Richemont launches Enquirus

Richemont has launched Enquirus, a neutral, global digital platform designed to help reduce watch and jewellery related crime.

Enquirus was designed in close collaboration with a wide range of partners, including watch and jewellery manufacturers, law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, the pre-owned market and clients.

According to Richemont, this trusted space allows for watch and jewellery information to be “securely” uploaded, searched and shared by multiple parties, while protecting customers’ identities.

It claimed that all data is solely used to facilitate the identification of lost and stolen items, making the purchase and resale of such pieces more difficult.

Watch owners and industry partners can register, declare and search for lost and stolen watches and jewellery through individual or business accounts.

They need to follow three steps:

1. Create an account and register your collection using the brand and serial numbers
2. Upload documentation in the secure digital vault
3. Report lost or stolen pieces

Richemont said that by registering a piece on Enquirus, customers are “quickly connected to their pieces anywhere in the world in case of loss or theft”.

With one central point of reference, police forces, insurance companies, Maisons and the second-hand market can “easily collaborate to increase the chances of recovery”.

Through the search function, customers considering purchasing a pre-owned watch or piece of jewellery can also check the database and ensure that it is not a stolen item prior to purchase.

Jérôme Lambert, CEO of Richemont, said: “This reliable solution brings together multiple stakeholders to serve customers and the entire industry, by facilitating borderless cooperation between police forces and insurance partners.

“By providing free access for customers and industry partners, the opportunity to sell stolen watches becomes more prohibitive, with the ultimate objective of reducing the incentive to steal watches in the first place.”

Frank Vivier, chief transformation officer, Richemont, added: “We have listened to our customers and developed Enquirus, as part of our suite of customer services, to help them protect their watches and jewellery.

“Our goal is to bring onboard as many industry players as possible, as well as the Police Departments of all the major cities in the world, to make Enquirus the largest international database of lost and stolen watches and jewellery.”