A DEVOTED watch collector has been left devastated after half of his treasured 500-strong hoard was stolen during a break-in at his home.

The 39-year-old, of Gordon Road, South Woodford - who asked not to be named for fear he will be targeted by other thieves - estimates that he lost more than £20,000 worth of watches during the raid.

The man, who has worked as a black cab driver for 12 years, started collecting time pieces in the late 1980s when he bought his first luxury Longines for £200.

He never looked back, adding more than 500 wrist and pocket watches of all ages, shapes and sizes to the collection - some of which are more than 100 years old.

But he was horrified to find that his house had been ransacked and that hundreds of his beloved time pieces had been stolen when he returned from work on Wednesday, October 14.

He said: "It made me feel sick when I saw the state of the place when I got home and found my watches had been taken.

"Some of them had come to define certain parts of my life.

"It was absolutely gutting. I'm still been finding watches strewn all over the house from where they were dropping them on their way out.

"I've lost about 250 watches. Some of them were very special to me, and brought back memories.

"I know this is pointless, but I would ask whoever took them to please just bring them back."

The collector said many of his most valuable time pieces had been taken during the raid, and plans to keep the rest of his assortment in a more secure place.

He said: "Among the watches they took were some beautiful Longines, some Bulovas and some Rados.

"It's not the cost of the watches that's important. For me it's the uniqueness and beauty of each one that's special."

Among the haul stolen was a Longines Conquest, 18 carot, a Congines Admiral, also 18 carot gold and a 1930s Bulova wrist watch.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward with information about the burglary - which is thought to have taken place between 2.30pm and midnight.

Contact DC Andrew Revell at Ilford Police Station on: 8345 2781 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.