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Old 22 April 2022, 12:45 AM   #1
Closs1909
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Wearing a Rolex in Barcelona and/or Paris?

Visiting a few cities in Europe in the coming weeks, doing some touristy things, primarily eating, drinking, shopping and walking around...and I'm curious about the safety of wearing a Rolex. Likely would wear a cermit sub, ss pepsi or daytona (either ss or pm on oysterflex). Everything of course is insured, but loosing a piece would still be super stressful.

I see the thread re Rome, so was curious to hear opinions on Paris and Barcelona.

Also I do wear all of my Rolexes in NYC daily and never feel unsafe, except on the occasional subway ride, but in those scenarios I cover them up with a sleeve or pocket. Though in NYC I'm never really in touristy situations, usually offices/restaurants/bars/shops in downtown neighborhoods.

Would love to hear everyones thoughts and experiences....thanks!
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Old 22 April 2022, 12:51 AM   #2
bp1000
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Under your sleeve, no problem.

Barcelona, especially around the train station and tourist area is not a good place to be with a nice watch on show.

I've worn nice watches all over Europe, I'm in London a lot and have worn and still wear nice watches, but you really do want to keep it hidden in the tourist areas and also inside popular nice restaurants in certain areas where there are spotters.
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Old 22 April 2022, 12:56 AM   #3
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Frankly, you're probably going to get the same exact answers as in the Rome thread. All of these "Is it safe to wear my Rolex in xxxx?" tend to follow the same pattern.

Some will say:
1. Enjoy your vacation and leave the watch at home. It's not worth the worry or risk.
2. You'll be fine. I've worn my Rolex in every country in the world and never had a problem anywhere. Just use your head.
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Old 22 April 2022, 12:58 AM   #4
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professional pickpockets/spotters in the touristy areas in Barcelona, so long as you are covered/sleeved up, you should be good.
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Old 22 April 2022, 01:04 AM   #5
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If you have to ask you have doubt. I have traveled in both locations and victimized in Paris by a pick pocket in the subway. You are really taking a chance when you see signs demonstrating a hand reaching into a purse warning of pick pocket / street thefts. Personally, I wear my Christopher Ward and if it gets stolen, so what. My expensive pieces would only make me a target. Put your wallet in your front pocket and keep your hand in that pocket in shady areas where you are susceptible. Stay Safe

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Old 22 April 2022, 01:06 AM   #6
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Barcelona has been my second home for almost thirty years and is where I bought my first Rolex. I've never had a problem wearing there when wearing a Rolex.
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Old 22 April 2022, 01:06 AM   #7
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My advice, pick a color:

https://www.gshock.com/watches/analo...tal/ga2100-1a1
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Old 22 April 2022, 01:10 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Closs1909 View Post
Everything of course is insured, but loosing a piece would still be super stressful.

I see the thread re Rome, so was curious to hear opinions on Paris and Barcelona. !
And you still decided to ask the same question. Come on now.

If it could cause you stress, don't bother and bring something cheap.
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Old 22 April 2022, 01:12 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Closs1909 View Post
Visiting a few cities in Europe in the coming weeks, doing some touristy things, primarily eating, drinking, shopping and walking around...and I'm curious about the safety of wearing a Rolex. Likely would wear a cermit sub, ss pepsi or daytona (either ss or pm on oysterflex). Everything of course is insured, but loosing a piece would still be super stressful.

I see the thread re Rome, so was curious to hear opinions on Paris and Barcelona.

Also I do wear all of my Rolexes in NYC daily and never feel unsafe, except on the occasional subway ride, but in those scenarios I cover them up with a sleeve or pocket. Though in NYC I'm never really in touristy situations, usually offices/restaurants/bars/shops in downtown neighborhoods.

Would love to hear everyones thoughts and experiences....thanks!
Would expect thousands wear Rolex watches each day in all parts of the world including Paris and Barcelona. Just dont go around with a sign on your forehead saying look at me I am wearing a Rolex.
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Old 22 April 2022, 01:12 AM   #10
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I lived in France, now in Switzerland.
Switzerland : no problem anymore, it is like France in the 60's.

In big European cities however, everything is a matter of luck. As soon as you look around you, you will avoid situations where you encounter groups of suspect people
but for peace of mind
I would myself wear it under the sleave / or pickup my bulkier but less known Seiko Tuna 1000m.
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Old 22 April 2022, 01:20 AM   #11
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It’s all about risk tolerance. No one but you can answer that question.
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Old 22 April 2022, 01:36 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Closs1909 View Post
Visiting a few cities in Europe in the coming weeks, doing some touristy things, primarily eating, drinking, shopping and walking around...and I'm curious about the safety of wearing a Rolex. Likely would wear a cermit sub, ss pepsi or daytona (either ss or pm on oysterflex). Everything of course is insured, but loosing a piece would still be super stressful.

I see the thread re Rome, so was curious to hear opinions on Paris and Barcelona.

Also I do wear all of my Rolexes in NYC daily and never feel unsafe, except on the occasional subway ride, but in those scenarios I cover them up with a sleeve or pocket. Though in NYC I'm never really in touristy situations, usually offices/restaurants/bars/shops in downtown neighborhoods.

Would love to hear everyones thoughts and experiences....thanks!

If you look like him, wear your Rolex…




If you look like him, wear a Casio and hide your wallet…



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Old 22 April 2022, 01:53 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Stew7 View Post
Frankly, you're probably going to get the same exact answers as in the Rome thread. All of these "Is it safe to wear my Rolex in xxxx?" tend to follow the same pattern.

Some will say:
1. Enjoy your vacation and leave the watch at home. It's not worth the worry or risk.
2. You'll be fine. I've worn my Rolex in every country in the world and never had a problem anywhere. Just use your head.
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:23 AM   #14
leisen
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Barcelona is the most dangerous city in Spain by far. Hundreds of thieves, most of them foreigners, swarm in Las Ramblas and the city center. They are well known and arrested by the police over and over again and released immediately due to the lax laws. Do yourself a favor and do not wear a Rolex around.
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:26 AM   #15
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Got violently attacked in Barcelona already back in 2012, and I understand that the situation has only gotten worse; just left a quite expensive restaurant in the vicinity of the beach after dinner, two guys came up and one tried to rip off (literally!) my GMT simply from my wrist. Luckily, Mossos d’Esquadra were around, and these gents certainly don’t mess around. Suggest to avoid bringing it, BCN has just gotten terrible over the past years when it comes to security (not joking: I hardly know any female visitor in my circle of friends who does not have a story of robbed/attempted robbing of their expensive handbags).

Paris, never had any problems, even with more expensive watches shown visibly.
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:26 AM   #16
doublevanose82
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I was in Paris 2 weeks ago and felt completely safe however I'm always aware of my surroundings and I always Uber it late at night.
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:28 AM   #17
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Quote:
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They are well known and arrested by the police over and over again and released immediately due to the lax laws.
What can one say ! The poor souls,hope their "rights" are not infringed !
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:30 AM   #18
WalterE
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Weather in Barcelona invites short/rolled-up sleeves. As an area of high-density affluent tourism it often attracts the attention of organised gangs, recently specialised in Rolex and other high-value watches. Police is on the look, but these gangs are highly mobile, with hit-and-move-on operations along the most affluent tourist destinations in the Spanish coast.

I would NOT wear an attractive watch for the "second-hand" circuit in Las Ramblas, etc...

Buy yourself a Swatch! Cheaper than any insurance!
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:32 AM   #19
WalterE
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And, no, there is no such thing as an "under the radar" Rolex in Barcelona, unfortunately!
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:37 AM   #20
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Wear long sleeves and if not possible - don't wear a Rolex.
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:39 AM   #21
leisen
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What can one say ! The poor souls,hope their "rights" are not infringed !
Just to say that the Major of Barcelona, Mrs. Ada Colau, was a former leader of the squatting movement. That explains a lot...
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:41 AM   #22
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If you can't wear it when you want to, why bother own it at all?
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:46 AM   #23
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Do not wear a Rolex in Barcelona under any circumstances. You are essentially a sitting duck. I can't speak for Paris, last time I went I didn't have luxury watches. Wear a Seiko, Casio, Timex, whatever beater you like.

A few illustrative videos of robberies in broad daylight in Barcelona:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbXWYsxclKY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEE4insqKfo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3l20LMiyqM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw50XNxMyag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-QzQEOAfLg

Not worth it.
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:48 AM   #24
Ricky Rolex
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Been all over the world and never taken my watches off.

For me it’s a case of just being vigilant and sensible.

You could get robbed at the end of your street at the end of the day.


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Old 22 April 2022, 02:50 AM   #25
Closs1909
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And you still decided to ask the same question. Come on now.

If it could cause you stress, don't bother and bring something cheap.
1. hearing actual experiences to those who frequent/live in these places is helpful...I think ANYONE would be stressed about losing a watch they covet, regardless of the city.

2. I asked re Paris and Barcelona because they are very different cities than Rome...just as NYC is very different w crime than LA, Miami or Chicago....
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Old 22 April 2022, 02:52 AM   #26
gerryb92
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Curious where the 'don't wear your watch under any circumstances' people wear their Rolex. I understand the sentiment, but are you really only wearing your watch at home and in your office?
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Old 22 April 2022, 03:02 AM   #27
WalterE
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Curious where the 'don't wear your watch under any circumstances' people wear their Rolex. I understand the sentiment, but are you really only wearing your watch at home and in your office?
I wear mine frequently when not daily for long periods of time. I leave it at home when visiting main touristic hubs or in highly-dense crowds (open air markets, etc), particularly in good weather when they are most exposed.

BTW, my watches are insured. Nevertheless, why attract attention onto oneself unnecessarily? Being robbed is never pleasant.
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Old 22 April 2022, 03:07 AM   #28
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Originally Posted by alphadweller View Post
Do not wear a Rolex in Barcelona under any circumstances. You are essentially a sitting duck. I can't speak for Paris, last time I went I didn't have luxury watches. Wear a Seiko, Casio, Timex, whatever beater you like.

A few illustrative videos of robberies in broad daylight in Barcelona:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbXWYsxclKY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEE4insqKfo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3l20LMiyqM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw50XNxMyag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-QzQEOAfLg

Not worth it.

Can you carry a knife in Barcelona ?
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Old 22 April 2022, 03:10 AM   #29
Closs1909
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For me, considering not wearing a watch on a trip is a completely new thought process.

Since I was 20 I've worn a Rolex everywhere I've traveled from the middle east, to rural India, EU/UK, any US city I've visited and all over Mexico and the Caribbean islands....this is the first time (based on watch value spikes and recent events/news headlines) that I'm toying with the idea of not wearing one...
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Old 22 April 2022, 03:12 AM   #30
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To those saying “just check your surrounding”…what are you going to do when you have a gun pointed to your head because they followed you back to your car or hotel? Even if you have your watch insured and you don’t care if it gets stolen; do you really want to put your family in harms way because you refuse to wear a gshock for 2 weeks?

Amir Khan, an Olympic boxer, just got robbed at gun point for his watch in London 2 nights ago. It took less than 15 seconds to do it
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