Wearing a Rolex in Barcelona and/or Paris?

[Beep Beep]

Difficult to give a reliable answer, without knowing what you intend to do, where you will go, alone or in a group. There are cases of violent thefts of watches, in certain beautiful districts of Paris. A special police service has just been created to fight against this. There would be "international" gangs and small local thugs who see a quick and easy source of income. There could also be complicity in certain restaurants or hotels. Tricksters would warn thieves.
I think it's difficult to evolve in a city where you don't know the population, the good and the bad, the habits, the codes when you walk alone. I am unable to tell you go ahead it's safe when you could be a victim and vice versa. As many contributors rightly point out, it is not advisable to ostentatiously display a valuable watch in Paris. This is also my advice. Have a good stay.

[inadeje]

Sadly, Europe is much like certain areas of the U.S. The hype around watches has only amplified the desirability by the wrong type of people. I am wearing my watches less and less, and while say 10 years ago I’d take two nice watches on my annual 3 month summer stay in Europe, I now no longer take any, rather just a few cheapies, seiko, steinhart or casio. Look at my signature and you’ll see why I’m totally dismayed by this current situation (thats getting worse).

It’s all a huge shame.

[Crashblue]

From my personal experience avoid the tourist hot spots in Barcelona (Ramblas, the area around the city beach...) and Paris (especially the underground passage to Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Cœur and the surrounds of the Tour Eiffel).

In Paris they currently target a lot of Richard Milles around the Champs-Élysées.

[strettyend]

No chance in Barcelona. It stands out as one place I would definitely not wear an expensive watch. Have too much first and second hand experience to know not to wear any flashy watch in that city.

[joli160]

The point of a vacation is to have a nice time. For me that includes enjoy wearing a nice watch.
If I was afraid of getting mugged I would find another destination. There are many nice places in Spain.

[samuel019]

Can’t speak for Barcelona but I was just in Paris last month for a good bit as an American tourist

Wore my 216570 but felt like I could’ve worn anything I wanted.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Dougiebaby

If you look like him, wear your Rolex…




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



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Lol, Amir Khan with build similar to the rock and serious skills to fight back just got jacked for his watch so that's little protection these days.

[rolehex]

Barcelona is worst place on the planet to wear a nice watch.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Closs1909

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!

This is exactly why I bought a Tudor bb58. Amazing feeling watch crazy accuracy no fuss no muss. More understated and subtle.




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[Bizcut1]

Check out the north Maui coast instead...just saying.

Aloha.

[996marty]

I found Paris to be just fine but I’d be more concerned about Barcelona.I suppose it’s all about common sense in the end if you show a good looking watch off in the wrong areas anywhere in the world you could be asking for trouble.You get good and bad people everywhere have a great trip.

[mattidk]

Depends where you are in both cities, i will not flash my Rolex especially in the evening time.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Dougiebaby

If you look like him, wear your Rolex…




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



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Guys, hate to say this, but that pretty much rules out everyone on this forum from wearing a Rolex.


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[Andad]

Originally Posted by Chester01

Lol, Amir Khan with build similar to the rock and serious skills to fight back just got jacked for his watch so that's little protection these days.

The Rock weighs 66 kg?

Try 112.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

do you really want to put your family in harms way because you refuse to wear a gshock for 2 weeks?

Agree. Unfortunate, but why risk it? Get a Seiko SKX 007 if you want to wear a nice steel sports watch in a major theft area. 200 bucks.

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by Krash

Guys, hate to say this, but that pretty much rules out everyone on this forum from wearing a Rolex.


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That’s okay. Most of us are only waiting in line for a Rolex and not actually wearing Rolex. Ha.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by joli160

The point of a vacation is to have a nice time. For me that includes enjoy wearing a nice watch.
If I was afraid of getting mugged I would find another destination. There are many nice places in Spain.

100% the same.

Why own a Rolex at all. You could just as easily get robbed where you live

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

This is exactly why I bought a Tudor bb58. Amazing feeling watch crazy accuracy no fuss no muss. More understated and subtle.

That's very likely to be a "target watch", because it's still worth a pretty penny to a street thief.

I wear a Casio F-91W, cost me ten bucks and still a "cult watch". It's a lovable thing, and keeps me safe from watch-targeted theft.

https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a...-worth-buying/

[edisonstar23]

If you are street enough to not get mugged in NYC, you should be fine. Always use caution, when in doubt place your watch under your sleeve.

I prefer not to travel with personal high value items. I just don’t want to bother with the headache of looking around and worrying about being spotted in not so know places. I take my G shock


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[1William]

When in doubt, don't. So many cool, less expensive watches out there that will work and not make you worry or be a target. I have always enjoyed my Seiko's and this is what I would wear.

[Philadelphialawyer1]

My now wife and I went to Barcelona in August 2019. She wore her solitare and I wore my sub. We are city dwellers so we are always aware but there are hords of dirt bags sliming around the las Ramblas area. Be aware, stay off of the small, dark streets in the Gothic district at night and when in doubt, leave it in the hotel safe.

[Cru Jones]

Do you wear it when visiting Chicago, Miami or San Francisco?

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Andad

The Rock weighs 66 kg?

Try 112.

Well weight aside, I would not mess with either of them, but that’s not stopping the criminals today.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Do you wear it when visiting Chicago, Miami or San Francisco?

Toronto, Singapore, Madrid.

Damn it, I can’t leave the house … better buy a safe and store it

[rover26c]

If in doubt, don’t wear your Rolex. We will be in Greece, Italy & Turkey in June and we will wear our Rolex watches.

[Societas]

Paris = be extra cautious as a tourist in areas around Champs Elysées / Arc de Triomphe / Tour Eiffel. Lots of pick pockets targetting tourists in metro line 6 in those areas.

Rest of the city = usually mindfulness of environment.

[douglasf13]

According to a recent Vanity Fair article, watch thefts were up 3x last year in Paris. Apparently gangs are targeting them.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

This is exactly why I bought a Tudor bb58. Amazing feeling watch crazy accuracy no fuss no muss. More understated and subtle.




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Good idea but every thief idiot out there is going to think that’s a sub lol

[Beep Beep]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Good idea but every thief idiot out there is going to think that’s a sub lol

Some thieves have attacked people wearing watches that look like luxury goods. Getting beat up for a lookalike
Concerning thieves, we cannot hope to make a racehorse out of a donkey.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Good idea but every thief idiot out there is going to think that’s a sub lol

That’s a good point, but hopefully I’ll be standing next to one of you guys with a Rolex on! Lol


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