CrimeSep 28, 2023
Have You Seen Jewels Like These? The British Museum Wants to KnowCrimeOct 24, 2023
Philadelphia Jeweler Followed Home, Robbed of Luxury Watch
The incident serves as a reminder to jewelers to be “prudent” about what they wear outside the store, the Jewelers’ Security Alliance said.
Police in Philadelphia are searching for two men authorities say followed a jeweler home from his store on the city’s Jewelers’ Row and robbed him of a Patek Philippe watch priced at more than $100,000.
Philadelphia—The owner of a jewelry store on Philadelphia’s Jewelers’ Row was robbed of a watch at gunpoint by two men who allegedly followed him home from his store.
According to a recent alert from the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, the robbery happened Sept. 11, shortly after the store posted a video on Instagram showing its followers a newly acquired Patek Philippe.
From the video as shared by the local ABC affiliate, the watch appears to be a perpetual calendar chronograph, one of the brand’s Grand Complications models, with a gold bracelet. It is estimated to be worth $150,000 to $170,000.
After the video went up, a man wearing a mask came into the store, asked about the watch, and then left.
Surveillance video shows that after he left the store, he got into a 2020 black Toyota Avalon parked behind the store; another man already was in the car.
The two remained in the area for three hours until the store owner left. They then followed him to his home in suburban Bucks County and robbed him at gunpoint of the Patek Philippe as well as his cell phone, JSA said.
He was not injured in the robbery.
The store owner, who has asked not to be publicly identified, went in and out of the store several times that day while wearing the watch. He believes the suspects were watching him to ensure he was still wearing it before they followed him home.
He told ABC6 he learned two valuable lessons from the robbery.
“One, can’t wear the items anymore, especially not the expensive items. And two, you just have to be looking around and making sure people aren’t following you in this crazy day,” he said.
Related stories will be right here …
According to a recent alert from the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, the robbery happened Sept. 11, shortly after the store posted a video on Instagram showing its followers a newly acquired Patek Philippe.
From the video as shared by the local ABC affiliate, the watch appears to be a perpetual calendar chronograph, one of the brand’s Grand Complications models, with a gold bracelet. It is estimated to be worth $150,000 to $170,000.
After the video went up, a man wearing a mask came into the store, asked about the watch, and then left.
Surveillance video shows that after he left the store, he got into a 2020 black Toyota Avalon parked behind the store; another man already was in the car.
The two remained in the area for three hours until the store owner left. They then followed him to his home in suburban Bucks County and robbed him at gunpoint of the Patek Philippe as well as his cell phone, JSA said.
He was not injured in the robbery.
The store owner, who has asked not to be publicly identified, went in and out of the store several times that day while wearing the watch. He believes the suspects were watching him to ensure he was still wearing it before they followed him home.
He told ABC6 he learned two valuable lessons from the robbery.
“One, can’t wear the items anymore, especially not the expensive items. And two, you just have to be looking around and making sure people aren’t following you in this crazy day,” he said.
The armed robbery in the Philadelphia suburbs follows a rash of luxury watch robberies that spanned both coasts in 2021, prompting JSA to issue a warning to jewelers.
JSA recommends jewelers make sure they are not being followed when driving home or to any location.
The organization also shared a note of caution about wearing expensive jewelry and watches when leaving the store, particularly if it’s just to go home for the evening.
“Jewelers need to be prudent about wearing high-end jewelry and watches outside their store. Not every situation demands wearing the most expensive items,” JSA said.
Anyone with information in the Philadelphia Patek Philippe robbery is asked to contact JSA at 212-687-0328 or jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org, or the Newtown (Pennsylvania) Township Police at 215-579-1000 or policeinfo@twp.newtown.pa.us.
Police are offering a $5,000 reward in the case.
More on Crime
The Latest
GradingDec 11, 2024
IGI Set to Go Public Next WeekIn a CNBC interview, CEO Tehmasp Printer discussed the IPO in India and what declining lab-grown diamond prices mean for the company.
AuctionsDec 11, 2024
Sotheby’s Important Watches Sale Fetches $16.6MThe offering included vintage Rolexes, timepieces worn in “Titanic,” Steve McQueen's watch, and a special Citizen pocket watch.
CollectionsDec 11, 2024
Stephanie Gottlieb Brings Natural Diamonds to StudsThe 13-piece “Stephanie Gottlieb x Studs” collection is the piercing studio’s first fine jewelry offering to feature the gemstone.
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
IndependentsDec 10, 2024
Sauer Opens First U.S. StoreThe Brazilian jewelry brand made a home on New York City’s Madison Avenue with exclusive pieces only available at the location.
Weekly QuizDec 05, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysDec 10, 2024
Jewelry Among Top Sellers on Cyber Monday, Says AdobeAn Adobe Analytics report explored the rise in mobile shopping, the popularity of Buy Now Pay Later options, and peak shopping hours.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2024
AGTA Launches Scholarship for University of Arizona Geosciences StudentsThe inaugural Dick Greenwood Memorial Scholarship in Gems Science will cover the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
Brought to you by
Protecting Your Sparkle: Why Screening Has Become Essential While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, it's a growing possibility.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2024
JA New York To Debut 2 New Pavilions at Spring 2025 ShowA Piazza Italia pavilion will feature Italian designers and manufacturers while “MJSA Showcase” brings over a piece of the MJSA Expo.
CollectionsDec 09, 2024
Ray Griffiths’ First Coffee Table Book Spans 5 Decades of Design“Ray Griffiths: The Works” tells the story of the master jeweler’s career, which started with an apprenticeship in Australia at age 15.
MajorsDec 09, 2024
Thomas Davis, Grant Mobley Join WJA Foundation Board Davis is the director of business development at Select Jewelry Inc., and Mobley is the jewelry and watch editor at the Natural Diamond Council.
FinancialsDec 09, 2024
Movado’s Q3 Sales Down 3% Amid ‘Challenging’ EnvironmentThe retailer has been upping its marketing spend to drive revenue growth and brand awareness.
IndependentsDec 06, 2024
After 44 Years in Business, This Wisconsin Independent Is ClosingMike Straub and John Treiber opened Treiber & Straub in 1980 with the goal of bringing Milwaukeeans the best jewelry brands.
TrendsDec 06, 2024
Pantone’s Color of the Year Is a Delicious MousseThe color for 2025, “Mocha Mousse,” embodies thoughtful indulgences and everyday pleasures.
CollectionsDec 06, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cocoerow Fine Jewelry’s ‘Kokoro’ PendantThe Yoruba word for ant, “Kokoro” embodies the strength of womanhood in ant society while highlighting responsible sourcing.
FinancialsDec 06, 2024
Roberto Coin Acquisition Gives Watches of Switzerland a Boost in H1The retailer’s jewelry sales doubled, with branded jewelry performing especially well.
FinancialsDec 05, 2024
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Slide Amid Slow Engagement Ring Sales, Tech IssuesThe jewelry retailer addressed the lab-grown diamond “disruption,” the price of gold, and its holiday weekend performance.
SurveysDec 05, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rises Again in NovemberA more positive view of the current labor market boosted the Conference Board’s index last month.
Events & AwardsDec 05, 2024
Michael S. Krzemnicki to Receive 2024 Bonanno AwardThe director of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) will be honored for his impact on gemology and dedication to advancing the science.
Supplier BulletinDec 05, 2024
Join Us For Color's Premier Show: 2025 AGTA GemFair TucsonSponsored by 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson
Events & AwardsDec 05, 2024
BIJC Announces 2024 ‘Rock the Jewels’ Awards WinnersAt the annual event, in its second year, the organization honored those making remarkable contributions to the jewelry industry.
TrendsDec 05, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: A Blue, Blue, Blue Month Celebrate December babies with 20 pieces of jewelry featuring this month’s birthstones—turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon.
SurveysDec 04, 2024
In-Store Shopping Outpaced Online Over the Holiday Weekend, Says NRF A total of 126 million consumers shopped in stores over the five-day period, about 5 million more than last year.
Lab-GrownDec 04, 2024
GJEPC Says Indian Trade Will Use FTC-Approved Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsThe FTC’s Jewelry Guides require “clear and conspicuous” disclosure when advertising lab-grown diamonds.
SourcingDec 04, 2024
Designer Saul Fraiman Retires After 55 YearsThe fine jewelry designer, who came out of retirement in 2017, is putting down his sketchpad for good.
AuctionsDec 04, 2024
30-Carat Pink Diamond Fetches $2.6M at BonhamsThe Type IIa, very light pink colored diamond was the highlight of the recent Hong Kong jewelry auction.
ColumnistsDec 03, 2024
Peter Smith: How a Leadership Hire Can Make or Break a CompanyIn his latest column, Smith provides a list of questions every business needs to be asking their next potential leader.
