For criminals, moving large amounts of illicit cash through transnational networks presents a serious problem. Cash is bulky, heavy, and difficult to explain away if you’re caught holding the literal bag. Bolstered by rising secondary market prices for luxury timepieces from brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe, bad actors have increasingly looked to watches as a form of liquid currency that can be moved around the world more easily.
In our new episode on the W.O.E. YouTube Channel, we discuss how criminal organizations, terrorists, and spies use luxury watches to launder money and move illicit funds.
Enjoy episode nineteen of W.O.E. TV.
Happy Hunting,
-W.O.E.
2 comments
I’ve noticed many discussions lump replica watches together with serious crimes like money laundering. This feels exaggerated for regular people. For example, if I buy a replica Rolex from russellmeansfreedom just for personal enjoyment, I’m not actually harming the brand. I don’t make them, sell them, or resell them. At worst, it’s just slightly unethical – not criminal.
Never ceases to amaze me.