Fruhauf v Morrison & Co [1911] ZATPD 144 (27 October 1911)

Bailment - Deposit - Liability of Watchmaker for safe custody of watches deposited for repair - Negligence

About midday a watchmaker hung certain valuable watches, deposited with him for repair, in his shop in Johannesburg exposed to piiblic view, locked the door of the shop, put a notice on the outside thereof saying that he would be back at a certain tirrne and went home for lunch. During his absence the door was broken open and the said watches were stolen. The watchmaker had been wamed of the danger of leaving the watches so exposed.

Held, that he had been giiilty of negligence and was liable to the owners of the watches for their value.