Luxury Watch Thefts Surge on the Côte d’Azur
In 2024, the Alpes-Maritimes region experienced a sharp rise in luxury watch thefts, with losses exceeding €8 million. This troubling trend follows a similar pattern: criminals monitor their targets closely, strike quickly and often violently, then flee by scooter into the hills.
Targets Include Both Public and Retail
Thieves attack individuals on the street as well as specialized shops. Monaco, once protected by extensive CCTV coverage, saw an end to its immunity with two major thefts in 2024.
On 29 May, Monaco Watch Company suffered an armed robbery lasting six minutes, resulting in more than €4 million worth of watches stolen.
On 12 November, The Watch Project was raided in minutes, losing four watches.
Thefts Beyond Shops
Violent street robberies have also increased. In April 2024, American tennis player Sebastian Korda lost a €300,000 Richard Mille after being attacked by two masked men in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
In August, a student in Nice tried to exchange a counterfeit Rolex for a genuine one valued at €48,000 at the Hôtel de Paris. He was arrested and sentenced to four months in prison after being caught near Place du Casino.
Summary
Luxury watch thefts on the Côte d’Azur have intensified in 2024, affecting both retailers and individuals, with increasingly bold and rapid crimes leading to significant losses and arrests.