Tragedy -HELP!

[jedione65]

Hello all,
Some bad news unfortunately. Our house was broken into an burglarized with a safe taken and our whole watch collection (both me and my wife). It was a medium safe an pretty heavy so it had to have been 2 people or more as they did it quickly in about a 2 hour window.
We lost our entire watch collection which was of significant value but also sentimental as we were passionate about our watch collection and worked hard to build it.
They scoured our entire house but mainly only took the safe and some other small things, mainly some of my wife's purses. They went through all they watch boxes but didn't take any of the boxes so I still have all the boxes and warranty cards with accessories (go figure how smart these people are). We filed a police report of course but it may be hopeless.

Is there any way to report the watches stolen to a database? There were multiple Rolex watches so is there a way to directly report the serial numbers to a stolen watch database? I know there is a low chance if recovery but if somehow our watches turn up on the market I would like to know and also want them to get what's coming.

If it would help to post pictures with serial numbers of the stolen watches here, I would be happy to do so as well. Any help of advice would be appreciated.

And no, unfortunately none of these were insured, so it is a big loss. We though we really lived in a safe neighborhood, very quiet and seldom frequented by many people. Until now.

[wesdaniel]

I'm sorry to read about this. It's terrible to know when this happens.

Obviously, filing a police report was the right thing to do. It's unfortunate that they weren't insured. Was the safe secured to a stud or joist? Or free standing?

I think that posting serial numbers in as many places as you can will be a good thing for search engines to catch them and people to be able to identify them as stolen with a Google search. Here, Reddit, Moda, etc. Get the word out.

You can file a stolen watch report with Rolex USA by calling 212-980-2166 or emailing [email protected] and they will send you a form to fill out. You'll have to provide your police report information, etc. But, it's really only effective if, by chance, your watch makes it into a Rolex USA Service Center. My watch (stolen in 2013) has never made it into a service center.

Best of luck to you and really sorry to read about this.

[joli160]

Wow, I feel for you. Hope you can get past this soon.

[jedione65]

Originally Posted by wesdaniel

I'm sorry to read about this. It's terrible to know when this happens.

Obviously, filing a police report was the right thing to do. It's unfortunate that they weren't insured. Was the safe secured to a stud or joist? Or free standing?

I think that posting serial numbers in as many places as you can will be a good thing for search engines to catch them and people to be able to identify them as stolen with a Google search. Here, Reddit, Moda, etc. Get the word out.

You can file a stolen watch report with Rolex USA by calling 212-980-2166 or emailing [email protected] and they will send you a form to fill out. You'll have to provide your police report information, etc. But, it's really only effective if, by chance, your watch makes it into a Rolex USA Service Center. My watch (stolen in 2013) has never made it into a service center.

Best of luck to you and really sorry to read about this.

Is the above an actual email for Rolex?

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by jedione65

Is the above an actual email for Rolex?

What makes you think that?


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[jedione65]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

What makes you think that?


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It’s not but it seemed legit advice, and I’m not sure why someone would give bogus advice like that above. The 212 number also only connects to a fax.
Is there some actual way to contact Rolex to report stolen watch serial numbers?

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by jedione65

It’s not but it seemed legit advice, and I’m not sure why someone would give bogus advice like that above. The 212 number also only connects to a fax.
Is there some actual way to contact Rolex to report stolen watch serial numbers?

It’s not bogus advice.


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[alex.cicollo]

Oh my goodness, that’s awful. I feel your pain. Sending bestest of wishes…

[KatGirl]

So sorry to hear you lost your watch colkection. I know the feeling. My home was burglarized last year. I hadn’t been there much, as I was at my SO’s home most of the time. They went through everything I owned. It’s an awful feeling, to know someone violated your “safe space”. Fortunately, my more expensive watches were with me.’, though they did steal my IMac, printer, Dyson Vac, etc. , some pricey diamond jewelry, none of which was insured, as I was renting, and never bothered to get insurance. I checked local pawn shops, flea markets, etc., with no luck. Follow the advice given above. I wish you the best.

Kat


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[Calatrava r]

Sorry to hear about your lose. Best wishes to get it all sorted out the best you can. If thieves have time in a house, they can find and take everything they want.

[fooey]

Sorry about this, mate. It's unbelievable!
Did u have a camera or at least a ring doorbell to try and identify these thieving scumbags?

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[jedione65]

Originally Posted by fooey

Sorry about this, mate. It's unbelievable!
Did u have a camera or at least a ring doorbell to try and identify these thieving scumbags?

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They went broke in the back facing master bedroom which had a sliding glass door. Ironically one of our side doors was unlocked but they didn’t even use that. I don’t think a ring doorbell would have helped. I’ve asked our neighbors some of which have these ring video doorbells and none of them had caught anything.

[EndlessEight]

Originally Posted by fooey

Sorry about this, mate. It's unbelievable!
Did u have a camera or at least a ring doorbell to try and identify these thieving scumbags?

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They use cell and wifi jammers now that render Ring useless. You also can't call for help.

[~JJ]

Sorry to hear this and hope they catch these people. I hate thieves and feeling violated afterwards. Send Rolex the serial numbers and I hope the best for you and your wife.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by jedione65

. . .
Is there any way to report the watches stolen to a database? There were multiple Rolex watches so is there a way to directly report the serial numbers to a stolen watch database? I know there is a low chance if recovery but if somehow our watches turn up on the market I would like to know and also want them to get what's coming.

. . .

There are a number of databases on the Internet, but they are near worthless, and I don't know of any watch recovered by using these. It may give peace of mind that there may be an honest broker out there that finds one.

Rolex used to take a valid police report and flag serial numbers so they could be reported if sent for service. Give Rolex a call and see if they still do this.

[Dave O]

So sorry to hear of your loss. It truly is a shame and I hope the thief's get what they deserve.

In today's world, no matter how good of a neighborhood we think we live in, none of us are safe from scumbags such as this. We all need to invest in a good theft deterrent system such as a robust alarm system with cameras. If you don't already have one, it is well worth the investment.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Dave O

So sorry to hear of your loss. It truly is a shame and I hope the thief's get what they deserve.

In today's world, no matter how good of a neighborhood we think we live in, none of us are safe from scumbags such as this. We all need to invest in a good theft deterrent system such as a robust alarm system with cameras. If you don't already have one, it is well worth the investment.

We’ve been thinking about that lately. I also want to get a high end very heavy safe, bolted to the floor, inside the bedroom closet, now that my collecting has taken a higher end turn.

Kat


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[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

We’ve been thinking about that lately. I also want to get a high end very heavy safe, bolted to the floor, inside the bedroom closet, now that my collecting has taken a higher end turn.

Kat


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My safe is mounted in a closet to the floor and wall. There is also a camera in the closet pointing outward, recording 24 hours a day with battery back-up and footage sent to an off-site server. Only way to do it.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

My safe is mounted in a closet to the floor and wall. There is also a camera in the closet pointing outward, recording 24 hours a day with battery back-up and footage sent to an off-site server. Only way to do it.

Wow! That sounds great. Is that done through a monitoring service? If so, send me a PM. I’ve already picked out a safe, at a safe co. In Sacramento. They will install it.

Kat


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[4reRlxGuy]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

My safe is mounted in a closet to the floor and wall. There is also a camera in the closet pointing outward, recording 24 hours a day with battery back-up and footage sent to an off-site server. Only way to do it.

Just a thought - when our family got burglarized years ago and they were able to get into our safe.

I hired a security expert to attempt to make it impossible for another break in (by pass the alarm and get into the safe). They said the easiest way to get what they want is to simply wait in from of the house and put a gun to your head when you park in the garage .

Private vaults and safety deposit boxes are the way to go for large collections. Home invasions are getting more common unfortunately.

[WatchEnthusiast7369]

Originally Posted by 4reRlxGuy

Just a thought - when our family got burglarized years ago and they were able to get into our safe.

I hired a security expert to attempt to make it impossible for another break in (by pass the alarm and get into the safe). They said the easiest way to get what they want is to simply wait in from of the house and put a gun to your head when you park in the garage .

Private vaults and safety deposit boxes are the way to go for large collections. Home invasions are getting more common unfortunately.

What value amount would you put on a large collection?

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

We’ve been thinking about that lately. I also want to get a high end very heavy safe, bolted to the floor, inside the bedroom closet, now that my collecting has taken a higher end turn.

Kat


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As the OP said, the thieves spent a couple of hours in their home, no matter if a safe is bolted to the floor, these guys will have it removed. Its a sad day and age and this stuff seems to be happening a lot more.

[Rogerusp]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

As the OP said, the thieves spent a couple of hours in their home, no matter if a safe is bolted to the floor, these guys will have it removed. Its a sad day and age and this stuff seems to be happening a lot more.

This. A safe is good to have but with enough time thieves can get into some pretty heavy safes. It should be a combination of alarm system, cameras, safes etc.

[jedione65]

Originally Posted by Dave O

So sorry to hear of your loss. It truly is a shame and I hope the thief's get what they deserve.

In today's world, no matter how good of a neighborhood we think we live in, none of us are safe from scumbags such as this. We all need to invest in a good theft deterrent system such as a robust alarm system with cameras. If you don't already have one, it is well worth the investment.

Yes we now realize this and will plan to get an alarm system. Suggestions for a good one?

[jb335]

Originally Posted by jedione65

Yes we now realize this and will plan to get an alarm system. Suggestions for a good one?

I see you’re in LA. I have family in LA that uses Post Alarm and they are happy with them. It’s not very expensive at all either.


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[Dave O]

Originally Posted by jedione65

Yes we now realize this and will plan to get an alarm system. Suggestions for a good one?

I use Alarm Relay and I believe they are headquartered in SoCal. They are basically a monitoring company but I believe they can help getting a system installed as well.

[MichelleP]

This is horrible. I am so sorry this happened. I've thought about a safe but since I live in a condo and can't bolt it down, felt there wasn't a point. I have insurance and that gives me some piece of mind.

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by MichelleP

This is horrible. I am so sorry this happened. I've thought about a safe but since I live in a condo and can't bolt it down, felt there wasn't a point. I have insurance and that gives me some piece of mind.

No wall studs in a condo?

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by jedione65

Yes we now realize this and will plan to get an alarm system. Suggestions for a good one?

Get a professionally installed alarm system that is monitored 24/7 so the police will be dispatched. I’ve seen so much grainy video online from do-it-yourself alarm systems with the caption, “does anybody recognize these people who robbed me?” Nobody ever does. A monitored alarm system can have motion detectors, glass break detectors, door and window opening detectors, cameras as well as smoke/Co2 detectors and water leak detectors. Monthly monitoring is cheap, the install cost is a one time charge and you can have more detectors added to your system over time. Taking pictures of criminals is not enough, make sure a monitoring company can call and dispatch the cops.

[georgew]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Get a professionally installed alarm system that is monitored 24/7 so the police will be dispatched. I’ve seen so much grainy video online from do-it-yourself alarm systems with the caption, “does anybody recognize these people who robbed me?” Nobody ever does. A monitored alarm system can have motion detectors, glass break detectors, door and window opening detectors, cameras as well as smoke/Co2 detectors and water leak detectors. Monthly monitoring is cheap, the install cost is a one time charge and you can have more detectors added to your system over time. Taking pictures of criminals is not enough, make sure a monitoring company can call and dispatch the cops.

Unfortunately, this is the level you should be at for some semblance of deterrence & "security". I went to this level 20 yrs ago or so at the house, then again 3 yrs ago when we moved into our condo. And I tend to be very aware when parking into the garage - especially at night (followed home etc). Our condo complex is a bit out of the way and doesn;t flash high end money either - but being careful anyway.