Paris - Three armed men broke into a renowned jewellers' in the heart of Paris and made off with gems and other merchandise worth more than 50 million euros (64 million dollars), French media reported on Friday. The hold-up took place late Thursday afternoon at Harry Winston jewelers', on the posh Avenue Montaigne. The robbers, who reportedly knew the names of some of the store employees, took all the merchandise exhibited in the shop windows and display cases.
Citing sources close to the investigation, France 2 television reported Friday that the value of the stolen loot is estimated at between 60 and 80 million dollars (46.9 to 62.6million euros).
If confirmed, it would make it one of the largest successful jewel heists of all time.
Harry Winston is one of the world's most renowned jewelers. He designed the famous tiara worn by Empress Farah Diba for her wedding to Shah Mohammed Reza of Iran. The tiara's centrepiece was the 60-carat Nur-ul-Ain pink diamond.
Harry Winston also cut the famous 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond the late actor Richard Burton bought for his wife Elizabeth Taylor's 40th birthday.
Almost exactly one year ago, on December 6, 2007, the Paris store was broken into and robbed of some 10 million euros worth of jewelry.
