Imagine losing a luxury watch worth about R4,8 million, then getting it back in the post a few days later. That’s exactly what happened to a shop in Tokyo. The thief sent the watch back with a short apology note. The man himself is still out there, and the police haven’t found him yet.
What happened in Tokyo
It started at a boutique in Nakano Broadway, a busy shopping complex in Tokyo’s Nakano Ward. A man walked in and asked to try on a Swiss Audemars Piguet. The piece was worth roughly US$290,000, or about 46 million yen. In rand, that’s close to R4,8 million.
The staff did what any shop would do and handed it over. Then the man bolted out of the door with the watch still on his wrist.
The shop called the police straight away, and a theft investigation began. For a few days, the owners probably thought that was the end of it. Nobody expects to see a stolen watch again.
A parcel arrives with a surprise
On Sunday, 1 November, a courier turned up at the shop with a parcel. Inside the box sat the missing watch. Beside it was a handwritten note saying sorry.
Japanese media say the message was very short. It was a simple “I’m sorry” and not much more.
The staff didn’t just take it at face value. They checked the serial number, and it matched the stolen piece. They also found no obvious damage. It’s hard to imagine a happier ending for the shop, at least on the surface.
The note raises more questions
Here’s where it gets strange. The note reportedly had a name and an address on it. The shop believes both are fake. Police think the sender details on the parcel are made up too.
The parcel was posted from Aichi Prefecture, which is a few hundred kilometres from Tokyo. So the sender may have left the city soon after the theft. Police haven’t said whether they have a solid lead.
In short, the watch is home, but the case isn’t closed. The man is still wanted on suspicion of theft. Giving the item back doesn’t wipe out the crime. In many countries, returning stolen goods might count in a person’s favour, but it doesn’t make the offence disappear.
Not the first big theft at this complex
Nakano Broadway has been in the news before. In August, four expensive timepieces were taken from another store on the first floor of the same complex. Together they were worth about 200 million yen, or roughly US$1.3 million.
There’s no proof the two cases are linked, and reports don’t suggest they are. Still, two big thefts in a few months will make shop owners in the area nervous.
Why would a thief give the watch back?
Honestly, nobody knows. Police haven’t shared a motive, so it wouldn’t be fair to claim one as fact. But a few things are easy to understand.
Selling a stolen watch like this one isn’t simple. Luxury timepieces carry serial numbers, and dealers can check them quickly. A piece this valuable would raise eyebrows the moment someone tried to sell it.
Maybe the thief felt guilty. Maybe he got scared as the police search grew. Those are only guesses, and investigators haven’t said anything about them.
What we know
Here’s a simple summary of what has been reported:
| Detail | What was reported |
|---|---|
| Item | Swiss Audemars Piguet luxury watch |
| Value | About US$290,000, close to R4,8 million |
| Where | A watch shop in Nakano Broadway, Tokyo |
| How it was taken | A man asked to try it on, then ran off |
| How it came back | By courier on 1 November, with a handwritten apology |
| Sent from | Aichi Prefecture |
| Status | Police still searching for the suspect |
What South Africans can learn from this
Tokyo feels far away, but the lesson hits close to home. Thieves target luxury goods everywhere, and South Africa is no exception. Jewellers and watch dealers here know the trick well. Someone asks to “try on” something expensive, and in a second it’s gone.
Shop owners can take a few easy steps. Keep valuable items locked away. Show only one piece at a time. Make sure a staff member stays between the customer and the door. And always record the serial number of every high value item, because good records make it far easier for police to identify recovered goods.
If you own an expensive watch, protect yourself too. Keep your proof of purchase and serial number somewhere safe, and take clear photos of the piece. If it’s ever stolen, report it quickly. You can find guidance on reporting crime on the South African Police Service website. The sooner you report, the better the chance of getting your property back.
Check your insurance as well. Make sure your policy covers valuable items, and read the fine print. It’s a simple check that can save you a lot of stress later.
The bottom line
A thief stole a luxury watch worth millions of rand, then posted it back with a quick sorry. The shop has its property again, and it’s undamaged. The suspect, though, is still free, and the police are still looking for him.
It’s a strange twist, and people will keep talking about it. We don’t know much more yet. If police reveal who the man is, or why he sent the watch back, we’ll learn more. Until then, it stays one of the oddest theft stories of the year.
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