Muggings and Thefts.

I've no desire to ever go to London again. Just avoid it altogether.

London city life doesn't affect me, so I don't feel that there's the same risk in my home city. Even if it were a risk I'm not overly concerned as I don't brandish my watch about for all to see when I am out. It's usually tucked under a shirt/jumper sleeve as opposed to being spotable from 100 feet.

I'd be a fool to think I'm immune from risk but it wouldn't stop me from wearing my Rolex out on a Saturday night. I'm sure there's lots of people out there that will have more valuable watches than I have that are only too happy for others to see them wearing them.

It depends on which City I'm in. But the thought does unfortunately cross my mind.

A few weeks back I was on the train in my Orient. Chap got on, sat opposite, and noticeably noticed me adjusting the bezel. (I was underground, not underwater, but hey ho) He then put on a show of getting out his Rolex Sub from his bag, popping it on. Adjusting it. Readjusting it. Fiddling with the clasp with his arm in the air to make sure that crown was visible.

I like to think it was some sort of watch-brotherhood salute, as opposed to a person who clearly knew the risks (why keep it his bag otherwise?) and was trying to show off. But clearly some people are not so fussed.

I’ve seen a few posh watches on the tube since, now I am paying attention, but none came with the full cabaret show like that one did.

Watch the YouTube videos of Paul Thorpe, he’s helping to try and crack down on this

I used to work every day in London, in Soho and Camden, neither of which are "safe" areas. I still wore any of my watches.

The exception is when going out in the evening when you know it's too busy to stay in control of your surroundings. But that's no different to any other big city anywhere in the world.

I wouldnt wear a recognised luxury watch however plently fly under the radar. The robbers have spotters that are hanging about well know shops and areas. Flash it and be prepaired to defend or hand it over. This isnt an issue in my home town so doesnt effect me unless i travel. It should also ve pointed out that this is not new. Pop on a Rolex and wonder down the beach front in Rio and you might get shot for it

Definitely not new but getting worse in many big cities. Pop culture and the huge value of some of the watches added to the fact demand outweighs supply is a big issue. When even celebrities are getting attacked in broad daylight things are getting out of hand. IMO

This is the reason why every collector needs a G-Shock. Best remedy is not to carry anything that is of certain value.

I was in Angola in 2001 and we were in Luanda and the guy I was with was wearing a TAG Carrera. I didn’t notice however the bar staff certainly did. When we came out there was a gang with machete’s asking (with a smile) to see his watch. I grabbed his wrist and took off the watch and offered it to them as a gift. The smiled and walked away. When I got my mate round the corner I grabbed him by the throat and let him know is no uncertain terms that he was an idiot and deserved to be robbed. There were people sleeping in boxes in the gutters. Walking about with a luxury watch on was a humiliating act. Social media has amplified things into western culture where scumbags have been mobilised with a bit of knowledge. They have always been there however they see an easy target. In London you are highly likely to be robbed with people armed with knives so you need to be careful. ALWAY have insurance that covers you watches at home and our and about and make sure you fully understand the terms of your insurance. I.e. replacement, replacement value, current value in the market etc.

I agree but it's a bit sad when you're going on a big night out getting all dressed up and decide to leave the Rolex at home because you don't feel safe walking about the west end (or similar) 😔

I agree it's pointless wearing a 5k watch in South London

There are moped gangs coordinating with foot muggers who can grab a watch in seconds and disappear.

Besides I get a kick out of a bargain and enjoyment by extensive research.

Homages are getting as near to the real experience or sometimes , in the case of Seiko , better specs

I am clumsy so having 6k on my wrist will just ruin the fun and freedom .

So I stick to used , entry level Swiss , homages and budget brands like Vostok or Bulova

Much more fun and I am refining my tastes without spending too much or buying the wrong expensive watch

I’m born and raised in east London. Grew up around crime and muggings etc so maybe I’m a bit immune to it. But I still wear my watches here and use my street smarts to avoid trouble/danger.

I agree it’s a shame that it’s come to this..

Just another reason to add to the list of why I don’t visit London

A nice watch is a nice watch - doesn’t have to be a Rolex (or insert highly sought after brand here). You can wear something that makes you feel/look good without it being a Rolex/Richard Mille. Non watch people will probably just say ‘nice watch’ anyway. Just try not to wear highly sought after watches. Should it have to come to this? No, of course not but only an individual can decide if it’s worth the attention of dealing with scum/pond life (apologies to actual pond dwelling creatures).

Maybe one day - Timex, Swatch, G-Shocks will be the highly sought after items of interest to the thieves and we’ll have to go back to wearing Rolexes….who knows, it’s a crazy world and we should just try to exercise caution and keep our wits about us as best we can

They are definitely using spotters. Some people are being targeted due to the way they are walking about, shopping etc. the word is also out so I think people are more aware. When your dealing with the below you need to keep your wits about you.https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/topless-man-covered-blood-flees-27658765

Luckily I live on the South coast around 100km from Sydney in Australia, more likely to be bitten by something than mugged :)

Same all over the world. There are places in Atlanta, GA USA that I won't wear an expensive watch. But there are plenty of others that I will.

Let him act the fool, showing it off. They'll ignore you and follow him. But the fact it wasn't on his wrist speaks volumes. He knows the state of things in London.

I wasn’t fussed. Found it bemusing, and as I say, I can’t be sure it wasn’t some form of greeting. At the very least, he clearly felt ‘oh, well that dudes got steel on the wrist, I might as well put mine on’ it’s not like my wife was going to swoon and immediately question life choices on the Tube xD

those statistics are just peanuts.....the chances of being mugged are about the same as being hit by lightning.

The chance of getting involved in a car accident is 1 in 366 per 1000 miles......that's gigantically more likely than getting mugged, are you going to stop driving your car now too?

Just wear your watch and be aware of your surroundings.

And yes sometimes shit happens but shit can happen with so many things...you can also lock yourself at home but even then you can fall down the stairs.

Not sure how to work out the chances of being mugged while wearing a expensive watch as I have no baseline data. How many people are walking around London wearing an expensive watch and how many have had them stolen? My guess is your more likely to be burgled while you're out than mugged but it's a crime on the increase and interesting to see how people are reacting to it.

Should have winked an said turkey 🇹🇷 🤣😂

Get shot in Manchester for wearing one too,nearly caught a bullet a couple of times wearing no watch and for no profitable gain just mad places,life's a gamble just got to make sure you even your odds 👌

Totally agree my friend I would have done the same no amount of money or pride is worth a life,unfortunately places like that even without a watch your a target because your seen to be rich because of the impression TV and culture reflects on poor countries about anyone not from there,same in our country too your not from a deprived area and you don't know anyone your risking your life and wallet I've lived it,moved to the countryside never look back 👌

The people is that people willing to rob, shoot stab do it for a living. You only have 2 options, play at their level (chances are you will loose because you will never be able to go down to the level they are at) or make sure you play elsewhere. The country seems like a good move! Cameras everywhere, insurance in place.

That's why I moved my friend,to old time to relax plus my children can enjoy bike riding in the hills instead of getting there bike robbed from outside the shops 😂

It’s scary times. It’s a reason I haven’t bought a Rolex yet.. when I go into town I usually wear my Seiko or MoonSwatch’s. Whilst I’m a big guy I’m also quite hot headed so would tend to not take any crap from those low lives.

Of course I don’t want to get mugged or shot for a fake watch! How depressing is that.

I just wear something less mainstream, no bezels, all steel if I’m out walking in the city at night.

Theft is really getting out of hand, just a few weeks ago someone stole my fathers daytona, fortunately he is ok, but gosh! I found a platform that was made to report stolen watches, it’s called JoinTrack.org I hope this helps a bit.