With the economy all over the show and stories of watch theft on the rise. I wondered what people’s thoughts were on great timepieces that fly under the radar and wouldn‘t occur to thieves as having (perhaps significant) value - which would perhaps be worth risking a stay behind bars.
I had considered Glashutte Original the Pano series as a contender, maybe even Blancpain (pretty much everything is subtle)?
What about you? Any ideas of brands/models that don’t look as expensive as they are?
This account is verified. WatchCrunch has confirmed that this account is the authentic presence for this person or brand.
Perhaps the Seiko SLA037. I doubt the average person looking at it would assume that it's in the same ballpark as an Omega Seamaster in terms of value. The Seiko name has a rich history, but people tend to associate it with more affordable entry level pieces. Not watches that retail for several thousand dollars.
Perhaps the Seiko SLA037. I doubt the average person looking at it would assume that it's in the same ballpark as an Omega Seamaster in terms of value. The Seiko name has a rich history, but people tend to associate it with more affordable entry level pieces. Not watches that retail for several thousand dollars.
Yeah that’s a good call, Seiko‘s can cost… well, any price.
Nomos is one I often confuse with some of Junghans due to the Bauhaus simplicity of their designs - allowing that type of look to fly under the radar.
I don’t know whether Omega is a brand that draws jealous looks in the same way as Rolex, although still worth a lot!
Good call on Blancpain in this category. My BPFF Bathyscaphe has become my travel watch for exactly this reason. It’s discreet, versatile and very capable.
CWC Mellor Quartz 😅 Too cheap? Go mechanical.
Pretty much ANYTHING other than Rolex should be under the radar of your run of the mill thief/robber. For that matter, I dare to venture that even a Rolex on a leather strap instead of the typical metal bracelet should fly under the radar.
You had to great ones, with GO and BP. Throw in GS, JLC, and I would even say Vacheron.
Avoid the hype watches, Rolex, PP Nautilus, AP Royal Oak, Richard Mille, Hublot, Jacob & Co. etc. They will take a serious hit. All the long established brands that @AllTheWatches mentioned plus Girard-Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin, Mont Blanc, Omega, IWC, Jacquette Droz and Breguet are better bets as long as you buy right. Shop prices everywhere before you negotiate.
Nobody knows what this watch is...
Nobody knows what this watch is...
I bloody do :)
That is an amazing watch, sir. It‘s not even under the radar - that’s a straight up stealth bomber.
It’s about the best of the best divers ever created and I’d gladly wear that!
Frankly, I'm pretty certain outside Rolexes, Patek Phillipe Nautiluses, and AP Royal Oaks, folks don't know what most watches are. Like I would bet a very substantial amount of money that a prospective thief wouldn't take a second look at a VC 56 annual calendar or a non gold calatrava.
From personal experience, not a single person has ever given a second look to my JLC.
Frankly, I'm pretty certain outside Rolexes, Patek Phillipe Nautiluses, and AP Royal Oaks, folks don't know what most watches are. Like I would bet a very substantial amount of money that a prospective thief wouldn't take a second look at a VC 56 annual calendar or a non gold calatrava.
From personal experience, not a single person has ever given a second look to my JLC.
Bang on about JLC as a brand that is overlooked - in pretty much every sense, unfortunately.
Personally, I love the elegance of the Master Ultra Thin Moon
Within the Rolex catalogue, the Explorer I is sometimes positioned as the under-the-radar option... what are people's thoughts there?
Within the Rolex catalogue, the Explorer I is sometimes positioned as the under-the-radar option... what are people's thoughts there?
It is quite plain but still ‘Rolex-y’ and likely to attract attention. It’s too close to several other models to fly under the radar.
When I think of what Rolex I’d like, the Rolex doesn’t come to mind….and that’s probably a good thing :)
Frankly, I'm pretty certain outside Rolexes, Patek Phillipe Nautiluses, and AP Royal Oaks, folks don't know what most watches are. Like I would bet a very substantial amount of money that a prospective thief wouldn't take a second look at a VC 56 annual calendar or a non gold calatrava.
From personal experience, not a single person has ever given a second look to my JLC.
Yeah I agree. London is a different story though, as there are dedicated gangs of watch spotters who hang around wealthy areas specifically to target high end watches, and I believe LA is going the same way.
great choices. I never Have pulled the trigger, but have been very close on the GO Panoreserve.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DBe_3cuo5YQ&feature=share&si=EMSIkaIECMiOmarE6JChQQ
It is quite plain but still ‘Rolex-y’ and likely to attract attention. It’s too close to several other models to fly under the radar.
When I think of what Rolex I’d like, the Rolex doesn’t come to mind….and that’s probably a good thing :)
I am intrigued now as to the Rolex you like..!
I am intrigued now as to the Rolex you like..!
Personally I like classically elegant ones like the Datejust (non fluted bezel) or the OP.
It‘s moot since I can’t afford ones that are available :)
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.