Traveling to Cancun & South America... can just bring 1 watch... which one should I?

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Just FYI, many policies won't cover you in Mexico.

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What?

Any decent watch insurance (like Jewelers Mutual, AXA, Chubb, Brite Co., Hodinkee) has worldwide coverage.

[StillTrying]

I always travel with a Rolex. I put it on a nato and wear on the inside of my wrist while strolling around. Never had problems; but anything can happen at any time.

* I started wearing on natos when I started taking my watches in the ocean (sometimes even surfing). But it keeps a much lower profile as well.

[TNT009]

Originally Posted by sj24k

"bring what you like, and be done with it"

:)

This, a 1000 times over... Like my Drill Sergeant said.... "Make a damn decision"!!

[Henrimontgomery]

Read the room man. Don’t go in these countries flashing a yearly salary on your wrist.
I have a Casio I would be happy to part with in case of a mugging. It cost 30$ and I use it to surf, go to Michelin stars and walk shady streets in developing countries.

Why would anybody risk his watch or life is beyond me.

[George58]

you guys have all these great watches go on vacation and too scared to wear them

[Aquinas]

I went to Mexico back in early 2018, ten days of Playa del Carmen, a day in Mex City and a few days in Cuarnavaca (sp?) where we have friends. It was just before spring break so I think February.
Playa del Carmen was basically an American city back then, full with boomer tourists, and literally everybody was wearing a Rolex. Mostly Subs, lots of GMTs. Mind, that was back in early 2018, when I got my Datejust 41 for a 20 per cent discount from a gray, and could have gotten a Sub at list price from the windows.
Anyway, I wouldn't worry about safety there if it hasn't changed too much. However, for a bit of peace of mind, I recommend the Mido Ocean Star GMT. Traveller GMT for roundabout 1k, with a nice look and holiday feel. The strap sucks and it's a bit heavy with the bracelet, so I'd add a nice rubber strap.

[Dave455]

OP - I’m aircrew. Been to a few parts of Latin America, admittedly working not holiday, but can speak from experience.

Firstly, “Latin America” covers a lot of countries, and the answer depends to an extent on the country.

You mentioned Cancun, and my answer would be “no” don’t do it. Not the Sky Dweller, and definitely not the others. Yes, the Yucatan is safer than much of Mexico, and yes, you would be relatively safe wearing it in a resort (if that’s where you are going). But, you have to get to the resort, I presume you are not going to spend your entire stay at the resort, and there is no way I’d wear a watch that valuable down to the strip in the evening.

So, I’d take something “mid value”, if you have it. I have a Tudor Black Bay 36 that I bought for this sort of trip and I wear it to most of the Caribbean and Mexico. I wear it into and out of the country, and in resort, but not the beach or Cancun strip. I have a mega cheap Swatch for that. Most of my colleagues do similar.

The Tudor is the absolute top end. I also have a Hamilton Khaki Field, and a British army CWC quartz, and to be honest both are probably better choices. If I take one of these I wear it all the time and have no issues. They are not high value, not high profile either (also an issue) but both work reliably. You do need a watch when travelling, don’t trust your phone.

Some parts of Latin America (Brazil comes to mind), and also a lot of other places in the world (such as Cape Town) the quartz is the top end. Swatch/ G Shock/ Seiko 5 are really where you want to be!

[HJZS2K]

Echo on the g shock. My next trip to Cancun will have this on wrist.

[Krash]

It’s not just a Mexico thing, I only ever travel with my Apple Watch now no matter where I go. I know, I know…how can I be such an ignorant, POS wearing an Apple Watch???? I deserve to get struck by lightning!


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[HogwldFLTR]

G Shock would be my call. If you don't know for certain, it's better to be safe then sorry.

[GMT Aviator]

Traveled to Cancun a lot. The security situation there has deteriorated significantly over the years I’ve been going. Gang related crime is now inside the what was once relatively safe tourist areas.

Personally I wouldn’t be walking about there with a Rolex on show. When I did I was very familiar with my surroundings and time of day.

I feel safer in Erbil than I do in Cancun and thats with ISIS all over the place. Go figure!

[shammad10]

I have spent 12 months in Central and South America over the last 3 years. 2 trips travelling overland.

No way in hell would I have worn people’s 5 yearly salary on my wrist. Crime is very rife, including armed muggings. While I was in Mexico there were reports of hijackings of tourist buses at gunpoint between Cancun and San Cristobal and Palenque
Some countries in South and Central America have the highest crime rates in the world.

If you are going to a 5* resort then fine, wear what you like. But if you’re planning at all on going out and about then perhaps wearing a Rolex on your wrist in one of the most deprived areas in the world would attract a bit of unwanted attention.

[Giantpact]

It depends on where you want to go..... all those Rolex you mentioned are the among the hottest Rolex right now , and any of them could draw the attention that your are trying to avoid, just take whatever you want alongside a G-Shock or something less.

[jimcameron]

Casio Illuminator, about $20

[Cotterel]

Honestly, do you really need a watch just to know time?

[peterp]

I do not wonder thieves are going well. No one is deserved to be robbed but this is stupidity.

[m3tek44]

I would just wear Casio

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[ppbskis]

Got hooked by the adverts of this g shock model. Even some g shocks are hard to acquire at list prices.
I’ve been wearing this instead of my 5 digit sub.


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[ppbskis]

Originally Posted by ppbskis

Got hooked by the adverts of this g shock model. Even some g shocks are hard to acquire at list prices.
I’ve been wearing this instead of my 5 digit sub.


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[yngshr]

If you want to have something sort of nice, why don't you buy a Sinn and bring that? No one will recognize it and it will stand about a bit from the SEA of G-Shocks you will see.

I can't imagine wearing a Rolex down there. At all.

[Meyrin]

South America? I know it quite well, always enjoyed my trips there, but some cities are quite dangerous and notorious for street crime. I had a very close call in Sao Paulo and learned my lesson! Wear a G-Shock or something similar and cheap...

[Brny11]

If they are looking to steal your Rolex, they are prob trained. They will know a platona vs a more affordable OP. If that is your fear, the watch is irrelevant IMO.

Just be mindful of your surroundings and use common sense when / where you have it exposed.

Personally, I’d go GMT master!

[Deepsea Florida]

P365x by Sig and Sonns watch company

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

why just one?? wear all three!! pepsi/daytona on one arm, hulk on the other. maybe throw a DD40 next to the hulk, need a little gold in there.

Definitely two per arm at a minimum.

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by rolexperfect

Hi squad... I'll be traveling to Cancun & South America, and I wanted to bring my SkyD Blue Jubilee especially because of the GMT function, but started to feel it's way too flashy, gets too many stares in general, so I can only think how many stares it'll get in Mexico/Latam...

Options I am thinking about:
- 116500LN Panda
- Hulk (would be nice for the swimming pool, summer, and brushed links)
- GMT Pepsi Oyster Bracelet


If you've been in Mexico/Latam, what would you bring that is the least one to get approached/robbed? I will be over there for about 1-2 months....

Thank you for your hints/thoughts!

None. That’s why Rolex makes Tudor. Buy a preowned black bay.

[j.alex]

Originally Posted by Rolex.Journey

Depends where in Latam you’re going… I would not wear one in Brazil or Argentina.


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"I would not wear one in Brazil", me too !!!

[Tzmore]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Lol. Bring your SkyDweller. There are people out there wearing far more expensive watches than that. The sensible ones wear long sleeves

[NiJaRo1225]

Originally Posted by Deepsea Florida

P365x by Sig and Sonns watch company

One of my favorite watch companies…..too bad about Mexico’s/S. America’s no-tolerance laws on such fine timepieces.


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[Galion]

South America? You need a Casio my friend, trust me, I know.

[Laszlo]

Me personally thinks you’re asking for trouble.

I’d seriously bring a gshock or something like that.

What’s that saying? Do stupid things win stupid prizes?