Rome visiting 4/2022. safe to wear a Rolex or avoid?

[vinny84]

I say go for it but just be careful with your surroundings, just like anywhere else you would go.

[GB-man]

I’d wear something discreet. Not because it’s rome just because I’m traveling and not in my element. Even though NYC is similar I’d be comfortable there because I know the area.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Unless your watch looks like a World Cup trophy, I think you'll be fine.

[1William]

When in doubt, don't. Why have to worry about it when a Seiko/G-Shock or other type similar watch would work just fine.

[Retlas]

Your watch should be fine.. but watch out for your wallet especially if you take any type of public transport.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Tzachi

Whats the current situation?

So, what is the current situation in Mid-Town? I am thinking of going into city on a trip to area in a month or so on a metro north train to Grand Central. Not wearing any nice watches. But, is my person safe there, much less my watch?

[PepsiBezel]

Take the Rolex; leave the cargo shorts at home.

[GSDLover]

You get a response from someone who has lived in Rome for 33 years. Plus a good explanation.
Case closed.

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

So, what is the current situation in Mid-Town? I am thinking of going into city on a trip to area in a month or so on a metro north train to Grand Central. Not wearing any nice watches. But, is my person safe there, much less my watch?

As a out of towner, whenever I travel to NYC, I leave the Rolex at home. I use to have a Seiko Prospex but now I will just bring my Omega Speedmaster 300M on rubber. I also take the subway to travel around the city. If you mind your own business and don't give stares you will be fine

[Chris]

I would suggest you visit milan or florence, all major capital cities seem to be high risk, i have taken this view based on the number of people who question their travel watch arrangements to such places. In the states i would add Las Vegas, and in Spain Barcelona.��

[allen993]

Originally Posted by Mrngrz46

Hi I lived in Rome for 33 years.

My suggestion (that I always apply to myself when going back to visit parents) is to go with a smartwatch or something low value.
Especially because you will be immediately identified as tourist (Map on the hand, asking question, strolling around like you have time to lose, American cowboy hat etc etc..) so you are by definition a prey: fake price in taxi , fake price in restaurant etc.

Last 5 years there is too much appetite for luxury watches and Rolex is on top of the menu.

I think you should take this guys advice. I mean, you can't get much better advice than from someone who lived there for 33 years. And I will add that the "pick pockets" in the tourist areas Rome are horrible...so be careful of anyone that approached you, and tries to make physical contact with you.

[SDGT3]

Been to Rome many times and as recently as 2 months ago. Wearing a Rolex is fine. Be aware of pick pockets in large crowds or public transit however.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by rom33

Visited Rome for the past two weeks and was targeted by pickpockets. It’s a bit disconcerting to swat away someone’s hand from your coat pocket. I used my iPhone a lot for navigation and I would put it in my coat pocket.
I wore no watch. By the way there were few tourists from the US.

x2. Be very aware of surroundings and pickpockets.

[Sgooter]

I've journeyed thru all of Italy often from 1970s thru 2020, and agree with Mrngrz46's assessment. It's just not worth the high risk.

[Rcollins]

I just got back from Rome, switched between my Panda and Meteorite BLRO and never once felt unsafe. Enjoy your trip!

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by Mrngrz46

Hi I lived in Rome for 33 years.

My suggestion (that I always apply to myself when going back to visit parents) is to go with a smartwatch or something low value.
Especially because you will be immediately identified as tourist (Map on the hand, asking question, strolling around like you have time to lose, American cowboy hat etc etc..) so you are by definition a prey: fake price in taxi , fake price in restaurant etc.

Last 5 years there is too much appetite for luxury watches and Rolex is on top of the menu.

Seriously, American Cowboy hat? How often do you see people wearing cowboy hats in Europe? I live in TX and rarely see people wearing them. Easy on the stereotypes.

[sgarrity]

It’s amazing some of you ever wear your Rolex outside of your house. I’ve never felt anything but safe in Italy.

[Arid]

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Wear your Rolex.

[TheWatchmen]

These threads always amuse me, like anyone on an Internet forum could give practical advice about wearing an expensive watch in a foreign city, and a large one at that.

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by edisonstar23

Exactly what I was thinking. I guess we don’t mind wearing out watches here in NYC because its our home and we know these streets


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I live in LA and just last weekend had dinner in Beverly Hills. I picked a more low key location (eg a rooftop hotel restaurant) than one of the more popular locations on Beverly Drive exactly because of thieves. I don’t want to be a target when I’m on the sidewalk.

I also wore a Rolex and an expensive bracelet to an event downtown at LA Live. While I was safe in the venue, we were done after 11 p.m., and I put both my watch and my bracelet in my purse before I went outside to get my car.

I’ve definitely changed my behavior and watch wearing because of crime here in the last year. While all of my watches are insured I don’t want to go through the actual process of being robbed. I also don’t pretend that thieves don’t know what a Rolex is. I saw a lot of DJs and some Daytonas at a recent conference downtown, but I didn’t comment on them, either. A Daytona, Submariner, or a fluted bezel Rolex model are amongst the most recognized watches in the world. All of the wall clocks at LAX airport are fluted bezel Rolex clocks.

I just returned from a spring break trip to Nashville. I didn’t feel unsafe at any of the venues downtown on Broadway, at the Ryman, or at the Grand Ole Opry.

So yes, Los Angeles is a big place, and there are plenty of places where I wear my Rolex watches without any concern. I imagine NYC is the same. But, as a non-native I wouldn’t know where those specific places are.

[dlrolex]

I would never wear my Rolex in Rome. Good luck.

[EdwardC]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree thousands of Italians and people in most other countries world wide wear there Rolex watches each day.Just use common sense dont go around with a sign saying hey look at me I am wearing a Rolex.

This. Just be situation aware

[garyk]

Last time in Rome, an African gentleman tried to sell me a watch from a briefcase. He said "good watch". I told him I'm pretty sure Panerai doesn't make a watch with a Royal blue dial. I was wearing a Timex and tried to trade for a Panerai. He was insulted at first but after I said, "it keeps on ticking", we and his friends had a good laugh...

[Zuger]

No unless it’s under long sleeves. A robbery could take less than 10 seconds.

[S’portEye]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

Seriously, American Cowboy hat? How often do you see people wearing cowboy hats in Europe? I live in TX and rarely see people wearing them. Easy on the stereotypes.

He already addressed it. He was just doing it for some effect. Are all Americans now so sensitive that we can’t handle a little stereotyping?
It certainly doesn’t bother me.

[rlextherobot]

Spent the equivalent of several months in Rome over the last decade, and I say wear it. Pickpockets and thieves will target your wallet, but getting the watch off someone's wrist (especially on a bracelet) is difficult and presents a lot of risk for them. Be smart and you shouldn't have any worries.

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

[WalterE]

Price of watch insurance: 500+
Price of a swatch: 50-250 (MoonSwatch)

Easy decision in my book...

[WalterE]

Originally Posted by rlextherobot

Spent the equivalent of several months in Rome over the last decade, and I say wear it. Pickpockets and thieves will target your wallet, but getting the watch off someone's wrist (especially on a bracelet) is difficult and presents a lot of risk for them. Be smart and you shouldn't have any worries.

Pickpockets are a real issue. Thief expertly "lifted" my niece's handbag in Rome barely a week ago. I have lost my wallet to pickpockets in Italy, as other members of my family have too. And not just once! No shady alleys, simply crowded places (public transport, going to the open air markets, commercial streets, etc)

Some major European touristic destinations are increasingly suffering from gangs specialised in robbing luxury watches. Barcelona is one. These gangs are highly mobile and move along the coast from one major location to another. Not yet overly present in Rome, but it has all the conditions for them to show up too.

Apple Watch or MoonSwatch. Cheaper than insurance and way more colourful!

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

Seriously, American Cowboy hat? How often do you see people wearing cowboy hats in Europe? I live in TX and rarely see people wearing them. Easy on the stereotypes.

Come on, we all know that a Texas cowboy hat + tiffany blue Uranus moonswatch is the best outfit combination possible while site seeing! Lasso plus Ted Lasso mustache optional.

[daOnlyBG]

Insure it and wear it.