Rolex Stolen from wrist in Barcelona

[StevieWatch]

Originally Posted by Langnam

I spent over a week in Lisbon before moving on to the rest of the country.

I stand by my statement. No one cares about your Rolex in Portugal.


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Yes and I have spent many weeks in Barcelona, Rome and also lived in Madrid for a while. Fortunately I haven’t been a target but it happens in all large capital cities. Europe has had a problem with it for many years now and it’s organised crime as opposed to just someone chancing their luck. One week for one tourist does not show the bigger picture.

[JacksonRain]

Originally Posted by goldboy

I wasn’t quite sure what reference this was until I read “subdials”. Glad to hear you at least got a crack on him, I would also fight for mine. People aren’t replaceable but some watches are also not replaceable and worth the scrap.

I wore my Rolex in Barcelona last year and was very aware of my surroundings, I noticed people looking - and I made sure they knew I saw them. As boxer of 15 years though it doesn’t bother me and I’ll continue to wear my nice watches whenever I travel as long as it isn’t an overly dangerous area like South America.

Yeah, you can't box bullets or knives -- life is too precious for that. You could be as aware as you want or think you are and still get got -- it can happen anywhere anytime. In fact, if you're too brave or bold, that when the knives start stabbing and bullets start flying. It's sad.



OP I'm sorry for what happened. It's disgusting and disgraceful. thank goodness you're physically okay. What a violation.

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[Driver8]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

Sorry to hear, OP. A very sad state of affairs indeed. I hope you recover soon from this nasty experience.

People, Barcelona is notorious for watch thefts. Wear a cheap watch there, same goes with Paris, London, Rome, Brussels, NYC and other big cities with a relatively high crime index. This information is public, do your homework before travelling.

Ask yourself: is the pleasure of wearing a nice piece on the wrist in such places worth the risk of being mugged?

Exactly.

I personally never understand why folks would risk wearing an expensive watch, along with short sleeves, in a big city they don't know. And even more-so when certain cities are renowned for that kind of opportunistic theft.

Personally I adore Barcelona as a city, but wearing an expensive timepiece in certain areas (and yes that very much includes touristy places) is just silly IMO.

That said, I'm just pleased the OP and his GF were unharmed. As others have said, material stuff can be replaced - people can't.

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by domi1

In Europe, the most famous thieves for stealing watches in citys Napoli, Barcelona and London

Glad the op was uninjured albeit an awful experience,,,,
Not forgetting Amsterdam and Paris,,,
Most of these scum are very organised and some are just opportunists like the chap in West London a while back who had a invicta robbed ,,,,obviously the robbers mistook it for a BLRO ,,,,

[samson66]

My advice (seriously)



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[jingerman]

Really hope those scoundrels get their just desserts!! Can’t believe they just went up and snatch it off, but glad that at least you and your partner are safe and sound.


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[youknow23]

man that is a shame they spotted that but lucky u were not in a bad area cos chasing them normally ends up in a lot worse situation

[Mercutio]

Very sorry to hear about this incident. Barcelona has become terrible over the years, and I’m saying this which major regrets, as I had lived there for some time, and have fond memories of wonderful people I met there; crime has just gone off the charts there though, I now avoid visiting.

Had an attempted watch robbery there as well, but luckily, police was nearby and the clasp held up well despite quite some violence; I’d advise to get all the paperwork done not at a regular police station, but the tourist police - they are very helpful and accommodating, and you will get al receipts there to file with your insurance (next to specific watch policies, check your other contracts - credit cards etc., maybe those will cover partially the monetary damage, was the case when I got attacked).

All the best, and again, very sorry to hear!

[Mercutio]

Originally Posted by nachopc

Europe is exactly what it use to be, the Rolex problem is worldwide, this happens in LA, NY, London, Ibiza, etc my dear.


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Having lived in BCN and two of the cities you mentioned: this is not true. Barcelona has deteriorated within the last seven years or so on an incredible scale, and violence in theft and robberies has increased along with volume. London and NYC are perfectly safe, without any form of precaution; ask around though who had experienced theft in BCN, and you will get ridiculous numbers. There’s a reason that fast food joints (!) employ security bouncers around plaza Catalunya.

[orologiollc]

Sorry to hear. Hope you and your GF are okay?

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by Mercutio

Having lived in BCN and two of the cities you mentioned: this is not true. Barcelona has deteriorated within the last seven years or so on an incredible scale, and violence in theft and robberies has increased along with volume. London and NYC are perfectly safe, without any form of precaution; ask around though who had experienced theft in BCN, and you will get ridiculous numbers. There’s a reason that fast food joints (!) employ security bouncers around plaza Catalunya.

Sorry, but no, the chance of your Rolex being stolen is exactly the same in NYC as it is in Barcelona. Dudes who joined TRF a long time ago and have high post counts have already settled this issue, and there was even hard data and charts involved Please accept their Royal Edict and refrain from contradicting them until you’ve pledged and joined all giveaways

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Sorry, but no, the chance of your Rolex being stolen is exactly the same in NYC as it is in Barcelona. Dudes who joined TRF a long time ago and have high post counts have already settled this issue, and there was even hard data and charts involved Please accept their Royal Edict and refrain from contradicting them until you’ve pledged and joined all giveaways

Plus, we rarely talk about the specific watch models. My guess is a 30 year old AirKing would be less of a target than a gold Daytona. Heck, that Daytona-looking Seiko above may make one more of a target than said 34mm AirKing.

I’d personally love it if prices fell off a cliff, so we can go on worrying about it less.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Sorry, but no, the chance of your Rolex being stolen is exactly the same in NYC as it is in Barcelona. Dudes who joined TRF a long time ago and have high post counts have already settled this issue, and there was even hard data and charts involved Please accept their Royal Edict and refrain from contradicting them until you’ve pledged and joined all giveaways

a gypsy also tried to steal my iphone from my hands as i was walking around midtown. that chart makes sense now

[Mercutio]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Sorry, but no, the chance of your Rolex being stolen is exactly the same in NYC as it is in Barcelona. Dudes who joined TRF a long time ago and have high post counts have already settled this issue, and there was even hard data and charts involved Please accept their Royal Edict and refrain from contradicting them until you’ve pledged and joined all giveaways

And here I was, thinking that actually having lived in all three May count for something - thanks for bringing the folly to my attention that this matter had been settled once and for all

(*retreats in humbled silence to the panic room - what has London come to, one wonders*)

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by huncho

a gypsy also tried to steal my iphone from my hands as i was walking around midtown. that chart makes sense now

The correct term is “Travelling Community” — off to sensitivity training you go

[dnill]

Originally Posted by Clay7484

I feel like an idiot. I didnt do any research. Generally thought pick-pocket ok, keep items out of pockets that aren't zipped, no purses for the girls, keep your watch on at all times. This happened so quickly, I was trying to hit the guy with my free arm before I knew what was happening. Then they were gone. I am in Europe doing delivery on a Porsche. The car wasn't valeted at the first hotel we stayed at. We parked it in the hotels shared garage and then checked in. We spent four nights in a locals area without any issue. Within 2 hours of checking in at the W we were identified and then targeted. It was either the valet or someone at or real close to the hotel that tipped off the ring. We were in winter clothes, The watch was covered up, oyster flex band, nothing really stuck out without getting close. I went through the motions on the police report today. The police said there is a new, legit mafia, running the watch racket. They said 2-3 watches stolen off of a person a week.

Sad to hear about this. Absolutely do not blame yourself, it’s a bloody shame we can’t wear our watches without being robbed in the middle of the street. When they are tipped off there’s nothing you can do to keep your watch. There are more people around than what you can see and they will use as much violence as is needed to get the watch.
Hope you can enjoy the rest of your stay and your new Porsche without thinking too much about it.

[medcoastsol]

Originally Posted by Clay7484

I feel like an idiot. I didnt do any research. Generally thought pick-pocket ok, keep items out of pockets that aren't zipped, no purses for the girls, keep your watch on at all times. This happened so quickly, I was trying to hit the guy with my free arm before I knew what was happening. Then they were gone. I am in Europe doing delivery on a Porsche. The car wasn't valeted at the first hotel we stayed at. We parked it in the hotels shared garage and then checked in. We spent four nights in a locals area without any issue. Within 2 hours of checking in at the W we were identified and then targeted. It was either the valet or someone at or real close to the hotel that tipped off the ring. We were in winter clothes, The watch was covered up, oyster flex band, nothing really stuck out without getting close. I went through the motions on the police report today. The police said there is a new, legit mafia, running the watch racket. They said 2-3 watches stolen off of a person a week.

sorry OP for what happened. that is just very sad

[MINOLI]

Sorry to hear about your incident OP, I hope you're able to recover your watch or that you had insurance.

I visited Barcelona and other parts of Spain in 2013 with some college buddies. Didn't own a Rolex at the time, but left my other nice watches at home. I recall seeing a younger couple biking near the waterfront, an older guy biking towards them tried ripping the woman's purse off the handle bars of her bike. It almost sent her flying off the bike. Her husband/boyfriend jumped off his bike and was ready to give the old thief a beatdown. I didn't stick around to see the outcome.

I traveled throughout Spain again in 2018 with my wife on our honeymoon. We ended the trip in Barcelona, it was the only area where I felt uneasy at times wearing my Rolex. I'm a bigger guy, and would think I'd be less of a target. All it takes is an attacker/multiple attackers catching you while your guard is down, or with a gun or knife. Be aware of your surroundings and use your best judgement, it can happen to any of us.

[ninjin]

Originally Posted by Mercutio

Having lived in BCN and two of the cities you mentioned: this is not true. Barcelona has deteriorated within the last seven years or so on an incredible scale, and violence in theft and robberies has increased along with volume. London and NYC are perfectly safe, without any form of precaution; ask around though who had experienced theft in BCN, and you will get ridiculous numbers. There’s a reason that fast food joints (!) employ security bouncers around plaza Catalunya.

I don't know about NYC but as a Londoner myself, I don't think you can make that statement.

https://news.met.police.uk/news/thre...-london-457595

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by amh

PSA: Wear a Tudor when visiting a bad part of town.

Crazy world we live in right.. glad the OP and his GF are okay, hopefully those criminal thugs will have karma bite them back.

Maybe wear an apple watch instead.. plus it would be very difficult to steal that off a wrist because of the buckle strap.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by Number3

I’m often weary when travelling!

Try to stay hydrated...and wear a Tissot.

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[Tikoni]

So sorry for your experience. Glad you and your GF are ok

[Deepseadog]

Originally Posted by samson66

My advice (seriously)



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Not sure wearing a watch that looks exactly like a Daytona is the answer. A G-shock square is probably the best bet. The GW-5000U-1JF looks like it came from Walmart but is a screw back, or, solid core model that can be found in collections alongside Patek's--a piece that still says "enthusiast".

[atxwatch]

Sorry to hear this happened. Barcelona has quite a dark and gritty underbelly and it pays not to wear flashy things or drive flashy cars.

I, for my part, travel pretty much only with my Omega SMP300 on rubber. That one tends to fly under the radar pretty well. Although I have recently been to London with a Speedy and Germany with a Planet Ocean. But I have not worn a Rolex in Europe in MANY years.

[omar-rye]

The people who are posting on here saying things like “I went to Barcelona, Europe, NY, etc with my Rolex and didn’t get robbed” are delusional

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

The people who are posting on here saying things like “I went to Barcelona, Europe, NY, etc with my Rolex and didn’t get robbed” are delusional

They’re not delusional with respect to not getting robbed — I believe that they didn’t. They’re just making the incorrect logical leap that because they didn’t get robbed, the locale was perfectly safe. This being a Rolex luxury watch forum, we have a lot of members who insist their personal experience is objective truth and are consistently dismissive of other viewpoints

[Porkbelli]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

They’re not delusional with respect to not getting robbed — I believe that they didn’t. They’re just making the incorrect logical leap that because they didn’t get robbed, the locale was perfectly safe. This being a Rolex luxury watch forum, we have a lot of members who insist their personal experience is objective truth and are consistently dismissive of other viewpoints

[inadeje]

That’s terrible. I hope you were insured and it’s good to know you weren’t hurt, oh and that you landed one on the scumbag

[DonRickles]

I have to ask, why is it so often we see and read these reports of stolen or lost threads, posted by new members, most commonly with less than a handful of posts?

Surely a quick search would reveal the opinions and advice of long time members, BEFORE traveling with a luxury watch.

So, wait til my watch gets ripped off my arm, THEN go to a Rolex Forum.....

Certainly a great way to document......

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by DonRickles

I have to ask, why is it so often we see and read these reports of stolen or lost threads, posted by new members, most commonly with less than a handful of posts?

Surely a quick search would reveal the opinions and advice of long time members, BEFORE traveling with a luxury watch.

So, wait til my watch gets ripped off my arm, THEN go to a Rolex Forum.....

Certainly a great way to document......

Easy. Google “Rolex stolen [insert city]” and some of the results will be from TRF. That’s how a lot of victims end up here