By Katie McDowell, Editor, Crossluxe, Frequent Business Traveler and Watch Enthusiast | Published April 23, 2025

I am so sick of reading about luxury watch thefts. As a frequent business traveler and dive watch enthusiast, my Rolex Yachtmaster, Omega Seamaster, and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms are more than timepieces—they’re extensions of my style and passion for rugged, functional design. I used to wear them proudly on trips, whether navigating New York City’s bustling streets, dining in Los Angeles’ trendy cafes, or exploring London’s vibrant West End. But the recent escalation in luxury watch thefts has changed that. Stories of violent robberies and cunning thieves have made me leave my “bling” at home. If you’re like me, balancing a love for expensive watches with safety concerns, this guide explores the trends in watch thefts in NYC, LA, and London, high-profile cases, how thieves operate, and practical tips to protect yourself without sacrificing style.

The Alarming Rise in Luxury Watch Thefts

Luxury watch thefts have surged globally, driven by the high resale value of brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille. The Watch Register, a global database, reports over 100,000 watches registered as lost or stolen, with a 2023 value of $1.9 billion. In 2022, London alone saw over 6,000 watch thefts, while Los Angeles reported a 30% increase in high-value watch robberies from 2021 to 2022. New York City has also become a hotspot, with thieves targeting affluent neighborhoods like Manhattan and Brooklyn.

This trend ties into 2025’s exuberant luxury fashion aesthetic, where bold accessories signal wealth but also attract criminals. The decline in cash usage has made watches a prime target, as they’re portable, valuable, and easier to fence than drugs or cash. Social media amplifies the risk—posts flaunting a Yachtmaster or Seamaster can tip off thieves, especially in cities where organized gangs operate.

Watch Theft Trends in NYC, LA, and London

New York City: Brazen Street Robberies

NYC’s watch thefts are often violent and opportunistic. In 2024, Greenpointers reported a Williamsburg robbery where a man lost a $10,000 watch at gunpoint. The New York Times noted a series of heists targeting restaurants frequented by celebrities and creatives, with one $100,000 watch stolen by moped-riding thieves. These incidents highlight NYC’s fast-paced environment, where dense crowds in Times Square or the subway create opportunities for quick grabs.

Los Angeles: Organized Gang Operations

LA’s thefts are increasingly tied to organized crime. The Los Angeles Times reported that 17 gangs send crews to follow wealthy individuals driving luxury cars or wearing high-end watches. In 2022, the LA County Sheriff’s Department recorded over 200 thefts of watches valued at $5,000 or more, a 30% jump from 2021. Thieves often strike in upscale areas like Beverly Hills, targeting diners at restaurants like Il Pastaio, where jeweler Shay Belhassen lost a $500,000 Richard Mille at gunpoint in 2021.

London: Moped Gangs and Nightlife Hotspots

London’s watch thefts are notorious, with over £50 million in watches stolen in 2022, per the Metropolitan Police. The city’s “Rolex Rippers” and moped gangs target affluent areas like Soho, Mayfair, and Kensington, often between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on weekends. A 2023 BBC exposé revealed that 3,190 watches were stolen in London in the first half of 2023, with 20% involving violence. Thieves use scooters for quick getaways, striking in tourist-heavy spots like Oxford Street or outside Michelin-starred restaurants.

High-Profile Watch Theft Cases

Several high-profile cases underscore the audacity of watch thieves:

• Amir Khan (London, 2022): The former boxing champion was robbed at gunpoint of his £70,000 Franck Muller outside a Leyton restaurant. Khan’s social media posts showcasing the watch likely tipped off thieves, who acted after he posed with a fan.
• Shay Belhassen (Los Angeles, 2021): Three armed youths stole Belhassen’s $500,000 Richard Mille RM 11-03 while he dined at Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills. The thieves fled, highlighting LA’s targeting of high-end dining spots.
• Andrew Dinsmore (London, 2022): A Conservative councillor had his watch stolen by a machete-wielding thief on a moped in Hammersmith. He suspected a spotter in the restaurant he’d visited, illustrating the use of surveillance.
• Carbone Robbery (NYC, 2024): A $100,000 watch was stolen outside NYC’s iconic Carbone eatery by armed, moped-riding robbers, as reported by the New York Post. The incident sparked fear among Manhattan’s elite.
• Aled Jones (London, 2023): The Songs of Praise presenter was robbed of his £17,000 Rolex by a machete-armed teenager in Chiswick, showing even daytime streets aren’t safe.

These cases reveal a pattern: thieves target visible wealth in public settings, often with violent tactics.

How Thieves Operate: Spotters, Armed Robbery, and Wrist-Ripping

Watch thieves are sophisticated, using coordinated strategies:

• Spotters: Gangs employ “spotters,” often young women, to identify targets in bars, clubs, or restaurants. A 2023 BBC investigation featured “Abi,” a spotter who charmed men in nightclubs before signaling robbers, earning £500–£1,000 per job. Spotters may flirt or pose as charity workers to distract victims.
• Armed Robbery: Thieves frequently use weapons—guns in NYC and LA, knives or machetes in London. A 2024 Guardian report noted robbers brandishing firearms or blades to intimidate victims, as seen in Khan’s case.
• Wrist-Ripping in Cafes or Streets: Thieves strike in broad daylight, ripping watches off wrists in cafes or on busy streets. In London, moped gangs snatch watches in seconds, weaving through traffic to escape. In NYC, robbers target sidewalk diners, as in the Carbone heist. The Watch Register notes sleight-of-hand tactics, like “hugger muggers” who steal during embraces.
• Social Media Surveillance: Criminals scour Instagram or X for posts showcasing watches, especially from celebrities or influencers. Khan’s robbery followed a photo with his watch visible, a common trigger.
• Drugged Thefts: In the US, some thieves drug victims via drinks or cigarettes to steal watches unnoticed, a tactic The Watch Register flagged as rising.

These methods highlight why flaunting a Yachtmaster or Seamaster in public is risky—it makes you an obvious target.

Tips to Protect Your Expensive Watches

For watch lovers fearing theft, here are practical tips to stay safe without sacrificing your passion:

1. Leave the Bling at Home
   The simplest way to avoid theft is to not wear your Rolex or Blancpain in high-risk areas like NYC, LA, or London. Opt for a less flashy timepiece, like a Seiko Prospex or Citizen Promaster, when traveling. Their rugged dive-watch style suits your taste but draws less attention.
2. Be Discreet
   Cover your watch with long sleeves or a cuff, especially in crowded places like Times Square or Soho. Avoid flashing it at cafes or bars, where spotters lurk. The Watch Register advises concealing watches under clothing in public.
3. Limit Social Media Exposure
   Don’t post real-time photos of your Seamaster or Yachtmaster, especially with location tags. Wait until you’re home to share, and avoid public profiles. Amir Khan’s case shows how social media can make you a target.
4. Stay Vigilant
   Be aware of your surroundings in upscale restaurants, clubs, or tourist hotspots. If someone seems overly friendly or distracting, they might be a spotter. Stanhope Insurance recommends vigilance in busy areas like Covent Garden or Beverly Hills.
5. Insure Your Watches
   Insure your collection through a specialized provider like Hodinkee Insurance or Stanhope Insurance. Audemars Piguet’s Coverage service refunds or replaces stolen watches bought since 2022, a model other brands may follow. Insurance eases financial loss if the worst happens.
6. Use a Watch Register
   Register your watches with The Watch Register, which tracks stolen timepieces and recovers four daily on average. This increases the chance of retrieving a stolen watch and deters black-market sales.
7. Travel Smart
   When flying for work, store your watches in a hotel safe or carry a decoy watch. Avoid wearing them in airports or during layovers in high-risk cities. I now travel with a rugged G-Shock, saving my Fifty Fathoms for safer settings.
8. Support Law Enforcement Efforts
   Report thefts to police and databases like The Watch Register. London’s undercover operations, which cut watch thefts by 50% in 2023, show progress. Encourage similar task forces in NYC and LA to keep pressure on thieves.

Why Leaving the Bling at Home Matters

Flaunting a luxury watch makes you an obvious target in 2025’s exuberant luxury landscape, where bold displays of wealth invite danger. Thieves are educated about brands—your Yachtmaster or Seamaster isn’t just a watch; it’s a paycheck. Violent robberies, like those targeting Khan or Dinsmore, show the risks aren’t worth it. By leaving the bling at home, you blend in, reducing the chance of being spotted or attacked. A dive-inspired, affordable watch lets you maintain your rugged style without painting a bullseye on your wrist.

Final Thoughts: Balance Passion and Safety

As a frequent traveler, I miss wearing my dive watches on the road, but safety comes first. The surge in watch thefts in NYC, LA, and London—fueled by organized gangs, spotters, and violent tactics—demands caution. High-profile cases remind us that no one is immune, and social media can amplify risks. By leaving your Rolex or Omega at home, staying discreet, and insuring your collection, you can enjoy your watches without fear.

Do you leave your luxury watches at home when traveling? Share your tips in the comments! Follow us on X for more watch and travel insights.