CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in Queens
Moshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
This surveillance image shows one of the individuals who robbed “The Watch King” on July 23. (Image courtesy of the NYPD)
New York—The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the three individuals connected to the robbery of “The Watch King.”
Moshe Haimoff, known as “The Watch King” on Instagram, runs a store of the same name in New York City’s Diamond District.
He gained social media fame, racking up 1.6 million followers, working with celebrity clients like Pete Davidson.
On July 23 around 10 a.m., Haimoff was outside of his home in the Utopia neighborhood in Queens, New York, walking to his car.
He was approached by two individuals, according to police. Surveillance images show the suspects dressed up as construction workers.
One man hit Haimoff with a stun gun, then the other forced him onto the ground.
The two suspects then began to remove Haimoff’s jewelry.
A third individual drove the getaway vehicle, identified as a silver Mercedes-Benz SUV.
The value of the stolen jewelry is approximately $559,000, said police.
Haimoff sustained minor injuries, including a laceration and bruising to the wrist and neck, and he was transported by EMS to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital in stable condition.
“Thank God I’m alive,” he said in an interview with The New York Post. “That’s all that matters.”
Haimoff told the Post that he believes he was targeted.
Related stories will be right here …
Moshe Haimoff, known as “The Watch King” on Instagram, runs a store of the same name in New York City’s Diamond District.
He gained social media fame, racking up 1.6 million followers, working with celebrity clients like Pete Davidson.
On July 23 around 10 a.m., Haimoff was outside of his home in the Utopia neighborhood in Queens, New York, walking to his car.
He was approached by two individuals, according to police. Surveillance images show the suspects dressed up as construction workers.
This surveillance image shows a second suspect dressed up like a construction worker. (Image courtesy of the NYPD)
One man hit Haimoff with a stun gun, then the other forced him onto the ground.
The two suspects then began to remove Haimoff’s jewelry.
A third individual drove the getaway vehicle, identified as a silver Mercedes-Benz SUV.
The value of the stolen jewelry is approximately $559,000, said police.
Police said a third individual drove the getaway vehicle, seen here. (Image courtesy of the NYPD)
Haimoff sustained minor injuries, including a laceration and bruising to the wrist and neck, and he was transported by EMS to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital in stable condition.
“Thank God I’m alive,” he said in an interview with The New York Post. “That’s all that matters.”
Haimoff told the Post that he believes he was targeted.
Police described one of the suspects as a man, last seen wearing an orange and yellow striped reflective vest, a bucket hat, brown pants, black shoes, a white mask, and black gloves.
The second suspect, also said to be a man, was last seen wearing a yellow striped reflective vest, a black hat, black pants, black shoes, and black gloves.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). All calls are confidential.
Tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers website or on X to NYPDTips.
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
