Rolex and Cartier watches among luxury assets seized by CAB to be auctioned off - Irish Independent

Rolex and Cartier watches among luxury assets seized by CAB to be auctioned off – Irish Independent

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The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has set the stage for its fourth online auction of luxury goods seized from criminal enterprises, with a curated collection of Rolex and Cartier timepieces set to go under the hammer in late November. The auction, scheduled to run from November 27 to December 1, features 26 luxury watches—primarily Rolex models, alongside a single Cartier Santos Iced Out—alongside gold bars, jewelry, and other high-value assets. This latest move by the CAB highlights a growing strategy to use seized assets as a revenue stream for the state, a practice that has already returned over €188,000 to the exchequer in a previous auction.

Last year’s auction alone generated €15 million, highlighting the scale of illicit wealth recovered.

The Mechanics of Seizure and Sale

The CAB’s auctions are not mere charity drives; they are structured legal proceedings under High Court orders. Last year’s event, which included over 70 items, saw the sale of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch for over €38,000 and a Rolex Day Date for over €21,000, illustrating the premium demand for luxury goods even when their origins are murky. The current auction’s 30 assets—ranging from a 1 g Argor Heraeus gold bar (valued at €130) to a 9 ct white gold CZ bracelet (nearly €1,000)—reflect a broader spectrum of seized goods, from high‑end accessories to more modest valuables.

The CAB sold two houses in Co Limerick for a total of €341,000.

The upcoming sale includes the Cartier Santos Iced Out watch.

The Broader Implications

The 2026 sale’s online format, managed by Wilsons Auctions Dublin, is intended to reach a wider audience.

Worth a look

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