Synthetic DNA on your watches/valuables

[Ruud Van Driver]

I don't worry about the safety of my watches here in Singapore. However, now that I'm repatriating back to the UK later this year, I'm investing in a home safe in which to store them.

The company from where I'm buying the safe have offered a product called "SelectaDNA", with which to mark valuables. It's an additional £75 (about US$ 102), which is academic given the cost of the safe is over £2,400 (US$ 3,250).

I've had a look at the website and this stuff is a liquid, synthetic DNA which owners apply to their valuables leaving an invisible mark that is virtually impossible to remove. UVA tracers and microdots are incorporated into this stuff to allow police equipped with the appropriate scanners to reunite stolen goods with their owners. Apparently, it's simply applied with a cotton swab and you're done.

Whilst I'm not overly keen on permanently marking my watches, invisibly or not, given the spate of thefts reported on here of late, it's making me wonder if this stuff is worth getting.

Thoughts?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

I don't worry about the safety of my watches here in Singapore. However, now that I'm repatriating back to the UK later this year, I'm investing in a home safe in which to store them.

The company from where I'm buying the safe have offered a product called "SelectaDNA", with which to mark valuables. It's an additional £75 (about US$ 102), which is academic given the cost of the safe is over £2,400 (US$ 3,250).

I've had a look at the website and this stuff is a liquid, synthetic DNA which owners apply to their valuables leaving an invisible mark that is virtually impossible to remove. UVA tracers and microdots are incorporated into this stuff to allow police equipped with the appropriate scanners to reunite stolen goods with their owners. Apparently, it's simply applied with a cotton swab and you're done.

Whilst I'm not overly keen on permanently marking my watches, invisibly or not, given the spate of thefts reported on here of late, it's making me wonder if this stuff is worth getting.

Thoughts?

Wouldn't the serial number be just as useful in this case?

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Wouldn't the serial number be just as useful in this case?

You could say that for most items, but it doesn't stop tea leaves stealing, say, TVs, laptops, etc.

It's a fair point for Rolex, yes, because of where the serial numbers are located. However, the serial numbers are on the back of the cases on Panerai and they could be tampered with. Not at all suspicious to buy a watch with the serial number ground away but not all thieves are over-endowed with brain cells.

More of a 'belt and braces' thing, I guess

[.brian.]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

You could say that for most items, but it doesn't stop tea leaves stealing, say, TVs, laptops, etc.

I don't know about you guys, but I hate when my tea leaves steal my television. So much so that I no longer allow any tea leaves in my house. I strictly drink coffee in the morning now.

[jw0n]

I would invest in a good safe. While DNA sounds like that's taking two, possibly three steps ahead. The DNA marking works, only if the stolen items are retrieved, for easier identification?

I simply went the route of a sub-400kg safe. Harder to lug away, given I live in a multi-story condo. In any case, I don't have all my watches at home; those out of rotation or ones that get very little wear take permanent residency in a bank safe.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by jw0n

I would invest in a good safe. While DNA sounds like that's taking two, possibly three steps ahead. The DNA marking works, only if the stolen items are retrieved, for easier identification?

I simply went the route of a sub-400kg safe. Harder to lug away, given I live in a multi-story condo. In any case, I don't have all my watches at home; those out of rotation or ones that get very little wear take permanent residency in a bank safe.

I'm ordering the safe anyway and this product is an add-on.

The safe is 284kg, fire resistant for 60 minutes and will be bolted to the ground so should be a good one.

[arika]

Playing the devil's advocate here.

1. UV light degrades DNA... synthetic or not. Microdots get washed away. Even the watch metal will wear away via daily wear. Unless you apply said solution to the inside of the watch, I have doubt on longevity.
2. To amply or decode DNA, you'll need matching primers. While DNA primers are cheap to procure, I have doubts on the widespread of the specific primers matching their platform.
3. Forensic labs are generally seriously backlogged. No tech is going run a panel on a rolex over that rape kit that's been waiting for six months.

The sticker they give you will be a better deterrent then the solution. To me, this is a gimmick at best. Though I would be interested in their recovery rates.

[Sporkmaker]

Be sure to bolt the safe securely to the floor from the inside. My safe weighs approx. 600 pounds empty and for years I felt secure that the weight of it alone would keep anyone from being able to carry it away. Then when I had professional movers take it from one residence to the next I was SHOCKED how quickly two burly guys had it out the door and in the back of their truck - about two minutes.

[rootbeer7]

Don't drive yourself mad. A good safe is the best plan. Each watch has a serial number and unless you publicise the fact it's all invisibly marked, what's the point?!!!

[Abdullah71601]

Use all the bolt holes in the floor of your safe. Make certain the anchors are solid and you use high grade bolts.

Absolutely do NOT trust the fire rating. It's not a practical rating and you will lose valuables unless you take another step. Buy a small, air tight fire box to place inside the safe to protect important papers, paper money, and items not known heat resistant.

[brandrea]

Hi Paul,

I’m not a fan of safes. Seems to me like they earmark exactly where your valuables are so that bad guys don’t have as much searching to do

Also, I’ve read somewhere here in another thread, that the majority of home safes aren’t that secure given what criminals know about them, which makes sense given the day and age in which we live in.

I know I’m not answering your oringial question, but I guess you probably know where I’m headed. I don’t think it’s a necessary additional level of security

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Hi Paul,

I’m not a fan of safes. Seems to me like they earmark exactly where your valuables are so that bad guys don’t have as much searching to do

Also, I’ve read somewhere here in another thread, that the majority of home safes aren’t that secure given what criminals know about them, which makes sense given the day and age in which we live in.

I know I’m not answering your oringial question, but I guess you probably know where I’m headed. I don’t think it’s a necessary additional level of security

Agree, not a big fan of safes either for the reasons you've stated.
While it might slow down a petty thief, it will only make the job more straightforward for an experienced one. In fact, I can't think of a better motivation for a crook than finding a big bulky safe.

I can see it as a decoy though, maybe storing some costume jewelry but nothing of significant value.

Invisible DNA markings? Wouldn't prevent theft and would only help with recovery if every pawn shop was equipped with a reader. Don't see it as anything more than a gimmick.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Tony64

Agree, not a big fan of safes either for the reasons you've stated.
While it might slow down a petty thief, it will only make the job more straightforward for an experienced one. In fact, I can't think of a better motivation for a crook than finding a big bulky safe.

I can see it as a decoy though, maybe storing some costume jewelry but nothing of significant value.

Invisible DNA markings? Wouldn't prevent theft and would only help with recovery if every pawn shop was equipped with a reader. Don't see it as anything more than a gimmick.

You apparently dont know what it takes to crack a safe.

When my electronic locked failed on my safe I called a locksmith. It took an hour to drill the safe to open it. And it was loud. I doubt joe criminal will be any faster or quieter. And unless you put a sign on the door that says you have a safe inside, I doubt the criminal will have brought along the tools to break into it.

If safes were useless, banks wouldn’t have them.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

If safes were useless, banks wouldn’t have them.

Sorry Abdullah, I won't take the bait. That's a fool's logic, and you're smart enough to know that.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Tony64

Sorry Abdullah, I won't take the bait. That's a fool's logic, and you're smart enough to know that.

It’s not bait, FWIW.

You made a statement of advice based on no apparent knowledge. Your preference is to leave valuables lying around unsecured. Absolutely crazy advice.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by Tony64

That's a fool's logic, and you're smart enough to know that.

I stand corrected.

[vladamir15]

Originally Posted by Tony64

Agree, not a big fan of safes either for the reasons you've stated.
While it might slow down a petty thief, it will only make the job more straightforward for an experienced one. In fact, I can't think of a better motivation for a crook than finding a big bulky safe.

I can see it as a decoy though, maybe storing some costume jewelry but nothing of significant value.

Invisible DNA markings? Wouldn't prevent theft and would only help with recovery if every pawn shop was equipped with a reader. Don't see it as anything more than a gimmick.

So, do you like hide your watches? I'm asking because I don't have a safe and have a pretty large and noticeable watch display case. I have insurance, so it doesn't worry me, but I am curious if people really do hide their watches

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by vladamir15

So, do you like hide your watches? I'm asking because I don't have a safe and have a pretty large and noticeable watch display case. I have insurance, so it doesn't worry me, but I am curious if people really do hide their watches

Yep.

[SDRider]

Originally Posted by Tony64

Agree, not a big fan of safes either for the reasons you've stated.
While it might slow down a petty thief, it will only make the job more straightforward for an experienced one. In fact, I can't think of a better motivation for a crook than finding a big bulky safe.

I can see it as a decoy though, maybe storing some costume jewelry but nothing of significant value.

Invisible DNA markings? Wouldn't prevent theft and would only help with recovery if every pawn shop was equipped with a reader. Don't see it as anything more than a gimmick.

I own a big bulky safe but I didn’t buy it to protect valuables from theft. I bought it to secure mechanical devices that discharge bullets. See, I have a son who is 15 years old and he has had friends over to the house since he was a toddler and the last thing I would want is for one of them to find one of those mechanical devices. The fact that I can store valuables in it is incidental.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by SDRider

I own a big bulky safe but I didn’t buy it to protect valuables from theft. I bought it to secure mechanical devices that discharge bullets. See, I have a son who is 15 years old and he has had friends over to the house since he was a toddler and the last thing I would want is for one of them to find one of those mechanical devices. The fact that I can store valuables in it is incidental.

That's a perfect use for the safe, and it serves that purpose well!
You can't be too careful when you've got kids in the house.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by SDRider

I own a big bulky safe but I didn’t buy it to protect valuables from theft. I bought it to secure mechanical devices that discharge bullets.

Hmmm.

I consider those to be valuables.

[SDRider]

You have a serial number engraved on the watch. I'm not sure what this "DNA dot" gets you that the serial number doesn't. Sounds like snake oil to me.

[rudestew]

As long as the police force have a system capable of reading the smartwater and returning it then i can see the point of it , cutting out the Columbo bit.

[Zakalwe]

There isn't a "correct" answer to this question. But how much would you actually want your watches back if they'd been stolen?

I've never been robbed, so I can't answer for sure, but if someone had been in my house, rummaged through my personal stuff and pilfered my possessions, then I'm not sure I'd want to be constantly reminded of that violation by having my watches returned to me. Especially as watches are such personal items, that are carried around with you. Do I want that reminder on my wrist, all day every day? That's without considering the matter of not knowing what's been done to them whilst out of my possession.

None of my watches are rare, nor do they have any sentimental value and I'm sure those things would make a difference to some people. I certainly agree that making it as hard as possible for a thief is a good thing (I have a safe myself). But anything that makes it even slightly easier for my stuff to be returned to me after it's been nicked, I'm really not too sure about. It's the same reason I don't have a tracker in my car.

I think I'd rather have the insurance payout and the fun of starting the collection over again.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by rootbeer7

Don't drive yourself mad. A good safe is the best plan. Each watch has a serial number and unless you publicise the fact it's all invisibly marked, what's the point?!!!

Order already placed, Ed

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Use all the bolt holes in the floor of your safe. Make certain the anchors are solid and you use high grade bolts.

Absolutely do NOT trust the fire rating. It's not a practical rating and you will lose valuables unless you take another step. Buy a small, air tight fire box to place inside the safe to protect important papers, paper money, and items not known heat resistant.

See above, mate. Also, price of the safe includes professional installation. Should be ready in about five weeks as they're made to order

Originally Posted by brandrea

Hi Paul,

I’m not a fan of safes. Seems to me like they earmark exactly where your valuables are so that bad guys don’t have as much searching to do

Also, I’ve read somewhere here in another thread, that the majority of home safes aren’t that secure given what criminals know about them, which makes sense given the day and age in which we live in.

I know I’m not answering your oringial question, but I guess you probably know where I’m headed. I don’t think it’s a necessary additional level of security

I take your point, Brian, and I also partially agree. Unfortunately, having the watches locked in a safe when not being used is a requirement of my insurance policy

Originally Posted by .brian.

I don't know about you guys, but I hate when my tea leaves steal my television. So much so that I no longer allow any tea leaves in my house. I strictly drink coffee in the morning now.

I take offence when any of my gear is half-inched

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

You apparently dont know what it takes to crack a safe.

When my electronic locked failed on my safe I called a locksmith. It took an hour to drill the safe to open it. And it was loud. I doubt joe criminal will be any faster or quieter. And unless you put a sign on the door that says you have a safe inside, I doubt the criminal will have brought along the tools to break into it.

If safes were useless, banks wouldn’t have them.

Absolutely. When I spoke to the sales director a couple of days ago, she reiterated the importance of using a locking code that's memorable to us. She then made the point that if we forget it, they have to drill the safe to get it open and replace the door. Apparently, it's a labour intensive, noisy and time consuming process.

Oh, and the new door would be at my expense

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

There isn't a "correct" answer to this question. But how much would you actually want your watches back if they'd been stolen?

I've never been robbed, so I can't answer for sure, but if someone had been in my house, rummaged through my personal stuff and pilfered my possessions, then I'm not sure I'd want to be constantly reminded of that violation by having my watches returned to me. Especially as watches are such personal items, that are carried around with you. Do I want that reminder on my wrist, all day every day? That's without considering the matter of not knowing what's been done to them whilst out of my possession.

None of my watches are rare, nor do they have any sentimental value and I'm sure those things would make a difference to some people. I certainly agree that making it as hard as possible for a thief is a good thing (I have a safe myself). But anything that makes it even slightly easier for my stuff to be returned to me after it's been nicked, I'm really not too sure about. It's the same reason I don't have a tracker in my car.

I think I'd rather have the insurance payout and the fun of starting the collection over again.

I paid a lot of money for my watches, money which I've worked my Jacob's off to earn. You damn straight I'd want them back


Thanks for all the replies. It was actually a wasted thread because Mrs Van D told me that we don't need it and we're not wasting money on it:

"I wouldn’t bother. Two reasons. If we ever do get burgled then they have to get into the safe past a dog to get the valuables. And there is no way I would put a sign outside the house saying “look everyone, we have so much valuable stuff that we’ve had to mark it with this amazing DNA stuff so you’ll get caught if you steal our really valuable stuff”."

I guess that's me told good and proper

[rootbeer7]

The trouble (and strife) correct China x

[Knappo 1307]

What happens if your watch is marked and you flip it?

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

What happens if your watch is marked and you flip it?

I was wondering the same. I'd guess the encoded information transfers to the new owner's name, or is registered inactive. Then again, there's probably a process for removal.

[GradyPhilpott]

I haven't heard of this synthetic DNA thing, but it sounds like that window etching scheme car dealers used to use get customers to part with an extra $100 or so.

I could be wrong, so doing some research on the matter would be in order.

There must be some research papers in the professional literature to provide some objective findings regarding all the issues mentioned here.

A call to local law enforcement to determine if they even have such a machine.