Rolex Stolen from wrist in Barcelona

[desmomini]

Originally Posted by amh

Hmmm.... Look at that[B]
Anyway, this is why I have an Exp2 as my travel watch. No subdials, no bezel that says "RRRRRrrrrrrolex." Pro thieves don't want it because it sells at MSRP.

Pro thieves don't want it because it's $10k?

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by desmomini

Pro thieves don't want it because it's $10k?

Pro thieves are less likely to recognize that watch as a Rolex at all. I still wouldn’t wear it in Barcelona, though (but would wear it anywhere in New York City)

[dcr54682]

Traveling to Europe next year but I will have a beater Seiko in addition to my GS. Specifically for Barcelona


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[garyk]

My wife and I attended a holiday show at a jewelry store (formerly Roles AD). The SA showed us a pair of earrings which had some diamond chips along the hoops and a dangling sapphire stone for $75,000. We both had to pick up our jaws off the floor…and people think we are nuts to spend the money we do on a SS Rolex watch?!

[trandonnghia92]

Please read it Carefully

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=872418

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Pro thieves are less likely to recognize that watch as a Rolex at all. I still wouldn’t wear it in Barcelona, though (but would wear it anywhere in New York City)

dunno, it has a cyclops. would be a dead giveaway from across a room. i think nyc is alright though, for the most part you're wearing sleeves 8-9 months out of the year. the city is packed again too so hopefully it gets a bit better

[hbbfam]

Originally Posted by joa

this is really freaking outrageous

also outrageous that despite cameras and badges everywhere the gym can't figure this out

There are no cameras in the locker room. It is quite easy to dodge the entrance if front is distracted. The thieves took my credit cards and immediately went to an Apple store in a mall 30' away. All four cards were tried and declined for $2700 purchase. Unlike most stores, Apple required a search warrant before the cop could look at the store surveillence video (two weeks later). And of course, to protect from covid, the thieves had masks on.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by huncho

dunno, it has a cyclops. would be a dead giveaway from across a room. i think nyc is alright though, for the most part you're wearing sleeves 8-9 months out of the year. the city is packed again too so hopefully it gets a bit better

I think it’s a less obvious Rolex than, e.g., a GMT Master II. But for a pro, yeah, all bets are off. A real pro would also steal your SeaQ or Czapek, they know watches as well as the folks here do.

[alphadweller]

Barcelona is infested with gangs specialised in watch spotting and theft from Eastern Europe and North Africa. That's what they do all day and it's their job to ruin your vacation, don't let them. These guys think it's unfair for them to be poor and for others to wear expensive watches. We are their targets and the police won't be around. It's that simple. I'll be there in a few months, Rolexless of course.

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

Barcelona is infested with gangs specialised in watch spotting and theft from Eastern Europe and North Africa. That's what they do all day and it's their job to ruin your vacation, don't let them. These guys think it's unfair for them to be poor and for others to wear expensive watches. We are their targets and the police won't be around. It's that simple. I'll be there in a few months, Rolexless of course.

This ,,,,
Not forgetting The Balearics,,

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by desmomini

Pro thieves don't want it because it's $10k?

It's a simple risk-reward calculation. For the most part, I suspect, a $10k steel Rolex and a $40k gold Rolex will result in the same:

1. Prison sentence if caught/convicted
2. Likelihood of the police looking for/finding thief
3. Effort by rightful owner to get it back (police reports, etc)
4. Probability of owner fighting back during robbery

So, each thief determines their threshold for risk of those things, and it may well be that the $10k watch doesn't meet it, particularly for a professional thief.

[domi1]

Originally Posted by dcr54682

traveling to europe next year but i will have a beater seiko in addition to my gs. Specifically for barcelona


sent from my ipad using tapatalk

👍

[domi1]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

barcelona is infested with gangs specialised in watch spotting and theft from eastern europe and north africa. That's what they do all day and it's their job to ruin your vacation, don't let them. These guys think it's unfair for them to be poor and for others to wear expensive watches. We are their targets and the police won't be around. It's that simple. I'll be there in a few months, rolexless of course.

👍

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by dannyp

It's a simple risk-reward calculation. For the most part, I suspect, a $10k steel Rolex and a $40k gold Rolex will result in the same:

1. Prison sentence if caught/convicted
2. Likelihood of the police looking for/finding thief
3. Effort by rightful owner to get it back (police reports, etc)
4. Probability of owner fighting back during robbery

So, each thief determines their threshold for risk of those things, and it may well be that the $10k watch doesn't meet it, particularly for a professional thief.

Not that straightforward. If I’m a fence, I’m paying a much higher percentage of value for a steel sports Rolex than a PM. The ability to move a stolen good quickly affects what they are worth

[ROLEX MAN]

Can some "Aussies" chime in about their thoughts or experience on theft Down Under?

Any big city with stacks of tourists can be dangerous.

Wear mine daily, and YES I would be very rampent angry if I got mugged!

It's not the $$$ as much as sentimental value, and trying to replace it!

I have recently seen at least 8 Doctor's or specialist wearing Rolex or other high end watches recently, even my Chemist wears an OP to work daily.

Their AMG, or Porsche are parked in a normal carpark, would be easy for a thief to just hang around the car!

Actually there daily reports of youth's stealing High powered vehicles by breaking into peoples homes and taking the keys, they have fun with it and crash it or burn them!!

My Gastro Surgeon wears a Submariner, bought it for his 40th, he jokingly calls me a "selfish bastard" for owning more than one!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Not that straightforward. If I’m a fence, I’m paying a much higher percentage of value for a steel sports Rolex than a PM. The ability to move a stolen good quickly affects what they are worth

Which is already factored into the thief’s risk-reward equation (what a fence will pay). Maybe they won’t pay that much for certain ones, which turn lowers their attractiveness to thieves who’d not make enough to justify the risk of injury or prison.

[Clay7484]

Interesting that when I contacted Chrono24 they said they don’t require the serial numbers disclosed, even confidentially. I understand not broadcasting the serial number in the advertisement to protect privacy, but the fact that chrono doesn’t require that information be disclosed to them to list the watch, is a blatant act in facilitating sales of stolen watches.

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by GMT Freak

And some people on the forums still laugh whenever tourists ask whether X city in Europe is safe to wear Rolexes.

Folks, better to wear a beater when you travel in Europe, especially Spain.

Barcelona has ALWAYS been known for opportunistic street criminals. I first went there 20 years ago and that was one of the top of list tips to know.

We saw a few people on the Ramblas eying her ring and my watch a few times. I let them know that I saw them and made it clear that I also remained aware of what else was going on around me. No issues.

In crowds where this is notorious, know what is going on around you. They want easy marks, people who don’t know what’s coming, not a beat down.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by BroncoOne

Barcelona has ALWAYS been known for opportunistic street criminals. I first went there 20 years ago and that was one of the top of list tips to know.

I used to visit Barcelona on business about once or twice a year. 20 years ago it was a well known hot spot for street theft. It can only have got worse since, and it was pretty bad to start with.

[HogwldFLTR]

Easy solution, where a Rolex on one wrist with the sleeve down and an Apple watch on the other with the sleeve rolled up. No one will bother you.

[watchboynyc]

Was in Barcelona 4 years ago and whatever you read about the city true. Beware of pick pocketers as they work in teams.

I remember i was with a few friends and kids, a few of us noticed the same group of people hovering around us as we were in the market 'las rambas'. I just stopped and looked directly at them to let them know that we see them and aware of them.

[Number3]

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashi...d-paris-spikes

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

Barcelona is infested with gangs specialised in watch spotting and theft from Eastern Europe and North Africa. That's what they do all day and it's their job to ruin your vacation, don't let them. These guys think it's unfair for them to be poor and for others to wear expensive watches. We are their targets and the police won't be around. It's that simple. I'll be there in a few months, Rolexless of course.

This.

[fixinbones]

Fighting back and chasing a perp is a good way to get seriously injured. Many are armed and if you push them too far you’ll end up getting shot or seriously beaten up. My advice is to comply completely and give them your watch. It’s not worth your life. If you travel to many tourist cities I would leave the Rolex at home and if you do wear it just make sure you have insurance on it

[SteveHao]

so sad

[rolexdream]

Barcelona has been known for pick pocketing for many years, i visit regularly and almost every trip i see/hear of a theft

London whilst has the odd watch theft, doesnt feel unsafe to walk around with a rolex, i have never had or seen anything happen in many years and i wear rolex and Gold daily

[Number3]

Originally Posted by rolexdream

Barcelona has been known for pick pocketing for many years, i visit regularly and almost every trip i see/hear of a theft

London whilst has the odd watch theft, doesnt feel unsafe to walk around with a rolex, i have never had or seen anything happen in many years and i wear rolex and Gold daily

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashi...d-paris-spikes

“In London, police data shows that 667 Rolex watches were taken between January and September.”

[ev8296]

That really sucks.

[RogerOP]

Originally Posted by Number3

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashi...d-paris-spikes

“In London, police data shows that 667 Rolex watches were taken between January and September.”

People are still wearing their watches though. I’ve been to all areas of London and seen all types of people wearing their high end watches.

[Incroyable12]

Does anyone carry pepper spray while traveling?

I know in certain countries like the UK it's actually considered a weapon but in other places like France it's legal.