This simply isn’t the right time to conduct cash-only deals

Let no one say that India lags behind when it comes to any international trends, even burglary. The break-in this week at a famous family-run watch store in New Delhi’s Connaught Place was intriguing as the thieves apparently took only the more expensive timepieces — 700 of them, it seems — leaving not only the run-of-the-mill watches but also other potentially pilferable electronics.

Given the increased risk of getting caught these days due to better CCTV coverage and the like, it is not surprising that canny thieves now value quality over quantity and stick to their main brief. In that respect, they appear to be on the same page as robbers in other nations now targeting high-end goods over mass market.

London has been suffering a series of recent daring attacks on luxury brand showrooms with moped-borne burglars making off with expensive designer bags, watches and clothes. And late last year, not only did New York have its share of smashand-grab lootings in jewellery stores, but across the world in Hong Kong, thieves purloined HK$2 million worth of luxury accessories in an early morning heist.

The Indian robbers, however, do not seem have timed their operation too well. The demonetisation trauma has still not receded, and potential customers — even fences — may not want to part with that much precious cash just yet.