Attempted Rolex Street Theft Averted!!!

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by summit

So nothing really happened and your Rolex wasn’t even visible to the possible “perp”.

Ok I see it was not you who replied about the long sleeves and molds.

Still, lots of drama and attention seeking is my impression of your short story.

It was clearly visible. Sorry if this was not clear.

Nothing happened because I reacted to a perceived threat. Granted, I cannot know for 100% what his intent was but I am 56 years old, well travelled and have never had a complete stranger grab for my hands and arms. Ever.

I hope you don't think I should have let something first happen to myself or my wife so I would then have to react to an actually inflicted harm.

I honestly do not care if I overreacted and did not make a friend or hurt someone's feeling in this situation.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by brandrea

You’re not going to make many new friends using this approach

Brian, according to many my personality alone makes it difficult to make new friends.

[summit]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

I hope you don't think I should have let something first happen to myself or my wife so I would then have to react to an actually inflicted harm.

Why would I or anyone else even suggest this?

You certainly have a flair for the dramatic!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Brian, according to many my personality alone makes it difficult to make new friends.

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[NachoNeal]

Fun read. I especially enjoyed your comment about the sign saying something like "Pedestrian Walkway" but since your French is so bad it also could have said "Watch Thief Ahead". lol

[soxfan39]

Sounds like he was trying to pull an awkward pick pocket move and remove the watch from your wrist. Great job trusting your gut that something didn't feel right and forcefully acting to remove yourself from the situation.

[watchluvr4ever]

Bro, I just wanted a hug.

[emersm]

Paranoid or not, you went with your gut instinct and walked away unscathed. Glad you and the Mrs are okay.

[nachopc]

Train stations and underground are a classic.


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[eonflux]

Glad you and your wife are OK.

If you didn't trust your spidey sense and something bad happened, you would have regretted not going with your gut.

If that guy's attempt at being friendly was really innocent, you would think he would apologize for perhaps a misunderstanding, being a little too friendly, etc.
Rather than just walking off.

Unless he was really shy and then the worst that happened is he learned not to grab a stranger's 2 hands.

[second time]

When you are in another city or country, anyone approaching you in a friendly manner should be treated with caution. It's sad that it's this way but that's how most of these thefts begin. They will have any one of a number of 'reasons' to engage you. Sometimes they'll confuse you with a random event, spray you or bump you, other times they'll be your new best friend.
I'm glad you got out of it Jason, I've no doubt that guys intentions weren't good.

[buffetwarren]

It is very common for pickpockets in Europe to come up to you in a friendly manner. They’ll figure out a friendly way to physically touch you (eg hand shake, dance move, etc) and within 15 seconds they’ll be off with your wallet or phone. They also tend to hang out around train stations (which are always located in the middle of European city centres).

[jb335]

Originally Posted by buffetwarren

It is very common for pickpockets in Europe to come up to you in a friendly manner. They’ll figure out a friendly way to physically touch you (eg hand shake, dance move, etc) and within 15 seconds they’ll be off with your wallet or phone. They also tend to hang out around train stations (which are always located in the middle of European city centres).

Facts


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[KY..]

Originally Posted by brandrea

You’re not going to make many new friends using this approach

Who needs friends when there are so many public forums and cyberspace?

[AF_Rob]

I remember your previous thread before your trip, OP. I'm glad everything worked out. From your story, it sounds like he didn't even question your reaction. I think that's all the validation you need to know you made the right move.

[ColoradoTime]

Glad you’re ok. I remember that post you had about the Apple Watch ultra. I’m traveling next week and will likely bring my garmin and my Pelagos.

[Moondoggy]

Yep, you were about to be rolled.

[White Collar Boy]

Geez Jason! Glad it panned out okay. What a dirtbag. Have a great rest of the trip you two.

[travisb]

Better safe than sorry. Glad you are both ok.

[1st amg]

Sounds like you were the next target of the day. Great job thinking on your feet! Safe travels!

[Daveh777]

It sounds to me like social distancing strategy has much to commend it in lots of situations. Never let unknown individuals come within 2m…

[TBC123]

In the endless ‘would you wear your Rolex in………’ threads. Ask yourself the simple question would you walk round that location holding a sign saying ‘I have $20,000 in cash with me’. If your watch is highly visible it’s no different as a highly liquid asset.

[Jackie Daytona]

Glad it was averted. I’m always very apprehensive when traveling being approached by strangers. I would rather to be perceived a bit rude by someone that I don’t know and it really won’t make difference at the end of the day than mugged. Nice job trusting your instincts on it all.

[plaj]

France is becoming a catastrophic country. I'm very careful when I wear my watches, especially as I work from time to time in Marseille.
I often wear a Daytona 116519LN and a YM42 226659, but I'm very careful. Fortunately, these two watches fly a little under the radar. I never wear the 116619LB or the 126655 YM because they are too flashy.

I was in NY a month ago and felt no fear of my watches being stolen. Long live NY!
I'm glad everything went well.

[JasoninDenver]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone.

[rfs]

Glad that you and your wife are safe.

[garyk]

Always good to react and use your brain. You did the right moves. I don’t shake hands or high five. Occasionally a fist bump. Good job OP….

[Lovebird]

Do you often high five random strangers while wearing 10K on your wrist? (Because I certainly don't...)

[BigPapiDoesItAgain]

Surprises me that would happen in Annecy - such a lovely city. I guess you always have to be vigilant. My Rolexes are insured, but the most expensive watch I took with me to France this summer was an IWC Pilot's UTC. It's pretty low key.