Experts issued a warning to owners of luxury watches after a young father was stabbed to death in front of his partner near Harrods.
Latest Metropolitan Police data shows robbery in Knightsbridge and Belgravia shot up 33% in the year to June.
Blue Stevens, 24, was knifed in the chest and died in front of his screaming partner Yve Hale outside the five-star Park Tower Hotel and Casino, which is across the road from Harvey Nichols.
Ms Hale, in her mid-20s, tried to resuscitate him while crying out “Oh, my God!” on Wednesday night.
Monthly Met crime figures show there have been at least 127 robberies recorded since August last year in the upmarket enclave, with offences peaking in December when 18 took place. Twelve were committed last month.
Mr Stevens, from Yateley in Hampshire, and Ms Hale had gone for a romantic dinner date when he was attacked.
Detectives are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry, which include whether the murder was a botched attempted robbery.
However, Mr Stevens had still been wearing his gold watch when officers and paramedics arrived.
It came hours after London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan promised a police blitz on crime in the capital, including tackling knife crime and robberies.
Catherine Alexander, of The Watch Register, urged people to remain vigilant during the ongoing heatwave when high-end timepieces and expensive jewellery are more likely to be visible and exposed.
She said: “This is a deeply upsetting case and highlights the appalling level of sudden violence, including the use of knives, some criminals use to steal a luxury watch.
“As the capital is expected to see soaring temperatures this weekend and people dress accordingly, we urge all owners to be aware that their watches are increasingly on display and criminals are taking note.
“We would urge all owners to be discreet when wearing a valuable watch in public, particularly around public transport, luxury settings and busy nightlife zones.
“And don’t underestimate coordinated theft tactics – spotters and teams of thieves are common in metropolitan areas.
“The most important advice has to be that if you are confronted by a thief, please prioritise your personal safety, a watch is not worth losing a life.”
The Watch Register holds the largest and most established international database of lost, stolen and counterfeit luxury timepieces.
No arrests have been made in Mr Stevens’ killing and the force said the public can expect to see more officers on patrol in the area.
His next-of-kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.
Met Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said: “Our intelligence and data-led approach to tackle the crimes that matter most to Londoners – such as shoplifting, robbery and anti-social behaviour – is already working.
“We’re arresting 1,000 more criminals each month, neighbourhood crime is down 19% and we’ve solved 163% more shoplifting cases this year.
“In 32 of the hardest hit areas, we’re working with the community, councils, businesses and partners, to focus our resources and bear down on prolific offenders and gangs who blight too many neighbourhoods across the capital.”
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