Watch theft is on the rise around the world and almost every week I get to see posts on Instagram about someone being robbed. This morning, I woke up to the video making the rounds on social media of a gentleman driving a Bugatti in London while two individuals in scooters smashed his window. In cities like London, Barcelona, Miami, Rome, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Bogota, Saint-Tropez, and Mykonos just to name a few, it is no longer safe to walk around with a nice watch on your wrist.
I have been a victim of watch theft on three different occasions and the story I shared with you last year here, was the most recent one. The first time that I was robbed, I was still living in Mexico City. On a beautiful Sunday morning back in 1997, I was robbed at gunpoint in plain sight at the parking lot of a grocery store in the Polanco area —one of the most upscale areas of Mexico City— and my Rolex Oysterquartz in stainless steel with a Roman numerals dial was taken from me in less than 30 seconds —although it seemed like an eternity.
Two years later, also in Mexico City, I was followed by two individuals —riding a motorcycle— that had spotted my Bulgari Aluminum watch —the hottest watch at the time in Mexico— while eating tacos at a popular place named ‘Tacos El Villamelon’. Although I am always aware of my surroundings, I didn’t notice they were up to no good as they looked just like normal well-off individuals. After leaving the place, they followed me for a couple of blocks and waited until I had to stop at a busy intersection with a traffic light. They stopped next to my car, pulled a gun out, and asked for my watch and my girlfriend’s watch and jewelry.
You can click on the image below to read my horror story in case you haven’t done so already.
Things to Do to Protect Yourself
After experiencing watch theft as a victim here’s a list of things you should do to protect yourself. Always use your best judgment, follow your gut and instinct and use my advice at your own risk.
INSURE ALL YOUR WATCHES AND PERSONAL JEWELRY
Always insure your watches no matter what. Remember that wearing expensive watches is like wearing a savings bank account on the wrist. With the fluctuations in market prices, always make sure you keep appraisals current and the replacement value of your watches is in line with the actual value in the market and with how much it would cost you if you had to go buy a new one.
DON’T TRAVEL WITH MULTIPLE WATCHES
It is better to travel with the watch on your wrist only. I used to travel with multiple watches but after what happened to me in 2019, I became very risk averse and I don’t travel with multiple watches any longer. While it is nice to have options to go with different outfits or moods, it is nicer to be safe and stress-free while traveling.
WHILE TRAVELING WEAR WATCHES ON BRACELET AND NOT ON STRAP
If you decide to travel with an expensive watch make sure is on a bracelet rather than on a rubber or leather strap as it will make it harder for someone to snatch it from your wrist.
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
No matter where you are always be aware of who is around you. If someone seems suspicious be on the lookout. At restaurants, coffee shops, or bars, always try to sit facing the door or the exits. Never sit with your back facing the door. They say is easier to stop crime before it happens. At traffic lights always be careful and keep your car windows rolled up and be on the lookout for scooters, motorcycles, or pedestrians. Leave at least the distance of a full car in front of you just in case you need to do a drastic maneuver. If you use an ATM always check your surroundings, keep your watch out of sight and be quick.
KEEP YOUR SLEEVES ROLLED DOWN AND YOUR WATCH TUCKED UNDER THE CUFF
If you are going to an area that is dangerous is better if you don’t wear a watch or any other flashy stuff. Now, if you decide to wear your watch, always keep it tucked under the cuff of your shirt at all times or simply remove it discreetly and put it inside your pocket.
DON’T TALK ABOUT THE PRICES OF WATCHES IN PUBLIC PLACES
No matter where you are in public, there could always be someone eavesdropping and calling others to rob you after you leave the place.
POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER YOU’VE LEFT
Nowadays is very common for us to share our lives through social media and tagging places where we are at is a common thing. Always post on social media after you’ve left the establishment just in case organized criminals have been following you on social media.
IF YOU’RE TAKING SOMEONE HOME VALIDATE THEIR IDENTITY AND INTENTIONS FIRST
Watch theft has taken new heights and it is now very common that watch collectors are being drugged to steal their watches. Exactly what happened to me. If you decide to bring someone back home or back to your hotel, always make sure you are not drunk and you’ve validated the identity of the person that is coming with you. Always take a selfie with the person and make all the necessary questions about their identity including their job, where they live, where they’re from, etc. When making it home or to your hotel, always make sure you put away your watch, wallet, and any other valuables in a safe.
KEEP A BOLTED HIGH-SECURITY SAFE AT HOME
Keeping a proper high-security safe at home is essential. Don’t go for gun safes or UL-rated safes as the sheet of metal used on them can be easily cut with a power saw. Choose a TL-15 or TL-30 safe instead. The rating refers to the time in which the safe can withstand an intense criminal attack. The TL-15 rating means it is tested to withstand at least 15 minutes and the TL-30 refers to at least 30 minutes of the attack.
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR DRINK
Never leave your drink unattended when going to the restroom at a bar. Always take it with you. While at the table or at the bar, always keep your drink away from the reach of the person next to you and keep your hand close to the top almost covering it. Better to be safe than sorry.
KEEP PICTURES OF WATCHES AND SERIAL NUMBERS HANDY
Always keep pictures of your watches and their serial numbers handy in the event that you need to file a police report.
