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Wilsons Auctions says it will sell five watches seized in an HMRC investigation, offered online without reserve in a 24-hour window from 11 a.m. GMT on October 29 to 11 a.m. GMT on October 30. The watches, reportedly worth around £1 million, include a Philippe Dufour Simplicity, a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar split-seconds chronograph, two Audemars Piguet Royal Oak models and an Omega Speedmaster Racing. The details come from a Rapaport report by Suzanne Watkin, published October 8, 2026, which attributes the investigation findings to HMRC as conveyed by the auction house.
What HMRC reportedly found
According to the Rapaport report, HMRC investigated suspected payroll fraud and found that more than £7 million had been spent on luxury watches over a three-year period. The report presents this as HMRC’s position as relayed by Wilsons Auctions, not as a statement the auction house issued on HMRC’s behalf.
The report also gives US dollar equivalents of $9.2 million for the spending and $1.3 million for the seized watches. Those are conversions made in the report. They are not independent valuations, so the sterling figures are the amounts to use.
No official HMRC press release or court judgment on this matter was available when the report was published. Treat the investigation and its findings as reported, not as facts established by a court.
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How the watches were seized
The report says five watches, reportedly worth around £1 million, were seized from an individual attempting to leave the UK. The watches were later forfeited. The report does not name the individual, and it does not say where or when the seizure took place beyond that account.
The watches in the sale
The report names four watch models, which together account for the five lots. Its descriptions are brief, so the points below are limited to what it states.
Rank #2
- Features a classic big dial and quartz movement with stable quality. High hardness coated glass mirror is wear-resistant, scratch-proof, Butterfly double buckle ensures comfortable wear
- Mirror diameter is 1.6 inches (41 mm), case thickness is 0.43 inches (11 mm), and band length is 7 inches (180 mm). The length of the watch can be adjusted, and it weighs 132 g(4.65 ounces). Maximum applicable to about an 8-9" wrist
- Luminous function can be activated by illuminating the watch under strong light for 30-40 seconds, providing a new visual experience at night. Manual includes detailed instructions for adjusting time and calendar
- Fashionable and elegant design for any man who appreciates quality and style. Versatile and stylish men's watches are suitable for any occasion, including parties, work, daily life and dating
- Water resistance for daily life, waterproof to 100 feet (30 m), generally resistant to splashing or brief submersion, but not suitable for swimming or bathing
Philippe Dufour Simplicity
The report describes this as the lead watch in the sale. It has an 18-karat rose-gold case, a white dial and leather straps. The report states that the model launched in 2000.
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Split Seconds Chronograph
This watch combines two complications. The perpetual calendar tracks leap years and variable month lengths and does not need correcting until the next century. The split-seconds chronograph lets the wearer time two events at once. The report does not give the case material, dial colour or bracelet or strap type.
Rank #3
- Movement: Japanese Imported quartz analog movement, provide precise time and long term running.
- Waterproof: Water resistant to 30M. Daily use waterproof, washing hands, raining or splash. But not suitable for swimming, diving, shower.
- Material: Anti-scratch mineral glass and environmental protection vacuum plating case never fade. Genuine leather strap, delicate and soft.
- Multifunction Design: Simple and luxurious dial, covers the week,date, time display, chronograph, LED light functions.
- Perfect Gift: This elegant looking luxury wristwatch can be worn for a variety of occasions, whether formal, business or casual, or from indoor, outdoor events or everyday use.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (two watches)
The sale includes two Royal Oak models. One is described as a self-winding Flying Tourbillon in stainless steel with a black and blue dial. The other has a blue dial and an integrated bracelet. The report does not give the case material of the second watch.
Omega Speedmaster Racing
The report describes this watch as having a stainless-steel case and a black dial. It is the only model in the sale that the report describes without a complication or feature beyond the case and dial.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Sale format and schedule
The report describes the sale as online, with the lots offered “without reserve.” Attribute that phrase to the auction terms as reported by Rapaport, not to any named individual. The announced window is 24 hours, from 11 a.m. GMT on October 29 to 11 a.m. GMT on October 30. The report gives this as the announced schedule, and the year is taken from the report’s publication date.
When the report was published, the Wilsons Auctions event page did not show lot listings or live status. Before following or bidding on the sale, you should:
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- Open the Wilsons Auctions website and find the event for the government and law-enforcement sale.
- Check that the event status and dates match the window above.
- Confirm that the five watches appear as lots and compare their descriptions with the models listed here.
- Request the full condition report and any lot-level estimate directly from the auction house, since neither appears in the report.
What the report does not establish
- No reference numbers are given for any of the four models.
- No condition reports, estimates or sale results are included.
- No direct quotation from a named HMRC official appears in the report, so none should be attributed to HMRC staff.
- The individual from whom the watches were seized is not identified.
- The report does not say whether the watches’ values were independently assessed.
Some of these gaps matter more than others for a buyer. The five watches are sold as forfeited property, and the auction house’s descriptions are the only ones available in the report, so the lot listing and condition report are the documents to rely on.
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