History of Watch Crime in Europe
As was discussed in many posts before, the watch crime is running rampant in Europe, and especially in London. You can see comments from people saying that they are not taking their expensive watches on UK trips because it is dangerous and you are inviting to be mugged if you are wearing a Rolex or Patek, or even Omega.
After reading "Hands of Time" by Rebecca Struthers, I found that this crime trend started about 300 years ago, when pocket watches just became popular. She examined the police records from that time, which were full of watch theft crime complaints. Most crimes happened between 8pm and 11pm, when people would go into taverns and bars after work, get drunk and next day wake up with their watches missing.
Another interesting tidbit I picked up from the book is about fake watches, which is also a big topic here. In the beginning of 18th century UK watchmakers were producing the best watches available there. They were quite expensive, so not many people could afford them. So, some merchants started commissioning foreign watchmakers to produce fake British watches, so they could sell them at a discount. They would put their own inferior mechanisms into those watches, but would sign the case with the British watchmaker's name. And those fakes did not come from, as one would think China, but from Netherlands.
So, it looks like the people did not change much in the last 300 years or so.
Watch enthusiast trying to become a watch collector.
I love her book. I regret not attending her lecture at the HSNY. It was an incredibly entertaining read!
Show and shine forever. Humans in general are just predators. It‘s not surprising that there are fake watches since thefirst nice watches.
Interesting that the study indicates human nature is what it is and doesn't change with Progressive thought. IMO there will always be a % of the population that engages in criminal activity. The larger the population the more people who will engage in criminal activity. Seems simple. London is a big city. Today, the city is covered in video cameras monitored by the government/law enforcement etc. Gun control (as divisive as a date bubble on a crystal) is extreme in London. It appears all of the modern tech and laws do not change human nature. In the US it is popular in major cities to be soft on crime. Somehow citizens are supposed understand how hard it is for criminals. There are "Studies" no one can name that indicate soft on crime policies. I've never been given the name of one study. "Defund the police" is popular in major US cities. Many large cities did just that and the same people who wanted police departments defunded cry in fear.
New York city is a great example. See the link for how well that's working https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesfarrell/2024/03/09/national-guard-now-patrolling-nyc-subway-heres-what-it-looks-like-photos/
Los Angeles has a District Attorney that won't Prosecute any theft under $1,000.00. Bad habits start small and often build. The 1K criminal often moves on to bigger crimes like mugging people for their watch. (My source is the same pile of nameless studies as the other side od reason) With no prior convictions for lessor crimes a criminal risks minimal jail time for the mugging.
I saw we enjoy the criminal environment we have created otherwise support something different.
This is the store that I purchased my wife's latest watch from. There are three more employees as heavily armed inside . I believe the thought here is that it's Human Nature for criminals to look for soft targets. 300 years hasn't changed much
"or even Omega" hmmm
I think stories like this should keep it real. The headline should read "Rolex crime" or "Rolex theft", you can wear any watch but Rolex & RM and no one is going to bother you.
I wore a sub every day in Berlin for a couple of weeks, no issue (barring the guy who burned my ear off about his crypto project). I’ve never had any issue in Dublin, the thieves here are generally either children or drug addicts and I’m a bit outside their weight class. London is a different story entirely, I would rather leave the watch at home then risk getting machete’d out
"or even Omega" hmmm
Please, do not be offended. I meant it as a little joke. Omega is actually my favorite brand.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/casiodean/posts/breaking-news-evil-boss-of-london-s-rolex-rippers-gang-exposed-270771
Interesting that the study indicates human nature is what it is and doesn't change with Progressive thought. IMO there will always be a % of the population that engages in criminal activity. The larger the population the more people who will engage in criminal activity. Seems simple. London is a big city. Today, the city is covered in video cameras monitored by the government/law enforcement etc. Gun control (as divisive as a date bubble on a crystal) is extreme in London. It appears all of the modern tech and laws do not change human nature. In the US it is popular in major cities to be soft on crime. Somehow citizens are supposed understand how hard it is for criminals. There are "Studies" no one can name that indicate soft on crime policies. I've never been given the name of one study. "Defund the police" is popular in major US cities. Many large cities did just that and the same people who wanted police departments defunded cry in fear.
New York city is a great example. See the link for how well that's working https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesfarrell/2024/03/09/national-guard-now-patrolling-nyc-subway-heres-what-it-looks-like-photos/
Los Angeles has a District Attorney that won't Prosecute any theft under $1,000.00. Bad habits start small and often build. The 1K criminal often moves on to bigger crimes like mugging people for their watch. (My source is the same pile of nameless studies as the other side od reason) With no prior convictions for lessor crimes a criminal risks minimal jail time for the mugging.
I saw we enjoy the criminal environment we have created otherwise support something different.
This is the store that I purchased my wife's latest watch from. There are three more employees as heavily armed inside . I believe the thought here is that it's Human Nature for criminals to look for soft targets. 300 years hasn't changed much
Well said, exactly my thoughts on the matter as well.
I blame Big Ben.
"or even Omega" hmmm
I picked up on that jab too.
Wait?!? People have been stealing valuable items for hundreds of years?!?!? 😮😱
What’s next car thieves?
I am always surprised when people talk about (watch) crime and Europe. It's really safe here, compared to the US at least and Americas in general. People freak out about London but I think that comes from comparing it to other European cities instead of globally.
People get robbed in London (or any major city) because they put their wealth on display and they’re seen as vulnerable. The answer is to avoid the areas that criminals operate especially at night, don’t wander the streets clasping your Hermes Birkin, take a cab not your Lambo, don’t get conspicuously drunk, always dress down, and cover-up your diamond set, bi-metal Rolex. You only get noticed in London if you want to be noticed. As a watch collector who has lived in London all my adult life, I think most of these watch crime stories are scaremongering by YouTube ‘influencers’. Fear drives views and engagement.
People get robbed in London (or any major city) because they put their wealth on display and they’re seen as vulnerable. The answer is to avoid the areas that criminals operate especially at night, don’t wander the streets clasping your Hermes Birkin, take a cab not your Lambo, don’t get conspicuously drunk, always dress down, and cover-up your diamond set, bi-metal Rolex. You only get noticed in London if you want to be noticed. As a watch collector who has lived in London all my adult life, I think most of these watch crime stories are scaremongering by YouTube ‘influencers’. Fear drives views and engagement.
All well and good giving that very sensible advice… but the gangs also have spotters in bars, restaurants, hotels etc so you can try be subtle all you want out on the street… but you can’t be as subtle seated at a table or drinking at a bar.
And that’s where you get marked.
All well and good giving that very sensible advice… but the gangs also have spotters in bars, restaurants, hotels etc so you can try be subtle all you want out on the street… but you can’t be as subtle seated at a table or drinking at a bar.
And that’s where you get marked.
And you’ve seen this first-hand? Or heard about it second hand from social media? Genuinely curious rather than being argumentative.
And you’ve seen this first-hand? Or heard about it second hand from social media? Genuinely curious rather than being argumentative.
https://www.watchcrunch.com/casiodean/posts/i-started-my-new-job-as-a-rolex-spotter-today-269313