Headed to London

So we are headed to London in September and I’d like to take three or four watches with me from the US. We keep hearing about watchjackings in LA, NYC and London. How worried should I be walking around with a significant watch on my wrist?

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No first hand experience but I have heard it’s pretty bad. I personally would not wear any ‘nice’ watch in public there. I would even consider commiting heresy and go watch less just to be safe. Then again I am a bit paranoid about stuff like that😂

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WatchieDutchie

No first hand experience but I have heard it’s pretty bad. I personally would not wear any ‘nice’ watch in public there. I would even consider commiting heresy and go watch less just to be safe. Then again I am a bit paranoid about stuff like that😂

There was a gasp heard in Scottsdale! Watchless? Never😀

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Well, it’s going to be a matter of how you present. Rolling up in a Porsche with a Patek would make you a target.

Walking around wearing nice but not flashy duds makes it less likely that anyone would look at your watch.

Especially if it was a good but not haute horology piece.

There are a lot of good choices between Patek and Casio. Maybe this is a good opportunity to pick up a quality but not thief-tempting GMT for travel.

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Imo , just two watches for trip, one for day one for for night. Only way to break rule is to buy on trip.

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London's just the same as any major city, mostly fine but take precautions where it's warranted. Obviously here you won't be held up with a gun.

Before Covid I worked in London every day, in Camden which isn't the best area, and on some evenings went into Soho, again not great. I wore any watch to and from the office (don't flash it on the underground), and wore it in nice cocktail bars and in Ronnie Scott's (and theatres etc would be ok). I didn't wear expensive watches in busy pubs or to gigs elsewhere. Just standard precautions, being sensible.

But you're more likely to be targeted for your phone than your watch.

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Thanks, I was thinking of a Christopher Ward to honor the home town and probably an IWC world time, not a Patek or recognizable Rolex. Also would wear it under the cuff when out and about.

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Stay low key...wear something modest so you don't need to have anxiety.

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I agree with Cantaloop above. I have worked in Central London for 15+ years. I really wouldn’t worry about it too much, but take the usual precautions you would in a major, busy city. Especially in the West End, and big touristy areas.

You are much more likely to have your phone snatched from a moped, than have anyone go for your watch. The only personal experience I have known of watch related crime is when a friend got very drunk and someone purported to help him while trying (but failing) to slip his Rolex off his wrist.

Have a great trip!

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JASMAN821

Thanks, I was thinking of a Christopher Ward to honor the home town and probably an IWC world time, not a Patek or recognizable Rolex. Also would wear it under the cuff when out and about.

Nobody is going to notice either of those, you'll be fine.

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We are heading to Montreal and Geneva in a few weeks from US, a couple of points based on past experience for you to consider:

(1) Rose or yellow gold watches or other bling bling jewelry are best to be left at home.

Most of the time the risk is not outside, it is at the hotel where you stay in.

(2) Two watches for going abroad for a short period of time (less than one month) is ok, but for US custom, if the X ray machine catches more than they consider a reasonable number of high valued items, you have to prove to the US custom officer you own these watches prior to your trip if you are a U.S. resident or as a foreigner you are not planning to sell any of the watches in US while you are visiting here or give them to other US resident as gift (tax considerations)…

For US citizens, you can only bring in $600-$800 of new acquisitions duty free. I have had friend who bought a few watches overseas and have to pay import duty plus a hefty fine when he came back to the US.

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I traveled to Asia and UK this year. The sketchy thing is TSA laws are different there, they can confiscate items like jewelry if they determine you are carrying excessive amounts, "excessive" is up to their interpretation. It's not just limited to cash. Never checkin any of your watches. Watch theft from scanners is more common than you think and least expected give this is right under the nose of security. You can watch many YouTube videos on this. When I taken them off to pass though security, I put my watch in my carryon before passing them though X-ray. Regarding safety, the location I was were usually upscale, and I did not do much walking around, and I was wearing my Omega World Timer and felt totally safe under the sleeve.

If you plan to shop watches in London just FYI, you will pay 20% VAT that is non-refundable, You will end up paying 2k additional on every 10K, plus conversion of 1.25.

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watchdawg

I traveled to Asia and UK this year. The sketchy thing is TSA laws are different there, they can confiscate items like jewelry if they determine you are carrying excessive amounts, "excessive" is up to their interpretation. It's not just limited to cash. Never checkin any of your watches. Watch theft from scanners is more common than you think and least expected give this is right under the nose of security. You can watch many YouTube videos on this. When I taken them off to pass though security, I put my watch in my carryon before passing them though X-ray. Regarding safety, the location I was were usually upscale, and I did not do much walking around, and I was wearing my Omega World Timer and felt totally safe under the sleeve.

If you plan to shop watches in London just FYI, you will pay 20% VAT that is non-refundable, You will end up paying 2k additional on every 10K, plus conversion of 1.25.

Although it’s fair to say that the 20% VAT will be included in the price you see in the shop/boutique - it’s not like in the US where the sales tax I believe is added afterwards.

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WatchBee

Although it’s fair to say that the 20% VAT will be included in the price you see in the shop/boutique - it’s not like in the US where the sales tax I believe is added afterwards.

Yes which I prefer.. that way I know exactly how much I am being ripped off by my govt. And states like Oregon have no sales tax.

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I ride the subway every day. If it wasn’t #1wc, that watch would be a GS.

People wear expensive watches around NYC all day long.

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Kclouis

I ride the subway every day. If it wasn’t #1wc, that watch would be a GS.

People wear expensive watches around NYC all day long.

Oh wait, London. I have no clue as to London.

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Wear a plain looking watch without a famous brand name on it. No Rolex, no Patek, no AP. Just to be safe, I recommend wearing something that wouldn't put a large dent in your wallet to replace. Picking up a nice Casio, Seiko or Citizen just for situations like this is also a valid option. They have a huge selection of watches at an affordable price, I'm sure you'll find something you like.

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It is safe to travel in any part of Los Angeles 24 hours a day if you're a bullet. That said, wear an inexpensive Hamilton or Seiko

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XplusYplusZ

London calling.

In your basic stick up, you've got two types of robber:

1.Specialised watch thieves; operating in wealthy areas - Knightsbridge, Sloane Square, Mayfair, Chealsea, The King's Road. It's organised, and targetted. With spotters in/around the well known hotels & restaurants, looking for significant pieces. It's this targeted approach which has caught media and enthusiasts attention. In a recent information disclosure from the police, actually, watch crime has dropped YOY since 2018. But you can see that whilst the frequency has quartered, the value has only halved. So it seems thieves are getting more clued in and the value per theft has doubled.

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2.Indescriminate, general muggings of wealthy looking people who lose their wallet and watch. Sadly, this can happen anywhere in any big city.

On the plus side, the police are definitely cracking down on organised watch theft. I've heard of a couple of significant multi-perp arrests over the past 6 months.

If you're high net worth, you will generally stand out whether you like it or not. But there are a lot of wealthy folk in London. So it's a game of risk mitigation, rather than running for your lives everywhere you go. Just don't flash too much gold, whilst standing on a corner in knightsbridge, waiting 10 minutes for an Uber.

I wouldnt recommend using the tube - for safety, and sanity's sake.

Avoid anything too iconic/easily recognisable if you're going to be going really public (shopping). Subs, GMTs..

IWC and Christopher Ward are a bit more niche, I would doubt they're going to cause you too much trouble at all.

This is just good advice overall. Nice statistical analysis too.

I don't have any super expensive pieces. But travel frequently all over the place. Regardless of how low key and local I try to make myself, I'm still gonna stick out. I still look like an American, talk like an American, etc.

The old Zelda proverb holds true, albeit don't bring a sword, just the first part:

"It's dangerous to go alone."

Secondly, pay attention, use common sense, and listen to your gut. If something feels off, pay attention to that feeling. Your other senses pick up more than you know, listen to them.

Also don't bury yourself in your phone. It's a vacation, relax, enjoy the scenery, and people watch.

If you are that worried, pick up a "travel" piece. Timex GMT Q is a killer looking affordable watch.

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XplusYplusZ

London calling.

In your basic stick up, you've got two types of robber:

1.Specialised watch thieves; operating in wealthy areas - Knightsbridge, Sloane Square, Mayfair, Chealsea, The King's Road. It's organised, and targetted. With spotters in/around the well known hotels & restaurants, looking for significant pieces. It's this targeted approach which has caught media and enthusiasts attention. In a recent information disclosure from the police, actually, watch crime has dropped YOY since 2018. But you can see that whilst the frequency has quartered, the value has only halved. So it seems thieves are getting more clued in and the value per theft has doubled.

Image

2.Indescriminate, general muggings of wealthy looking people who lose their wallet and watch. Sadly, this can happen anywhere in any big city.

On the plus side, the police are definitely cracking down on organised watch theft. I've heard of a couple of significant multi-perp arrests over the past 6 months.

If you're high net worth, you will generally stand out whether you like it or not. But there are a lot of wealthy folk in London. So it's a game of risk mitigation, rather than running for your lives everywhere you go. Just don't flash too much gold, whilst standing on a corner in knightsbridge, waiting 10 minutes for an Uber.

I wouldnt recommend using the tube - for safety, and sanity's sake.

Avoid anything too iconic/easily recognisable if you're going to be going really public (shopping). Subs, GMTs..

IWC and Christopher Ward are a bit more niche, I would doubt they're going to cause you too much trouble at all.

This is really helpful. Thanks.

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DAF_punk

I live and have lived in London for a good few years, people will mostly ignore you unless you are being conspicuous.

I’d be more worried about your trainers tbh

Trust me. No one will want my shoes!

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stebes

Do you have insurance for your pieces? If so, enjoy life. If not, be mindful of your surroundings, and avoid wearing bright flashy gold if in city centers.

Yes, they are insured. Thanks for the advice. 👌

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I live in London and I'm worried about wearing my black bay out in public 😂

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Great idea. I will do that.

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I wouldn’t hesitate to wear a PP or any other watch in any of those places. Ofcourse common sense and a minimal of street smarts would say don’t flaunt it where not appropriate anywhere you go. I would venture a guess that there are likely more PP per capita in those three places than anywhere else in the world except maybe Dubai. If you’re not convinced and are worried then leave them at home, else you’ll mess up your trip with paranoia

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take an Apple Watch and a Tudor !!!

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I just finished watching a YouTube review of a ALS Zeitwerk and the reviewer had in the negatives that the watch was a bit uncomfortable on the wrist when cycling around London. Take from that what you will!

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London is super safe 🙂 look like you have a solid plan. I see expensive watches in the tube all the time from daytonas to iwc. Only watch enthusiasts know, normal ppl dont care.

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I'm from Manchester and go down to London really often. I never take my fancy watches there, always my beater (G Shock), as literally all the places I frequent have experienced a bad watch robbery recently.

These aren't rough areas either, some of the places are quite nice, but the poor/rich divide in London is so drastic that crime like this has shot up recently.

Unless you're wearing a dress watch, hidden under a sleeve, and you're always in a public place with people then I wouldn't wear something valuable.

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jroobz

I live in London and I'm worried about wearing my black bay out in public 😂

Yeah I feel like people who haven't worn fancy watches in London or haven't lived there for a while are the ones saying its safe in this thread 😂

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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.