Safe to wear President's Rolex in Chicago?

[BlackHayze]

Sorry for the fairly specific question, but I just inherited a President's Rolex from my uncle and was wondering how many of you wear yours in big cities? Specifically wear it in big cities while using public transportation and walking in the streets?

I plan on wearing my new watch very often, however something about wearing it on the CTA and while walking in city streets just doesn't seem safe to me. Especially as it gets warmer and I start wearing short sleeve shirts.

For reference I work in he West Loop (fairly high end area of Chicago) and am living in Roscoe Village (fairly high end and family oriented neighborhood in Chicago) so in general, my neighborhoods I'd be commuting between are nice neighborhoods and not too dangerous.

But there's still that nagging feeling in me. Can anyone who wears their watch while using public transportation and walking to work help alleviate these fears? Or let me know I'm correct in this fear, in which case I'll take the necesessary precautions while commuting to hide the watch from plain sight.

[andromeda160]

If it makes you uncomfortable, don't do it.

I wouldn't have a problem, maybe find a leather strap for it to make it a bit less flashy.

[Daytonaman799]

I live in NYC and have worn everything from a President to a Daytona to several PP's up to and including a 5970on both the bus and subway. The easy answer is just be aware of your environment. As long as you pay attention to detail about whats around you...you should be just fine.

[Jack T]

How long have you lived in Chicago? I know those areas and many other neighborhoods. I'm there once a month and never feel uncomfortable.

[VinnieVegas]

I wear. You Rolex watches every day in nyc. Almost nobody notices.

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[AF_Rob]

You live, work and commute through neighborhoods that are fairly nice, You are worrying a bit much. If you knowingly travel through shady areas, maybe consider a SS pieces. People don't notice our watches as much as we think they do.

I wore my Rolex drunk in New Orleans several times staggering from the Quarter to the Casino and back with no issues.

Just make sure your pieces are insured properly and you'll likely be fine.

[BlackHayze]

Originally Posted by Jack T

How long have you lived in Chicago? I know those areas and many other neighborhoods. I'm there once a month and never feel uncomfortable.

I've lived here for five years now. I've never once felt uncomfortable in the neighborhoods, but I've also never worn an 18k gold watch around! Although I've never felt anything but the utmost safety in my neighborhood I live in, even walking around alone at night after a night at the bars (which I wouldn't have my Rolex on in a situation like that anyway.)

[rudegar]

As a native I can tell you Chicago is as safe as any major American city, unless of course you get mugged.

[DaveJV]

i would not wear it in Chicago on public transportation. Its really a matter of common sense. it doesn't matter how safe others say it is. Use common sense. It only has to happen once.

[opaline460]

If you Don't feel safe then don't do it.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by rudegar

As a native I can tell you Chicago is as safe as any major American city, unless of course you get mugged.

[And1dre]

While I was attending school there, I used to get a lot of crime alert emails about people getting mugged on CTA. I would definitely be careful.

[Relyt]

Wear it. If your going to be robbed it doesn't matter if you have a watch or not.


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[Thailawson]

Don't know about Chicago.

I live in Houston and take the public transit here.

I wear long sleeves and thuck my watch when I feel the need.

99.99% of the time, no one really cares or notice what's going on in my life as they carry on about their own.

[Sublover2166]

While I have never been to Chicago, I must say after vacationing in Manhattan there are literally cameras watching you everywhere. I felt perfectly safe wearing my Sub there. Now with current murder rate in Chicago, don't quite think I would feel as secure. But then again I don't live there.

[benzng]

for everyday use i would wear it. if you feel you're going to be late at night then maybe skip it? i felt safe in chicago when i was visiting there 10 years ago until one late night, someone harassed me and my wife. someone offered to shine my shoes which i declined, then kept on insisting its for free, he followed us one block then proceeds to shine my shoe then after asks for $50 payment.

[Investr]

Jewelers Mutual.......

[ernie2]

People get mugged everyday in big cities. I never wear expensive stuff in NYC subways. Better safe than sorry

[summerjack]

Wear a long sleeve shirt.

[james1787]

I saw plenty of YG Rolex watches on NYC subways when I used to commute. I wore my Sub every day (although that flies under the radar a bit more). I probably wouldn't sweat it.

[Jimsdad]

OP As you know, the only people armed on the CTA are the criminals. There are often news reports of crimes occurring on the trains and around the stations. If the piece carries great sentiment, I wouldn't. If you are only worried about the value, insure and enjoy.

[pacific17]

It should be safe to wear it anywhere. As long as you are not flashing it like you are asking for it...

[fskywalker]

Guess depends too on your attire. Long sleeves would help you to conceal it, as others said is a matter or watching your environment.

[mapalfa]

Originally Posted by Jimsdad

If the piece carries great sentiment, I wouldn't. If you are only worried about the value, insure and enjoy.

Exactly what I was going to say.

It's different posting about things like this from the UK where we have an annual murder rate of less than 600 (in a 65m population roughly) and gun crime is nearly non-existent. Despite that I wouldn't wear any watch that's too obvious on London public transport, neither do I when visiting the in-laws in Lisbon.

When in Sao Paulo seeing her cousins I don't even wear a £10 plastic watch or decent trainers after a friend of the father-in-law got hit in the head with a brick, in an upmarket public place, for her beaten up Casio.

I guess one advantage of that watch, though, is that you could probably club someone into submission with it and it would keep on ticking

[Singslinger]

Wearing a gold watch that carries significant sentimental value in certain areas where there is a chance, no matter how small, of being robbed is IMHO not advisable.

[beer]

i don't think the gold makes a difference...criminals do know what they are looking for and can probably identify rolexes from a distance better than we can

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by rudegar

As a native I can tell you Chicago is as safe as any major American city, unless of course you get mugged.

[Spoonage]

I live in Chicago and wear all my watches without worry (although I don't have any PM watches yet and none carry significant sentimental or are not replaceable). Obviously stay away from the dark alleys in really shady areas but I'm never in those areas of the city so never run into anything worth mentioning. Also whether in a shady area or not I don't go waving my arm around flashing my watch either. I see plenty of people with more expensive watches than me walking around town, at the airport, on the L, etc.

I think if you're out somewhere acting nervous and constantly looking at or feeling for your watch / wallet / etc. you're more of a target. Yes, no matter where you are there may always be a possibility of being mugged or robbed, but if I lived my life thinking that way I would have 5 alarms on my house and never leave the comfort of my room.

[DOUBLE 0 SE7EN]

I wore my rolex at south africa and nothing happened.. So chicago is as safe as mom's arms..

[LazyDaniel]

Im in NYC. Nothing has ever happened...