Police Recover Cartier Watch for Dutch Tourist

8 hours ago, Watawattana said:

I hope Mr Kasap donates a little to the station tea fund to cover his embarrassment; excellent work by the RTP!

I'd be quite sure the 'donation' preceded the outcome !

12 hours ago, lou norman said:

I'm curious about the services at Health Land Sathorn.

Curious about what, exactly ???

Health Land is one of Thailand’s most popular spa and wellness chains, traditional Thai massage & wide range of spa treatments (non-naughty) - a reliable decent massage can always be had there.

7 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Why do people wear watches? My phone displays the time. It is more accurate than any watch including a Rolex or a Cartier. A watch i just another item to keep track of.

Why do people make these 'daft' comments every time a luxury watch is mentioned ?

"who needs a Rolex when you can just ask someone the time"... "my phone tells the time, who needs a watch"...

Who needs nice looking clothes ?? ... Crocs, cargo shorts, and a Chang vest cover the hairy bits...

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

By that logic, anyone who owns something desirable is apparently “fully deserving” of having it stolen.

I was exaggerating.

But high end watches are one of the most stolen items on the planet.

I am surprised on a daily basis on the stupidity of many tourists.

First of all one does not wear and display such expensive items during travel. Thank god this was in Thailand where even a genuine watch will usually be considered as a cheap grade A, MBK fake !!

The oversized ego's of many can lead them to their own loss.

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Curious about what, exactly ???

Health Land is one of Thailand’s most popular spa and wellness chains, traditional Thai massage & wide range of spa treatments (non-naughty) - a reliable decent massage can always be had there.

Losing a ten-grand watch is a pretty niche problem, even if the service is first class.

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Why do people make these 'daft' comments every time a luxury watch is mentioned ?

"who needs a Rolex when you can just ask someone the time"... "my phone tells the time, who needs a watch"...

Who needs nice looking clothes ?? ... Crocs, cargo shorts, and a Chang vest cover the hairy bits...

I was not commenting on the Rolex or Cartier specifically, rather it was a comment on the need for a wrist watch.

I can understand people who keep the device like an Apple Watch or a Polar exercise device because it can serve a purpose. Like many other consumer items, watches have become obsolete and unnecessary, much like a rotary telephone, or a fax machine or a teletype/telegram. I have a drawer holding 4 of them. Have a look at people under the age of 30. Fewer and fewer of them have a wristwatch. Is it for jewellery purposes, much like a woman wears bangles and what not? If so, this was much ado about nothing as a Cartier watch is only high quality for those who do not know the difference between true high quality watches like Piguet, Patek Philippe and the low end Cartier. It is curious why anyone would wear a retail expensive jewellery, but relatively low quality item to a common massage shop.

59 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

I was not commenting on the Rolex or Cartier specifically, rather it was a comment on the need for a wrist watch.

I can understand people who keep the device like an Apple Watch or a Polar exercise device because it can serve a purpose. Like many other consumer items, watches have become obsolete and unnecessary, much like a rotary telephone, or a fax machine or a teletype/telegram. I have a drawer holding 4 of them. Have a look at people under the age of 30. Fewer and fewer of them have a wristwatch. Is it for jewellery purposes, much like a woman wears bangles and what not? If so, this was much ado about nothing as a Cartier watch is only high quality for those who do not know the difference between true high quality watches like Piguet, Patek Philippe and the low end Cartier. It is curious why anyone would wear a retail expensive jewellery, but relatively low quality item to a common massage shop.

You’ve shifted the argument slightly. The original comment was “who needs a watch when you can tell the time on a phone?”

- which reduces a wristwatch purely to timekeeping. That’s like saying no one needs mechanical art because quartz exists.

Yes, smartphones made watches unnecessary for telling the time. They also made cameras, MP3 players and paper diaries “unnecessary”. Yet people still buy Leica cameras and Montblanc pens. Utility is only one dimension of an object.

A mechanical watch isn’t competing with a phone. It’s jewellery, engineering, tradition and personal taste wrapped around the wrist. The same way someone might choose leather shoes over trainers - not because trainers don’t function, but because style, craftsmanship and identity mean something to some people.

As for brand hierarchy - sure, Patek and Audemars sit at the top of haute horlogerie. But dismissing Cartier as “low end” ignores that Cartier is historically one of the most influential watch designers ever. The Tank, Santos and Crash are design icons. Watch value isn’t measured only by movement finishing under a loupe.

The “under 30” argument is also generational, not definitive. Many under 30s don’t wear cufflinks either. That doesn’t make cufflinks obsolete - it makes them a style choice.

And wearing an expensive watch to a massage shop? People wear watches to Tesco. It’s just what they had on that day. Not every outing requires a risk assessment of wristwear (though visiting London has changed that somewhat !).

So the real question isn’t “who needs a watch?”... a better question is “who enjoys wearing one?” and that brings in a different conversation - as you pointed out, its jewellery and the attitude / approach is different.

1 hour ago, Sigmund said:

I am surprised on a daily basis on the stupidity of many tourists.

First of all one does not wear and display such expensive items during travel. Thank god this was in Thailand where even a genuine watch will usually be considered as a cheap grade A, MBK fake !!

The oversized ego's of many can lead them to their own loss.

I'm trying to understand the logic.

If you own nothing, nothing can be stolen - therefore the safest solution is simply not to own anything?

And if you do own something of value, it must automatically be ego-driven?

That seems to be your underlying suggestion.

By that reasoning, if someone drives a Rolls-Royce and a motorcycle scratches it, the blame shifts to the owner for having the audacity to possess something expensive. “Serves them right” becomes the moral conclusion.

There’s a clear logical disconnect there.

The issue isn’t the object. It’s the reasoning. In this case, the reasoning appears to be that the individual was careless with something valuable - or, as some have insinuated, attempting an insurance scam. But pivoting from that to questioning why anyone would carry or wear something of value in the first place only reveals a misunderstanding of why people choose to own and enjoy well-made things.

Owning something desirable does not make one reckless. Appreciating quality does not imply vanity. And possessing something valuable does not transfer responsibility for other people’s conduct.

The flaw is not in the object - it is in the logic being applied to it by some.

Smacks as an insurance scam to me, seems he didn't hide it well enough

11 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

If so, this was much ado about nothing as a Cartier watch is only high quality for those who do not know the difference between true high quality watches like Piguet, Patek Philippe and the low end Cartier. It is curious why anyone would wear a retail expensive jewellery, but relatively low quality item to a common massage shop.

This sounds like contrived snobbery. Poseurish.

Cartier isn’t low end and is not considered to be by most watch enthusiasts. History counts.

I have never heard anybody refer to AP as Piguet. Perhaps you are confusing it with Piaget?

That being said, I rarely wear a watch and when I do it’s a quartz seiko on a beat up homemade leather nato. Is that ok with you?

On 2/20/2026 at 10:49 AM, ronster said:

Can buy Cartier Santos watches for 150-250,000 in mint condition only few years old . Did they find out if it was even real ?

How does it matter?

19 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I’m afraid the cynic in me says this was an insurance claim in the making, foiled by the cops proving that he had it on when he left the massage shop

Perhaps you'd be less cynical if you bothered to read the article where it clearly states that he did not have it on when he left Healthland.

1 hour ago, jwl53 said:

Smacks as an insurance scam to me, seems he didn't hide it well enough

Doubtful there was insurance for this item.

22 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Why do people wear watches

So that they don't have to get their phone out when they just want to glance at the time.

17 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

Just imagine the plight of the poor massage worker who served him. And the Health Land company. Both of which were accused by him, falsely.

I have no sympathy for this jerk.

This no report that he accused the massage girl or the company of stealing his watch.

26 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Perhaps you'd be less cynical if you bothered to read the article where it clearly states that he did not have it on when he left Healthland.

Definitely not. It was not on his wrist but in his bag. So that makes no change in my cynicism in terms of his intentions.

26 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Definitely not. It was not on his wrist but in his bag. So that makes no change in my cynicism in terms of his intentions.

Makes a big change to your comprehension abilities, though. I can't find any reference to his intentions, can you fill me in on what they actually were?

2 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Makes a big change to your comprehension abilities, though. I can't find any reference to his intentions, can you fill me in on what they actually were?

Nice try at sealioning. I think we are done on this conversation.

Have a nice day

6 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

On 2/20/2026 at 3:49 AM, ronster said:

Can buy Cartier Santos watches for 150-250,000 in mint condition only few years old . Did they find out if it was even real ?

How does it matter?

Where can you guy a 'mint' Cartier Santos (with date) for 150,000 - asking for a friend ?

The REF.: WSSA0018 (which is the one in the photo) is 375,000 baht new in Thailand (if you can get one).

A 'very good' used model (i.e. with signs of wear) can be purchased on sites light WatchFinder & Chrono24 for about 250,000 baht (£6000) - but they are not - mint.

& Before we debate what 'mint' means exactly: It means 'no signs of wear'... perfect, pristine condition, appearing exactly as it did when it left the factory or was manufactured.

You can get a WSSA0018 in Hong Kong (2022 model) for 250,000 baht - thats 'mint' - but you'd also have to pay for flights to get it, or trust the post.

All of that said - the 'watch' itself is only part of the story - it could have been a phone etc.

Its the value of the item that someone was either...

a) Careless with, or

b) deliberately careless with.

Was the item real ??? - was it insured ???

Fundamental and interesting parts of the story are absent - as for many of us, the interesting part of this story is not that this is a nice watch with a history that goes back to 1906... but that someone 'might' have been pulling a fast one...

either...

a) Pulling an insurance scam trying to pass of a fake as a real one and attempting to defraud insurance.

b) Pulling an insurance scam pretending they've lost a real one and attempting to defraud insurance.

c) Someone is incredibly careless with their property.

Most readers are probably most interested in one of those 3 possibilities.

12 hours ago, Airalee said:

This sounds like contrived snobbery. Poseurish.

Cartier isn’t low end and is not considered to be by most watch enthusiasts. History counts.

I have never heard anybody refer to AP as Piguet. Perhaps you are confusing it with Piaget?

That being said, I rarely wear a watch and when I do it’s a quartz seiko on a beat up homemade leather nato. Is that ok with you?

Not poseurish (sic). I do not purchase such items, nor have an interest. I have some colleagues and friends who do have these items and have had to hear all about the differences and the brand and model hierarchy. Comparing Cartier with hier positioned brands, is like comparing an A class Mercedes to an Audi S8. Are you aware that one large US retailer was selling Rolex watches on monthly installment plans? Classy. Watch enthusiasts are the snobby lot, and they set the values and the values. Like any jewellery item, the retail price is often many times more than the value of the components. Retailers pump up the brand value. A quick google and the results from the evaluators and consumers is a reality check.

https://www.prestigetime.com/blog/must-know-luxury-watch-brands.html?srsltid=AfmBOop791ocv2zkcq3EXG7V1pLuroohtvlQkOA4obk239CFe0IS9Jah#:~:text=The%20Top%2010%2B%20Must%2DKnow%20Luxury,The%20Mother%20of%20All%20Lists&text=1.%20Patek%20Philippe&text=2.%20Vacheron%20Constantin&text=3.%20Audemars%20Piguet&text=4.%20Blancpain&text=5.%20Ulysse%20Nardin

Ok, so I did not write Audemars Piguet, and instead used the colloquial Piquet. My bad. They are rare, and I saw one at an exhibition where it was kept in a security display. I doubt I will ever have need to write the name again, but I promise to try and remember the full name for the next time.

Since you are asking for my approval, it is withheld.

16 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Not poseurish (sic). I do not purchase such items, nor have an interest. I have some colleagues and friends who do have these items and have had to hear all about the differences and the brand and model hierarchy. Comparing Cartier with hier positioned brands, is like comparing an A class Mercedes to an Audi S8. Are you aware that one large US retailer was selling Rolex watches on monthly installment plans? Classy. Watch enthusiasts are the snobby lot, and they set the values and the values. Like any jewellery item, the retail price is often many times more than the value of the components. Retailers pump up the brand value. A quick google and the results from the evaluators and consumers is a reality check.

https://www.prestigetime.com/blog/must-know-luxury-watch-brands.html?srsltid=AfmBOop791ocv2zkcq3EXG7V1pLuroohtvlQkOA4obk239CFe0IS9Jah#:~:text=The%20Top%2010%2B%20Must%2DKnow%20Luxury,The%20Mother%20of%20All%20Lists&text=1.%20Patek%20Philippe&text=2.%20Vacheron%20Constantin&text=3.%20Audemars%20Piguet&text=4.%20Blancpain&text=5.%20Ulysse%20Nardin

Ok, so I did not write Audemars Piguet, and instead used the colloquial Piquet. My bad. They are rare, and I saw one at an exhibition where it was kept in a security display. I doubt I will ever have need to write the name again, but I promise to try and remember the full name for the next time.

Since you are asking for my approval, it is withheld.

You could have simplified it... "You're not into watches and pass judgement on those who are"...

The same stupidity as the Indians wandering around with their 10 baht chains. Leave the bling at home, only the thieves care.

On 2/21/2026 at 6:30 PM, richard_smith237 said:

Where can you guy a 'mint' Cartier Santos (with date) for 150,000 - asking for a friend ?

The REF.: WSSA0018 (which is the one in the photo) is 375,000 baht new in Thailand (if you can get one).

A 'very good' used model (i.e. with signs of wear) can be purchased on sites light WatchFinder & Chrono24 for about 250,000 baht (£6000) - but they are not - mint.

& Before we debate what 'mint' means exactly: It means 'no signs of wear'... perfect, pristine condition, appearing exactly as it did when it left the factory or was manufactured.

You can get a WSSA0018 in Hong Kong (2022 model) for 250,000 baht - thats 'mint' - but you'd also have to pay for flights to get it, or trust the post.

---

All of that said - the 'watch' itself is only part of the story - it could have been a phone etc.

Its the value of the item that someone was either...

a) Careless with, or

b) deliberately careless with.

Was the item real ??? - was it insured ???

Fundamental and interesting parts of the story are absent - as for many of us, the interesting part of this story is not that this is a nice watch with a history that goes back to 1906... but that someone 'might' have been pulling a fast one...

either...

a) Pulling an insurance scam trying to pass of a fake as a real one and attempting to defraud insurance.

b) Pulling an insurance scam pretending they've lost a real one and attempting to defraud insurance.

c) Someone is incredibly careless with their property.

Most readers are probably most interested in one of those 3 possibilities.

Hi-watch shop , watchever store , Nut naliga, Abac just as a few that sell used or new watches.

I believe Health Land is a reasonably large firm. They would definitely want the police to exonerate them of any wrongdoing.