A question about the Tudor BB58 in light of the recent swell in Rolex muggings

[Fanofsteel]

This question will be polarizing & triggering to some, but it's one I've been thinking about lately, and I'd like to hear the forum's thoughts - especially from BB58 owners.

Would you treat a Tudor BB58 (on bracelet) with the same caution as you'd treat a Rolex steel sports model, such as a Sub? And by caution, I mean leaving it exposed on your wrist, rather than covering it or swapping it out with a watch that you perceive as less risky/tempting for crooks.

Asking the question differently, do you think that the Tudor BB58 is too desirable or "Rolexy" to qualify as a safer substitute for travel, etc? Do any of you BB58 owners have a lower-tier or lower-key watch to serve as a safer substitute? I'd rather get a lower-profile but still 'nice' watch for the aformentioned purposes rather than a classic beater like a G-Shock. Am I kidding myself by thinking that the BB58 (even on bracelet) significantly lowers mugging probability? I've never heard of a Tudor mugging, maybe I'm being naive.

Thanks in advance for the feedback. Here's a gratuitous shot of my personal grail (126610LN), which I'm still honeymooning with after 9 months of ownership.

[Eric88]

If you’re in a risky environment, I’m not sure if the crooks will differentiate between a BB and a SubC.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

“Mugging probability”? For reals?

[28mm]

Well I bought a Tudor 925 recently as I wanted something lower key for when I am out and about working.

Yet it's true, I think on a NYC subway probably a good idea to keep it covered?

Through force of habit and growing up in high crime New York, I have always had awareness of wearing a Rolex.

The idea they were under the radar until recently is fictional. My father told me when I was a kid how cops would wear fake Rolexes on the subway to draw out muggers..This was in the 70's.

Originally Posted by Eric88

If you’re in a risky environment, I’m not sure if the crooks will differentiate between a BB and a SubC.

I don't think so either but in a place where they might be stalking jewelry and watches, it wouldn't be called out.

[Chewbacca]

Really depends on where you are in the world.

[Flintstone]

My advice is “ When in doubt, don’t”. BTW, this advice also works with poker, driving and sex.

[Fanofsteel]

Thanks for the reponses, everyone.

This got a LOL out of me, rings true in my experience:

Originally Posted by Flintstone

My advice is “ When in doubt, don’t”. BTW, this advice also works with poker, driving and sex.

[S52]

I got mugged at knifepoint as a teenager in the 10th grade for my Victorinox Swiss Army watch (~$150). This was in a fairly affluent part of CA too...

Scumbags gonna scumbag regardless whats on your wrist. Best keep your head on a swivel and any time I find myself forced to ride public transit I take the watch off and hide it in my pocket or bag.

[Tim Plains]

That's kind of weird thinking, sorry. If your going to get mugged, you're going to get mugged, period. They won't differentiate a Rolex from a Tudor from a Pagani Design. It's just that Rolex robberies make the news much like Ferrari or Lamborghini crashes make the news. You don't hear broadcasters say it was a Honda Civic or Ford Edge but the word Ferrari takes center stage.

[vipereaper30]

Definitely safer than a Rolex. It's what I use when I'm in need of a "beater" that I wouldn't mind losing.

[brucethemanlee]

You could get mugged for $10 in you wallet depending on how desperate the person may be.

But no i wouldn't treat BB58 with same caution as Rolex

[shaunylw]

I have both a sub and a BB58, and i tend to not care much when I’m wearing the BB58. I don’t think it has drawn any attention. I would probably wear the BB58 if i was somewhere sketchy and wouldn’t be worried about anyone noticing it.

In the summertime, i wear the BB58 on rubber and i don’t think anyone gives it a second look.

[rootbeer7]

The gangs that organise these robberies know what they’re after. They can spot what they want a mile off and target specifically.

[Oxfordian]

Any watch is a target for someone who is desperate and going through hard times, whether it is simply to pawn the watch for money to buy food or clothes or pay a bill or to use for alcohol or drugs which is another possibility. So if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time it won't matter what you are wearing on your wrist it could be a target.

The area you go into doesn't have to be rough or a no go area, there are stories of men having their watches stolen in the nicest of ways; a couple of charming and beautiful young ladies start a conversation with you in the bar at the pub or on the golf course and whilst you are engaged and engrossed in the beauty that you can see with one lady, the other has lifted your wallet, unclipped your watch and whipped your phone all whilst you are viewing what is on display in front of you.

And yes this is true, one victim gave a very graphic account on what happened and was more concerned what his wife would say when she found out that he had been in the company of these young ladies.

[nyyankees]

Originally Posted by Flintstone

My advice is “ When in doubt, don’t”. BTW, this advice also works with poker, driving and sex.

Good advice


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[Innocenti]

There are probably people who are mugging for the sole intention of your rolex and there are mugging just to take your money and stuff.
I’ve never worried about either but I can say wearing the 58 instead of a vintage sub it more relaxed and because of that for me more enjoyable.

[Gobee]

Regardless of the watch. Just wear what you can afford to lose or damage…a rolex or Tudor is made to be worn. Not be worried about.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

You could get mugged for $10 in you wallet depending on how desperate the person may be.

But no i wouldn't treat BB58 with same caution as Rolex

Have to agree but Tudor and Rolex are both just watches, and if I was worried about getting mugged I would not have bought either.

[samson66]

I think most of the people on this board own some sort of "travel watch" that is non-Rolex, less expensive, and lower profile. A Tudor makes a terrific travel watch. Used my GMT for years and never had an issue.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by nyc10ken

Though I remember my AD telling me a while back they got robbed and since everything good was in the safe, the perpetrators got away with "only breitlings and Tudors".

Funny.

Originally Posted by Flintstone

My advice is “ When in doubt, don’t”. BTW, this advice also works with poker, driving and sex.

Excellent advice.

Originally Posted by S52

Scumbags gonna scumbag

Nice. That should be on a t-shirt.

Originally Posted by Gobee

…a rolex or Tudor is made to be worn. Not be worried about.

I'll add to all of this sage advice that the BB58 has a much more matte finish on the bezel, face and less polishing than most Rolexes, so by that alone, it's less "flashy". I like that.

And most thieves, honestly, don't like the snowflake hands.

I jest.

I've worn my Sub or BLNR in NYC and London, on the subways, etc. with never an issue but then again I got robbed at gunpoint once in the middle of a parking lot in NC once simply because I was wearing a suit and they figured I had money. They asked for my wallet, not my watch.

So do I go around naked, just in case?

Heck no. It's cold out there! Shrinkage.

[macrowatch]

Hi OP, I share your nagging worries in the back of my mind. There are just many more confident fellow forum members here than I am.

And this is before even talking about PM pieces!

For me, if I'm concerned, speedy goes on instead of anything nicer. Speedy because I still enjoy the watch and it's very replaceable with plenty of inventory at any given time.

And if I'm really, really concerned, than it's Apple watch and tracking my fitness steps.

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by Fanofsteel

This question will be polarizing & triggering to some, but it's one I've been thinking about lately, and I'd like to hear the forum's thoughts - especially from BB58 owners.

Would you treat a Tudor BB58 (on bracelet) with the same caution as you'd treat a Rolex steel sports model, such as a Sub? And by caution, I mean leaving it exposed on your wrist, rather than covering it or swapping it out with a watch that you perceive as less risky/tempting for crooks.

Asking the question differently, do you think that the Tudor BB58 is too desirable or "Rolexy" to qualify as a safer substitute for travel, etc? Do any of you BB58 owners have a lower-tier or lower-key watch to serve as a safer substitute? I'd rather get a lower-profile but still 'nice' watch for the aformentioned purposes rather than a classic beater like a G-Shock. Am I kidding myself by thinking that the BB58 (even on bracelet) significantly lowers mugging probability? I've never heard of a Tudor mugging, maybe I'm being naive.

Thanks in advance for the feedback. Here's a gratuitous shot of my personal grail (126610LN), which I'm still honeymooning with after 9 months of ownership.

There are two significant angles to answer this...


1. Most people have no idea what a Tudor is whereas EVERYONE knows Rolex. Highly doubtful your BB58 would even raise an eyebrow even if you wore it on a chain around your neck.

2. Yes, Rolex (and gold watch owners) are noticed and targeted — that little cyclops can be spotted from yards/meters away. I would bet half of those mugging are specifically for the watch. But I would also suspect half of those mugging are muggers targeting someone who is in the wrong place at wrong time and/or someone who looks “wealthy.” Meaning, if you (and your company) look well heeled they would mug you expecting a full wallet (the watch, no matter what it is, is just an extra for the mugger).


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[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Fanofsteel

I've never heard of a Tudor mugging, maybe I'm being naive.

I have never thought about buying high end jewelry and being robbed for it in the same breath.

I wish you luck

[SocialMediaUser]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree but Tudor and Rolex are both just watches, and if I was worried about getting mugged I would not have bought either.

Thats is the first positive post I see from you.
And for once I agree with you.

I do not watk around worrying if today might be the day I die in a car/plane/train/bicycle/pedestrian accident.
Nor do I think about how I might perish from a terror/loonie-bin/hater/racist/KKK or BlackPanther attac.

I do not fill my days reading about all the dealdly illnesses I might contract from living my daily life,bar the ones that might come with age.

Why would I then worry about what could be if I wear my watch?
Anything from the above lists would take priority....

[Mendota]

This doesn't involve watches but carjacking.

My wife's aunt teaches at a very nice private school in a shitty part of her city. A student came into class one day late and all disheveled. When she asked what happened he said he was carjacked right outside in the school parking lot. He said they jumped him as he pulled in but after a minute or so sitting inside the car they gave up and took off running!!

He drove a manual transmission and the idiot carjackers didn't know how to drive a stick! Ha ha!

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[Scott_]

My only experience with being mugged was as a college student in Boston in the early 90s. I wasn't wearing a watch (and I was at least 6 years away from buying my first mobile phone). The muggers got the $15 or so in cash that I had in my wallet. They actually handed me my wallet back and didn't bother taking the only credit card I had at the time. I had a friend who was mugged at gunpoint not long after that -- the mugger got a grand total of $.07 in coins.

[Know1isgod]

Once I put my Tudor GMT on a Jubilee, I actually thought about that. However, I generally choose what watch to wear based on what I am doing and the surrounding area.

[TswaneNguni]

Robbers are better informed than general public .They know Tudor ...and its worth something .

[NachoNeal]

I also enjoy wearing my beater watch. So when I go out into a neighborhood where I might get mugged, I bring the essentials: brass knuckles, a billy club a the casio oak.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SocialMediaUser

Thats is the first positive post I see from you.
And for once I agree with you.

I do not watk around worrying if today might be the day I die in a car/plane/train/bicycle/pedestrian accident.
Nor do I think about how I might perish from a terror/loonie-bin/hater/racist/KKK or BlackPanther attac.

I do not fill my days reading about all the dealdly illnesses I might contract from living my daily life,bar the ones that might come with age.

Why would I then worry about what could be if I wear my watch?
Anything from the above lists would take priority....

Well myself been having a fight with cancer over the past few years, so for me the most important thing other than worring about getting mugged whatever watch I was wearing. Its quite simple that everyday I beat my own previous record for number of consecutive days I've stayed alive.