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
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
