He was posing for pictures with fans when it happened.
The first of two Italian Grand Prix takes place at Imola this weekend, which means all the drivers are slowly reporting for duty.
Charles Leclerc was one of the first to arrive, but he’s not staying in San Marino, Florence, or Bologna, all located within driving distance of the track. Instead, he finds himself in the seaside city of Viareggio with his trainer, Andrea Ferrari.
You’d think a high-profile driver like Leclerc would be under constant surveillance, but even they can’t escape everyday crime. Leclerc’s $320,000 watch was stolen right from his arm in this charming seaside Tuscan city. The incident was reported in the local media, and the theft reportedly took place in nearby Via Salvatori on Monday night.
“Via Salvatori has been completely in the dark for months. We have been reporting this for months. Well, yesterday evening in Via Salvatori, they robbed us. Think of arranging the lamps sooner or later? Asking for a friend,” Ferrari wrote in a now-deleted post.
According to the local reports, Leclerc was recognized by fans who quickly swarmed around him for selfies and autographs.
As you can imagine, it’s pretty easy for a skilled pickpocket to remove the Richard Mille watch. The timepiece in question is called the Richard Mille RM 67 Leclerc. Richard Mille is a longtime sponsor of the Ferrari team, and their relationship with Leclerc also dates back to his junior years.
“Since his early days in karting, I have closely followed Charles’ progress. Noted for his times, and his speedy qualifiers, the driver attracted my attention and enthusiasm, immediately convincing the brand to support his budding talent,” said Richard Mille.
The watch itself is quite tasteful, as it should be retailing for more than a Ferrari F8 Spider. The timepiece manufacturer is known for its stunning designs, and it recently made a timepiece inspired by the McLaren Speedtail. The man behind the brand is also a prolific car collector. Both Ferrari drivers currently wear watches made by the brand.
The extra flat design and automatic winding make it perfect for an athlete. The baseplate and bridges are made of Grade 5 titanium alloy, while the rotor is carbon and white gold.
The second series is currently up for grabs, but units from the first series are now being sold at auction for close to and over a million dollars.