At sometime between 13.19 and 13.34 on Sunday, August 1, offenders are believed to have entered the premises Farrow House in Blakemere Village. While a receptionist was distracted, pliers were used to cut the locks on a display case and a large number of pocket and wrist watches stolen.
Farrow House had recently reopened after it was shut for 14 months during the pandemic.
DC Claire Heatley said: “This was a brazen theft where a large number of items totalling approximately £2500 were taken.
“A number of enquiries have been underway since the incident and as part of these enquiries, we are looking to speak to the men depicted in the CCTV as we believe that they could assist us with our investigation.
“If you know the men, or the men themselves, we urge you to contact us – the same goes for anyone with any information in relation to the theft or may have seen these items being sold on.”
The items taken, belonging to store owner Andrew Icely, included ten silver pocket watches (including two Georgian miniature pair cased watches) and ten 20th century gentleman’s wrist watches.
Among the more identifiable pieces are a gold dress watch by Garrard and three 9ct gold Buren watches issued as presentation pieces to an ICI employee in 1957, 1959 and 1961.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 1051555, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.
