If you’re curious about the most famous missing or stolen watches, there are plenty of interesting crimes and conundrums to be uncovered. Mystery surrounds what is believed to be the very first wristwatch ever, as well as one once worn in space. Some of the most famous disappearances even have connections to the Beatles and Marie Antoinette. Turns out, no matter how famous or wealthy you are, you’re still at risk for watch and jewelry theft.
Here are six of the most famous missing or stolen watches throughout history, plus tips for how to avoid watch theft. Of course, we’re also giving you insight on what to do if it happens.
What You Will Learn
- 1. John Lennon’s Patek Philippe 2499
- 2. Buzz Aldrin’s Omega Speedmaster
- 3. The Marie Antoinette Breguet No. 160
- 4. Pablo Picasso’s Watch Collection
- 5. Lyndon B. Johnson’s Rolex Day-Date
- 6. The Breguet No. 2639
- How to Prevent Watch Theft — And What to Do if It Happens
- Invest in Watch Insurance
- FAQs About Stolen Watches
1. John Lennon’s Patek Philippe 2499
John Lennon’s Patek Philippe 2499 was one of only 349 of its kind when Yoko Ono purchased it as a gift for him shortly before his death. After it was stolen, it became the center of a sticky lawsuit to determine who actually owned it. Was it Ono, or the watch collector who purchased it after its theft?
Here’s how it went down:
After Lennon’s death, the watch remained in his Dakota apartment, along with his other belongings. However, it was stolen in 2005 by one of Ono’s employees, who also stole a range of other Lennon memorabilia at the same time and took off to Europe. From there, the watch changed hands a few times before ending up at auction houses and then with a private buyer.
Interestingly, Ono had never reported the watch stolen. When it was discovered that someone in Europe was claiming to own the Patek Philippe 2499, a tricky situation arose, leading to a lawsuit. The owner insisted they’d purchased the watch fair and square, but the Lennon/Ono family demanded its return.
As of late 2024, Swiss courts have ruled that Ono is the rightful owner of the watch.
2. Buzz Aldrin’s Omega Speedmaster
Buzz Aldrin’s Omega Speedmaster was stolen in the 1970s while it was being transported to the Smithsonian. While plenty of people own Omega Speedmasters today, Aldrin’s is particularly valuable because it was the first watch worn while walking on the moon.
However, there was no grand heist, nor did anyone pull the vehicle over to take the watch by force. Instead, Buzz Aldrin signed some paperwork saying he’d sent the watch to the Smithsonian; it technically belongs to NASA and was going to be on display. However, the watch never arrived.
A few hoaxes have come up over the years, with people claiming they have the watch, but nothing has been proven to be real.
3. The Marie Antoinette Breguet No. 160
While the Breguet No. 160 was never actually worn by Marie Antoinette, it was ordered by one of her guards and was the most technically complicated watch of its time. This piece was revered for its historic connections and mechanics before it disappeared.
The watch was originally ordered from Breguet in 1783, but it wasn’t actually completed until after the French Revolution, at which point the company kept it in its own collection. It was later sold to private collectors before making its way to the L.A. Mayer Museum of Islamic Arts, where it was then stolen in 1983.
The Largest Art Robbery in Israel’s History
At this museum, as part of a heist that’s been called the largest art robbery in the country’s history, Naaman Diller stole the Breguet No. 160 along with more than a hundred other timepieces, all of which he hid in various locations around the world.
Stories of what happened next differ. Some say that, after his death, his widow attempted to sell the items off, which alerted authorities to the stolen goods’ whereabouts. Others say that the widow learned of the timepieces’ existence during her husband’s deathbed confession and then offered to return them to the museum for a price.
Whatever the case, the missing Marie Antoinette watch was eventually recovered and is now back in the museum.
4. Pablo Picasso’s Watch Collection
Pablo Picasso was known to have a substantial watch collection, and three watches that he was seen wearing often have been missing since he died in the 1970s. These are a Rolex GMT-Master, a Patek Philippe ref. 2497, and a Jaeger LeCoultre triple calendar.
While the watches’ locations are unknown, and they would undoubtedly go for a lot of money at auction if they were to ever be located, collectors still will pay big bucks for merely photographs of Picasso wearing these specific watches.
5. Lyndon B. Johnson’s Rolex Day-Date
Former President Lyndon B. Johnson was a big fan of the Rolex Day-Date, even giving them out as gifts on occasion. Ironically enough, his own Day-Date, which he’s said to have worn every day while he was in office, is missing.
While it’s unknown where his watch went after his death, Johnson’s affinity for this specific watch left its mark. Now, the Day-Date is associated with government leaders; many presidents have worn the watch since, and the trend has spread to other countries as well.
6. The Breguet No. 2639
Another historic, lost watch from Breguet, the Breguet No. 2639, was the first-ever version of a wristwatch. This piece has been missing since the 1850s.
Breguet created the watch for Caroline Murat, the Queen of Naples, in 1810. Unfortunately, the watch’s current location — if it even still exists — is unknown. The last written record of the watch is from 1855. Murat’s daughter took the watch in for servicing, and that was that. The public hasn’t knowingly seen it since.
How to Prevent Watch Theft — And What to Do if It Happens
Preventing watch theft and loss comes down to storing your watch correctly and investing in proper security measures while at home. If a watch theft does occur, you’ll want to immediately alert the authorities, register that the watch has been stolen, and let your insurance provider know.
Prevent watch theft by:
- Storing watches in a home safe when not being worn
- Being aware of your surroundings when wearing your watch, especially in crowded spaces or while traveling
- Investing in a home security system to deter would-be thieves
If a watch is stolen:
- File a police report
- Tell your jewelry insurance provider that the watch has been stolen so they can arrange for a replacement
- Register the watch as stolen with the manufacturer and watch registries
While registering the watch as stolen may seem like an unnecessary step, it will ensure that, if the thief ever attempts to sell the watch or take it in for repairs, the timepiece is flagged.
Invest in Watch Insurance
Losing your luxury watch to theft can be traumatic. Not only are these pieces expensive, but they also often hold personal or symbolic value. A watch insurance policy with BriteCo alleviates this by protecting your investment.
What if your watch wasn’t stolen, but has simply disappeared like some of the famous watches above? Even if there’s no logical explanation for how, where, or when your precious watch disappeared, BriteCo has you covered then, too.
Learn more about watch insurance and get your watch insurance quote now.
FAQs About Stolen Watches
Can a stolen watch be tracked?
Yes! If you register your watch as stolen with the watch manufacturer or online databases, it can be tracked if the watch is ever taken in for manufacturer repairs or service, as well as if the watch is ever sold on the secondary market.
Can insurance help if your watch is stolen?
While typical homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will likely not help if your watch is stolen, and if it does, it will likely not give you enough coverage to pay for a replacement watch of the same kind. If you have specialty jewelry insurance, though, your policy will cover you for the value of your insured piece.
What should you do if your watch is stolen?
If your watch is stolen, file a police report, notify your insurer, and register the watch as stolen on online databases, as well as with the manufacturer.
How can you prevent watch theft?
Store your watch safely and be aware of your surroundings when wearing the watch.
Can jewelers or pawn shops tell if a watch is stolen?
Yes, jewelers and pawn shops can tell if a watch is stolen by looking at the watch’s serial number and checking it against online databases and police reports.
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