Headed to Europe, should I?

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DavidSarnoff

·Jun 7, 2023

First time traveling to London, Paris, Florence, and Rome. Staying in 5 star hotels with small group. My daily is a, just now, 1 year old Planet Ocean. After reading several articles on watch theft in Europe my question to someone with more experience than me is wear it or put it in the safe and wear my knock around watch (stainless Casio G-Shock Utility)? In addition to the bracelet I have a black alligator with deployment, a black textured rubber with deployment and a black NAT0. All are Omega straps. Wore the watch to St. Martin a couple of times and the attitude there was it was just another shinny dive watch!

 

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gatorcpa

·Jun 7, 2023·ΩF InvestiGator

Common sense says to wear the Casio. You can always keep pictures of the Omega on your phone to show off if you meet any watch nerds in Europe.

Just my €0.02.
gatorcpa

 

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Davidt

·Jun 7, 2023

I’d happily wear a PO in London. I usually wear my Explorer in the smoke and don’t think twice about it.

I might think differently about a Sub/GMT2 etc.

 

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The Father

·Jun 7, 2023

Watch in Europe no problem

Los Ángeles no way

 

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watchyouwant

·Jun 7, 2023

The black NATO does the trick in dressing down whatever you wear....

 

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dstfno

·Jun 7, 2023

Unless you plan on doing clubs in desolate neighborhoods till morning, nothing to worry about.

 

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Aroxx

·Jun 7, 2023

Really comes down to peace of mind. If you're going to worry about it then leave it home. Dressing down with a NATO or rubber strap is a good idea. Personally, I've always felt safer in European cities than in US cities.

 

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pdxleaf

·Jun 7, 2023·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

Just got back from Ireland wearing a Speedy.

The watch was a non-event. Granted, Ireland is not the same as the cities you listed. I saw ALOT of watches in the Sky lounges at the airports, but not many elsewhere.

Plan to wear my Oris to Lisbon next week, but mainly because the color seems more summer.

 

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Pastorbottle

·Jun 7, 2023

Why don’t you go out and buy a seriously hideous, absolutely fugly Invicta, anyone who steels that will by the very act of stealing it will get the cruel and unusual punishment that they deserve!
The only problem is that you’ll have to suffer it in the meantime………think of it as a selfless act for the greater good, delivering justice always has a cost!
😁

 

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Annapolis

·Jun 7, 2023

As others have said/implied, I think neighborhood matters more than city. I’d wear a nice watch in any of those cities, but not every part of them. If you’re going to be in densely-packed touristy areas or riding public transportation where pickpockets and thieves run thick, maybe leave the wrist-temptation at home. But you say 5-star hotels: if you’re traveling like a baller, hiring drivers and sticking to swank parts of town, you should be fine.

I suspect the thugs’ search-image is mostly Rolex, AP and Patek sports models. Not saying Omegas can’t get you mugged too, but I imagine it happens less.

If you’re taking it, consider insuring (if you haven’t already).

 

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Poppyboy

·Jun 7, 2023

I did a very similar trip a few years ago, but added Barcelona and Venice between Paris and Florence. Wear what you like and have a fantastic time!

 

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lillatroll

·Jun 7, 2023

In my experience you will be fine. I stayed in Harlem in New York and Compton in LA and nothing but friendly, if not a little curious interactions with people. That said muggings can and do happen , so I suppose the sensible advice is that if it is going to cause you worry then leave it at home and take something that won’t be a huge loss if you do get mugged. In my experience, Taxi drivers are the biggest crooks.

 

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Pastorbottle

·Jun 7, 2023

This has got me wondering how often fake watches get stolen by scum that doesn’t know the difference, given that most of these will be opportunistic crimes, being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The purps will most likely only have a very brief window of opportunity to both case you and then act, this and the fact that not all of them would have the knowledge and skills to assess their intended target.
They must mug people for what turns out to be worthless rubbish a large percentage of the time.
So you could be and just as much risk wearing a fake as the real thing.

 

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dsio

·Jun 7, 2023·Ash @ ΩF

Should be covered by your travel insurance anyway but despite the news articles I think it’s a bit like how everyone not from Australia thinks they’ll be eaten by crocodiles, snakes, spiders and sharks if they visit Australia. It’s a struggle every day but we survive.

 

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Evitzee

·Jun 7, 2023

Theft reports are overblown, they make it sound like the cities are all dystopian crime centers where every man, woman and child is a crime target. The cities you mentioned will be safe if you use common sense. No one is going to target you for wearing a Planet Ocean. To me it makes no sense to have a nice watch and then be afraid of wearing it. Enjoy life and don't focus on being a victim.

 

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Aludic

·Jun 8, 2023·@SpeedyBirthYear

Living in Amsterdam and frequenting London; I would not worry at all. First of all, these are only incidents. And pretty much all of those concern a small selection of the watch universe that scum recognizes: Rolex, Royal Oak, Nautilus.
No worries.

 

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Gav1967

·Jun 8, 2023

I travel via train and tube to London every day. Frequently socialise there after work until late and then come home. I wear all of my watches in rotation without any worries albeit i am normally wearing long sleeves.
As others have said the mugging reports are exaggerated.
Common sense is important though in order to ensure uncomfortable situations are less likely.
Not sure I'd wear anything too blingy with short sleeve shirt in less celubrious areas.

 

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DrmexicoII

·Jun 8, 2023

I wouldn't worry with a PO. I wouldn't wear a flashy rolex in a big city I wasn't familiar with but hard to see anyone going to the bother of mugging you for a watch that is generally available and not going for significantly over retail on the 2nd hand market. That said I wouldn't be stumbling around half cut in the early hours of the morning in an area I didn't know, but that's regardless of what watch I'm wearing!

I've worn my CK 859 in London several times whilst working, including post work socialising, and never had a 2nd look.

 

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omegastar

·Jun 8, 2023

I plan to travel to the US, should I wear a bulletproof vest and a helmet ?

 

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YYTIN

·Jun 8, 2023

Well I do go to those cities (and was born and raised in Paris suburbs) and I don’t care in general and wear what I want (Though the only Rolex I own is a DJ silver). But as mentioned depends where / when you go exactly (and to some extent if you look like an easy target (thinking about the incidents discussed here and there with not so sober people at night)…in some areas you have to be cautious.
Otherwise if you don’t feel comfortable I would definitely avoid this burden : play safe with the Casio. No need to worry when being on holidays and enjoy your time in those rich and vivid cities.