In a brazen daylight robbery that has shocked London's affluent West End, a wealthy businessman was violently relieved of his £600,000 Richard Mille timepiece just seconds after stepping out of his immaculate white Bentley.
The terrifying incident, captured on CCTV, unfolded in the exclusive surroundings of Mayfair's Berkeley Street at approximately 2:45 PM on a Tuesday afternoon. The victim, described as a Middle Eastern millionaire in his fifties, had just parked his luxury vehicle when three assailants surrounded him.
The Moment of Terror
Footage shows the well-dressed victim being aggressively confronted by the trio, who appeared to materialise from nowhere. In a matter of seconds, the thieves wrestled the astronomically valuable watch from the businessman's wrist before fleeing the scene, leaving their victim shaken but physically unharmed.
Scotland Yard has confirmed they are treating the robbery as a targeted attack, with detectives from the Central West Command Unit leading the investigation. The sophistication of the operation suggests the criminals had prior knowledge of both the victim and his valuable timepiece.
The Stolen Timepiece
The stolen watch was identified as a Richard Mille model, a brand favoured by celebrities and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. With prices starting around £150,000 and reaching into millions, these watches represent the absolute pinnacle of luxury horology.
Richard Mille timepieces are renowned for their innovative materials, complex movements, and distinctive tonneau-shaped cases. The stolen model's £600,000 valuation places it among the brand's more exclusive offerings.
London's Luxury Watch Crime Wave
This incident represents the latest in a disturbing trend of high-value watch robberies targeting affluent individuals in London's most exclusive districts. Just last month, similar robberies were reported in Knightsbridge and Chelsea, with thieves becoming increasingly brazen in their methods.
Metropolitan Police have issued warnings to luxury watch owners to remain vigilant, particularly when entering or exiting vehicles in high-end shopping districts. Detective Inspector James Preston commented: "We're seeing organised criminal groups specifically targeting individuals wearing high-value watches. The level of violence used in these robberies is escalating."
Investigation Underway
Forensic teams have conducted extensive examinations of the crime scene, while detectives are reviewing CCTV footage from surrounding businesses. The three suspects remain at large, described as males wearing dark clothing who made their escape on foot through Mayfair's side streets.
Police are appealing to any witnesses or individuals with dashcam footage from the Berkeley Street area between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM on Tuesday to come forward. The investigation continues as authorities work to identify and apprehend those responsible for this audacious crime.
