Sorry about that: Stolen US$290,000 Audemars Piguet watch returned to Tokyo shop with apology note

An Audemars Piguet watch worth about US$290,000 (RM1.2 million), stolen from a Tokyo store last week, was returned by courier with a handwritten apology note. — AFP file pic

First Published: Tuesday, 03 Nov 2026 2:14 PM MYT

Last Modified: Tuesday, 03 Nov 2026 2:15 PM MYT

TOKYO, Nov 3 — A Swiss luxury watch worth about US$290,000 (RM1.2 million) that was stolen from a Tokyo store last week has been returned with an apology note, according to local media.

The theft occurred when a man posing as a customer tried on the Audemars Piguet timepiece and then fled the shop in the Japanese capital while it was still on his wrist.

But the case took a twist when the store received a package containing the watch — and a handwritten note saying sorry, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and other media reported yesterday, citing unnamed investigative sources.

The watch’s serial number reportedly identified it as the stolen item.

The shop declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

Tokyo police are still searching for the man on suspicion of theft, according to the Asahi.

In August, four luxury watches worth ¥200 million were stolen from another store in the same shopping complex. — AFP