Met Hunt for Missing Fabergé Egg Continues
etectives from the Metropolitan Police are continuing their search for a rare Fabergé egg and an 18-carat rose gold watch valued at £2 million after the luxury items were stolen from a pub in Soho.
The theft took place in November 2024 when Enzo Conticello, also known as Hakim Boudjenoune, stole a handbag belonging to Rosie Dawson, director of premium brands at the Craft Irish Whiskey Company. Alongside the high-value jewellery, the bag contained a laptop and credit cards.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Metropolitan Police officers arrested Conticello in Belfast on 26 January. He appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday wearing a grey prison tracksuit.
During the hearing, Conticello admitted:
One count of theft
Three counts of fraud by false representation
However, he did not enter a plea to a charge of concealing criminal property, including the missing Fabergé egg and luxury watch.
Judge Griffith told the defendant:
“It must have been rather a surprise to you when you saw that egg. What you did with it, I don’t know at the moment, but I expect we’re going to find out.”
Conticello, who is of no fixed address, also admitted using the stolen credit cards. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to Southwark Crown Court on 6 March for sentencing.
Ongoing Search for Missing Treasures
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that efforts to recover the Fabergé egg and watch are ongoing. Both items belong to the Craft Irish Whiskey Company and were part of a luxury collaboration project.
In 2021, the company partnered with Fabergé to produce a limited seven-piece whiskey collection celebrating the “Seven Wonders of Ireland.” The collection included:
A 30-year-old Irish whiskey
A bespoke Fabergé Celtic egg set with a pavé diamond Celtic knot
An uncut Zambian emerald hidden inside
An 18-carat rose gold watch
The Legacy of Fabergé Eggs
Fabergé eggs are among the world’s most prized jewellery pieces. Created by the House of Fabergé, founded in 1842, the ornate eggs became famous after Peter Carl Fabergé designed 50 imperial Easter eggs for Russia’s Romanov dynasty between 1885 and 1916.
Modern creations continue to reflect the brand’s reputation for opulence. The 2024 Malaika Egg, for example, features thousands of white and brown diamonds alongside hundreds of rubies.
The enduring value of these creations was underscored in December when a 112-year-old “Winter Egg” sold at auction for a record £22.9 million. One of only 43 surviving imperial jewelled eggs, it is crafted from rock crystal and adorned with more than 4,500 diamonds.
Investigation Continues
With sentencing due in March, attention now turns to whether police can locate the missing Fabergé egg and watch. Authorities have not disclosed details about their suspected whereabouts, but investigators remain hopeful that the rare items can be recovered.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the extraordinary value and historical significance of the stolen treasures.
