Safe to wear your watches in South Africa?
Hello crunchers!
Wondering if there are any South African crunchers here that are willing to share their experiences with wearing their watches in public.
My work will be sending me to Johannesburg for 12 months and I’m bring my family with me. Safety is big on the priority so we will be staying in a gated estate but just wondering if it is safe to wear my watches out in public. I know common sense goes a long way, but the last thing I want to do is draw any unwanted attention to me and especially my young family (have two very young daughters).
Would an Explorer 1 (124270) be easily spotted, vs the more sought after models like their professional dive models (submariner, GMT etc) or the Daytona?
Thanks in advance!! Complimentary speedy Hesalite photo for your troubles!! 💪
Love watches with history... the moon landing is not a hoax, and James Bond is a documentary!
I never travel with my watches, especially the expensive ones. But 12 months is hardly travel, so I'd take one watch and only wear it to places I felt comfortable with. The rest of the time they'd stay in a safe.
Keep the nice stuff at home. Bring a Casio Duro and a G shock and you’re set
Always better to be safe than sorry.
I wear a 10k watch almost everywhere - but would definitely NOT do that in Johannesburg. For real safety reasons as well as your peace of mind: I wouldn't bring any expensive watches. What use are they in a safe? Plus: should someone be alerted to their existence, they might wanna make a trip to your safe...so, as SpecKTator said: Keep the nice stuff at home. Bring a Casio and you’re set.
Keep the nice stuff at home. Bring a Casio Duro and a G shock and you’re set
Exactly as SpeckTator says!
I’ve travelled through North and South Africa extensively, never had any issues with one of my G-shocks.
Ditto on gshock. Sorry, scary story to follow.
One of my running buddies is a South African chap. Big strong guy looks like he can handle himself
He’s mentioned the crime problems at home to me many times and won’t go back. says if you’re in a bad area or a quiet area with few people around, you’re prone to run into bandits who will shoot or stab you.
One of his buddies at home got shot while riding his bike on a quiet road. the thieves took his bike and left him to die. He survived.
I wouldn’t tour SA based on my friends recommendations. But you’re going for work.
Safe travels and I’m sure it’s fine if you’re careful and aware.
thanks for the advice guys. Leaving it all behind in a safety deposit box before flying to SA!
thanks for the advice guys. Leaving it all behind in a safety deposit box before flying to SA!
Probably a smart decision. And I second the motion - get a nice digital Casio and "suffer" with it for 12 months. 😉😀👍
Oh - and yes, James Bond IS a documentary! 😎
Gosh, you pulled the short straw on this assignment. While the gated community will be safe, being there any extended period of time - in general - isn't what I'd call fun. Hope the $$$ are good.
Suffice to say, you are making the right choice to leave the good watches at home.