Observations From Traveling With a Rolex

[slocke0624]

I recently got back from a 7-day southern Caribbean cruise and took my trusty BLNR along for the ride. I took a few beater watches along just in case I did not feel like wearing the BLNR everyday. I decided on day one that I was going to wear it and enjoy it.

I have read a number of threads on TRF where people ask "do you wear your Rolex when you travel" and the hundreds of "is it safe" threads and it seems like some are afraid to enjoy the watch that they have sought after for so long for fear that a low-probability event will occur. This is what I observed from a week of traveling out of the country with my BLNR.

1) It is safe to wear a Rolex in the ocean. Wear it and enjoy your day at the beach.
2) Wearing a scarce SS Rolex into an AD leads to some interesting conversations. I felt like I had a little more credibility and the employees were a little more willing to spend time with me.
3) Use common sense. There was one stop where my dad got ripped off and the locals seemed to be a little more aggressive. Pay attention to your surroundings don't go "stupid places, with stupid people, at stupid times." Use your brain and you will probably be okay (most of the time).

Buy the watch you love, wear it everyday and enjoy it. My BLNR is full of scratches and dings but I wouldn't want it any other way.

[denmanproject]

Awesome

[Ekornfeld21]

Originally Posted by slocke0624

I recently got back from a 7-day southern Caribbean cruise and took my trusty BLNR along for the ride. I took a few beater watches along just in case I did not feel like wearing the BLNR everyday. I decided on day one that I was going to wear it and enjoy it.



I have read a number of threads on TRF where people ask "do you wear your Rolex when you travel" and the hundreds of "is it safe" threads and it seems like some are afraid to enjoy the watch that they have sought after for so long for fear that a low-probability event will occur. This is what I observed from a week of traveling out of the country with my BLNR.



1) It is safe to wear a Rolex in the ocean. Wear it and enjoy your day at the beach.

2) Wearing a scarce SS Rolex into an AD leads to some interesting conversations. I felt like I had a little more credibility and the employees were a little more willing to spend time with me.

3) Use common sense. There was one stop where my dad got ripped off and the locals seemed to be a little more aggressive. Pay attention to your surroundings don't go "stupid places, with stupid people, at stupid times." Use your brain and you will probably be okay (most of the time).



Buy the watch you love, wear it everyday and enjoy it. My BLNR is full of scratches and dings but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Thats great to hear! Have you considered getting insurance on your BLNR ? I was thinking of doing that for some piece of mind when i get mine.


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[slocke0624]

Originally Posted by Ekornfeld21

Thats great to hear! Have you considered getting insurance on your BLNR ? I was thinking of doing that for some piece of mind when i get mine.


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I did insure it when I got it. I listed my BLNR and Datejust on my homeowner's policy. It's really cheap.

[Danny83]

[Ekornfeld21]

Originally Posted by slocke0624

I did insure it when I got it. I listed my BLNR and Datejust on my homeowner's policy. It's really cheap.

Nice! Does that still cover them when traveling?


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[swatty]

TSA officer at LAX today checked my wrist after going through body scanner, starred at it for about 10 sec to make sure it was moving like it should be and said “nice watch sir “

[Paul7]

Originally Posted by slocke0624

I did insure it when I got it. I listed my BLNR and Datejust on my homeowner's policy. It's really cheap.

Be careful, if you have a claim on your homeowner's policy it can raise your other insurance rates.

[Jstadkc]

Good for you, I always travel with my JC but I have it insured . It costs about $100 a year and yes it covers traveling abroad.

[slocke0624]

Originally Posted by swatty

TSA officer at LAX today checked my wrist after going through body scanner, starred at it for about 10 sec to make sure it was moving like it should be and said “nice watch sir “

Thats awesome!

A lot of people seem to think if you wear a Rolex you will be a target. The TSA officer was in the very small minority of people who can tell the difference between a Rolex and a Timex. It's always fun when I run into someone that shares my passion for watches but I can count the times that has happened on one hand.

[DoctorA]

Awesome!! Good for you!

[Ekornfeld21]

Originally Posted by Jstadkc

Good for you, I always travel with my JC but I have it insured . It costs about $100 a year and yes it covers traveling abroad.

I wonder if the policy replaces the current value of the watch or what you paid for it?


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[maxutil]

I like reading travel accounts with watches as it combines my two favorite hobbies - traveling and watches. From my experience traveling throughout several countries in Asia is you feel very safe with your expensive watch, and mostly no one notices because many Asians have nice watches. This is a bit different from America where I've received stares and comments, and I wouldn't feel safe at night in a high crime neighborhood.

I am thinking about traveling to South America next, and from what I've read, I'd probably just take a Seiko SKX on nato there.

[slocke0624]

Originally Posted by Ekornfeld21

I wonder if the policy replaces the current value of the watch or what you paid for it?


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My premium is based on the MSRP at the time I purchased the watch and is about 1% of that value. My 116234 could easily be replaced at that but I doubt they would pony up the money to replace the BLNR at 20% above MSRP to get me one in a hurry.

[sensui]

Situational awareness. Glad you had a good trip.

[Ekornfeld21]

Originally Posted by slocke0624

My premium is based on the MSRP at the time I purchased the watch and is about 1% of that value. My 116234 could easily be replaced at that but I doubt they would pony up the money to replace the BLNR at 20% above MSRP to get me one in a hurry.

That's good to know thanks!


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[grymg]

Good to know and wise words! I'm planning on a similar Royal Caribbean cruise this summer. Typically I swim with a Fossil quartz while the Omega is in the room safe, then use the Speedy while I am in ship and at dinner.

But for this year I have this Victorinox Quartz GMT for swimming duty and the BLNR for dinnertime.

[watchmework]

Good advice, sounds like you had a nice trip as well

[rtalk]

Haha. I was hoping wearing my BLNR at a Mexico AD would magically lead to a Hulk. No such luck.

BlNR is a great travel watch. Glad you enjoyed it on vacation!

[epc2]

Good advice, glad to hear you had fun.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by slocke0624

Buy the watch you love, wear it everyday and enjoy it.

This is so true...the essence of the whole watch owning experience, for me. From one KY member to another, I salute you, sir.

[novae500]

Being aware of your surroundings is the key. I went to Vegas, LA, San Diego, Playa de Carmen Mexico, Boston and Stamford Conn this summer. Wore my Coke to all of the places except for Mexico(decided to wear my Omega Seamaster instead).

Some shady parts of LA and Vegas, i had to be more attentive of people around me.

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by rtalk

Haha. I was hoping wearing my BLNR at a Mexico AD would magically lead to a Hulk. No such luck.

BlNR is a great travel watch. Glad you enjoyed it on vacation!

You took your watch to Mexico? That is Timex country.

[Ravager135]

Just insure them and there's never any problem.

[marc2828]

Thanks for sharing...great post. I am heading to Dominican Republic with 4 couples for our 50th's...Was debating wearing my 50th bday present SD50 (or SD43)...but now I think I will wear it. Maybe throw in backpack in DR airport to resort leg.

[Old Geezer]

Situational awareness and common sense goes a long way to avoiding becoming a victim of crime. No place is 100% safe and some places are 100% unsafe. Know the difference and act accordingly.

[UmichNJ]

Originally Posted by maxutil

I like reading travel accounts with watches as it combines my two favorite hobbies - traveling and watches. From my experience traveling throughout several countries in Asia is you feel very safe with your expensive watch, and mostly no one notices because many Asians have nice watches. This is a bit different from America where I've received stares and comments, and I wouldn't feel safe at night in a high crime neighborhood.

I am thinking about traveling to South America next, and from what I've read, I'd probably just take a Seiko SKX on nato there.

I almost always wear Rolex or Patek when I travel, but I opted for a Nomos for Argentina last week. I think it is better to be low key right now Argentina and Brazil.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by marc2828

Thanks for sharing...great post. I am heading to Dominican Republic with 4 couples for our 50th's...Was debating wearing my 50th bday present SD50 (or SD43)...but now I think I will wear it. Maybe throw in backpack in DR airport to resort leg.

I went there about six months ago. I chose to go with my Tudor instead. Inside the resort I never felt there were any issues, but outside just be aware of your surroundings. The DR people are fantastic, but outside of the resort areas it is a very poor country. I didn't want to risk wearing it and honestly I sort of felt like I shouldn't flaunt a $12K+ watch (I have an SD43 also) in a country where many workers make $5-10/day. Use your best judgement... We did have a great time there.

[Amazing]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

Just insure them and there's never any problem.

I kind of agree but at the same time, even after you got paid out you'd struggle to find another BLNR.

[marc2828]

Originally Posted by samson66

I went there about six months ago. I chose to go with my Tudor instead. Inside the resort I never felt there were any issues, but outside just be aware of your surroundings. The DR people are fantastic, but outside of the resort areas it is a very poor country. I didn't want to risk wearing it and honestly I sort of felt like I shouldn't flaunt a $12K+ watch (I have an SD43 also) in a country where many workers make $5-10/day. Use your best judgement... We did have a great time there.

thank you. Don't plan on leaving resort and watch will remain on my wrist or be in safe with passports.