Is it safe to wear a rolex in South Africa?

[nobbylon]

The only places I wouldn't wear any watch would be S.America.
Airline crew I know were even held up in the crew hotel at gun point! handed a bag with the command, watches, wallets and phones. Captain refused and got wacked and luckily only hospitalised. My mate won't even wear a plastic digital as in his words, they will take it because they can.
As you are from there I'm sure you know the score.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by edummjorge

All,

I will travel to South Africa during my vacations, and would like to know if it's safe to wear my Submariner (and where/when).

I will stay in Cape Town, Knysna, Plettenberg, Johannesburg and Kruger Park.

I live in São Paulo, Brazil, so I am pretty much used to put my watch in my pocket depending on where I go.

Thank you,
Eduardo Jorge

Eduardo Jorge

I normally think that these "is it safe" threads are a load of tosh but for South Africa I would play safe and wear nothing valuable.

We took a 3 week holiday viz Capetown, Krugger Park and Durban. During that 3 weeks we were twice advised by the police to remove all jewellry, we witnessed 2 muggings and were within 3 murders as they actually happened. All that within 3 weeks.

We were with our inlaws so were in a party of 4 which is a lot safer but as regards to wearing jewellery out there, just forget it.

Regards

Mick (just noticed date of OP - DUH)

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Eduardo Jorge

I normally think that these "is it safe" threads are a load of tosh but for South Africa I would play safe and wear nothing valuable.

We took a 3 week holiday viz Capetown, Krugger Park and Durban. During that 3 weeks we were twice advised by the police to remove all jewellry, we witnessed 2 muggings and were within 3 murders as they actually happened. All that within 3 weeks.

We were with our inlaws so were in a party of 4 which is a lot safer but as regards to wearing jewellery out there, just forget it.

Regards

Mick (just noticed date of OP - DUH)

Intense Mick! Perhaps are they safe threads are important.

[Mick P]

.

[Chiboy]

Hey, has anyone heard from Eduardo Jorge since he got back? I'm getting worried!

[You]

Hey guys it's honestly not about where you're at. It's the time and how you present yourself. Just don't go out late wandering. Try to stay in a group environment. Don't make yourself look like an easy target. I've worn my watches in many different places. I haven't had a problem yet.

[crowncollection]

Not in joburg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jaySL350]

i hope the op is ok but that story about the lion wearing a sub just inside swaziland got me thinking?,,,,,,

[locutus49]

Get your watches insured and wear them everywhere. If you live a life of fear, then you should not wear expensive jewelry.

[PatrickJ]

Make sure it is insured and keep it covered at all times.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by PatrickJ

Make sure it is insured and keep it covered at all times.

Patrick

That is normally my advice but in SA if someone wants to rob you, they usually stab you, grab the stuff and then run.

This is why the police told us (twice) not to wear any jewellery including rings on fingers which were a prime target.

I spend 5 months each year travelling around Europe and I have international insurance and wear the watch 24/7. However in SA just be ultra careful and stay low key.

It was a great place to visit but I would never do it again.

Just before we left, a guy got into a bedroom in our hotel, shot the wife dead and the husband in the face just to steal purses, wallets and loose jewellry.

He was caught and got 44 years but by all accounts he had a family to feed and there was no work around so took to crime.

Regards

Mick

[Lordofrolex]

I would wear something sporty to south Africa for sure.

[DRKBC]

I watched a show a little while ago on South Africa and I believe the murder rate sits about 50 people per day, sexual offences triple that. I guess do what you are comfortable with but that said ... maybe avoid dark alleys and wearing short sleeved shirts.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by DRKBC

I watched a show a little while ago on South Africa and I believe the murder rate sits about 50 people per day, sexual offences triple that. I guess do what you are comfortable with but that said ... maybe avoid dark alleys and wearing short sleeved shirts.

Well even in the USA murder rate is around 44 per day,simple answer with all these can I wear, or do this or that, just use common sense which hopefully all members have.Now if you go around with a sticker on your forehead saying look I am wearing a Rolex, no matter what part of the world you could be asking for trouble.

[DRKBC]

Originally Posted by padi56

Well even in the USA murder rate is around 44 per day,simple answer with all these can I wear, or do this or that, just use common sense which hopefully all members have.Now if you go around with a sticker on your forehead saying look I am wearing a Rolex, no matter what part of the world you could be asking for trouble.

Very true but SA is about a 12th of the size of the US. You are right though a little common sense goes along way. I have been in some sketchy places wearing my watch and never had an issue but lately I think more about it. Mostly because of people around me, I just don't want to put people I care about in jeopardy because I want to wear my watch. And some times although not planning for it, a person can end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just my slant on it.

[sechsgang]

You could be completely fine. If anything just insure with Jewler's Mutual before you go and then you're all good.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by sechsgang

You could be completely fine. If anything just insure with Jewler's Mutual before you go and then you're all good.

Many of us on the forums have been denied for JM for "credit" which I doubt. I think it was because perhaps we rented our primary living house. And If you get shot, JM won't help.

[jzack10]

I am from South Africa and have worn my Submariner and YG day date without any problems. Most of the crime happens in the areas where the average tourist won't visit.

PS. South Africa is a stunning country, full of wonderful people, the weak Rand means that it's dirt cheap and that includes watches (my 2015 116520 cost the equivalent of £6500 new and my submariner was £4400 new).

[AnnemarieGirl]

Depends where you go and particularly what time of the day it is. I would suggest being extra vigilant in SA and stay in crowded areas not wondering off the beaten track. AM.

[onkyork]

It's so safe to wear your Rolex in South Africa.. Lots of people wear it over there

[beshannon]

Why would you travel to somewhere where it is not safe to wear a watch?

[fishingbear]

My advice is if it is a concern to you in your mind then don't bring it. You want to be comfortable and stress-free on vacation. However, I've been to many countries in Africa over the last 15 years and I've never experienced any issue with wearing a Rolex.

[Cobain]

If you have to ask then you'll probably be uncomfortable wearing it anyway, so just don't.

[Uncle]

Avoid petting lions after eating a burger and your watch, and forearm and hand should be safe!

Personally I wear a daily beater if in an urban environment I am unfamiliar with or if I know I will be on foot passing through less salubrious areas - there are parts of London or Glasgow I would be very uncomfortable about wearing such a watch in.

[racingfreak]

I stay in SA and trust me when I tell you the perception vs reality is completely different. What you see on tv is isolated to certain areas and if you're vigilant you won't have issues. I live by the motto of "play stupid games, win stupid prizes". Yes, there are dodgy areas, same as anywhere in the world, but if you avoid those areas your chances of running in to trouble is slim.

That said, we have a beautiful country and it's relatively cheap if you earn in USD, GBP and EUR. So come and enjoy!

Ps. We dont have any wild animals that roam free in Joburg and Cape Town😂

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Shaky]

Crikey Micky P I am definitely not going to South Africa with you any time soon.

My sister lives there and I have been going there regularly since 2006, the worst I have seen is a fight between two white guys. The police have been the worst with their bribery requests when being pulled over tbh.

As most have said here, the murderss, rapes etc mostly take place in areas we as tourist would never go. I have walked round with a Breitling on many times with no problems and my brother in law has an omega that he wears all the time over there.

I know stuff does happen over there but you keep your wits about you, as you would in any strange city.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by Shaky

Crikey Micky P I am definitely not going to South Africa with you any time soon.

My sister lives there and I have been going there regularly since 2006, the worst I have seen is a fight between two white guys. The police have been the worst with their bribery requests when being pulled over tbh.

As most have said here, the murderss, rapes etc mostly take place in areas we as tourist would never go. I have walked round with a Breitling on many times with no problems and my brother in law has an omega that he wears all the time over there.

I know stuff does happen over there but you keep your wits about you, as you would in any strange city.

Shaky

The incident of the wife being murdered and the husband being shot in the face happened in the best hotel in Pilgrims Rest which is a well known tourist hot spot.

We were having dinner and the waiters never even mentioned it. We just carried on eating our meal which actually was rather good. We found out about later in the evening and the advice was to lock the doors and windows and don't resist if it ever happens to you.

The worst mugging took place on the promenade in Durban, a gang of 4 or so 10 - 12 year olds just ran up to a couple and grabbed the woman hand bag and ripped a gold chain off the husbands neck. It all happened in a couple of seconds and the kids just ran off into the street. We were about 50 yards away and by the time we realised what had happened, it was all over.

You may be lucky and not see anything or you may be unlucky but in all my 67 years, I saw more crime in 3 weeks than I did in my entire life.

Regards

Mick

[SeaAndSky]

I'm not referencing the original poster as he is Brazilian, but on behalf of all Americans, I would like to apologize for any past and future posts from my countrymen on this subject. They really need to turn off the tv and go see the world.

[Danny83]

I have clients I do business with weekly overthere and its safe, just use general caution. When I was there in 2012 I saw a couple Aquanauts and subs.

[Kippers]

Cape Town and Duran yes. Joburg no

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk