Video of thieves in action Barcelona.

[shaunylw]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROLEX-OYSTE...LH_TitleDesc=0

Looks like someone yanked it right off of a wrist.

[2nastie]

I know in the heat of the moment people's responses differ but I mean the guy in the white shirt walks by pretty closely and his head is tilted at the watch. I would like to say I am pretty aware of my surroundings. If someone walks close enough with that kind of heard turn subconsciously you pick that up unless you are completely oblivious. Same with the 2 guys in black that walked right by. As soon as they turn around and walk back... alarm bells should have gone off and I would have gotten out of there or be in a bit more of a defensive position.

People in general needs to be a bit more aware of their surroundings and situation.

Sucks that people have to be put into the situation, but the reality of life... its not always 100% safe.

[VicLeChic]

This kind of attack in Barcelona has been reported in the Spanish press for the past couple of years. These gangs specialise in spotting luxury pieces in fancy restaurants and shopping areas, they then follow the person in the street and ask them for random directions to distract them. They know how to remove watches from the wrist by taking advantage of the springbars weak spot, especially with a leather strap.

I've previously warned members of TRF and other fora of such practice in Barcelona. You either carry pepper spray with you, or you can knock out someone (boxing skills, martial artist) or you are very aware of the surroundings so that you get out before it's too late when faced with dodgy people. Alternatively you don't wear an expensive piece there. I suggest doing the latter.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Easier said than done. People don't expect this, at all.

When someone comes up to you, you try to remain polite, you don't just walk away or go inside (''maybe I insult them''), that's the way people think. And I'm not making this up.

Just walk up to a stranger and look how close you can get (in their face) before they even say something. You can go FAR. That's why it's easy for criminals.

Agree, but that's why this kind of thing happens. Thieves will profile you first. You act like an easy target you're screwed. I think people should be more alert, regardless of where they are, and we would need less is it safe threads. No one needs to be kind and gentle with complete strangers like that outside their well known environment. But that's just my modest view of course.

[sensui]

Lowlifes. Karma will be a bit**.

[MinMay]

I thought people said Barcelona is safe to wear their expensive watch?

There is no safe place.

[Old Geezer]

I noticed the attendant the victim was speaking with moved slightly back when the guy approached to shake hands with the guy they ripped off. Probably seen this a hundred times and knew what was coming.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by MinMay

I thought people said Barcelona is safe to wear their expensive watch?

There is no safe place.

Never heard that before. Have heard several stories on here of watch theft in Barcelona. Tourists are particularly at risk not knowing the lay of the land.

[faz]

We have distant relatives who live in Barcelona. Very well off and very much into luxury lifestyle. Heard stories about thieves and pickpockets in Barcelona from them and things they have to worry about that I have not heard from anywhere else.

A lady relative was mugged as the thief put a knife on her neck and pretended to be a lover affectionately kissing her on the subway. Middle of the day in busy subway station. She took out her ring and bracelet etc. and gave it to him during the encounter.


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[MinMay]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

This kind of attack in Barcelona has been reported in the Spanish press for the past couple of years. These gangs specialise in spotting luxury pieces in fancy restaurants and shopping areas, they then follow the person in the street and ask them for random directions to distract them. They know how to remove watches from the wrist by taking advantage of the springbars weak spot, especially with a leather strap.

I've previously warned members of TRF and other fora of such practice in Barcelona. You either carry pepper spray with you, or you can knock out someone (boxing skills, martial artist) or you are very aware of the surroundings so that you get out before it's too late when faced with dodgy people. Alternatively you don't wear an expensive piece there. I suggest doing the latter.

What if they have a gun? If thugs want your watch badly then they’ll find a way to get it.

Why attract these thugs while on vacation? I rather leave the watch at home and enjoy the trip.

Anyhow it’s your life and your watch. Do what makes you happy.

I hide my watch around here and watch my surrounding at all time. Too many lowlife in this world. Also they’re targeting gym locker room.

[HogwldFLTR]

There are reasons not to wear watches conspicuously. His is certainly an easy view and target.

[_speedmaster_]

This guy should have been tipped off the second the restaurant attendant began to fidget and step back. He knew the possibility was there.

Either way, I never understood bringing a watch you care about when visiting a country/city you are not familiar with. Why go through your vacation constantly worrying? Or having something to strategically think about constantly?

Also, even if it’s insured, you really want to lose the watch you had all your memories with? The one you’ve had for years? Or was a gift from a special person in your life?

[Bo-Dacious]

It’s scary how fast that all went down.

[voltc]

That is really sad.

[KingLouie]

How the hell did they manage to get it off the wrist so fast? Scary.

[Reinhard in SA]

Travel with a Seiko, no point in worrying about a watch while on holiday.

[blacke90]

Same here with Seiko, but then I removed it when I’m in rough part of town/country. Would hate to get mugged for wearing a Seiko (meaning if the thieves thought it was really expensive).

Originally Posted by Reinhard in SA

Travel with a Seiko, no point in worrying about a watch while on holiday.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Reinhard in SA

Travel with a Seiko, no point in worrying about a watch while on holiday.

If I wear my SKX009 people would still think it's a +1-2k watch.

[rice721]

Feel bad for the victim

If u look closely the attendant tried to warn the victim when the white T-shirt thief came in for a handshake. The attendant tried to pull the would be victim back


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[T.Mas]

Very cosmopolitan.

[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by _speedmaster_

This guy should have been tipped off the second the restaurant attendant began to fidget and step back. He knew the possibility was there.

Either way, I never understood bringing a watch you care about when visiting a country/city you are not familiar with. Why go through your vacation constantly worrying? Or having something to strategically think about constantly?

Also, even if it’s insured, you really want to lose the watch you had all your memories with? The one you’ve had for years? Or was a gift from a special person in your life?

I can as easily get mugged in my home city. I want to use my watches so I bring them when I travel. If I will start to feel unsafe while wearing my watches I will sell them all as they wont bring me any joy sitting in a vault.

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I tend to agre, which is why I hope these guys don’t come to visit me in Canada

I was reading an article where a Canadian man stole some ladies purse, felt so bad that he ended up returning it and going out to coffee with the lady.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

I was reading an article where a Canadian man stole some ladies purse, felt so bad that he ended up returning it and going out to coffee with the lady.

Sounds about right

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[Reinhard in SA]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

I was reading an article where a Canadian man stole some ladies purse, felt so bad that he ended up returning it and going out to coffee with the lady.

What an awesome country, I am envious!

[DARK_KNIGHT]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Never heard that before. Have heard several stories on here of watch theft in Barcelona. Tourists are particularly at risk not knowing the lay of the land.

A couple of weeks ago in fact, a couple of forum members from Spain (maybe even Barcelona) said that crime statistics were no different in major Spanish cities versus other parts of the world.

Traveling as smart as possible anywhere in the world is a big plus.

Originally Posted by MinMay

I thought people said Barcelona is safe to wear their expensive watch?

There is no safe place.

Agreed.

[jay_kay]

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

I noticed the attendant the victim was speaking with moved slightly back when the guy approached to shake hands with the guy they ripped off. Probably seen this a hundred times and knew what was coming.

Decoy?

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by jay_kay

Decoy?

I don't think so. He did all he could non verbally to warn this guy. I'm sure that he does not want to be on the wrong end of a knife on the way home from work for overtly warning a tourist earlier in the day.


The victim in this had the uninterrupted line of sight to see the partners of the guy who tried to shake his hand double back and even flank him but he ignored it. That would never happen in my world.

Distance = time = options.


Disclaimer I had a watch stolen. By the very people that were employed to ensure my security.

I was drunk, New Year's Eve, I fell. Broke my fall with my left hand. Bracelet broke. Doorman at the nightclub I was leaving scooped it up as I was checking for it and for injuries and passed it off to another doorman. I knew he had taken it as he was the only one there near me. He denied it. He could have just handed it back, But no, he denied it and even threatened me. I gave him one last chance before I called the police. He continued to threaten me which just confirmed to me that he had taken it. What kind of professional would do that.

Long story short weeks later this brain surgeon had the watch pawned by another co-worker who used his own name, ID and and thumbprint all on camera at a pawn shop. The police after checking pawn shop registries arrested him, he rolled on the guy that took my watch. Three people went to prison. They had to pay me apology money and write a letter of apology. They also had to pay back the pawn shop the $17,000 they had received then gambled away on pachinko.

Side note for those of you that say "Meh, I don't need the papers," The police would never have believed me or have been able to track it down without the papers/serial number. The key here is the first hurdle. They would not have believed that I was wearing a $ 20,000 WG Rolex Daytona.

Nobody stole it off my wrist, distracted me or strong armed me they just picked it up off the ground where I fell. Then denied it and played hot potato with it which just sent more of them to prison.

This was in Japan. I would never go to Barcelona but if I did my head would be on a swivel. I would not even enjoy my time there.

[Star Ferry]

unemployment rates in Spain are sky-high. These guys can flip an AP or gold Rolex for 10,000 euros.

Easy to say we'd avoid getting robbed, but a practiced thief can spot a valuable piece in the wild as well as any seasoned WIS. It's incredible how fast he took that off the victim's wrist

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by DARK_KNIGHT

A couple of weeks ago in fact, a couple of forum members from Spain (maybe even Barcelona) said that crime statistics were no different in major Spanish cities versus other parts of the world.

Traveling as smart as possible anywhere in the world is a big plus.

Plenty of crime is never reported. Plus, being visibly a well-off foreigner can make someone into a prime target (facing far higher risk than the national average for theft).

Sometimes you get the vibe, deep in your brain, that a place isn't safe. I've gotten that feeling even while in certain neighborhoods in mainland China. I'll trust my instincts before I rely on statistics

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by MinMay

I thought people said Barcelona is safe to wear their expensive watch?

There is no safe place.

Originally Posted by GB-man

Never heard that before. Have heard several stories on here of watch theft in Barcelona. Tourists are particularly at risk not knowing the lay of the land.

Well, I go everywhere considering that it isn't safe. With that being said I have been to Barcelona and even bought my wife's DJ there. She wore it out of course and didn't have any issues the 8 days there. The Rolex AD gave us a discreet brown bag for which to put the Rolex green bag in. Maybe it's the areas we frequented, saw a Platona, rose gold YM, bunch of DDs and a few Hublot surprisingly. We even went to the Ramblas.

I'm a bit athletic looking and rather a bit hyper vigilant mostly because my background so I don't take any risks and make an effort to conceal luxury items as much as permissible. I always insist the missus takes her normal purses when traveling. And we always dress down when out and about, like almost gym clothes. If it's a nice dinner then it's car to door when she's wearing heels.

Would visit Barcelona again wearing my watch, just like NYC, Miami, London or France, although our watches aren't blingy $90k items. Situational awareness and head on a swivel. To me, no where is "safe", Beverly Hills or in front of the White House. If it isn't getting robbed it's terrorists concerns. My wife calls me the worrier.