South America fun travel watch

[cdm765]

I recently visited Central America and was reluctant to wear my new GMT (unfortunate as I would traditionally have worn my vintage 14060m on a nato). I am glad I left the watch behind as we had a neighbour broken into and was informed the police aren’t exactly responsive + open to bribery… I just generally think this watch would have been a bit out of place for surroundings.

Any favourites in the more discrete watch category in higher risk geographies? Would appreciate a mix of recommendations along with the usual “wear your watch” shouting

[DG123]

Originally Posted by cdm765

I recently visited Central America and was reluctant to wear my new GMT (unfortunate as I would traditionally have worn my vintage 14060m on a nato. I am glad I left the watch behind as we had a neighbour broken into and was informed the police aren’t exactly responsive + open to bribery… I just generally think this watch would have been a bit out of place for surroundings.

Any favourites in the more discrete watch category in higher risk geographies? Would appreciate a mix of recommendations along with the usual “wear your watch” shouting

G Shock !

[cotignola]

Originally Posted by cdm765

I recently visited Central America and was reluctant to wear my new GMT (unfortunate as I would traditionally have worn my vintage 14060m on a nato). I am glad I left the watch behind as we had a neighbour broken into and was informed the police aren’t exactly responsive + open to bribery… I just generally think this watch would have been a bit out of place for surroundings.

Any favourites in the more discrete watch category in higher risk geographies? Would appreciate a mix of recommendations along with the usual “wear your watch” shouting

“Cdm765” already gave you the BEST answer you are going to get.


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[RTG]

Last year my friend walked into a Rolex shop in Buenos Aires. The Rolex rep was horrified that he was openly wearing his Rolex. Gave him a plain bag and insisted he take it off and hide it.

Now that's how you sell a product. 'Buy this watch but don't let anyone see it, and whatever you do, don't wear it'.

[douglasf13]

G-Shock or, if you want something a little nicer and analog, something like a Seiko Alpinist??

[Brich436]

Seiko Turtle - SRP777 is a nice piece for travel with a low downside if it gets lost / stolen. They also make a GMT version of the Seiko 5 - that could be ideal! I'd replace the crap factory bracelet with a crafter blue rubber strap or some sort of Nato strap!

I would probably wear my Tudor BB58 but South America I would probably lean towards the Seiko. I would not wear the 14060M.

[j10s]

Is the worry that you are going to be targeted for a possibly-violent theft? or is the worry that you will lose it?

If you are going to lose it while on vacation, then any watch under a losable value will be fine.

But the real concern is that you'll get yourself targeted for a possibly violent theft, right? In that case, you likely already stick out as a tourist. Whether you have a Rolex GMT, Tudor GMT, or a look-alike Seiko GMT they would probably attack first then ask questions later, no? So I think you'd need to have something plastic that very much looks cheap.

[chet]

Originally Posted by RTG

Last year my friend walked into a Rolex shop in Buenos Aires. The Rolex rep was horrified that he was openly wearing his Rolex. Gave him a plain bag and insisted he take it off and hide it.

Now that's how you sell a product. 'Buy this watch but don't let anyone see it, and whatever you do, don't wear it'.

5-years ago, I was in BA with a friend who was warned not to wear his Rolex by several people. Less than 5-minutes after I left him, a duo on a moped snapped it off his wrist while holding a knife to his neck.

I was in a high end watch store in BA last year and traded a bunch of USD for pesos to pay my hotel bill and save ~25%. The owner sent an armed guard to walk me back to my hotel which was about 1000 feet.'

Don't be flashy in BA.

[cdmorenot]

I’m a local in South America - Colombia to be exact. I feel safe in most places that I am familiar with but I do live in a pretty affluent area (outside of a major city) with armed security almost everywhere.

When in the city or traveling within Colombia I’m usually wearing a G-Shock or something I can afford to lose such as one of my Seiko or a Longines.

[Harry-57]

I would take any of these:


I also have this as a good travel beater:


This is also one I enjoyed wearing for it's lightweight and take anywhere-ness, but my wife pinched it:


Going a bit up market, a lightweight (Titanium), self effacing, non bling watch which packs a ton of hidden complications is something I also favour and sometimes travel with:

[Pdg]

2 things:

1. As others have said, if you are worried about crime then don’t wear anything that might look nice as no one is going to check if it’s a Rolex or a Tudor, etc

2. Personal comfort, I realize that, but I’m surprised by the comments on this site about crime, etc. I realize it only takes one bad situation to be a victim of a violent crime, but there seems to be a lot of exaggerations around areas people are less familiar with. When I was in BA I wore a Patek perpetual, and had no issues and no one warned me to hide my watches, etc.

[stockae92]

Originally Posted by DG123

G Shock !

+1

only vacation, I prefer enjoy the trip rather than worry about the watch.

[shammad10]

I was travelling through South and Central America for 10 months.
I wore my Garmin Fenix watch- perfect for tracking the hikes/climbs and rugged and useful.
That would be my choice if I went again.

[RolexBHR]

Seiko, G-Shock, Hamilton, Orient, Timex

[stockjock1975]

I wear my Sinn 856 on a perlon strap to areas that might be a safety concern. The tegimented case is super tough and the watch draws zero unwanted attention.


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[dshin525]

Originally Posted by chet

5-years ago, I was in BA with a friend who was warned not to wear his Rolex by several people. Less than 5-minutes after I left him, a duo on a moped snapped it off his wrist while holding a knife to his neck.

I was in a high end watch store in BA last year and traded a bunch of USD for pesos to pay my hotel bill and save ~25%. The owner sent an armed guard to walk me back to my hotel which was about 1000 feet.'

Don't be flashy in BA.

Similar thins happened to me when I was in BA 7-8 yrs ago. I was wearing my 16570 polar explorer. I was with a group of 5 people. I had been there almost a week and never had any issues. But I was always mindful of my surroundings and if I sensed anything sketchy, I would walk into a store, hotel, etc...
On this particular day, because I was other people, I wasn't aware as I could have been. A guy came up behind me, put me in a choke hold and took me to the ground, and tore the watch off my wrist. I started to run after him but he hopped on on awaiting motorcycle and took off.

[RTG]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I would take any of these:


I also have this as a good travel beater:


This is also one I enjoyed wearing for it's lightweight and take anywhere-ness, but my wife pinched it:


Going a bit up market, a lightweight (Titanium), self effacing, non bling watch which packs a ton of hidden complications is something I also favour and sometimes travel with:

You have some fun options there

[RTG]

Originally Posted by dshin525

Similar thins happened to me when I was in BA 7-8 yrs ago. I was wearing my 16570 polar explorer. I was with a group of 5 people. I had been there almost a week and never had any issues. But I was always mindful of my surroundings and if I sensed anything sketchy, I would walk into a store, hotel, etc...
On this particular day, because I was other people, I wasn't aware as I could have been. A guy came up behind me, put me in a choke hold and took me to the ground, and tore the watch off my wrist. I started to run after him but he hopped on on awaiting motorcycle and took off.

Wow that’s horrible.

[HAPConst]

Originally Posted by dshin525

Similar thins happened to me when I was in BA 7-8 yrs ago. I was wearing my 16570 polar explorer. I was with a group of 5 people. I had been there almost a week and never had any issues. But I was always mindful of my surroundings and if I sensed anything sketchy, I would walk into a store, hotel, etc...
On this particular day, because I was other people, I wasn't aware as I could have been. A guy came up behind me, put me in a choke hold and took me to the ground, and tore the watch off my wrist. I started to run after him but he hopped on on awaiting motorcycle and took off.

Sorry this happened to you.

Not throwing salt on anyone’s wound, but the question needs to be asked…why go to these places? Tavel 1000’s of miles to see filth, squalor, and be robbed? This coming from someone who used to spend a lot of time in panama moving boats around.

[Booth9999]

A question to you who live in South America; would a Apple Watch be a target for theft? Thanks in advance.

[dannyp]

Zeno Super Precision (1016 homage). They’re on Jomashop or Ashford for $6-800, depending on current promo.

[dshin525]

Originally Posted by HAPConst

Sorry this happened to you.

Not throwing salt on anyone’s wound, but the question needs to be asked…why go to these places? Tavel 1000’s of miles to see filth, squalor, and be robbed? This coming from someone who used to spend a lot of time in panama moving boats around.

This was for work. I really did enjoy the city and would go back if given the chance.

[RTG]

I wear this when in Africa, and it doesn’t leave me feeling like I am missing anything. I assume it would be South America safe as well.

[Yobrooks]

My go to travel beater with amazing lume from Norqain

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[gwmaan]

I wear a quartz Grand Seiko GMT (NOT the one with the Explorer-type bezel) on a strap instead of a bracelet, but at times I've just worn a Fitbit.

The Apple Watch question from Booth9999 is one I'm curious about. I don't own one, but I would think they would be hot commodities in many places.

[cotignola]

Originally Posted by Booth9999

A question to you who live in South America; would a Apple Watch be a target for theft? Thanks in advance.

According to Google: What is average wage in Argentina? Average Wages in Argentina increased to 203764 ARS/Month (964.628 USD/Month) in November 2022. The maximum rate of average wage for employees was 102567 ARS/Month and minimum was 913 ARS/Month. Data published Monthly by Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Services.

If that is accurate, an Apple Watch is still a lot of watch. A GShock is still your best choice.


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[Fredrik]

I have only been to South America for work and the places I went to I took no watch. Even a G-Shock at 150 USD could attract unwanted attention.

[WatchEater666]

I am going to be moving to Mexico this summer for work and plan on wearing a Seiko Turtle and a G-Shock! Dropping everything else off at the safety deposit box near my parents house in ~2 weeks... :)

[ILoveFerrari]

Originally Posted by Pdg

2 things:

1. As others have said, if you are worried about crime then don’t wear anything that might look nice as no one is going to check if it’s a Rolex or a Tudor, etc

2. Personal comfort, I realize that, but I’m surprised by the comments on this site about crime, etc. I realize it only takes one bad situation to be a victim of a violent crime, but there seems to be a lot of exaggerations around areas people are less familiar with. When I was in BA I wore a Patek perpetual, and had no issues and no one warned me to hide my watches, etc.

n = 1

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[beefeater21]

I recently picked up a used Ball Night Train for this type of use case. DLC coated, so it's a bit less flashy and can take some abuse. But the real reason I got it was for the tritium lume. I often find while traveling that I wake up in the middle of the night. It's nice to be able to read the time without reaching for my phone.