Safety in the Philippines?
Hello fellow crunchers. I am going to the Philippines for work next week, and I was wondering if it is safe out there in terms of wearing a watch? I’ve never been there and I don’t want to give an impression that I don’t trust some countries. It’s just that in my country there is a certain image of the Philippines and Manila airport’s staff.
Anyone has had an experience of wearing a watch out there? Of course, I am not going to take my precious ones there, just a sub $1,000 pepsi bezel gmt on a leather strap which was bought for such business trips.
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SERGEI IANKOVETC
Enjoying the watch art
South Korea
Member since
Last active: 3 hrs ago
17.00 cm
It's been a while since I was in the Philippines. Losing my watch was the least of my worries 😉. It's the Filipinas ya gotta watch out for. One caught me 35 years ago and she hasn't let me go since 😂.
I've visited The Philippines twice and have been to several cities and provinces ... and not once did I ever feel threatened or unsafe in any way.
That said, I was usually accompanied by my Filipina partner or another Pinoy when out and about ...
If you're worried about losing a watch by any means, then wear a "Beater" ... mine's accompanied me on both of the aforementioned trips.
Nice lookin' watch in your pic BTW!
I've visited The Philippines twice and have been to several cities and provinces ... and not once did I ever feel threatened or unsafe in any way.
That said, I was usually accompanied by my Filipina partner or another Pinoy when out and about ...
If you're worried about losing a watch by any means, then wear a "Beater" ... mine's accompanied me on both of the aforementioned trips.
Nice lookin' watch in your pic BTW!
Appreciate the advice! Since I am going for work, I think I will be with our customers most of the time. I don’t really worry about the people there, more the staff at the airport.
Not sure if the second hand market for Jack Mason is really anything you need to worry about.
Not sure if the second hand market for Jack Mason is really anything you need to worry about.
That was my thinking as well 🤣🤣🤣
What's a Pinoy?
What's a Pinoy?
"Pinoy" is a term Filipinos sometimes use to describe themselves ... Pinoy = Filipino
Depends where you go and what you're doing. If you go into Greenfields at night and wander around drunk then you could find yourself in trouble. Regional airports especially down south are more sketchy compared to Manila.
Yeah, don't wander around drunk fer sure ... good advice for anywhere if you ask me! LOL!!
Have flown in and out of a couple of regional airports in PH ... Puerto Princesa (Palawan) and Boracay (which is a very popular tourist area), without any trouble ... of course your results may vary ...
Not sure about the safety brother just here to say nice watch. lol 😆
Not sure about the safety brother just here to say nice watch. lol 😆
Thanks, appreciate it 🤣
It's been a while since I was in the Philippines. Losing my watch was the least of my worries 😉. It's the Filipinas ya gotta watch out for. One caught me 35 years ago and she hasn't let me go since 😂.
There is a reason Filipina women tend to almost every year end up in the top 10 in Miss Universe! 😁💁🏻♀️
Not sure if the second hand market for Jack Mason is really anything you need to worry about.
I don’t know, it is the “only true GMT” under a thousand dollars 😂😂 so they say 😏 I agree with you totally!
Avoid walking or going to smaller streets alone especially at night. The streets in the Philippines are much safer than before, but it is better to be safe. Enjoy your trip! 🍻🤙🔥
I lived in the Makati area of Manila for a couple of years, as well as traveled for business after I moved away, and concern about the watch I was wearing never crossed my mind. As a matter of fact I purchased a couple of Oris’ while living there.
Like traveling anywhere, be aware of your surroundings and use your head!
A Casio F-91W is your best bet. It'll also make you look way cooler.
Not sure if the second hand market for Jack Mason is really anything you need to worry about.
That's what I said until I saw their Dr Pepper Gmts selling from 2k-4k on ebay 😳
Its very safe. Dont worry about your watch. Common sense will tell you when you’re in bad area anyway which applies anywhere.
There is a reason Filipina women tend to almost every year end up in the top 10 in Miss Universe! 😁💁🏻♀️
Mind you I'm not complaining! 😉
Mind you I'm not complaining! 😉
I get that! My wife has been stuck with me nearly ten years now. 😆
Is your GMT watch, come on! Use it the whole trip but with a long sleeve just in case. 👔
Don't worry friend Duterte elimated all the crime
There are certain, very specific places that I won't wear any watch above the 100 USD price point. But those are very few and far in between. No concerns about wearing an expensive or even a just nice-looking watch on the streets otherwise. Last time I hung out with @collectiblewatchesmanila in one of the bigger metropolitan areas of Manila, I ended up walking from the bar we were at to my hotel at 1am in the morning drunk as hell wearing my then newly acquired Reverso. I did not sense or feel any threat whatsoever. But I was also drunk and I don't look like a foreigner so maybe that's why I felt safe.
If I'm honest, it's leaving watches in hotel rooms that makes me anxious (no matter how hard I hide them). The first thing I tend to do is check on the watches as soon as I'm back in the room. But I feel that way no matter the country.
There are certain, very specific places that I won't wear any watch above the 100 USD price point. But those are very few and far in between. No concerns about wearing an expensive or even a just nice-looking watch on the streets otherwise. Last time I hung out with @collectiblewatchesmanila in one of the bigger metropolitan areas of Manila, I ended up walking from the bar we were at to my hotel at 1am in the morning drunk as hell wearing my then newly acquired Reverso. I did not sense or feel any threat whatsoever. But I was also drunk and I don't look like a foreigner so maybe that's why I felt safe.
If I'm honest, it's leaving watches in hotel rooms that makes me anxious (no matter how hard I hide them). The first thing I tend to do is check on the watches as soon as I'm back in the room. But I feel that way no matter the country.
You’re spot right on leaving watches in the hotel. I’ll better risk losing it on the streets.
You’re spot right on leaving watches in the hotel. I’ll better risk losing it on the streets.
You're gonna be fine. Wear your watch/es without fear. But do be mindful of your surroundings, as you would anywhere else in the world. Hit me up if you're interested in looking at vintage pieces and I'll introduce you to my drug dealer... I mean my supplier... I mean my contact.
You're gonna be fine. Wear your watch/es without fear. But do be mindful of your surroundings, as you would anywhere else in the world. Hit me up if you're interested in looking at vintage pieces and I'll introduce you to my drug dealer... I mean my supplier... I mean my contact.
So which part of Manila are you from? I grew up just a stone's throw away from the University of the Philippines...
How did your trip go?
How did your trip go?
It was alright. I felt safe the entire time except for the time when a corrupted cop tried (and succeeded) to get some money from me.
It was alright. I felt safe the entire time except for the time when a corrupted cop tried (and succeeded) to get some money from me.
That's normal LOL! That's probably the only thing anyone's gotta worry about BEAST 😤Glad you're home safe 🤙🏽
That's normal LOL! That's probably the only thing anyone's gotta worry about BEAST 😤Glad you're home safe 🤙🏽
Thanks! Appreciate the concern!🙏