Staying safe as a watch collector is a conversation that never gets old, especially during the summer when more people are traveling, attending events, and wearing their favorite pieces out in public.

In this watch crime safety special, we’re joined by the UK Metropolitan Police’s specialist watch crime unit to discuss the latest trends in luxury watch theft, organized retail attacks, distraction scams, super-clone watches, and the growing role of AI-driven fraud.

Click here to read along and see the photos in our show notes as you listen – http://www.scottishwatches.co.uk/2026/07/21/scottish-watches-podcast-798-watch-crime-special-with-the-metropolitan-police-flying-squad/

We cover practical advice on buying, selling, collecting, and traveling with watches, why criminals are changing their tactics, how recent police operations have reduced watch crime across London, and the simple steps every collector can take to protect themselves and their collection.

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Here are the essential safety tips:

• Wear the right watch for the occasion—leave high-value pieces at home if you’re heading somewhere crowded or drinking.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts if something feels off.
• Don’t advertise your watch—cover it with a sleeve when possible and avoid unnecessary attention.
• Be careful after leaving a boutique—you could be followed after collecting a watch.
• Use your own bag instead of a branded shopping bag when picking up a purchase.
• Have someone with you or ask boutique security to escort you if you’re collecting an expensive watch.
• Don’t buy or sell watches with strangers—use reputable dealers and secure payment methods.
• Register your watches with services like Watch Register or Enquirus to improve recovery if they’re stolen.
• Be cautious on social media—avoid posting your location or expensive watches in real time.
• Ignore suspicious calls and scams, and don’t share personal information with unknown callers.
• Use common sense—the best security is planning ahead and not making yourself an easy target.

MET police website: https://www.met.police.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metpolice_uk/?hl=en

Thank you for listening! Do you have any ideas? Please email us using the contact form.

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