Professional Hazards in Le Locle

The Wethanor building in Le Locle, screenshot credit Canal Alpha.

Now and then, an event takes place which reminds us all how important security is to the watch industry. These prompts can take the form of stories about timepieces stolen on the street or during burglaries as well as thefts at watch stores or boutiques. Last week, news broke of a similar crime although this one was more unique than others.

At 7:20 in the morning of Friday, February 13, armed thieves broke into a building operated by Werthanor in Le Locle, Switzerland.

The window broken during the heist. Screenshot credit Canal Alpha.

I wasn't personally familiar with Werthanor (and they don't really have a social media presence), but they manufacture cases and bracelets. As recently as 2023, news reports indicate that the brand Yema sources components from Werthanor. And, Watchpro suggests that Werthanor "works with the world's biggest watch brands." Indeed, according to Audemars Piguet's own web page, Werthanor began supplying Royal Oak bracelets in the late 1980s. More specifically, Werthanor supplied bracelet number 944.

It appears that the heist involved breaking through a window near a back door.

An investigator gathering evidence from the heist scene. Screenshot credit Canal Alpha.

Later, police investigators were filmed swiping the "crash bar" opening the door from the interior (perhaps for DNA or fiber evidence). One Werthanor employee was injured in the attack. They went to the hospital and were discharged the same day.

The hooded thieves made off with precious metals (value not yet known) and fled across the border with France in a red Alfa Romeo, headed in the direction of Pontarlier.

Special forces police gathering at the scene of the crime. Screenshot credit Canal Alpha.

The border is less than three miles away from Werthanor's building. Swiss authorities responded in great number with a helicopter, investigative units, and masked, camouflaged "special forces" police carrying silenced rifles.

Let's hope that Werthanor employees are able to recover from this potentially traumatic event. Authorities request that anyone with information contact the police in Neuchâtel. This episode is another stark reminder to think about safety whether you are on the collector, retail, or manufacturing side of the watch industry.

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