Safe advice please

[Old Expat Beast]

Now that I'm up to 4 Rolexes, I guess I had better get a fireproof safe. Any preferences about push-button combination or older-style dial out there?

Thanks.

[BarkMaster]

There is a safe expert on this forum, but my opinion is that the safes we can afford are not theft or fire "proof"... they are resistant to either for a relatively short period of time.

I keep papers in mine. It has a keypad and key.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

There is a safe expert on this forum, but my opinion is that the safes we can afford are not theft or fire "proof"... they are resistant to either for a relatively short period of time.

I keep papers in mine. It has a keypad and key.

The one I am looking at is supposed to be guaranteed fire-proof for one hour, which should be ok as I live within two minutes' drive of a fire station.

[Jason71]

Safety deposit box at your local bank. Definitely a little less convenient, but WAY MORE SECURE

[Old Expat Beast]

I live on an island and my local bank doesn't have safe deposit boxes. So it would be very inconvenient.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I live on an island and my local bank doesn't have safe deposit boxes. So it would be very inconvenient.

Hmmm.....that is a bit of a conundrum. Best advice I could give then is REALLY BIG, REALLY HEAVY, and bolted to a concrete floor if possible.

BTW, don't skimp on the safe. Your watches were very expensive and you should have something decent to house then in.

[GradyPhilpott]

Never mind.

[elcompa]

My advice on safes, as a security consultant, is if you need one, you actually need two. One obvious safe in the master bedroom closet where most tend to have them. You can lead an assailant to it and he gets whats in there...few hundred dollars, some fake "important documents" or investment papers and some junk jewelry, perhaps an old disabled firearm etc.... The other safe will be in a much more discrete, inconspicuous place in the attic, dead space in the basement, buried in the back yard or under a desk covered with computer cables etc... This is the one with the real irreplaceables.

With a gun to your head you need a safe "give up".

[hdrazor251]

Originally Posted by elcompa

My advice on safes, as a security consultant, is if you need one, you actually need two. One obvious safe in the master bedroom closet where most tend to have them. You can lead an assailant to it and he gets whats in there...few hundred dollars, some fake "important documents" or investment papers and some junk jewelry, perhaps an old disabled firearm etc.... The other safe will be in a much more discrete, inconspicuous place in the attic, dead space in the basement, buried in the back yard or under a desk covered with computer cables etc... This is the one with the real irreplaceables.

With a gun to your head you need a safe "give up".

Good advice.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by elcompa

My advice on safes, as a security consultant, is if you need one, you actually need two. One obvious safe in the master bedroom closet where most tend to have them. You can lead an assailant to it and he gets whats in there...few hundred dollars, some fake "important documents" or investment papers and some junk jewelry, perhaps an old disabled firearm etc.... The other safe will be in a much more discrete, inconspicuous place in the attic, dead space in the basement, buried in the back yard or under a desk covered with computer cables etc... This is the one with the real irreplaceables.

With a gun to your head you need a safe "give up".

Thanks, but I live in Hong Kong, and I don't think anyone has had a gun to their head - at least in my local area - since the Japanese invaded in 1941. This is more in case of fire and opportunist burglary. Thanks all the same.

[Keith1]

Good luck in your search. I personally like the touch pad with a key backup (key hidden away of course). It is so much easier just entering a code on the pad to open.

[elcompa]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Thanks, but I live in Hong Kong, and I don't think anyone has had a gun to their head - at least in my local area - since the Japanese invaded in 1941. This is more in case of fire and opportunist burglary. Thanks all the same.

The violence aspect is a typical example. Two safes may also be a good idea even for burglary/common theft. An obvious safe so a thief thinks they got it all....and a not so obvious safe where the real goods are. Also, when talking about multiple safes, diversification is another reason. Simply don't keep it all in one place.

[bayerische]

I have a small safe at home, that probably wouldn't take too much of an effort to break into. However, it's well hidden.

My point on this, is to have a hidden safe, home alarm system and make sure doors are locked and alarm armed when not at home.

[hcivic91]

Just insure your watches and quit worrying all together. That way they are covered from theft as well as other misfortunes and you can juat leave them strewn about. The biggest problem i face is where i left my watch the night before.

[bayerische]

Yes insurance is a must.

Mine are insured to full value in Finland, while traveling to a "nice" sum.

[SUBversive]

Originally Posted by elcompa

My advice on safes, as a security consultant, is if you need one, you actually need two. One obvious safe in the master bedroom closet where most tend to have them. You can lead an assailant to it and he gets whats in there...few hundred dollars, some fake "important documents" or investment papers and some junk jewelry, perhaps an old disabled firearm etc.... The other safe will be in a much more discrete, inconspicuous place in the attic, dead space in the basement, buried in the back yard or under a desk covered with computer cables etc... This is the one with the real irreplaceables.

With a gun to your head you need a safe "give up".

2 safes is an interesting idea but I can say from family (bad) experience ... Don't bury stuff in the backyard, ever. When reasonable security blends into paranoia, the crooks win.

[dysondiver]

ive a small safe , about a hundred years old bought from a local auction , 300 quid , delivered . i dont think it would meet the modern standards for fire theft water ingression , but , with a huge bolt through it and into the floor no ones going to run away with it ,,,, but valuable papers are in the bank , and watches are hidden ... the only thing in the safe is the key ,,, i never lock it , just keep a bottle of jd in it.

[77T]

Frankly you will lose much more than 4 Rolex watches in a house fire - and some can't fit in one. For example, that grand piano that cost you $20K or the $120K-worth of furnishings or the heirloom $5K Grandfather clock...

So I am in the camp that says the insurance is the better choice especially if the safe failed to be "fireproof" when it really mattered. As for the security aspect - that's another story for another time...

[grinchcop]

One thing to consider is the potentially corrosive atmosphere inside of the smaller safes which tout their ability to protect the contents from fire. Depending on the contents stored, a dehumidifier is highly recommended. For stainless steel/gold watches and most documents, it's not a concern. For vintage watches, firearms, etc., the environment inside the safe is a consideration.

[mgent]

We have 2 Brown's and a big AmSec.... Brown's in the closets 'cause they're really nice, AmSec somewhere else for big jewelry and documents.

If someone comes in with a gun they can have it all. Can't wear a watch if you're dead.

[wantonebad]

The best safe there is, is the one no one knows about. Basically what BM said is true, all safe's can be cracked, and there are no safes that will withstand a long duration fire. But if you can put it were it's undetectable and not surrounded by fire-fuel then you are talking.

[gulfstream69xr7]

Originally Posted by 77T

Frankly you will lose much more than 4 Rolex watches in a house fire

Had a house fire four years ago.

I was amazed at what we lost.

[Tooomey]

Insurance is your best bet but I use a big Winchester Gun safe and keep more than my watches in it. ;) Know one person is picking it up!

[Tripp11]

Originally Posted by elcompa

My advice on safes, as a security consultant, is if you need one, you actually need two. One obvious safe in the master bedroom closet where most tend to have them. You can lead an assailant to it and he gets whats in there...few hundred dollars, some fake "important documents" or investment papers and some junk jewelry, perhaps an old disabled firearm etc.... The other safe will be in a much more discrete, inconspicuous place in the attic, dead space in the basement, buried in the back yard or under a desk covered with computer cables etc... This is the one with the real irreplaceables.

With a gun to your head you need a safe "give up".

Good advice, and it's also a good idea to carry a "give up" wallet which has a little cash and plastic cards which contain no personal info.

In my opinion, you can never be too safe.

[Lion]

Personally, I also use a combination of a few deterrents with all my watches and rings, as well as my wife's Rolex and jewelry. We have all the jewelry insured for Replacement Value, a Safe at home, AmSec, and Safe Deposit Boxes at the Bank. At home we do not have a dog but I do have a couple of items which utilize the releasing of projectiles as another level of Security.....

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Safety deposit box at your local bank. Definitely a little less convenient, but WAY MORE SECURE

Exactly!

[colpol]

Lot of good feedback on here

Something I've been researching over the past few weeks too.

I read somewhere that the average thief in the UK is in the house for less than 8 min's & usually looking for cash\ small valuables that easy to sell like ipads, cameras, laptops, etc.

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Safety deposit box at your local bank. Definitely a little less convenient, but WAY MORE SECURE

^this