Fixed value
Five coveted watch brands dominate the attention of collectors and thieves alike. A father and son, known locally as Alabart and Nachos from a small workshop in the center of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, explain that it’s the prestige behind names like Ricard Mille, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Hublot that drives demand. To the average person these brands may seem like distant icons, with Rolex standing out in particular. Yet these signals also attract a very different crowd: violent thieves active in Barcelona who target wrists carrying these watches. When a theft is committed, injuries can be severe, as witnessed at Les Corts where a victim required emergency surgery at Bellvitge University Hospital. This has become a significant security concern for the Mossos d’Esquadra, who have formed a specialized unit to monitor watch theft and to adopt expert guidance in their investigations. The issue extends beyond Barcelona and mirrors trends seen in other European tourist hubs, where rising visitor numbers correlate with increased criminal activity.
To understand the allure of the most expensive timepieces, one must consider the global market dynamics that Alabart highlights. Limited-edition models convey exclusivity, driving criminals to adapt their operations to meet this persistent demand. In recent years, criminal networks have shifted from traditional targets to these luxury watches, exploiting gaps in supply and high resale value on the black market. The result is a steady stream of stolen inventory feeding illicit networks.
Fixed value
Prices for stolen watches can top the genuine market value. Sometimes, a pre-owned piece may fetch more than a brand-new model due to lengthy waiting lists. The watch brands themselves are seen as investments. A Rolex Daytona, which might have cost around 7,000 to 8,000 euros years ago, can now command a much higher resale price if it remains in good condition, accompanied by its original box and serial-number documentation.
In Barcelona, some of the most expensive stolen pieces include models valued at hundreds of thousands of euros. Police recovered a watch valued at 360,000 euros on May 13, illustrating the scale of the thefts. Regular police work, Mossos d’Esquadra officers, and plainclothes units continue to pursue suspects in central Barcelona while the City Guard protects pedestrians who are assaulted during daytime strolls. The thefts occasionally involve devices that fetch tens of thousands of euros, underscoring the financial stakes involved.
buyers
Strong demand for high-end watches keeps values stable despite a history of criminal involvement. The phenomenon goes beyond a few repeat offenders; some young people, including minors, understand that there are buyers willing to pay substantial sums for coveted timepieces. This behavior draws attention from police sources in both Mossos and Urbana, who emphasize that buyers who purchase stolen watches at inflated prices contribute to a cycle of crime. While the watch straps and pins may fail under duress, Alabart notes that even the risk of harm does not deter some thieves when the potential payoff is so high. In some cases, a watch can become a target not just for a single grab but for an extended attack when the clock is stuck or a door traps the wearer.
The central issue, according to authorities, is the demand side. Some young buyers, swayed by the possibility of quick profits, band together and ignore the harm inflicted on victims. Alabart points out that even if a watch is valuable, the risk of damage during a theft remains, and the resulting incident can escalate into a dangerous situation for the owner. Victims may face not only physical harm but also the trauma of losing a treasured possession.
traveling abroad
Reports cited by El Periódico indicate that skilled thieves can identify valuable components in certain watches, especially among wealthier visitors. Some buyers or facilitators verify a watch’s value by photographing the movement or lens, then determine how much they would pay. If the price is right, thieves may target the owner even in broad daylight, particularly if a watch looks scarce or highly sought after. Police sources confirm these tactics and the risks they pose to innocent passersby.
A further driver of crime is the migration of high-value watches across borders. In today’s world, many devices carry GPS, making personal devices easier to recover. The thief’s attention now shifts to premium watches, which can travel with their owners through airports and onto planes, sometimes without triggering alarms at every checkpoint. Alabart notes that a single, well-protected wristwatch can be worth tens of thousands of euros, making the risk of theft substantial for the owner.
Each timepiece carries a serial number, and Alabart recommends recording this information in a secure place to prove ownership when filing a complaint. In the worst cases, even the most valuable watches escape to distant borders, where authorities must pursue the stolen items across countries.
special unit
As tourism rebounds, so does crime, prompting Mossos d’Esquadra to create a dedicated unit to tackle watch theft. The unit coordinates targeted investigations in the field with other police forces to disrupt illicit networks. The approach emphasizes information gathering and rapid responses, enabling arrests around the clock and ensuring offenders face stronger legal consequences at trial. Barcelona police officials report that the problem has been contained in some neighborhoods, but they continue to monitor high-risk areas and, above all, keep a focus on the buyers who fuel the market for stolen watches.
Uniformed officers and plain-clothes detectives have been deployed in key hotspots, reinforcing the commitment to protect pedestrians and reduce the number of robbery incidents. The ongoing effort aims to break the cycle of theft by cutting off both the supply and the demand that sustains it.