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mcubed · 18 March 2009, 01:12 AM

I have been to Manila a few times, and as an American, I would be VERY wary of wearing anything really expensive. I know that watches are made to enjoy etc, but I just think there is just too much trouble to get into if you don't know exactly where to go, and if you stick out at all. I would recommend reading the online literature the state department has on travel there.

Don't get me wrong, I loved traveling there, and I met a lot of genuinely open, caring and caring people, and the Philippines is beautiful, BUT kidnappings are not all that uncommon (though more often of rich locals), and lots of places that westerners would go have guards at the doors. It is just not a place I would take a 5K plus wristwatch.

I wore my Invicta 8926 when I went.

ral · 18 March 2009, 02:37 AM

It depends on where your going. I would avoid the slums and depressed areas. But in the places I think you are likely to go a Rolex, or even a Panerai, IWC, JLC is really is not all that rare here, so it wont make you much of a target. Being a tourist makes you more of a target (people assume tourists carry money).

The number of fakes helps... pawnshops don't like to take watches in general. I would worry more about a laptop, cellphone or camera.

When you finalize your plans, PM and I can tell you if there is any particular places near where you are going to worry about.

timetravel125 · 18 March 2009, 03:04 AM

If you are an emigre' from Manila, and visiting your relatives, you pretty much know the answer to your query.

You would be chauffeured by your eager and caring relatives to places of interest to you. There is no risk wearing a Rolex when travelling by car, like other places in the world.

If however, it's a business travel and you're considered a "foreigner" you will still be chauffeured by your business cohorts. Most likely, you will be in business environment and spending lots of time at fancy hotels, so you're pretty much safe.

It's (always) prudent to be cautious when travelling.

Cheers.

Argojai · 18 March 2009, 04:19 AM

I've been to Manila about 10 times in the last 3 months for business and everytime I've either worn a Rolex or Panerai with no issues at all

Argojai · 18 March 2009, 04:19 AM

.

hwilsdorf · 18 March 2009, 08:55 PM

Metro Manila is generally safe. Mind you the only worry is at the airport during xray check. Make sure you place your Rolex in your bag, in and out of the xray converyor.

rayt · 18 March 2009, 10:52 PM

hey no problem.. of course you have to wear your rolex at right place..that impression is a misconception..go to makati area, rockwell,greenbelt.serendra, ..just like in other cities of the world there are places you can wear your expensive watches and there are place you dont have to wear it..rolex are everywhere in manila! Filipinos are watch afficionados!

rayt · 18 March 2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argojai

I've been to Manila about 10 times in the last 3 months for business and everytime I've either worn a Rolex or Panerai with no issues at all

Xenophon · 18 March 2009, 11:05 PM

As long as your insurance is up to date then don't worry. If you're going to get mugged then you're going to get mugged.

dxn · 19 March 2009, 03:00 AM

I didn't quite understand. Are you saying I should not wear the watch going through metal detector? I should let it go through xray scan instead?

dxn · 19 March 2009, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwilsdorf

Metro Manila is generally safe. Mind you the only worry is at the airport during xray check. Make sure you place your Rolex in your bag, in and out of the xray converyor.

I didn't quite understand. Are you saying I should not wear the watch going through metal detector? I should let it go through xray scan instead?

ral · 19 March 2009, 06:47 PM

He is saying, when we go through metal detectors they require that you place all the metal stuff you are carrying in a tray and walk through the detector. Some risk I guess. But hell, many buildings here have metal detectors and have never lost a watch (or anything else) that way.

I guess it may be best to answer your question visually. Should you where your watch in Manila? It depends...

... are you going here...

...here...

or here?

gregdolley · 19 March 2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ral

I guess it may be best to answer your question visually. Should you where your watch in Manila? It depends...

... are you going here...

...here...

or here?

Could not have said it better myself!

vonaf · 24 March 2009, 06:42 PM

I'm new to this forum and found this thread. The previous post is really funny but so true.

As in any country you visit, you have to know where you're going. I have worn jewelry and designer bags on trips when I know I'll be going to fancy places but mostly just worn the barest of necessities if I knew I would be going to "unsafe" places. That goes for NY, LA, HK or wherever you go.

If it's a business trip and during meetings, I think it would be safe, a lot of people wear rolex in the Philippines.

dxn · 7 April 2009, 06:37 AM

The area will be the Ortigas center. Is this a safe area?

golfball123 · 7 April 2009, 08:25 AM

well, i thought it was quite safe until a friend pointed out to me that even the guard/security in McD carry a 9mm pistol...

eddtango · 7 April 2009, 08:33 AM

I wear mine every time I go there. Ortigas center is a business and financial center, so If you have friends and relatives that can bring you around, you should be fine in Manila, just be careful when taking Taxis or public transport. Have a safe trip.

betastart · 11 April 2009, 06:29 AM

always travel safer without it in my opinion...

bravo_zulu · 19 June 2009, 07:25 AM

my wife and i always wear our Presidents when we go there. sometimes we cover them with cotton wrist bands like what tennis players use.

ghormley · 19 June 2009, 09:06 AM

i would def. NOT wear it there!

porkchopcash · 19 June 2009, 09:07 AM

I travel a lot too and understand your concern however I think the simple answer is "if you have to ask.....maybe you should reconsider"

Syms · 19 June 2009, 09:20 AM

Go there during a Manny Pacquiao fight and you have nothing to worry about..from what I heard, the crime rate drops to ZERO during a Pacquiao fight lol

jdH · 19 June 2009, 09:29 AM

If your going to the slums why wear it, I always wear my rolex watch here in manila. It just depends on the place your going.

migboy · 19 June 2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syms

Go there during a Manny Pacquiao fight and you have nothing to worry about..from what I heard, the crime rate drops to ZERO during a Pacquiao fight lol

hahaha! this is so true! the streets are empty during his fights!

18 March 2009, 11:05 PM	#39
Xenophon 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Xenophon Location: UK Posts: 2,729	As long as your insurance is up to date then don't worry. If you're going to get mugged then you're going to get mugged. __________________ The sea! The sea! Θάλαττα! θάλαττα!

7 April 2009, 08:25 AM	#46
golfball123 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: thailand / m'sia Watch: YG DD & GMT,TT SUB Posts: 1,265	well, i thought it was quite safe until a friend pointed out to me that even the guard/security in McD carry a 9mm pistol... __________________ Present Collections TT Date-just, TT Sub. (Bluesy), YG Date-Date, YG GMT IIc (Black dial). SS GMT IIc

18 March 2009, 01:12 AM	#31
mcubed "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: US Posts: 468	I have been to Manila a few times, and as an American, I would be VERY wary of wearing anything really expensive. I know that watches are made to enjoy etc, but I just think there is just too much trouble to get into if you don't know exactly where to go, and if you stick out at all. I would recommend reading the online literature the state department has on travel there. Don't get me wrong, I loved traveling there, and I met a lot of genuinely open, caring and caring people, and the Philippines is beautiful, BUT kidnappings are not all that uncommon (though more often of rich locals), and lots of places that westerners would go have guards at the doors. It is just not a place I would take a 5K plus wristwatch. I wore my Invicta 8926 when I went.

18 March 2009, 02:37 AM	#32
ral Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philippines Posts: 650	It depends on where your going. I would avoid the slums and depressed areas. But in the places I think you are likely to go a Rolex, or even a Panerai, IWC, JLC is really is not all that rare here, so it wont make you much of a target. Being a tourist makes you more of a target (people assume tourists carry money). The number of fakes helps... pawnshops don't like to take watches in general. I would worry more about a laptop, cellphone or camera. When you finalize your plans, PM and I can tell you if there is any particular places near where you are going to worry about.

18 March 2009, 03:04 AM	#33
timetravel125 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Real Name: Louie Location: California Watch: Rolex Posts: 644	If you are an emigre' from Manila, and visiting your relatives, you pretty much know the answer to your query. You would be chauffeured by your eager and caring relatives to places of interest to you. There is no risk wearing a Rolex when travelling by car, like other places in the world. If however, it's a business travel and you're considered a "foreigner" you will still be chauffeured by your business cohorts. Most likely, you will be in business environment and spending lots of time at fancy hotels, so you're pretty much safe. It's (always) prudent to be cautious when travelling. Cheers.

18 March 2009, 04:19 AM	#34
Argojai "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Roger Location: Hong Kong Posts: 49	I've been to Manila about 10 times in the last 3 months for business and everytime I've either worn a Rolex or Panerai with no issues at all

18 March 2009, 08:55 PM	#36
hwilsdorf Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 106	Metro Manila is generally safe. Mind you the only worry is at the airport during xray check. Make sure you place your Rolex in your bag, in and out of the xray converyor.

18 March 2009, 10:52 PM	#37
rayt "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Earth Watch: must be rolex Posts: 630	hey no problem.. of course you have to wear your rolex at right place..that impression is a misconception..go to makati area, rockwell,greenbelt.serendra, ..just like in other cities of the world there are places you can wear your expensive watches and there are place you dont have to wear it..rolex are everywhere in manila! Filipinos are watch afficionados!

19 March 2009, 03:00 AM	#40
dxn "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Dan Location: california Watch: datejust Posts: 23	I didn't quite understand. Are you saying I should not wear the watch going through metal detector? I should let it go through xray scan instead?

19 March 2009, 06:47 PM	#42
ral Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philippines Posts: 650	He is saying, when we go through metal detectors they require that you place all the metal stuff you are carrying in a tray and walk through the detector. Some risk I guess. But hell, many buildings here have metal detectors and have never lost a watch (or anything else) that way. I guess it may be best to answer your question visually. Should you where your watch in Manila? It depends... ... are you going here... ...here... or here?

24 March 2009, 06:42 PM	#44
vonaf "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: p.i. Posts: 1	I'm new to this forum and found this thread. The previous post is really funny but so true. As in any country you visit, you have to know where you're going. I have worn jewelry and designer bags on trips when I know I'll be going to fancy places but mostly just worn the barest of necessities if I knew I would be going to "unsafe" places. That goes for NY, LA, HK or wherever you go. If it's a business trip and during meetings, I think it would be safe, a lot of people wear rolex in the Philippines.

7 April 2009, 06:37 AM	#45
dxn "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Dan Location: california Watch: datejust Posts: 23	The area will be the Ortigas center. Is this a safe area?

7 April 2009, 08:33 AM	#47
eddtango Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: N.America Posts: 41	I wear mine every time I go there. Ortigas center is a business and financial center, so If you have friends and relatives that can bring you around, you should be fine in Manila, just be careful when taking Taxis or public transport. Have a safe trip.

11 April 2009, 06:29 AM	#48
betastart Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 24	always travel safer without it in my opinion...

19 June 2009, 07:25 AM	#49
bravo_zulu "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: california Watch: Rolex President Posts: 2	my wife and i always wear our Presidents when we go there. sometimes we cover them with cotton wrist bands like what tennis players use.

19 June 2009, 09:06 AM	#50
ghormley "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: TEXAS Watch: AP/Rolex Posts: 222	i would def. NOT wear it there!

19 June 2009, 09:07 AM	#51
porkchopcash Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 36	I travel a lot too and understand your concern however I think the simple answer is "if you have to ask.....maybe you should reconsider"

19 June 2009, 09:20 AM	#52
Syms "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 62	Go there during a Manny Pacquiao fight and you have nothing to worry about..from what I heard, the crime rate drops to ZERO during a Pacquiao fight lol

19 June 2009, 09:29 AM	#53
jdH "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Posts: 285	If your going to the slums why wear it, I always wear my rolex watch here in manila. It just depends on the place your going.

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