- Posts
- 6,177
- Likes
- 30,081
Situational awareness... the darker side of nice things.
- Posts
- 152
- Likes
- 411
Iceter
·When I was on holiday in Barcelona I needed to take the metro at the Ramblas to the airport early in the morning, 5-ish. Due to a sore knee I was walking difficult so I took the elevator down to the station. There were 2 guys standing around and jumped in immediately with me and tried to strike up a conversation and sort of block my legs, luckily I was light on my toes to not get entangled so their chance to take something off me past as it was a short ride down.
Barcelona must have especially motivated and talented thieves. In most parts of the US, most of the miscreants are passed out by 5am.
When my wife and I were in Barcelona a couple years ago, a guy attending the same conference had his Rolex taken off of his wrist in the subway. I had always thought that was an urban legend—to have a watch slipped right off of your arm! I have no idea if it was on a band or bracelet—I’m assuming bracelet.
We were told the Ramblas was swarming with pickpockets, but I didn’t get to see any in action.
- Posts
- 6,177
- Likes
- 30,081
YY77
·Barcelona must have especially motivated and talented thieves. In most parts of the US, most of the miscreants are passed out by 5am.
When my wife and I were in Barcelona a couple years ago, a guy attending the same conference had his Rolex taken off of his wrist in the subway. I had always thought that was an urban legend—to have a watch slipped right off of your arm! I have no idea if it was on a band or bracelet—I’m assuming bracelet.
We were told the Ramblas was swarming with pickpockets, but I didn’t get to see any in action.
What do the say about the early bird..📖
- Posts
- 6,177
- Likes
- 30,081
YY77
·Barcelona must have especially motivated and talented thieves. In most parts of the US, most of the miscreants are passed out by 5am.
When my wife and I were in Barcelona a couple years ago, a guy attending the same conference had his Rolex taken off of his wrist in the subway. I had always thought that was an urban legend—to have a watch slipped right off of your arm! I have no idea if it was on a band or bracelet—I’m assuming bracelet.
We were told the Ramblas was swarming with pickpockets, but I didn’t get to see any in action.
What do they say about the early bird..📖
- Posts
- 387
- Likes
- 3,452
kaapstadflaneur
·Living in South Africa, which has violent crime rates comparable to some of the rougher parts of South America, you always need to be alert to potential criminal activity. Watch theft is an everyday occurrence, especially at or near high-end shopping malls where gangs focused on stealing watches tend to hang out.
Just last week heard a story about a watch theft at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg. Criminals spotted a guy wearing a Rolex, followed him out to his car, when he was leaving the parking lot one criminal rear-ended him, guy got out to survey the damage, criminals shot him and took his Rolex and wallet. Fortunately, the victim survived. These sorts of stories are fairly common in South Africa.
Situational awareness is key, as well as trying to avoid potential scenarios that place you in greater danger or make you a target. You can't eliminate risk, but you can manage it. To that end, I try to wear inconspicuous watches like Seikos or Hamiltons that are much less likely to draw the attention of criminals interested in flashy high-end watches.
South Africa is a wonderful place, but the crime is a reality...
Just last week heard a story about a watch theft at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg. Criminals spotted a guy wearing a Rolex, followed him out to his car, when he was leaving the parking lot one criminal rear-ended him, guy got out to survey the damage, criminals shot him and took his Rolex and wallet. Fortunately, the victim survived. These sorts of stories are fairly common in South Africa.
Situational awareness is key, as well as trying to avoid potential scenarios that place you in greater danger or make you a target. You can't eliminate risk, but you can manage it. To that end, I try to wear inconspicuous watches like Seikos or Hamiltons that are much less likely to draw the attention of criminals interested in flashy high-end watches.
South Africa is a wonderful place, but the crime is a reality...
- Posts
- 5,001
- Likes
- 18,563
Shabbaz
·Barcelona must have especially motivated and talented thieves. In most parts of the US, most of the miscreants are passed out by 5am.
When my wife and I were in Barcelona a couple years ago, a guy attending the same conference had his Rolex taken off of his wrist in the subway. I had always thought that was an urban legend—to have a watch slipped right off of your arm! I have no idea if it was on a band or bracelet—I’m assuming bracelet.
We were told the Ramblas was swarming with pickpockets, but I didn’t get to see any in action.
- Posts
- 6,177
- Likes
- 30,081
YY77
·I once witnessed from a distance a pickpocket attempt at the Colleseum in Rome, 3 gypsy women holding a pizza box below his face and tried to distract him while trying to get to his jacket pockets out of his sight. Happened fast so couldn't intervene/help but he managed to get away from them successfully.
- Posts
- 41
- Likes
- 72
Yves-
·Growing up in Brussels, you get to experience the darker side of 'citylife'. If you get told to give something up... What do you do? Of course you should 'undress' as they say. By that I mean give up something to a criminal, but things happen so fast. Some people start punching you right after you look at them crosseyed for telling you to give something up. Dress down before you get told to is great advice but... Bxl is very small and looking good shouldn't be 'verboten' here. Having said that, I comfortably walk around everywhere here, it's the principle that counts to me. And yes I've had bad experiences and I've been very fortunate to not lose life or limb due to the wrong reflexes while being robbed. Anyway the net is worse than real life. But this place is cool.
- Posts
- 1,383
- Likes
- 850
watch3s
·Was just in europe last year, and mostly escaped unscathed except the scamster in Paris.Luckily it was only money but still a life lesson. Shame, Italy has such history and culture, but it is a country I will stay away from because of all the stories ive heard.
- Posts
- 404
- Likes
- 722
Dogmann
·Hi all,
Unfortunately this is a sign of the times we live and when it is so well publicised that Rolex's, Richard Mille, AP Royal Oak's and Offshores and PP Nautilus watches are worth so much money it is not just those in the WIS community that notice and know this. So here is the problem these watches are fairly easy to recognise without being an expert in watches and for those inclined to crime easy to both steal and liquidate. I have heard that whilst two guys may actually mug you there is usually a third that is working as first a spotter and then alert them to any problems that may arise. I'm not sure of numbers but would guess most if not all of these type of robbery/muggings are of the watches I named with other fancy looking yellow or rose gold watches also in there. Not sure they would spot and know the difference between white gold and stainless steel or realise that some black watches are ceramic and therefore valuable of course depending on how some one is dressed may also be a give away to the likely value of their watch. The worst thing from what I have heard is that unless serious injury has been incurred the Police are not that interested in doing more than giving you a crime report number at least here in London I believe that is the case.
Marc
Unfortunately this is a sign of the times we live and when it is so well publicised that Rolex's, Richard Mille, AP Royal Oak's and Offshores and PP Nautilus watches are worth so much money it is not just those in the WIS community that notice and know this. So here is the problem these watches are fairly easy to recognise without being an expert in watches and for those inclined to crime easy to both steal and liquidate. I have heard that whilst two guys may actually mug you there is usually a third that is working as first a spotter and then alert them to any problems that may arise. I'm not sure of numbers but would guess most if not all of these type of robbery/muggings are of the watches I named with other fancy looking yellow or rose gold watches also in there. Not sure they would spot and know the difference between white gold and stainless steel or realise that some black watches are ceramic and therefore valuable of course depending on how some one is dressed may also be a give away to the likely value of their watch. The worst thing from what I have heard is that unless serious injury has been incurred the Police are not that interested in doing more than giving you a crime report number at least here in London I believe that is the case.
Marc
- Posts
- 6,177
- Likes
- 30,081
YY77
·There is a criminal court case ongoing in Amsterdam where a gang was targeting Dutch celebrities whom were wearing Rolex. Some more severly injured than others.
There was also recently a death of someone who tried to intervene in a robbery in daylight of a member in his group, turns out it was a fake Rolex.
There was also recently a death of someone who tried to intervene in a robbery in daylight of a member in his group, turns out it was a fake Rolex.
- Posts
- 1,076
- Likes
- 1,787
FREDMAYCOIN
·Ok, yes I’m going there. This is why I strongly believe in concealed weapons and open carry for all law abiding citizens. I will wear which ever watch I want and where ever I go and have the ability to defend my self and my property against any thieving scum bags out there lurking, and believe me when I say that if they see that nice watch on my wrist and a nice gun on my waist the will think before they act.
- Posts
- 41
- Likes
- 72
Yves-
·Ok, yes I’m going there. This is why I strongly believe in concealed weapons and open carry for all law abiding citizens. I will wear which ever watch I want and where ever I go and have the ability to defend my self and my property against any thieving scum bags out there lurking, and believe me when I say that if they see that nice watch on my wrist and a nice gun on my waist the will think before they act.
- Posts
- 42
- Likes
- 53
platogsd
·A subject which is up to everyone’s feeling and location I guess...
I must say that, in summer when I do not have long sleeve which hide my watch when walking in the street, I’m sometime reluctant to wear an expensive watch.
It’s easier to wear them in winter when your coat is hiding it in the street.
- Posts
- 404
- Likes
- 722
Dogmann
·@FREDMAYCOIN
Now when you say "and believe me when I say that if they see that nice watch on my wrist and a nice gun on my waist the will think before they act."
I just hope the don't think OK I'll shoot the F****er first and then take that nice valuable watch and maybe the wad of cash he may have depending on how either desperate or determined they are.
Marc
Now when you say "and believe me when I say that if they see that nice watch on my wrist and a nice gun on my waist the will think before they act."
I just hope the don't think OK I'll shoot the F****er first and then take that nice valuable watch and maybe the wad of cash he may have depending on how either desperate or determined they are.
Marc
- Posts
- 7,724
- Likes
- 14,298
Evitzee
·@FREDMAYCOIN
Now when you say "and believe me when I say that if they see that nice watch on my wrist and a nice gun on my waist the will think before they act."
I just hope the don't think OK I'll shoot the F****er first and then take that nice valuable watch and maybe the wad of cash he may have depending on how either desperate or determined they are.
Marc
- Posts
- 1,076
- Likes
- 1,787
FREDMAYCOIN
·@FREDMAYCOIN
Now when you say "and believe me when I say that if they see that nice watch on my wrist and a nice gun on my waist the will think before they act."
I just hope the don't think OK I'll shoot the F****er first and then take that nice valuable watch and maybe the wad of cash he may have depending on how either desperate or determined they are.
Marc
- Posts
- 5,076
- Likes
- 15,700
DaveK
·...I have heard that whilst two guys may actually mug you there is usually a third that is working as first a spotter and then alert them to any problems that may arise...
- Posts
- 103
- Likes
- 265
rjdemarco
·Terrible story about your friend. Thanks for sharing as this is an important situation to consider. I’ve heard that gangs in S. Italy and South America have techniques where they are able to swiftly pull a Rolex right off of your wrist. My guess is the same must apply for an Omega. I don’t usually worry here in NY as I typically have a SIG P365 tucked in my waist belt. Though, as others have pointed out it’s usually better to just give it up if being mugged. In NY you can’t use deadly force against a theft unless it’s a burglary (home). When I travel internationally, Eastern Europe or Russia it’s long sleeves or a beater. Thinking back at some sketchy cities I’ve been to, I would never wear a nice watch in Naples, IT region, where my family is from! Never ever worried, ever, while living in Manhattan for 10+ years. But, in London I found there to be a lot of petty thieves and muggers. Always important to develop and practice situational awareness especially when traveling.
- Posts
- 1,086
- Likes
- 3,769
krogerfoot
·I can't recall but probably no one notable. However we did see some big time groups there over the years. My favorite of all was/is Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. 👍
