20.08.2026 17:02
After being stolen in Austria, a Rolex watch valued at 450 thousand lira, for which an international theft record was created, surfaced at an authorized service center in Istanbul. While the dispute over the return between the watch's owner and the service center was taken to court, the incident that began in Vienna has turned into a notable legal process between the two countries.
A Rolex watch worth approximately 450 thousand liras, stolen in Austria and registered in the international stolen database, surfaced years later at an authorized service center in Istanbul's Zorlu Center. The Austrian owner, not being handed the watch, filed a lawsuit in Turkey.
When the Rolex, stolen in Vienna, the capital of Austria, in 2023, and worth approximately 450 thousand liras, surfaced in Istanbul, the incident turned into an international legal dispute. The watch, registered in the international stolen system after the theft, was detected at the authorized service center in Turkey through a notification made by Rolex's customer services. However, since the watch was not returned to its owner, the matter was taken to court.
STOLEN IN VIENNA, ITS RECORD ENTERED THE SYSTEM
According to the claim, Michael K. reported that his Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 watch was stolen from his wrist while he was traveling in Vienna on January 28, 2023. Michael K., who applied to the Austrian police for the watch, whose value was stated as 7,990 euros, approximately 450 thousand liras, ensured that the incident was officially recorded as theft.
Michael K. then applied to Rolex Customer Services and ensured that the watch's serial number was registered as stolen in the international database.
FOUND IN ISTANBUL YEARS LATER
The trace of the watch was found in Turkey. Rolex Customer Services contacted the Austrian owner and informed him that the watch was located at the authorized Rolex dealership and technical service, operated by Rhodium Mağazacılık ve Dış Ticaret AŞ, in Zorlu Center in Istanbul.
Upon this, Michael K. contacted the authorized service in Istanbul and requested the return of the watch, which he stated belonged to him.
However, when the service officials did not hand over the watch, the Austrian watch owner resorted to legal action.
FILED A LAWSUIT IN TURKEY FOR THE WATCH
Michael K. applied to the Istanbul Civil Court of First Instance and requested that the Rolex be returned to him.
In the lawsuit petition, it was stated that it is unknown when, by whom, and with which identification information the watch was brought to the service. It was expressed that this information could be revealed through service, customer reception, delivery, camera, and transaction records.
"IT SHOULD BE RETURNED TO ITS TRUE OWNER"
In the petition submitted to the court by Michael K.'s lawyer, Yücel Aslan, it was argued that the watch belongs to the client, as proven by the sales invoice and serial number.
The petition also claimed that the theft record from the Austrian authorities and the record in Rolex's international stolen database show that the watch changed hands without the owner's consent.
The lawyer also requested an injunction from the court against the possibility of the watch being delivered to third parties, concealed, or taken abroad.
ALL EYES ON THE COURT'S DECISION
Within the scope of the lawsuit, details such as whether the watch is still at the authorized service, who brought it to the service, and when the stolen record was detected are expected to emerge through service records.
The theft incident that started in Vienna extended to Istanbul thanks to Rolex's international registration system, and the watch worth approximately 450 thousand liras has now become the center of a legal battle between its Austrian owner and the authorized service in Turkey.