How to Report a Stolen Watch

Reporting a stolen watch quickly and completely gives you the best chance of recovery and of a smooth insurance claim. Here is exactly what to do, in order — and you can auto-fill every document below with the free report generator.

Report a stolen watch in 6 steps

  1. 1

    File a police report

    Report the theft to the police as soon as you can, in person or online. Give the brand, model, reference and serial number and ask for the crime or incident reference number — you will need it for insurance and recovery.

  2. 2

    Gather proof of ownership

    Collect your receipt, warranty card, service records and any photos of you wearing the watch. These prove the watch is yours and are required by insurers and to reclaim a recovered watch.

  3. 3

    Notify your insurer

    Tell your home, contents or specialist watch insurer about the theft, quoting the police reference number, the incident date and location, and the estimated value.

  4. 4

    Alert the resale market

    Post the serial number and a photo to watch forums, dealer groups and resale marketplaces so buyers and dealers can flag it if it is offered for sale.

  5. 5

    Register on a stolen-watch database

    Add the watch to a global stolen-watch database so anyone who checks the serial number — a buyer, dealer, auction house or service centre — is alerted that it is reported stolen.

  6. 6

    Tell the manufacturer

    Notify the brand or your boutique so the serial number is flagged if the watch is ever brought in for service or authentication.

Where to report a stolen watch

Start with the police — a formal report and a crime reference number are the foundation of everything that follows, including your insurance claim. From there, the report widens outward: your insurer, the resale market, a stolen-watch database, and the manufacturer. The more places your serial number is on record, the more likely the watch is to be flagged when it resurfaces.

Why reporting fast matters

Stolen watches are most often recovered weeks or months later, when someone tries to sell or service them. If your watch is already on record by the time that happens, the serial number links it straight back to you. A report filed today is what makes a recovery possible tomorrow — so don't wait to gather every detail before you start.

Make reporting effortless

  • Use the free report generator to produce a police message, an insurer claim and marketplace alerts from one set of details.
  • Keep the serial and reference numbers somewhere you can find them again instantly.
  • Register the watch for global tracking so your report reaches dealers and buyers worldwide, not just locally.

Reported it? Now register it for global tracking.

A police report and an insurance claim are step one. Register your watch on our global stolen-watch database so dealers, auction houses and buyers worldwide are alerted the moment someone tries to sell or verify it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I report a stolen watch to the police?

Contact the police in person or through their online reporting service and give the brand, model, reference number, serial number and identifying marks, along with where and when it was stolen. Ask for the crime or incident reference number — you'll need it for your insurance claim and to reclaim the watch if it's found.

Can I report a stolen watch without the serial number?

Yes, but include as much detail as possible — model, reference number, distinctive marks and photos. The serial number is the most powerful identifier, so check your receipt, warranty card or the watch itself for it and add it to the report as soon as you can.

Should I report a stolen watch to my insurance?

Yes. Notify your home, contents or specialist watch insurer promptly, quoting the police reference number. Most insurers require a police report to process a theft claim, and reporting late can delay or jeopardise it.

Where else should I report a stolen watch?

Beyond the police and your insurer, report it to a global stolen-watch database, the manufacturer or boutique, and the resale market — watch forums, dealer groups and marketplaces. The wider the serial number is circulated, the harder the watch is to sell and the easier it is to recover.