Singapore Watch Boutique Scam: How an Employee Stole $500,000 with a Fake Waitlist Scheme (2026)

Singapore watch boutique employee’s waitlist scam cheats victims of almost $500,000

09.01.26

Jamie Weiss (https://timeandtidewatches.com/author/jamie/)

The watch industry is abuzz with the news of a Singapore watch shop employee's guilty plea in a watch-promising Ponzi scheme. Soh Jian Kun, formerly of Cortina Watch, claimed he could secure coveted Rolex and Patek Philippe models through a staff purchase scheme, but it was all an illusion. Victims were fed forged documents, fake receipts, and fabricated chat screenshots, resulting in a staggering $495,000 stolen. Prosecutors seek a sentence of up to five years and seven months in prison. This has sparked controversy, as many watch enthusiasts find it surprising that such a scam occurred in Singapore, known for its safety and low crime rate.

As we move forward, it's time to look ahead to 2026. We invite you to share your predictions for the watch industry this year. Who will collaborate? Which brand will dominate? Will microbrands prevail? And who will wear the best watches? Let your thoughts be known in our Instagram comments, and we'll share the best, along with our own insights and predictions.

We also bring you the watch meme of the week, a playful take on New Year's resolutions, and the wrist shot of the week, featuring our contributor Jason Lee and his new Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon. Additionally, we introduce the Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition, a highly sought-after watch that has sold out and commands prices above its original RRP.

Furthermore, we delve into the Time+Tide team's favorite watch releases of 2025, a diverse selection that resonates with our crew of experts and enthusiasts. We also highlight Seiko's eight-generation Alpinist, a field watch that has been refined and improved, and Blancpain's Grande Double Sonnerie, a complicated chiming watch that showcases Blancpain's ambition to establish itself as a top complicated watchmaker.

Singapore Watch Boutique Scam: How an Employee Stole $500,000 with a Fake Waitlist Scheme (2026)

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