Do you worry about theft when wearing an expensive (or expensive-looking) watch?

Last week, an American tourist lost his $45,000 Hublot to a mugger in broad daylight in Barcelona, a city known for over 6,000 thefts per day on visitors in 2009 (yes, per day).  But don't feel too bad - he claimed to Spanish police that it was worth $800,000. And he settled with the US Justice Department in 2021 over allegations he misused COVID relief funds...

In 2020, a Miami man lost his $40,000 Rolex to a masked, armed man while walking from his car to his front door after work.

More recently, a Miami woman was arrested for seducing men, drugging them, then stealing their Rolexes.

These might be extreme cases, and there are likely many more common occurrences with less expensive watches that look expensive.  The only value that matters is the thief's perception, so you could be wearing @Omeganut 's Seiko Presage "Baby Snowflake," and a thief might believe it's a Grand Seiko.

Do you worry about theft when wearing an expensive (or expensive-looking) watch?  If so, how do you protect these perceived precious pieces of time?

Reply
·

No, not once and I wear them everywhere I go; big cities, small towns, US, and abroad. My guess is a billion people plus wear a watch every day and nothing happens. Not worth getting scared over a few sensationalized headlines.

Obviously, be aware of surroundings and have a general sense of situational awareness.

·

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/2-gang-members-12-years-500k-watch-robbery-il-pastaio-beverly-hills/

Yes, I think about it every day. Anything shiny is a target. Los Angeles has a DA that will not Prosecute any theft under $1,000.00 Shoplifting,  take over snatch and grabs, armed robbery all out of control.  Best statistic: it is safe to travel anywhere in Los Angeles 24 hours a day IF... you are a bullet

·

Nobody’s going to think a GS is an expensive watch unless they have already drank the GS Kool-Aid. 🤪

·

When i travel i only wear my gshocks or a cheap quartz because i dont want to get my mechanical pieces get magnetized on the airport.

·

I worry that someone might break into my Nissan to steal baby wipes. 😢

That being said, I do try to be mindful of my surroundings, keep things on me in safe places, and also try not to advertise myself too much. 

I'd worry but I'd also probably wear my current dream watch, the Tudor Pelagos, everywhere and have it insured. I feel that the watch is inconspicuous enough that if someone were to steal it, they'd have come after me no matter what I had on.

·

Who the hell steals a Hublot?  Who the hell buys a Hublot?  What is the actual value of a $45,000.00 Hublot?  Obviously thieves know as much about watches as Rap Artists.

·

I do worry about it, but a) I have my four figure watches insured and b) I try to dress down my expensive pieces when I'm traveling so they don't draw attention to themselves. For instance, I'll wear my Oris on a nato instead of a bracelet and I put my Omega Aqua Terra on the OEM rubber rather than a bracelet. Anything to make the watch seem more "everyday". But I still wear my nice pieces. That's why I bought them. To be worn.

·

just wear Cartier tank or very simple watch less eye-catching and appealing to non watch person...lol 

·
Velomax

Who the hell steals a Hublot?  Who the hell buys a Hublot?  What is the actual value of a $45,000.00 Hublot?  Obviously thieves know as much about watches as Rap Artists.

·

Simple rule. There's no need to flex. Whenever I'm out and wearing short sleeves I wear a field watch.. plain... inconspicuous or no watch at all.

I wear all of my nice watches with long sleeves allowing it to peek out from under my cuff once in awhile. To be honest, I wear my watches for me and no one else. I can sit at a nice restaurant with a great cocktail and truly enjoy the watch I have strapped to my wrist without having to see it. The weight of it, the feel of the stainless steel case or leather strap against my skin and occasionally catching a glimpse of the glint from the crystal as I take another sip makes me happy. There's been a few times where someone will ask what I'm wearing as I check the time, but that's few and far between. Once I do, the watch goes back under the cuff. 

Look, if you have the resources to rock a Richard Mille in short sleeves as you dine in a parklet on Rodeo with your arm hanging out... you should accept the fact that there is inherent risk. It doesn't matter what watch you wear, you need to be alert - head on a swivel and out of your phone. It's where we are now and it sucks. 

·

I read this and like everyone, I’m shocked and disgusted by this story. Just awful.…

…$45k for a Hublot, right? 😉

·

Don’t have an expensive watch 🫡

·
collectandchill

When i travel i only wear my gshocks or a cheap quartz because i dont want to get my mechanical pieces get magnetized on the airport.

I always ride with my Omega Seamaster AquaTerra. This bad boy eats magnets for breakfast 😂

·

I‘m fortunate to live in an area (south Germany/Swiss border) where more expensive watches are common and watch theft is very uncommon. I feel totally comfortable wearing all of my watches outside. Since collecting watches, I never displayed them on my arm for every one to see, I wear them more privately under the sleeve anyway.

·

I never used to worry about wearing my Rolex Sub, until it had doubled in value, now I’m a bit wary particularly in Manchester where they would steal the very teeth from your mouth as you walked along in some parts.

·
Chunghauphoto

I read this and like everyone, I’m shocked and disgusted by this story. Just awful.…

…$45k for a Hublot, right? 😉

I was thinking exactly the same. We know that the world is crazy when:

  • Someone paid 45K (2 New A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia 18K Rose Gold, just for reference) into a Hublot.
  • Someone else is willing to go to jail because of this watch.
·

No, because insurance.

·
Oseberg

Do you worry about theft when wearing an expensive (or expensive-looking) watch?

 Yes I do. With the exception of Dubai and Singapore, in 2022, I would really think twice before entering public space, (including metro and buses) with anything fancier than my Formex Essence 39.

I have taken my 34 mm ISIKHATHI Swatch to a recent business trip in North Africa as the only watch for 2 days as I wanted something insconspicious, light and comfortable on the wrist, and was happy to be reunited with my BlackBay 58 when back at home.

Yeah agree. I live in Singapore, it is quite safe to wear expensive watches. Having said that, always use your own discretion. There is a saying in SG. Low crime doesn’t mean No crime. Just be aware and use common sense.

·

Did antyone read the original article about the Hublot in the OP's link?

The owner claimed it to be worth $ 800,000 🤪😜🙃; the authorities said the  'list price' was $45,000.

It seems the man involved was also caught up in a Covid funding scam in the USA....

·
timegeek

That's another strategy to avoid significant loss. 😀

Or mod a Seiko 😄

I've been thinking of doing a Seiko GMT mod for travel since I really like how the Rolex GMT looks

·

If you’re wearing a 6 figure watch the thought absolutely crosses your mind.

·

Thats why I wear the cheapest travel watches never had any problem. Keep your nice watches at home wear them on special occasion. 

·
TonyXXX

I'm not so worried but that could be due to my location, Australia. These types of theft's aren't very common here and most guys I know who own expensive watches don't worry about such things, including myself.

If you want the watch, trust me, even if it was a cheap Casio, you would have to shoot me dead and cut my arm off before you would get the watch. I detest thieves 💯  

Agree - fellow Australian and it would never even occur to me to worry.

·

In both Canada and Japan mugging and aggressive street crime pretty much doesn’t exist.  So bling out if you want.   
Japan being the extreme case where if you dropped a Rolex in bad part of town the shady looking yakuza guy would run after you to tell you you’d dropped it. 

·
Image

When I’m out doing old car fixin and exploring wrecking yards I always wear my old reliable Lorus.  But I have to admit,  if I lost it or some moron took it from me I’d be extremely sad, I’ve had it for close to 40 years and I affectionately refer to it as my ‘Junk Yard Watch.’ 🤷‍♂️😊👍

·

The fun continues in Brooklyn, where a church bishop was robbed mid-sermon:

The thieves made off with a treasure trove of items totaling $1,060,000: a $75,000 Rolex watch, a $75,000 Cavalier watch...

·

Not too worried, but I'd rather be wearing something cheaper that I still enjoy (ex: a PRX or something) in large cities.

·

If people wear their watches on the inside of their wrist, like the soldiers do. Do you think it will prevent or atleast reduce their chances of getting robbed as the robber isn't going to risk robbing something he is not going to see properly

·
alifetime

If people wear their watches on the inside of their wrist, like the soldiers do. Do you think it will prevent or atleast reduce their chances of getting robbed as the robber isn't going to risk robbing something he is not going to see properly

Soldiers might do that to protect the crystal. If it's not covered by a sleeve, it would still be visible from certain angles, so only helpful if you don't swing your arms while walking.

I found myself in an unexpected uncomfortable situation recently, so I put the watch in my pocket until the environment improved.

Both approaches reduce the functionality of the watch...

·

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.