unfortunately

that's not true. I've purchased watches from ADs, gray market dealers, and individuals from around the world. With the exception of those purchased from ADs, i've almost never known the original owner and often don't have any paperwork. This is particularly true with vintage watches which were owned and worn by people who didn't care about keeping boxes or papers.

As far as I know, every single one of these was a legitimate purchase. Nevertheless, if someone told me that 40 years ago my watch was reported stolen, i'd be pretty upset and want to see some serious proof especially after having spent tens of thousands of dollars on my purchase. Do you really think Patek wants to get involved in a mess like this by accusing a loyal owner of buying a watch that might have been stolen but there is no absolute proof? I just don't think they would want to get in the middle of this type of controversy.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I'm just suggesting that Patek would have a lot to risk if they tried to police this type of accusation.

Stolen watch database- Doesn't exist!!!!

By: Fallanden.ch : May 29th, 2009-18:35

I had a Patek 3940 perpetual stolen in 1996 from my home. I know who took the watch as there was a repair person in the house that day and he had access to the place where my beloved watch was resting. It actually was hidden, but you had to pass through m...

I think its a good idea too [nt]

By: gazoz : May 29th, 2009-19:24

No message body

Sorry but good idea in theory only

By: autowind : May 29th, 2009-19:37

How does Stern know that your watch was stolen? How do they separate a valid claim from a false claim? I suspect they don't want to be in the business of policing and/or arbitrating whether or not a watch submitted by a customer truly belongs to that cust...

why in theory only

By: Fallanden.ch : May 29th, 2009-20:39

First, Patek does maintain a list of stolen watches, they just don't share the list with all their Ad's. So are they saying it's OK to bring your stolen watch to one of our Ad's but you had better not send it to HQ? If you had actually sold the watch, the...

unfortunately

By: autowind : May 29th, 2009-21:19

good point, but then why have the current policy

By: Fallanden.ch : May 29th, 2009-21:42

The current policy is that Patek maintains a database of stolen watches at Henri Stern and in Geneva. As long as you contact both yourself, they don't exchange information. I was told today that if my watch ever were to show up at Stern, it would be froze...

You have my sympathy and I agree with you.

By: dreamer : May 30th, 2009-04:55

There should be closer cooperation with maintaining a central database.Also , with respect to those who argues that if you bought a watch in good faith and subsequently the watch was found/proven to have been stolen, it rightly belongs to that person.The ...

police report

By: whit : June 1st, 2009-10:55

Simply filing the police report is not sufficient, you need to send a copy of the report to Stern or to Geneva. My understanding is that nothing can be done without it. To be on the safe side, contact Patek and ask what they require.

I think....

By: MiniCooper : May 30th, 2009-05:55

that some middle ground should be found You have my complete understanding and sympathies- I would be equally frustrated if one of my watches was stolen. The AD should participate more- they should have an updated list of (proven) stolen watches. but also...

stolen 3940

By: whit : May 30th, 2009-07:55

I am somewhat familiar with your situation. A client of mine had his watch stolen from his hotel room in SC while on vacation, he called me to let me know and I informed H. Stern. Ten or twelve years later, I get a call from Stern, the watch had come in f...

yes, I forgot to mention making a police report

By: dreamer : June 1st, 2009-01:06

Make a police report within a short reasonable period after it has been stolen.Police will ask many questions and verify you docs.etc, where you originally bought it from etc.This is fairly standard practice for insurance claims as well, with insurance co...

Do you remember the case in

By: Sonny : May 30th, 2009-21:22

Singapore a few months ago when a big AD salesman stole watches worth millions? He ran to Thailand and surrender himself later in the Singapore Embassy. I was wondering why he surrender? The chance of the interpol to find him in Thailand and many developi...

Teriffic idea..

By: nothing but time : May 31st, 2009-05:50

They should add it here in beta as a tab, like with the collector market.

Stolen Watch

By: Fallanden.ch : June 1st, 2009-12:15

Thank those of you who properly understand what it must feel like to have a 3940 stolen from your home, only to find out that Patek really does nothing to help return the watch to you. Again, any complicated Patek at some point in it's life wil need the s...