expensive watch and personal security

[loiclac]

Hello,

I am more seriously thinking of buying a vintage prestige watch (something like IWC with gold from the 50s). I found an address in London that carries some. It gave me thoughs about wether I would be confident to wear it in the street as I go sometime in rough part of my city.

How much do you worry about wearing carrying expensive watch (or else)? Do you have rules like not taking watches abroad etc.

Loic

 

[gougoul]

Two rules :

1. If it's VERY expensive, insure it. It costs usually <3-4 % of the value per year, and covers all damages (don't know if it exists in your country though)...
2. If it's not a rolex, has not gold band, you can wear it anywhere. I have a Patek, nobody ever noticed it (except people in the knowing).

 

[merkur]

..

 

[amerikajinda]

Originally Posted by merkur

Muggers cut off my left hand with a machete to get my Rolex Submariner.

That explains the ".."

 

[philosophe]

Definitely insure a watch like that. You'd be crazy not to.

Get a second, less expensive watch to wear as alternative when you're going into the wild--you know, bad neighborhoods, travel, etc. Why take risks with the watch of your dreams?

 

[suited]

Compliment it with a smith and wesson. Oh that's right, you guys can't do that over there...but wait, why are you worried about crime with such strict gun laws, doesn't that solve the problem

 

[loiclac]

Originally Posted by suited

Compliment it with a smith and wesson. Oh that's right, you guys can't do that over there...but wait, why are you worried about crime with such strict gun laws, doesn't that solve the problem

There is a knife problem in the UK and I am into table tennis not boxing, karate etc.

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by suited

Compliment it with a smith and wesson. Oh that's right, you guys can't do that over there...but wait, why are you worried about crime with such strict gun laws, doesn't that solve the problem

suited (R)

Originally Posted by loiclac

There is a knife problem in the UK and I am into table tennis not boxing, karate etc.

You table tennis in bad neighborhoods, are you nuts? Everyone knows you shouldn't do that.

 

[Bellum]

You should insure it. A couple of cents annual premium per dollar asset is a very reasonable price to pay.

 

[East Oakland]

Originally Posted by gougoul

2. If it's not a rolex, has not gold band, you can wear it anywhere. I have a Patek, nobody ever noticed it (except people in the knowing).

+1

Most muggers wouldn't know an IWC from a Timex. I wear my Omega Seamaster all over Oakland, CA, which has some pretty nasty parts, and I don't think twice about it.

As a general rule, though, I try not to own anything so expensive (relative to my income) that I would be heartbroken if it were destroyed/stolen.

 

[v0rtex]

Originally Posted by loiclac

I am more seriously thinking of buying a vintage prestige watch (something like IWC with gold from the 50s). I found an address in London that carries some. It gave me thoughs about wether I would be confident to wear it in the street as I go sometime in rough part of my city.

If you're in the rough part of town it's unlikely you'll get mugged because of your watch, but if you get mugged anyway then you'll lose your watch whether it's a Timex or a Rolex...

Don't take anything you can't afford to lose into a rough part of a city. If you really feel the need to wear a fancy watch while walking through Hackney at 2am on a Friday night then get it insured.

 

[bengal-stripe]

A vintage watch, even from one of the leading Swiss manufacturers, is rather low in "˜bling-bling' value. I doubt if anyone would notice.

One of those "˜Jacob the jeweller' meat thermometers might be different and I would not want to wear one of those, in a rough neighbourhood.

But, come to think of it, I wouldn't want to wear one, full stop.

 

[slappysloopy]

I've never been mugged but I'd imagine that if you look like a "put-together" gentleman, then the mugger would ask for your wallet but maybe also your watch and your rings. It would just make sense to ask for that, IMO.
I agree though, if you're not wearing a rolex, you significantly decrease the risk of being mugged. The same goes for flaunting brands on your glasses or anything else though.

 

[Tarmac]

Originally Posted by East Oakland

+1

Most muggers wouldn't know an IWC from a Timex.

That's right, they will take either brand and anything in between.

if you get mugged, they will take your watch. just remember that.

 

[East Oakland]

On the Oakland PD web site they suggest that flashing a cell phone is likely to make one the target of a mugging. The publication never mentions watches.

"Always Conceal What You Have To Steal, Such As Money Or A Cell Phone

Cell phones are just like cash"”when thieves see a cell phone they want it. To be safe, treat your cell phone like your cash; don't let anyone know you have it."

"If you must make a call while you are walking, go to a safe, public place like a store. Make your call; then conceal your phone the way you would conceal your cash before going back to the street."

http://www.oaklandpolice.com/crimprev/crimvict.html