Rolex Batman stolen in Barcelona, Spain

[Vamp]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Need more details to formulate a response. As for the Barcelona fear mongers...here we go.....

Omg thinking the same thing just didn’t want to speak about it as I’m going to Paris April 1st

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by Vamp

Omg thinking the same thing just didn’t want to speak about it as I’m going to Paris April 1st

Oh you should have seen the Paris thread. You'd think it was a third world country during the mad max era.
I have been to Barcelona and had a great time, bought my wife her Rolex there and had no issues. Will go back wearing my Rolex like I always do, my motto is, if it's not safe for my own body then it's not safe for my watch, watch yourself and your surroundings even at Disney World.



We don't have any details, it's one post and we don't know the motive. I'm a suspicious person, maybe he's angry at a seller and now listing his watch as stolen so the guy is now screwed....who knows...but I need details first, can't just randomly believe everything on the internet.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by MP5

Why? Someone was able to take a Tang buckle strap right off of President W Bush when he was shaking hands in a crowd. With secret service inches away. He didn't realize his watch was gone till much later

That's what the news initially reported, but in actuality the president's watch was removed a member of his security detail.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-a...85325620070613

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

That's what the news initially reported, but in actuality the president's watch was removed a member of his security detail.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-a...85325620070613

Not related to this but interesting as well, is the video of David Blain doing some magic for Pres Bush and then following that removes his watch during a handshake. If you look close enough you can see him do it. Was pretty entertaining.

[daytonagmt]

Oh, that's really bad. Rolex is easily spotted, especially when you are holding the handrail in the metro. I was robbed in Athens Metro a few years ago, I already put my backpack in front of me, and the thiefs still tried to rob it. I wasn't wearing a Rolex. If I was, maybe they would be more aggressive .

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[MP5]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

That's what the news initially reported, but in actuality the president's watch was removed a member of his security detail.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-a...85325620070613

Awesome Grady thanks for correcting that. Just shows how the initial reports last decades in people's minds

[LuminousMaximus]

I'm not sure about op's post, but I did learn that con men can remove watch without you even knowing about it...

So, not a total loss here...

either way, thanks OP for getting us to talk about theft abroad...

[SlideRacker]

I never wear expensive jewelry when I travel abroad. But I do carry in my back pocket a cheap wallet from Walmart with nothing in it except a little card with a happy face that reads "Have a Nice Day".

[lawrence1]

I can see someone unbuckling a strap and swiping a watch without you noticing but how does one remove a bracelet off of your hand without you noticing. I feel like there’s more to this story than what was posted.

[lawrence1]

Originally Posted by SlideRacker

I never wear expensive jewelry when I travel abroad. But I do carry in my back pocket a cheap wallet from Walmart with nothing in it except a little card with a happy face that reads "Have a Nice Day".

this is an excellent idea!

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by MP5

Awesome Grady thanks for correcting that. Just shows how the initial reports last decades in people's minds

Yep.

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[DistinctiveTime]

Very unfortunate OP... My friend had his hulk taken right off his wrist on the promenade near the casino a few years back. Having said that, still one of my favourite cities in Europe. I would never travel anywhere without my watch being insured for peace of mind.

[rolehex]

Originally Posted by rudestew

Wouldn’t wear a timex in Barcelona or Naples

So true.

[Vaxe]

Sad to see this kinda stuff happen so regularly in Barcelona. I think this is the 3rd thread this year already.

[kwingy]

My friend was on his stag do in Barcelona wearing his Daytona when a thief tried to take his Daytona in a crowd....the thief didn't bargain that my friend had 10 guys with him....I shouldn't repeat what happened next! But lets just say the thief was taught a harsh lesson...

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by Swashplate

Pickpockets are impressive.....I find that if you put your hands in each opposing armpit when walking through crowds that tends to do the trick. It also keeps the elbows up for defensive maneuvers.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by Rashid.bk

Oh you should have seen the Paris thread. You'd think it was a third world country during the mad max era.
I have been to Barcelona and had a great time, bought my wife her Rolex there and had no issues. Will go back wearing my Rolex like I always do, my motto is, if it's not safe for my own body then it's not safe for my watch, watch yourself and your surroundings even at Disney World.



We don't have any details, it's one post and we don't know the motive. I'm a suspicious person, maybe he's angry at a seller and now listing his watch as stolen so the guy is now screwed....who knows...but I need details first, can't just randomly believe everything on the internet.

Agree. I've wandered around Barcelona and Naples with my Hulk on - never even crossed my mind, any more than it would in the city where I live or any of the other cities I've wandered around where there is the equally tiny chance of getting robbed. Either wear a watch or don't - or only wear it at home inside an armoured cage perhaps. Or superglue your Rolex to your wrist?

[Number3]

Originally Posted by kwingy

My friend was on his stag do in Barcelona wearing his Daytona when a thief tried to take his Daytona in a crowd....the thief didn't bargain that my friend had 10 guys with him....I shouldn't repeat what happened next! But lets just say the thief was taught a harsh lesson...

That’s called Karma!

[Rushne]

If this is in fact a legit thread I feel for the OP

I nearly had my Panerai stolen in Barcelona last year in September.

Luckily I had seen a few videos of how pickpockets actually do their trick and as soon as this a**hole touched my wrist I pulled away from him and he'd already started trying to unbuckle the strap.

I hate anyone touching me... even in crowded places I slip through without bumping or touching anyone. If I am constantly aware of who is coming I avoid all contact.

Of course if you want to stand and enjoy a street performer, I just stand there with my hands in my pockets on all my belongings so I know where everything is.
It takes constant effort and energy but it means I don't get swindled.
I am also mainly watching that nothing is happening to my girlfriend as well as her head is in the clouds sometimes haha.

[stash21]

happened to me, had my breitling stolen. file a police report for the insurance and move on.

[Langnam]

Originally Posted by Quailhunter

I have no way of knowing if the theft was real, but I’ve seen a professional pickpocket/magician do his thing in a very small group of about 12 people in a cozy room. Watches, wallets, etc all were removed without the donors realizing their things were missing. Unlike a real theft, everyone got their stuff back.

You wear something “collectible” in a high risk environment, you may well become a donor.

Same thing happened to me years ago. A magician came to our full table, showed me some card trick and lifted my Lange1 off my wrist. I never knew it was gone until he came back a few minutes later to return my watch!

[Nikrnic]

So sorry for your bummer experience. I hope your bat somehow is returned to you. I don't leave the US anymore but I have worn my Blnr when I've traveled but on extended vacations I'll take a few Seikos, that's what their for.

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[porschejeff]

Originally Posted by Rocket launcher

Ramblas in Barcelona is famous for this type of steal usually when watching the living statues..

Yup, my daughter had her wallet and phone stolen from her purse there too.

[bobby81]

Hello I am only after noticing this thread about Barcelona being so dangerous with professional pickpockets that can remove a Watch from your wrist without you knowing. In September I will be vacationing in the Costa Brava but will be flying into Barcelona before getting a coach to my destination. I use crutches but I will be only using the left one on my vacation because I will have to pull a case with my right hand. I wear my watch on the left wrist the one I’ll be using the crutch, I would imagine that this would make it a bit more difficult for someone to remove my watch without me knowing. I don’t think I will be in Barcelona very long I reckon it will be just off the Plane then getting the connecting coach. Has any TRF any advice that would be of benefit to me. This is the Rolex in question that I will be wearing, would it be very noticeable


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[CorradoBrit]

^^^^ Leave it at home or in the bank. Better safe than sorry. That Daytona will stick out like a sore thumb.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by bobby81

would it be very noticeable

Anything that looks like gold and is not a Casio will be flashing lights in Spain. Expensive watches (anything costing over a grand) are very uncommon here outside of the marinas and airports. Spaniards just typically don't have that mentality to spend a month's rent on a Tissot, much less two year's rent on a gold Rolex. So yes, you'll stick out like an Asian at a Mississippi gospel church. Not worth it.

[lecorsaire]

Originally Posted by MP5

Why? Someone was able to take a Tang buckle strap right off of President W Bush when he was shaking hands in a crowd. With secret service inches away. He didn't realize his watch was gone till much later

Wow! This is really scary! I still won’t stop wearing my watches. I can handle myself and I’m not the sort of person that guys will try to target. I don’t look like a mark and they usually go for easier targets. I wouldn’t even hand over a watch at gunpoint and I have been held up at gunpoint in NYC in the past.

[rolehex]

Originally Posted by bobby81

Hello I am only after noticing this thread about Barcelona being so dangerous with professional pickpockets that can remove a Watch from your wrist without you knowing. In September I will be vacationing in the Costa Brava but will be flying into Barcelona before getting a coach to my destination. I use crutches but I will be only using the left one on my vacation because I will have to pull a case with my right hand. I wear my watch on the left wrist the one I’ll be using the crutch, I would imagine that this would make it a bit more difficult for someone to remove my watch without me knowing. I don’t think I will be in Barcelona very long I reckon it will be just off the Plane then getting the connecting coach. Has any TRF any advice that would be of benefit to me. This is the Rolex in question that I will be wearing, would it be very noticeable

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I personally would bring something different/less flashy if you have it but...you can wear a long sleeve shirt and/or wear wristbands over it.

[bobby81]

Originally Posted by rolehex

I personally would bring something different/less flashy if you have it but...you can wear a long sleeve shirt and/or wear wristbands over it.

I usually wear tracksuits as casual wear so I will probably bring a tracksuit top with me & wear it till I get to my destination I also wear a lot of heavy yellow gold jewelry so I would probably need to cover that up as well while in Barcelona I never knew it had such a bad reputation for thieves & pickpockets but I will be wearing my watch & jewelry because I will not be put off by some lowlifes


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[Atlantic]

Originally Posted by cwilliams21

First post it's BS move on

A presumptuous conclusion.