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Watch robbery in Cologne: 28-year-old attacks Rolex seller with a pistol
Trial in Cologne: Man charged with stealing a Rolex Daytona in a restaurant. Incident raises questions about mafia and debt.
Watch robbery in Cologne: 28-year-old attacks Rolex seller with a pistol
The Cologne Regional Court is currently dealing with a dramatic case: a 28-year-old man is on trial for particularly serious robbery. The incident occurred on October 25, 2022 in a restaurant in Bickendorf, where the defendant allegedly wanted to purchase a Rolex Daytona Platinum worth 105,000 euros. Instead, the meeting ended in a threatening situation when the man pulled out a Walter PPK pistol and threatened the seller, a 30-year-old. The defendant left the restaurant with the valuable watch and the necessary papers without paying a cent, as Rundschau Online reports.
The Rolex Daytona has established itself as one of the most sought-after watches worldwide in recent years. Their high demand means buyers are often faced with waiting lists lasting several years. The popular model, which is available in several fine materials such as stainless steel, white gold or platinum, is considered a status symbol and is known for its excellent workmanship and exclusivity. In today's world, the price of a Rolex Daytona on the secondary market can reach dizzying heights of up to 25,000 euros, more than double the original retail price, as Bob's Watches points out.
A complicated web of allegations
The defendant's defense attorney has dismissed the allegations as a "robber's gun" and argued that his client had no intention of stealing the watch. Rather, he had an interested party who ultimately didn't buy. It is also alleged that the injured party owed 25,000 euros to the defendant's family, which is why the watch was kept as collateral. The situation becomes increasingly more complex when the defense attorney speaks of threatening calls and visits from mafia organizations to the defendant's family. This is a reference to the increased crime surrounding luxury watches, which often comes from organized gangs.
These gangs are particularly active in Spain, where several luxury watches are stolen every day. According to Mallorca Zeitung, 75% of the robberies are carried out by Neapolitan perpetrators, who are often connected to the Italian Camorra. These thieves are extremely well organized and primarily target expensive watches worth at least 20,000 euros, making the Rolex Daytona the perfect prey.
It is clear that the combination of personal disputes and the high level of crime in the luxury watch market can also create potentially dangerous situations in Cologne. The process is continuing, and the elucidation of the background promises to bring further interesting aspects to light.