Wearing Rolex in Asia

[andyvn579]

Hi friends,

I am living in California but i will go to Asia, Vietnam specifically, some months for work. Just wondering if any of you have experience wearing Rolex on the stress. I mean....i'm somewhat worry about safety there. Not sure if i can wear my Rolex watches daily as of here. Any suggestion?

Also, i will have to bring all my automatic watches through airport x-ray, would it harm my watches in anyway?

Thanks

[Cubdrick]

Do you think other people travel by air with their watches? What do you think they do at the airport?

[MinMay]

If you're worried or stress about it, then the logical answer is to leave it at home. true? :)

Search for "stolen watches" and YOU make the decision if you want to worry about your watch on vacation or be stress-free and enjoying your time :)

People will answer "wear it" or "don't wear it". Anyhow, if something bad happens to you, they don't care... It's you who will be affected, not them.

Good luck.

[andyvn579]

Originally Posted by MinMay

If you're worried or stress about it, then the logical answer is to leave it at home. true? :)

Search for "stolen watches" and YOU make the decision if you want to worry about your watch on vacation or be stress-free and enjoying your time :)

People will answer "wear it" or "don't wear it". Anyhow, if something bad happens to you, they don't care... It's you who will be affected, not them.

Good luck.

Thing is....i will stay there quite sometime, too long to leave them home. This isnt vacation. It's business purpose that could be extend longer if needed for the business

[MinMay]

Up to you bro No one can give you advice or tell you what to do with your watch :) .

You're making it way too complicated.

Originally Posted by andyvn579

Thing is....i will stay there quite sometime, too long to leave them home. This isnt vacation. It's business purpose that could be extend longer if needed for the business

[andyvn579]

I know but i remember reading a threads up here about Rolex at airport, not remember exactly what it was about, therefore, i askes to be sure

[torrente]

In the next weeks I will be in Turkey, when I go to places that might not be safe I get my Explorer and a Seiko. I feel much better leaving the blinger watches at home.

[Chadridv]

Insure your watch(es), be smart about it and enjoy.

Of course in Vietnam you are likely to face a bit more poverty and desperation than perhaps you're used to in CA, but you have to be careful anywhere you go.

Nothing to worry about at the airport. Just wear your watch, or tuck it into your carry on prior to security.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by andyvn579

Hi friends,

I am living in California but i will go to Asia, Vietnam specifically, some months for work. Just wondering if any of you have experience wearing Rolex on the stress. I mean....i'm somewhat worry about safety there. Not sure if i can wear my Rolex watches daily as of here. Any suggestion?

Also, i will have to bring all my automatic watches through airport x-ray, would it harm my watches in anyway?

Thanks

Freudian slip there. I think if you are very worried then don't you don't need that stress on the streets.

[Gotgolf52]

Saigon metro has more millionaires per capita than a lot of US cities nowadays. Also, depends on where you locate in the city, district 1 has a lot of Ferrari/Lambo cars parking on the streets. Some of my local friends wear $20k+ watches and no one jack them. However, beware of your surrounding and don’t flash your jewelry in poor neighborhoods. It common sense even in US cities. Enjoy and don’t worry too much.

[tyler1980]

think about this...people they ship them all over the place in brown cardboard boxes to avoid paying taxes, like that is risk free from damage or theft... But wont wear them.

Your fedex box goes to Memphis, scary

[Theothergreg]

As Gotgolf52 said, District 1 in HCMC is busy but fairly safe as long as you are aware of your surroundings and downplay what you are wearing. I have heard about purses and iPhones getting taken there more than watches since they are easier to snag and ride off on a motorbike.

There are a lot of high-end watch stores popping up in Hanoi, as well (new Patek store being built near the RM boutique, right around the corner from VC, Omega and Hublot). Things are more low-key there since it's the capital, so doubt you would even get a second glance wearing a Rolex.

[BaliBryan]

Watch out for guys on motorbikes that ride up way too close. I had a couple guys ride right up on me face to face and the guy in the back reached out to grab my DSSD luckily he didn't get a good grip. Later that evening saw the same two riding around the same area staring me down f2f. (HCMC district 1 near the night market).

I personally would not put myself in that situation again. Leave.the watch.

[MinMay]

Originally Posted by BaliBryan

Watch out for guys on motorbikes that ride up way too close. I had a couple guys ride right up on me face to face and the guy in the back reached out to grab my DSSD luckily he didn't get a good grip. Later that evening saw the same two riding around the same area staring me down f2f. (HCMC district 1 near the night market).

I personally would not put myself in that situation again. Leave.the watch.

Basically, stay away from the street It's all motorbike :) . It was your lucky day. 10K can last a person for 10 years when average monthly salary is $150.

[Available Mase]

Based on your questions I feel you're an ez target.
Wear a casio. Leave the Rolex at home in the safe.

[lamnyc]

Wear a cheap watch and enjoy Vietnam. Otherwise you will constantly looking over your shoulder.

[nick800]

For all intents and purposes, I’ve been almost everywhere in Asia and most of Western Europe. Usually with 2 Rolex in tow, including on my wrist at the airport. You’re not traveling with bars of gold. Enjoy life. Get them insured for peace of mind.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by andyvn579

i'm somewhat worry about safety there.

Then why go there?

[andyvn579]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Then why go there?

Work

[Woody]

First of all I think that Vietnam is an amazing country and probably my favourite of the many that I have been lucky to have worked in around the world. You are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to send some time there and you should look to enjoy the experience. Last time I was there I wore my Daytona without any problems. That said, only you can decide what is right for you. Good luck and I hope you have a great time.

[blacke90]

Originally Posted by Woody

First of all I think that Vietnam is an amazing country and probably my favourite of the many that I have been lucky to have worked in around the world. You are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to send some time there and you should look to enjoy the experience. Last time I was there I wore my Daytona without any problems. That said, only you can decide what is right for you. Good luck and I hope you have a great time.

Agree with the above. I wouldn’t leave any valuables in the hotel unless it’s in a safe. I think if you worry about what you’re wearing, then you shouldn’t wear it. FYI I wore my Rolex, Panerai, and Speedmaster in Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand without any issues.

[Kingfish01]

I would be more scared of having a nice watch in most parts of California rather than Vietnam I doubt a homeless guy will bum rush you in Vietnam as they would in San Francisco. You will be fine, I’m sure

[elitejae]

Originally Posted by Kingfish01

I would be more scared of having a nice watch in most parts of California rather than Vietnam I doubt a homeless guy will bum rush you in Vietnam as they would in San Francisco. You will be fine, I’m sure

I get what you're getting at, but it's really not that bad here in SF. I daily my Daytona and work downtown where it can be rough (admittedly, anecdotal and biased).

To the OP - if you have doubts, then trust your instincts and leave it at home. If you do decide to take it, employ reasonable tactics and situational awareness like you would in any other city.

Lastly, to cover the edge case: if you do leave it at home and once there realize you feel safe and miss the wrist candy, then swing by some local ADs and pick up a fresh find!

[Sakuru]

Originally Posted by Kingfish01

I would be more scared of having a nice watch in most parts of California rather than Vietnam I doubt a homeless guy will bum rush you in Vietnam as they would in San Francisco.

+1. There are a few obvious exceptions, but most other countries have significantly less crime than the good ol' USA.

[andyvn579]

As some suggestions, maybe i should insure my watches and enjoy them. Anyone knows if they cover international?

[R!$]

Everyone wear gold Rolex in Asia. I like to wear Rose gold or my Gold Sub

[TonyYu]

Originally Posted by R!$

Everyone wear gold Rolex in Asia. I like to wear Rose gold or my Gold Sub

China, Japan, Korea are fine. Other areas I am not so sure.

[Highjinx]

I live in Nam and wear mine. No problem. Just don't take it off once there

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[OceanSade]

Don’t risk it. There are pickpocket / snatch theft syndicates in quite a few parts of Asia.
A 5% chance of getting robbed is still putting yourself at risk.
Unless you’re going to Japan, HK, Taipei, Singapore then you’re safe.
Source: Being Asian, I’ve been to most parts of Asia.

[aleeboy]

Worrying about what an X-ray would do to your watch over your own body is kind of funny. I
Sure your watch would be fine. It’s mostly steel, some silicon, faux jewels and lubricants afterall. Vietnam is pretty safe when compared to any major western city. However, if you intend to go out into the wee hours drinking hard and partying, you probably should take out a beater watch... like anywhere else as this increases risk.