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Lost Seamaster

M
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I purchased this watch here. It did not run so I handed it into Precision time in New Westminster Canada. The owner of the shop Sandy sadly passed away few months later. All watches were presumably handed to RCMP local police. I contacted the local police but there was no Omega Seamaster. It is very unusual so it might show up.
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The dial on this watch is what really sets it apart from the standard Seamaster and SMD models of the 60s. The seashell effect gives the watch a very sharp and elegant appearance and really shines in natural daylight. Applied Arabic numeral hour markers at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. The absence of a date feature gives the watch a bigger appearance on the wrist.

The watch features a solid unishell 14k yellow gold case with the sought after Hippocampus on the back. The watch measures approximately 34.5mm, not including the crown.

Inside is a cal. 570 automatic movement that was serviced by my watchmaker approximately 9 months ago. As with any watch that has a unishell case, the movement has to be removed through the front of the case. I intended to take some photos of the movement but the bezel (which has to be removed) wasn’t giving way and I didn’t want to risk damaging the dial. In any event, the movement is clean, has been serviced and is keeping good time.

Original Omega signed crown.
 
theluckyluke
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Absolutely stunning watch. I hope you can find it again… Di you have the serial number on the movement? If it shows up, this might be a good way to identify it.
 
Pixitfecit
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This is really a rare piece. Yes the serial number should help if it pops up somewehre. Wishing you good luck!
 
theluckyluke
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Also worth thinking how to prove this is your watch, if ever this comes up. Receipt from the watch maker? Or something like that locating the watch to a third party?
 
Dan S
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That's a very unfortunate situation. Are you sure that the property was taken by the police? I don't know how things are done in Canada, but unless it is evidence in some sort of investigation, wouldn't the items just stay in the possession of the estate? Perhaps you can try to contact the family?
 
Donn Chambers
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Dan S Dan S
That's a very unfortunate situation. Are you sure that the property was taken by the police? I don't know how things are done in Canada, but unless it is evidence in some sort of investigation, wouldn't the items just stay in the possession of the estate? Perhaps you can try to contact the family?

I was wondering the same thing. And the family/executor should realize that items in the shop are not possessions of the estate, but merely items being worked on. They must make every effort to return them to the rightful owner.
 
DON
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When one of my watchmakers passed away (stopped using him a couple of years earlier). My cousin saw a ad for the sale of a watchmakers estate.

His girlfriends son was selling off his stuff, but don't know about customers items. I would assume he called them to pick up. I bought or sold off his best items, so of little interest to me (he did have some Rolex hands from the 50's and a few crowns left though)

presumably - If you have his last name. See if you can contact any family members and ask about the watch. It's 14kt gold and not something you want to lose.

Family if any would have been the ones to go in and clean out. If not family. Building super or landlord removed the items

Go back and speak to one of the open stores and ask about last name and also landlords name and contact them

Unless you have proof of ownership (repair receipt with movement s/n). You would have no claim to it if the landlord or family chose to be dishonest and claim they didn't see it

Guy didn't have great reviews to be honest
 
Archer
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M Maurizio Hublitz
All watches were presumably handed to RCMP local police.

Not sure why this would be the case. It would be whoever is handling the estate that you would need to contact.
 
M
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Dan S Dan S
That's a very unfortunate situation. Are you sure that the property was taken by the police? I don't know how things are done in Canada, but unless it is evidence in some sort of investigation, wouldn't the items just stay in the possession of the estate? Perhaps you can try to contact the family?
I did contact family that told me it was all handed to RCMP.
 
Archer
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M Maurizio Hublitz
I did contact family that told me it was all handed to RCMP.

The police aren't usually in charge is distributing assets from people's estates, so something here is very off.

Have the police confirmed that the family "handed" it all to them?

I would suggest filing a police report about the missing watch. If the police say they don't have it, then it must be with the family.
 
gatorcpa
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Something about this story doesn’t make sense.

I did a 15 second Google search regarding administration of intestate (no will) estates in Canada and came up with this from Province of British Columbia:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/wills-estates

The only way I can see the RCMP involved would be if there was some sort of federal criminal fine that the watchmaker owed at his death. Even then, RCMP would need to file a claim at the provincial level and have the property awarded to the federal government to satisfy the claim. That would take months, if not years, for the probate court to rule.

If you have proof of ownership, you might have to retain legal counsel to file a claim against the estate.

In the end, it may not be worth the attorney’s fees.
gatorcpa
 
M
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Archer Archer
The police aren't usually in charge is distributing assets from people's estates, so something here is very off.

Have the police confirmed that the family "handed" it all to them?

I would suggest filing a police report about the missing watch. If the police say they don't have it, then it must be with the family.
I have filed report, family claims they did give everything in a huge bag to police, no one really wants to cooperate.
 
DON
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M Maurizio Hublitz
I have filed report, family claims they did give everything in a huge bag to police, no one really wants to cooperate.

I would file a theft report with the police. You would think the family would take care and call customers to return items. I see no reason for them to turn them over to the police. it's not their job to return the items.

Put a $3500 value on it. May make them take a harder look
 
M
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Dan S Dan S
That's a very unfortunate situation. Are you sure that the property was taken by the police? I don't know how things are done in Canada, but unless it is evidence in some sort of investigation, wouldn't the items just stay in the possession of the estate? Perhaps you can try to contact the family?
I did start by contacting family, they told me all contents of his shop were handed to the police. Family claim they have nothing from his shop.
 
Dan S
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M Maurizio Hublitz
I did start by contacting family, they told me all contents of his shop were handed to the police. Family claim they have nothing from his shop.
I have a feeling that you are being given the run-around, maybe even scammed.
 
Duracuir1
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Dan S Dan S
I have a feeling that you are being given the run-around, maybe even scammed.
Yes I agree with Dan. I spent 12 years with the RCMP and 21 with OPP. The only property we took at death scenes that were not suspicious was firearms and illegal drugs and contraband. Our property vault managers did not even want gun cases. Vaults are audited regularly and only evidence and items seized for destruction are permitted. Items that are believed to be stolen can be seized and stored but disposed of after a certain diary date if the legitimate owner is unidentified. Police are forbidden from keeping any of the property.
 
bardamu
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M Maurizio Hublitz
I did start by contacting family, they told me all contents of his shop were handed to the police. Family claim they have nothing from his shop.

File a theft report with the police, don't waste your time.
 
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