Traveling with your Rolex to Europe…

[Keldw]

Originally Posted by mdwsta4

If something does happen, it’s as likely in another country as it probably is in your own city

Going through this whole thread, this is probably one of the most accurate comments.

Every country, every city, will have places where risk is higher than others. Also in the US I would assume.

Also, European countries and cities is very very different from each other.

Believe it or not, but we (Europeans) are literally wearing our watches every day of the year. Be it Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega etc etc

Common sense and awareness will get you a long way, no matter where on the planet you are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[premium2]

Originally Posted by Number3

I thought you were watchless?

He must have told the AD that he has BLNR but he was afraid of wearing to the store.

[JSCP]

Originally Posted by GMT Freak

Terrible advice.

Just because you got lucky nothing happened doesn’t mean it isn’t a hotspot for petty crime and pickpockets.

Totally agree.

It’s all about the moment. It’s a city that for decades been heaven for pickpocketers. It’s an art there.

Even if insured, you are exposing yourself and friends family to very unpleasant situation.

In all these major cities, they know you are a tourist, sheri sh or other.’; their favorite target.

I personally have seen people being picked pocketed it happened in Paris, Rome, Madrid, Firenze, Venezia. They love train stations, main tourist attractions sites.
Now they watch for Rolex, Chanel, Hermes, etc wearers… They have “graduated” and are in the hunt, watching for the perfect snatch…Summer perfect as you hot and few long sleeves.


But it’s your watch, your life and your risk.

[JSCP]

Originally Posted by -RolexMan-

Great post!

Agree!

[strafer_kid]

I think each of us has to "call it" as we see it, and it simply comes down to risk appetite. These watches are for wearing, no doubt, but if there is a concern then there is a simple alternative that gives peace of mind and that will do the job just as well as your Rolex, and all for 30/40 pounds, dollars or Euro.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Naive .
Criminals are much more aware,because they are hunting those that contribute to society in a positive way by working their asses off .(..and paying taxes.)

Very true

[karleone]

Originally Posted by GMT Freak

Terrible advice.

Just because you got lucky nothing happened doesn’t mean it isn’t a hotspot for petty crime and pickpockets.

Exactly

[LC23]

depends how you dress if you ask me... if you look out of place, watch or not you could still get a visit from the stick up kids

[RyanJ]

It is all fairly simple. All countries mentioned are absolutely wonderful places and everyone should visit all of them if you have a chance. However, times have changed a bit with all the hype around watches. Criminals will try and take advantage of it. You need to be hyper aware. That is just a fact.

Could you visit hundreds of times and never be impacted, yep. Could you be impacted on your first visit, yep.

At the same time though, I would never let fear of my watch getting stolen stop me from visiting any of these places. When in doubt, leave the jewelry at home and enjoy the trip.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by RyanJ

It is all fairly simple. All countries mentioned are absolutely wonderful places and everyone should visit all of them if you have a chance. However, times have changed a bit with all the hype around watches. Criminals will try and take advantage of it. You need to be hyper aware. That is just a fact.

Could you visit hundreds of times and never be impacted, yep. Could you be impacted on your first visit, yep.

At the same time though, I would never let fear of my watch getting stolen stop me from visiting any of these places. When in doubt, leave the jewelry at home and enjoy the trip.

Very good comment. Agree 100%

[Blansky]

I blame in on 'woke' California.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I blame in on 'woke' California.

..why they relocate to Texas ? Poor Texans .

[RFC]

Originally Posted by Keldw

Going through this whole thread, this is probably one of the most accurate comments.

Every country, every city, will have places where risk is higher than others. Also in the US I would assume.

Also, European countries and cities is very very different from each other.

Believe it or not, but we (Europeans) are literally wearing our watches every day of the year. Be it Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega etc etc

Common sense and awareness will get you a long way, no matter where on the planet you are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I live and wear my watches by this guideline. Cities where I would not wear my watches are places I would not consider traveling in the first place. Barcelona is not one of those.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by RFC

I live and wear my watches by this guideline. Cities where I would not wear my watches are places I would not consider traveling in the first place. Barcelona is not one of those.

Standing on top of Table Mountain,Cape Town makes wearing a Rolex or not, very irrelevant .
Magnificent experience .Have been up there a couple of times ,it remains a splendorous spectacle.

Traveling to some less safe destinations ,is worth it .
Just ask and listen to the locals .

Going to Ellispark(Emirates Park ) ,Johannesburg next Saturday for the Springbok vs All Blacks game ,very seedy and dangerous part of town .
If I park my car there ,there is a high chance of it being stolen and being mugged .
So what do locals do ? Park and ride .Park is a safe part of the city and traveling with buses to and from the stadium.
PS: Will be wearing one from the collection

[Heady Topper]

Originally Posted by 911cv

1. Arrived BCN, taxi driver noticed my watch and said do not wear it out in town
2. Arrived at my hotel in Barcelona, without prompting the bell man noticed my watch and said, do not wear it out in town
3. Watchless, I walked into the AD in Barcelona, spoke to the SA who said, do not wear your watch out in town
4. Arrived in Paris a few days later, the AD on Champs-Elysees said do not wear your watch out in town

I was wearing a BLNR on a Rubber B strap.

I'm surprised they even looked at you. Terrible, terrible customer experience there.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Keldw

Going through this whole thread, this is probably one of the most accurate comments.

Every country, every city, will have places where risk is higher than others. Also in the US I would assume.

Also, European countries and cities is very very different from each other.

Believe it or not, but we (Europeans) are literally wearing our watches every day of the year. Be it Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega etc etc

Common sense and awareness will get you a long way, no matter where on the planet you are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Exceptionally well said. If you want to live in fear, then don’t even bother buying a nice watch (or ring, or necklace or shoes) or wear them at home while you are locked in your closet. Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and live life. Can it happen to you, even in a “safe” place? Of course, you could also get hit by lightning.

[MMG89]

Call me crazy, but watches are made to be worn.

I travel pretty often and always wear my sub or my BLNR. Is it possible I get mugged? Sure it is. But at the end of the day I like wearing my watches, and leaving them home defeats the purpose of owning said watch IMO. If the possibility of being mugged is a real concern of yours, don't wear any high end items ever.

Also a good relationship with an AD and replacement insurance will get you a new one in no time.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by MMG89

Also a good relationship with an AD and replacement insurance will get you a new one in no time.

Careful ,the robberies are getting more brutal .Stab wound chest and insurance on the Rolex becomes very unimportant .

Interesting,my wife ran a casualty department of a private hospital for many years .Frequently,MVA patients would return and ask if someone in casualty didnt perhaps put their watch in a safe place .
Its was stolen at the MVA scene from the patients arm ....Sad,but true.

[bp1000]

London watch crime is a lot more sophisticated than petty pick pocketers.

Very briefly, you will find you have a machete to your throat, most likely approached from behind with masked thieves on mopeds, usually tipped off by street spotters and even waiters in tourist hot spots.

I've worn nice watches in London for years. Yesterday I was walking around the city and saw so many tourists with nice watches on. Some were even very in your face, YG watches.

It goes to show, thefts happen, but far far less than what we assume. The chances are being robbed are very small, relatively. But they increase dramatically in certain areas.

Stay in a tourist area with a nice watch and the chances increase. A pocket knife won't protect you.

I was wearing a patek 5270 around London yesterday and it was covered and never felt unsafe.

However I had to walk onto Oxford street (popular tourist street) and the atmosphere changes immediately. There are pockets of people stood on corners, you have to be aware of watchers and pick pockets almost immediately.

In Barcelona, they stand outside the station waiting for all the tourists.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by bp1000

The chances are being robbed are very small, relatively. But they increase dramatically in certain areas.

Thats a take home message You are a local,you know the areas ...and you kept it covered .

[joa]

there are hot spots i would avoid flaunting luxury watches (Naples, tourist area of Barcelona, ..)

but most of Europe is safe, for example i see almost no way of getting robbed for your watch in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia etc. and i hope it stays that way

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by joa

there are hot spots i would avoid flaunting luxury watches (Naples, tourist area of Barcelona, ..)

but most of Europe is safe, for example i see almost no way of getting robbed for your watch in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia etc. and i hope it stays that way

I would never ever wear any of my Rolex watches out in the US and I've been going everywhere in Europe wearing a Rolex for the last 49 years.

This thread is heavily biased, US Gents, please look at your home town crime rate.

Yes, I'm an European.

[Case61]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Exceptionally well said. If you want to live in fear, then don’t even bother buying a nice watch (or ring, or necklace or shoes) or wear them at home while you are locked in your closet. Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and live life. Can it happen to you, even in a “safe” place? Of course, you could also get hit by lightning.

This, +2.

[boogiebot]

I have been saying this for quite some time. People used to laugh when I’d tell them , “hey man be careful, you don’t want to make yourself a target”. Now it’s pretty evident that you will get jacked in these major cities. You’re basically wearing a hype item that everyone knows is worth money. Europe, especially France, London and Italy seems to be a hot bed for watch theft. I had a friend that wore an AP diver in Italy and someone literally ripped it off his wrist. This was years before the watch hype. Now it can only be 10 times worst.

To all the watch peeps on here, seriously stay safe and if you have to wear your watch, I get it. Maybe just wear it under your sleeve


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[af_tt]

Originally Posted by Filipão

I would never ever wear any of my Rolex watches out in the US and I've been going everywhere in Europe wearing a Rolex for the last 49 years.

This thread is heavily biased, US Gents, please look at your home town crime rate.

Yes, I'm an European.

I think this boils down to you knowing your surroundings and the culture better in Europe. While an American typically will have better street smarts here but I definitely get what your saying. I am moving to Germany in a month from the midwest USA, I am genuinely curious how I will feel out on the town wearing a watch there as opposed to here.

To provide further clarification; Anyone is capable of sensing and avoiding sketchy situations but you’ll likely be better at it on your home turf where visual and audible cues likely come as second nature from years of exposure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Filipão

I would never ever wear any of my Rolex watches out in the US and I've been going everywhere in Europe wearing a Rolex for the last 49 years.

This thread is heavily biased, US Gents, please look at your home town crime rate.

Yes, I'm an European.

99% of the USA is fine. It’s pretty much paradise where I live.

It’s a sensitive and controversial topic, but all the crime in the USA is heavily concentrated in a few large urban areas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[7sins]

Originally Posted by Krash

99% of the USA is fine. It’s pretty much paradise where I live.

It’s a sensitive and controversial topic, but all the crime in the USA is heavily concentrated in a few large urban areas.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Clearly no one should visit Alaska and FL has a higher number than NY...

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by af_tt

... but you’ll likely be better at it on your home turf where visual and audible cues likely come as second nature from years of exposure.

100% true

When at home,we have eyes at the back of your head.
When abroad ,we walk around eyes wide shut.

[CaliBear]

This is not strictly a Europe thing. https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/n...bberies-22-094

Any time something gets massively hyped, the criminals will get interested. Some seem to argue that the proliferation of online luxury gray dealers has made the problem worse. https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/new...ng-1234660364/

[Krash]

Originally Posted by 7sins

Clearly no one should visit Alaska and FL has a higher number than NY...

This doesn’t tell the full story.

You need to dive deeper into where the crimes in these states are actually committed.

I’ll use PA as an example. Clearly Philadelphia and specific zip codes within Philadelphia are an absolute war zone when compared to Western Chester County and just about anywhere else in the state. Fact is, Philadelphia greatly distorts the data for the rest of PA. If you take away Philadelphia, then PA is basically paradise.

You could apply that same principle in every state.

In FL, St John’s County has a crime rate 95% less than the rest of the state and 83% less than the rest of the country.

The data your presenting is interesting but I’d be more impressed if it were narrowed to specific regions within these states. Otherwise, it’s just a bunch of worthless BS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk