Since so many “Is it safe”?

[123Blueface]

We recently completed a transatlantic cruise and then drove around the Iberian Peninsula.
Given all the regular “is it safe” posts, decided to wear my under the radar LB sub (insert sarcasm), and wife wore her under the radar Rolesor CHNR (insert more sarcasm).

Cities/countries these watches visited:

By Cruise:
Bermuda
Cadiz
Cartagena
Valencia
Barcelona

By Car:
Zaragoza
Pamplona
San Sebastian
Biarritz, France
Bilbao
Valladolid
Salamanca
Aranjuez
Toledo
Chinchón
Madrid

All together, 23 days (13 on ship, 10 driving in rental car) 3 countries, with cruise ship……6 hotels, as well as 6 different of those horribly feared room safes for spare watches and wife’s jewelry.
Interestingly, in Madrid’s Mercado de San Miguel, seemed every other person was wearing a Rolex.
Similarly in the so much feared Barcelona.

I follow the insure it, wear it, and be aware of your surroundings approach and has always worked for me. Obviously, everyone does as they wish but thought I would share my experience.

[Chewbacca]

Congratulations!

Many people say professional cruise ship bandits switch Rolexeses overnight using chloroform to incapacitate the Rolexeses people and they never realized it until service. I’d get them checked.

[brandrea]

Cruising with a Rolex… there’s a first

[thxv009]

Was in Barcelona twice with my BB58 and Seamaster and never had a problem. But I was very aware of my surrounding especially for pickpockets. I think the most robberies are at night even in London. Sure there are some in broad day light but that's a city of 10 million people.

I'm happy to live near Munich where nearly everyone is wearing a Rolex. Never had an issue.


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[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Cruising with a Rolex… there’s a first

13 nights were on cruise.
10 nights were driving all over Spain.

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Congratulations!

Many people say professional cruise ship bandits switch Rolexeses overnight using chloroform to incapacitate the Rolexeses people and they never realized it until service. I’d get them checked.

Here come sleepless nights………not

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

13 nights were on cruise.

10 nights were driving all over Spain.

Sounds like a great trip

Did you see Ronda?

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[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Sounds like a great trip

Did you see Ronda?

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Not on this one.
We were there four years ago when we did a different Iberian route that included Malaga and Granada on way back to Madrid.

[whalerguy]

Quick story.... Several years back, I went to see "The Illusionists" show near me. My Wife and I were amazed at the show to say the least. Lo and behold, I was called up to the stage to participate with a trick in front of 5-6 thousand people. Card trick as I recall. Anyways, he sends me back to my seat, and after a few minutes, I noticed my Rolex (GMT) wasn't on my wrist! I never put two and two together. I was looking under the seat, kinda panicky. Then one of the magicians near me in the aisle motioned to me not to panic.

I was called back up to the stage where he let the crowd know, (and me) he snagged it off my wrist without me knowing.

My reason for telling you this, is if a PROFESSIONAL pick pocketer wants your stuff, it's not hard for them to get it. Just be sensible. And have insurance!

[enjoythemusic]

Toledo???

Why would anyone want to visit Ohio?!?!?!?

Great post OP

[Breizh]

It’s just how a peson dress that sets them as the target first.
If you look like a tourist with baggy cargo shorts, baseball cap and white New Balance, then you become a target (and deservedly so for such fashion faux pas!! )

Of course there’s always exceptions but pick pockets always start with the tourist.

I wore my Nautilus in every neighborhood in Naples without any worries. Never had any issue everywhere I traveled.
If a neighborhood becomes too sketchy, it doesn't matter what you wear at that point…

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Toledo???

Why would anyone want to visit Ohio?!?!?!?

Great post OP

Thanks.

[PB_nts!]

Originally Posted by Breizh

It’s just how a peson dress that sets them as the target first.
If you look like a tourist with baggy cargo shorts, baseball cap and white New Balance, then you become a target (and deservedly so for such fashion faux pas!! )

Of course there’s always exceptions but pick pockets always start with the tourist.

I wore my Nautilus in every neighborhood in Naples without any worries. Never had any issue everywhere I traveled.
If a neighborhood becomes too sketchy, it doesn't matter what you wear at that point…

I wear my $20 Uniqlo pants and a $20K Rolex when travelling abroad such as Spain last year, no issues.

[creepy neville]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Congratulations!

Many people say professional cruise ship bandits switch Rolexeses overnight using chloroform to incapacitate the Rolexeses people and they never realized it until service. I’d get them checked.

Noooo wayyyyy

But ……. Really ?

[LaLaLife]

These are absolutely crazy. Was just in Europe last week, wore my 5168g aquanaut on the plane, switched between that and a GMT-II when walking around. Never thought twice about it.

The only place I rarely wear a Patek is Mexico or certain areas in South America... even there I've never considered not wearing a ss Rolex. I get that things happen, but there's a reason for insurance, and things happen on Rodeo Dr. just as they do elsewhere, watches are meant to be worn and enjoyed.

[Fencer28]

Everyone says it’s crazy until it happens to them. My friend got mugged in picadilly in London in broad daylight at knifepoint. He lost his brand new sub date.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

How gullible are people these days?

Blows my mind.

[THC]

Pledge, OP …

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by creepy neville

Noooo wayyyyy

But ……. Really ?

Waaaay.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

Here come sleepless nights………not

The odds reset now. You’re good unless you live to be 332 years old or take another 71 cruises.

[PB_nts!]

Originally Posted by LaLaLife

These are absolutely crazy. Was just in Europe last week, wore my 5168g aquanaut on the plane, switched between that and a GMT-II when walking around. Never thought twice about it.

The only place I rarely wear a Patek is Mexico or certain areas in South America... even there I've never considered not wearing a ss Rolex. I get that things happen, but there's a reason for insurance, and things happen on Rodeo Dr. just as they do elsewhere, watches are meant to be worn and enjoyed.

to be honest, I think Patek is safer than Rolex.
More people know Rolex than Patek, and lots of people think Rolex is more expensive than Patek.

[cdm765]

Originally Posted by PB_nts!

to be honest, I think Patek is safer than Rolex.
More people know Rolex than Patek, and lots of people think Rolex is more expensive than Patek.

If you’re wearing a Patek the other rich signals are a dead giveaway for robbery anyway.

[Jpccarguy]

Thanks for a thoughtful and practical post. I absolutely agree with insurance, and I hope that with the Rolex & Swiss timepiece market settling a bit, thieves may be less likely to take the risk.

[PB_nts!]

Originally Posted by cdm765

If you’re wearing a Patek the other rich signals are a dead giveaway for robbery anyway.

Really? 2 months ago I was in Madrid, wearing a Patek 5227R, carrying a Leica M11 (about 9k)+and 35mm APO Summicron lens (about 10k), I felt pretty safe. What other signals do I have to give away? However I don't have other jewelry on me and my attire is pretty subtle too.

A $ 40K worth of Patek is way more subtle than a $20k (grey market price) Rolex GMT Pepsi in my opinion. I bet vast majority of non-watch-nuts people think Pepsi were more expensive than a 5227R by just looking at them side by side.

[fskywalker]

Cool thanks for sharing!
I agree that situational awareness, clothing / habits, etc. have a lot to do with the traveler’s experience!


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[TheWatchmen]

You wore a nice watch vacationing, and somehow survived the whole deal. Incredible. Please make sure to catalog the harrowing adventure in your memoirs so a movie can be made about it one day.

[Steve Epps]

You were lucky
https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-...in-and-romania

[FrankieM]

Congrats! I will say some of those areas arent the "Safest" but im glad you where able to wear your watch and enjoy yourself!

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by TheWatchmen

You wore a nice watch vacationing, and somehow survived the whole deal. Incredible. Please make sure to catalog the harrowing adventure in your memoirs so a movie can be made about it one day.

No need.
Will forever live in infamy on this forum.

[Little machines]

Enjoying life and traveling with the time pieces you enjoy ! Great to see you had a great cruising experience !!