saw from a different CCTV clip).

Does anyone have any success stories of getting their watch back? My friend's dad is the GM of the Rolex in Chicago and he sent me a stolen report form and I was able to send it to Rolex so fingers crossed if it ever pops up I'll get it back! I also registered the watch on thewatchregister. A police report was filed on the spot, as well.

I've been scouring craigslist/ebay/chrono occasionally to see if I ever see my model pop up - is this a pointless search in your opinion? I was wondering if any of you have any recommendations in terms of increasing the odds of finding it.

Be careful out there guys!

I linked a post to the CCTV footage of the robbery as well as a photo of my watch but I don't have enough posts to add the links. I will update once I do.

Serial number H1360577

They are not selling your watch thru proper legit channels. Think about it. Why would they sell it to a reseller or whatever, knowing that they can track the serial #? They are either keeping it, or selling it underground or some back alley. You are not seeing your watch ever again, I'm afraid.

[nafis e]

Originally Posted by saltyandwet

They are not selling your watch thru proper legit channels. Think about it. Why would they sell it to a reseller or whatever, knowing that they can track the serial #? They are either keeping it, or selling it underground or some back alley. You are not seeing your watch ever again, I'm afraid.

I thought there might be a chance that they sold it to a shady dealer/pawn shop and that it'll trade hands a few times before someone unknowingly purchases a stolen watch. Happens all the time - I'm not holding my breath but hopeful that one day it might turn up!

[77T]

Originally Posted by nafis e

I thought there might be a chance that they sold it to a shady dealer/pawn shop and that it'll trade hands a few times before someone unknowingly purchases a stolen watch. Happens all the time - I'm not holding my breath but hopeful that one day it might turn up!

I hadn’t seen this update when I replied earlier. I agree with staying hopeful.

Most of these jackwagons are dumb - any LEO will tell you that. That works in your favor. Not your brilliant international jewel thieves seen in blockbuster movies.

Once my thieves were apprehended, they admitted to selling the Platona one day after the burglary for a few thousand + their favorite drugs. Maybe netted $9-10K. It went through several hands “underground” and then landed in the NY area.

So there is a chance it has moved into the “network” already. Since you have the box and collateral at home, they must move it as watch only.

Ultimately some shady dealer might add a box + a bogus warranty card.

Stay strong…


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[CFR]

Originally Posted by nafis e

I thought there might be a chance that they sold it to a shady dealer/pawn shop and that it'll trade hands a few times before someone unknowingly purchases a stolen watch. Happens all the time - I'm not holding my breath but hopeful that one day it might turn up!

The other day, I saw another watch enthusiast whom I hadn't seen in probably 15 years. He told me a story that was similar to my own story. Each of us had a (non-Rolex) watch stolen, and we each got them back a decade later. In his case, a shady pawn shop was involved. He thinks the pawn shop owner might've kept the stolen watch for years and tried to sell it later, after the heat died down (which didn't work out so well for the pawn shop owner). Hopefully you'll see it again at some point.

[Watch-Geek]

Originally Posted by saltyandwet

They are not selling your watch thru proper legit channels. Think about it. Why would they sell it to a reseller or whatever, knowing that they can track the serial #? They are either keeping it, or selling it underground or some back alley. You are not seeing your watch ever again, I'm afraid.

This ^^^^
My friend "knows a guy" that sells wacthes stolen in Italy that are then brought to my country and sold by "knowing a guy who knows a guy" .

They are never put put for sale on anything public

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[Spartyfan6262]

Originally Posted by saltyandwet

They are not selling your watch thru proper legit channels. Think about it. Why would they sell it to a reseller or whatever, knowing that they can track the serial #? They are either keeping it, or selling it underground or some back alley. You are not seeing your watch ever again, I'm afraid.

I've read that stolen watches are often transported to different areas of the world for sale, making tracking and prosecuting the criminals very difficult. Sadly, your watch is probably on the way to Eastern Europe or another faraway market for sale.

[996marty]

Sorry to read of you getting turned over that clearly sucks

[espanol]

Sorry, OP. Seasoned criminals will funnel the watch through their less obvious channels. The chance of getting your watch back right away is slim, unless they make a mistake or the police catch the bad guys.

That said, there is hope. Many stolen watches end up getting serviced through any worldwide RSC at some point in their lives. So if you report the watch as stolen and retain proof of original ownership, fingers crossed the watch should end up back in your possession at it’s first RSC service. I’ve read multiple stories like this, so just be patient.

[nafis e]

Originally Posted by espanol

Sorry, OP. Seasoned criminals will funnel the watch through their less obvious channels. The chance of getting your watch back right away is slim, unless they make a mistake or the police catch the bad guys.

That said, there is hope. Many stolen watches end up getting serviced through any worldwide RSC at some point in their lives. So if you report the watch as stolen and retain proof of original ownership, fingers crossed the watch should end up back in your possession at it’s first RSC service. I’ve read multiple stories like this, so just be patient.

I have a copy of the police report, video evidence of the robbery, original receipt, box/papers, the works. So if I ever get the call I'll be ready!

[Torshalla]

Wow sorry to read… that must have been a scarry experience.
Glad you are ok.
Will your insurance cover?
And hooe these scumbags get caught eventually… at leadt the US has real punishnents for criminals…

[nafis e]

Originally Posted by Torshalla

Wow sorry to read… that must have been a scarry experience.
Glad you are ok.
Will your insurance cover?
And hooe these scumbags get caught eventually… at leadt the US has real punishnents for criminals…

Unfortunately there are little to no consequences for these criminals in California!

[nafis e]

Originally Posted by Torshalla

Wow sorry to read… that must have been a scarry experience.
Glad you are ok.
Will your insurance cover?
And hooe these scumbags get caught eventually… at leadt the US has real punishnents for criminals…

Unfortunately the watch wasn't insured - my logic was that I take such good care of my possessions that it'll never break or get lost. I guess I was living in a fairytale land not thinking that I could get robbed. Tough $40,000 lesson learned.

[996marty]

Originally Posted by nafis e

Unfortunately the watch wasn't insured - my logic was that I take such good care of my possessions that it'll never break or get lost. I guess I was living in a fairytale land not thinking that I could get robbed. Tough $40,000 lesson learned.

Don’t beat yourself up unfortunately these things do happen it’s just you never think it’s going to happen to you. Hopefully you get it back eventually and they catch the scum that did it

[nafis e]

Originally Posted by 996marty

Don’t beat yourself up unfortunately these things do happen it’s just you never think it’s going to happen to you. Hopefully you get it back eventually and they catch the scum that did it

Thanks for the kind words, friend.

[rgwarden]

Originally Posted by nafis e

Unfortunately the watch wasn't insured - my logic was that I take such good care of my possessions that it'll never break or get lost. I guess I was living in a fairytale land not thinking that I could get robbed. Tough $40,000 lesson learned.

Here in the UK even a watch that isn’t specifically outlined on an Insurance policy will be covered to a certain amount under house contents. It won’t get near your watch’s value but a few thousand (i think it’s 5K here) so better than nothing. I’m sorry this happened to you.

[jb335]

Please share those cctv links when you can. Looks like you’re one post away…


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[nafis e]

Originally Posted by jb335

please share those cctv links when you can. Looks like you’re one post away…


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incoming!!

[Halla]

This really sucks. I hope the get them soon

[nafis e]

Link to the video: https://imgur.com/a/HfyZRM2

And my baby that was taken from me too soon: https://imgur.com/a/kngKKVA