Wearing two watches / Rolex in Africa

[ghostrice]

Two topics really, but since I get the feeling you guys will beat me up for both of them, thought I go in for a gang-bang.

I live in Asia, don't go into an office, and really don't care what anyone thinks. 99% of the people I encounter have no idea what a Rolex is - the very few that do are pretty much the ones I should watch out for.

I just have Sea Dweller, nothing flashy.

Lately I've been wearing me Rolex on left hand (face out) and an all black Apple watch (face in) on right arm. I do it cause I have arrhythmia and some heart issues and I like to be able to track my HR all the time.


The other day at a bar another foreigner had a good laugh I was wearing two watches, essentially he was saying just frigging decide which camp I'm I'm and stick to it.

I love my Rolex, I've worn it for 16 years through 100+ countries. I'd like to pass it on to my son when the time comes. I guess I don't see the problem wearing the all black Apple (face-in) if I need to track my HR... Anyway..


Second point.

I've worn the Rolex in some very dodgy places over the years - Haiti, Rio and Indian slums, late night and places I probs shouldn't be in many countries. I've never hand an issue - just turn it face in. Worst in was a guy in Philippines who wanted to 'try it on' for a min.. lol

However, headed for western Africa next month (Addis, Nairobi, Somoliland, Mombassa, Zanzibar, Madagascar etc.. Really the only time I've actually stopped to think about how little I would like to lose my watch (history / not value).

But, I mean it's traveled through so many countries with me - hate to leave it behind. I do tend to end up at late night venues in seedy places.. but nothing else on me is flashy - long hair, beard, average clothes etc. Don't look like i have any money.

Friend suggested i put a piece of duct tape on the band, and wear the face inward.


Dunno. Paranoid?

[superlativechrono]

Having spent time there I would advise against wearing a Rolex in east Africa. Sorry to say it but the best thing that could happen is that it would be stolen.

[artschool]

I don't think you should wear your Apple Watch either.

[Travelair007]

OP, you haven’t had an issue in 20 years! here’s to you and your health! BUT, it doesn’t mean that you were necessarily doing something right. Luck, wrong time wrong place plays a factor in the quantum of time. A Rolex is a Rolex and in some countries, people got their hands hacked off for their watch.

Depends who you are, how you can handle yourself, are you alone or with family, etc. Speaking of being able to handle yourself, an Ex-SAS stated in an article posted on TRF that you should always carry a Rolex in those countries because it’s like currency and can be traded for certain things.

I sort of chuckle at the idea... I’m not ex-SAS but like some people on this forum, I have been trained by and been part of the Military and I would not use my skills (Haha Liam Neeson!! ) to tempt fate...

That’s like saying you should carry a stack of US hundred dollar bills because they are currency everywhere...

As far as the Apple Watch goes....

Lol... just kidding!

[1William]

I don't see and issue with wearing what you want and when you want. You have a very good reason to wear the Apple watch. Continue.

[Heff]

I wore my Explorer II in east Africa and didn’t have any problems. It’s all about your comfort level though brother.


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[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by ghostrice

Two topics really, but since I get the feeling you guys will beat me up for both of them, thought I go in for a gang-bang.

I live in Asia, don't go into an office, and really don't care what anyone thinks. 99% of the people I encounter have no idea what a Rolex is - the very few that do are pretty much the ones I should watch out for.

I just have Sea Dweller, nothing flashy.

Lately I've been wearing me Rolex on left hand (face out) and an all black Apple watch (face in) on right arm. I do it cause I have arrhythmia and some heart issues and I like to be able to track my HR all the time.


The other day at a bar another foreigner had a good laugh I was wearing two watches, essentially he was saying just frigging decide which camp I'm I'm and stick to it.

I love my Rolex, I've worn it for 16 years through 100+ countries. I'd like to pass it on to my son when the time comes. I guess I don't see the problem wearing the all black Apple (face-in) if I need to track my HR... Anyway..


Second point.

I've worn the Rolex in some very dodgy places over the years - Haiti, Rio and Indian slums, late night and places I probs shouldn't be in many countries. I've never hand an issue - just turn it face in. Worst in was a guy in Philippines who wanted to 'try it on' for a min.. lol

However, headed for western Africa next month (Addis, Nairobi, Somoliland, Mombassa, Zanzibar, Madagascar etc.. Really the only time I've actually stopped to think about how little I would like to lose my watch (history / not value).

But, I mean it's traveled through so many countries with me - hate to leave it behind. I do tend to end up at late night venues in seedy places.. but nothing else on me is flashy - long hair, beard, average clothes etc. Don't look like i have any money.

Friend suggested i put a piece of duct tape on the band, and wear the face inward.


Dunno. Paranoid?

Let us know how that turns out....

[Wesley Crusher]

Should have titled this thread “Is it safe? Gang Bangs and Africa”

[.brian.]

No, I personally would not wear a watch while visiting Africa.

[Chris722]

One of my friends has his watch stolen in morocco , the watch was stored in the safe hotel room.

[TK-710]

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[pickettt]

Wearing two watches gets more attention than wearing one Rolex, if you ask me. And.....if I were not a watch guy, I’d probably notice you were wearing duct tape on your wrist before I noticed you were wearing a Rolex. I’m not telling you should wear it or not, but the solutions to hide it seem to bring it further out into the open.

[Burlington]

If you put it on a NATO or rubber strap it will be less obvious - ultimately it’s a risk / reward equation only you can know the answer to.

[SkyJuice]

For me i wouldn't think of wearing it at any dodgy places.

[BigBoy17]

Why not wear three watches, two on the wrist and one like flavor flav...

[raky]

I would never wear a Rolex to Africa. I have some family that lives in Kenya. When we were visiting, my uncle was driving us around. We literally drove past a riot on a street and later on drove thru a crossing with corrupt police officers with machine guns looking for a bribe. Not worth the risk in my opinion. This was 10 years ago or so but I doubt much has changed.

[nick c]

Please don’t.

[MILGAUSS88]

I had some friends from Africa in college.
They told me that thieves would not grab the watch off your wrist or mug you.
They would just chop off your hand below the wrist and take both.
Wether they we're exaggerating or not I don't know.
Either way, there are worse things than losing your watch that you may want to consider.

[ajas]

Calculate risk and take decision. I wore Sub in many doggy places, but in East Africa I would rather use Rolex as pocket watch


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[broken_link]

Some advise to wear a tennis band on your wrist covering the watch.

[junamuan]

Went to Africa for 6 weeks with my Breitling. Not with Rolex IMO.

[toxicavenger]

gang bang or not you are asking for trouble wearing any the watches you have to Africa.

[swatty]

Gang bang must have a different meaning in Thailand ?

[mjr24]

Originally Posted by swatty

Gang bang must have a different meaning in Thailand ?

In Thailand? That’s the origin of the word.

[Robadob]

I’m going to throw this out there, Africa is a continent of about 30.3 million km² including adjacent islands, with 54 countries and a population of over 1.2 billion people. Don’t be ignorant, as ignorance breeds fear, fear breeds prejudice etc. etc.

If I were staying in Accra I’d have no issue wearing my Rolex. However, if I were going to Mogadishu it would be a different story.

To the OP, I’d probably avoid wearing it in all but Hargeisa and Zanzibar. Outward signs of wealth are likely to make you a target in the other cities you’ve mentioned. Best to avoid it if you can.


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[pickettt]

I've said it before; If it's not safe for my belongings, it's not safe for the rest of me. That being said, I've never been to Africa but I don't buy into paradigms painted for us by others who have never been there.

[lew07]

No do not wear a Rolex in Africa.Wear a cheap Quartz That You don’t mind handing over if You are held up.Lets put it this way .Would You walk around with the equivalent of cash for a Rolex on display in Your hand?

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by lew07

Lets put it this way .Would You walk around with the equivalent of cash for a Rolex on display in Your hand?

I wouldn't do that here in the U.S., and I hear it's not a great idea in London either (but that's just what I hear).

[Gasoil4ever]

I have been living in central Africa over 16 years now have traveled in western and Eastern Africa too. Never had any issue single with my watches.

99,99% of the population on that continent have more important issues to take care of that the watch you are wearing.

[520Matt]

I wore my Tudor on an african safari last summer. We landed in Nairobi late 12am and were shuttled to our hotel by our guides and then picked up early the next morning to fly to the maasai mara. Cruising around Nairobi is probably a little different