Vietnamese footballer Do Duy Manh loses $46,000 watch in suspected theft

Vietnamese national team center-back Do Duy Manh has taken to social media to appeal for the return of a luxury timepiece after it went missing during a family trip. The incident reportedly occurred on March 31 as Manh was checking out of a hotel in Ninh Binh Province. According to the player, he had secured the watch inside his backpack and asked an acquaintance to help load the luggage into a 12-seat rental van. Throughout the journey back to Hanoi, the bag remained tucked under the rear seat near the acquaintance, while Manh and his family occupied the front and middle sections of the vehicle.

The loss was not immediately apparent, as Manh did not inspect the contents of his backpack until the following morning while preparing for national team training. After discovering the watch was gone, he conducted a thorough internal investigation, including a review of his home security footage which confirmed the bag had not been tampered with after his arrival. While the acquaintance who handled the luggage has denied any involvement, Manh has formally reported the disappearance to the local police and is now leveraging his public platform to recover what he describes as a deeply meaningful gift.

The missing item is a high-end Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph, a 43 mm masterpiece of horology. The watch is a sophisticated piece of engineering, featuring a titanium case, rhodium-plated bezel, and white gold hour markers set against a "Grande Tapisserie" patterned dial. Valued not only for its technical specifications—inclu ding a 70-hour power reserve and a Calibre 4401 automatic movement—the watch holds immense sentimental value. Manh’s wife, Anh, noted that the timepiece was a special gift commemorating a significant occasion, making its loss particularly painful for the couple.

This personal setback comes at a high point in Manh’s professional career. Just hours before the watch went missing on March 31, the Hanoi FC defender scored the opening goal in Vietnam's 3-1 victory over Malaysia. That win capped off a flawless qualification run for the 2027 Asian Cup, with the national team securing six consecutive victories. Having been a staple of the national squad since 2015, Manh is now hoping that the same community that celebrates his goals will assist him in locating his prized possession.