I understand your point, and don't worry I did not get offended with your question. I was there on vacation(travelling by myself) and bought that watch as a gift to my parents when I packed it in my check in bags(since I have been travelling Europe for 2 months, and I decided to put everything in my bag as handcarried is only allowed 7kls I believe)...
the condition of the bag was really bad when it arrive Manila. They did offer to repair the bag(it took them 2 weeks though)and they knew something was lost upon the condition of the bag, but they did not say anything, that's why I brought this up to them.
Manila's airport are really notorious for baggage concerns, I would understand SQ's point of view but even from the US when I check in my boxes, when I arrive in Manila the condition was really bad when I would be receiving my items here(the boxes looked like they were thrown a 1-2-3 punch)...but sending them to the US my boxes are good as new(Meaning how I sent them, they are still packed new).
Yes, I believe the lost items happened in Manila as they say even though they are repairing the airport, they still are notorious when it comes to lost items...I packed an eye ointment which was liquid which cannot be checked in, more than 100grams, so I had to check it in, and that too, was lost.