You are right saying that you feel burglared twice. Sadly enough, the second time by a company engaged in a business we collectors love so much. And the feeling of frustration when you could only witness their course of actions, without a chance to interfere, must have been terrible.
As it was mentioned before, legally, the situation might be a complicated one, with bona fide purchase and possible statute of limitations issues involved. But definitely, it was not up to AQ to pretend they are the judge! One would expect AQ should have immediately reported the Lange to the local police, once they had evidence of her crimital origin from you (or from the Lange list of stolen watches) -- in case they for some reason did not prefer to solve the issue directly with you and the consignor. I simply cannot understand that a specialised auction house behaves in such a non-proffessional manner...
I keep my fingers crossed, Nico, that your Lange finds her way back home to you!
petr
This message has been edited by sery.vlk on 2015-12-27 01:53:10