What watch… London Summer?

[SSG1000]

Currently have a GS/Omega/Rolex and Tudor in the rotation. But as the weather picks up and I won’t be able to hide my watch under the jacket sleeve on the tube / in London when going to work. Threat of being robbed isn’t worth it.

Question is…. What watch do I get to wear that can fly under the radar ?

[thebraketester]

Casio F-91W

[summit7]

A wise adamascus, fully polished case but with unique dial and handset so noone looking at will think its a Rolex or Omega. With the oiled leather strap it will be comfortable in summer warmth, check out Peter Kosta's review of it on YouTube.

For a closer to home brand any Scurfa watch, the newer honeycomb dials are gorgeous.

[SlimJim16v]

Seiko diver

[Jamescrs]

G-shock would be my choice

[RD-1]

MoonSwatch
Leave one in a locker at work
Carry one in your bag

[Regbuser]

A Baltic, like this one

[anonymous-user]

You really find London that threatening?

[Super Sonic]

Lotus. A sleeper Seiko. For summer, a blue sunray dial w shiny chrome batons.
You can wear it diving deep sea. It will implode, but at £25, who cares?

[redrabbit]

BlackWidow13 said:

You really find London that threatening?

It's a theme that runs through a couple of threads here, most often in the Rolex thread...

"I have expensive stuff. But I can't wear it out because I might be stabbed and killed, just like happened to me last time I tried it. What a terrible state of affairs, world's gone to hell in a handbasket. By the way, did I mention I have expensive stuff?"

It's an offshoot of humblebragging, I think. Similar post on the Rolex thread right now, in fact.

[anonymous-user]

redrabbit said:

BlackWidow13 said:

You really find London that threatening?

It's a theme that runs through a couple of threads here, most often in the Rolex thread...

"I have expensive stuff. But I can't wear it out because I might be stabbed and killed, just like happened to me last time I tried it. What a terrible state of affairs, world's gone to hell in a handbasket. By the way, did I mention I have expensive stuff?"

It's an offshoot of humblebragging, I think. Similar post on the Rolex thread right now, in fact.

Ah - thanks. Seemed like there’s a different London to the one I live in for a bit there!

[redrabbit]

BlackWidow13 said:

Ah - thanks. Seemed like there’s a different London to the one I live in for a bit there!

Or the one I've lived and worked in for 30 years...

Edited by redrabbit on Saturday 13th May 12:12

[simon800]

“Watchfinder’s study found that over the past 12 months, more than 6,000 watches were reported stolen in London alone – accounting for 55% of watch crime nationwide – with £162 million worth of watches being stolen across the capital over the last five years.

There have been a number of high-profile crimes with celebrities robbed and major retailers raided, which has affected public attitudes.

Watchfinder’s study reveals that two thirds (65%) of those surveyed agree the increase in thefts has made them more vigilant when wearing their watch and a third (36%) want to do more to protect their watch against theft.”

It’s hardly humble bragging to be wary….

[anonymous-user]

simon800 said:

“Watchfinder’s study found that over the past 12 months, more than 6,000 watches were reported stolen in London alone – accounting for 55% of watch crime nationwide – with £162 million worth of watches being stolen across the capital over the last five years.

There have been a number of high-profile crimes with celebrities robbed and major retailers raided, which has affected public attitudes.

Watchfinder’s study reveals that two thirds (65%) of those surveyed agree the increase in thefts has made them more vigilant when wearing their watch and a third (36%) want to do more to protect their watch against theft.”

It’s hardly humble bragging to be wary….

Presumably those figures include not just retailers being raided, but also household burglaries. I’d be interested to know how prevalent street muggings - where the main target of the robbing was a watch - are in those figures

[Sheetmaself]

Only 300 made so you won’t see another, and cheap as chips.
Skagen website for further details!

[simon800]

BlackWidow13 said:

Presumably those figures include not just retailers being raided, but also household burglaries. I’d be interested to know how prevalent street muggings - where the main target of the robbing was a watch - are in those figures

Regardless of that though, I think if you walk around with £50k on your wrist it does advertise that to everyone around you. Desirable or not. And that’s worth thinking twice about in the current climate.

I used to wear a Royal Oak chronograph to old Trafford on a Saturday afternoon and didn’t think twice, no one really knew what an AP is 5 years ago. These days there’s no chance I’d do the same.

P.s not a humble brag

[Barchettaman]

Is the question what high-value watch you can get that won’t be spotted and singled out for theft?

A bit of an odd strategy.

Just get a Citizen Promaster, or a Seiko Presage, or a 5, or something. You might even like wearing a cheaper watch.

[jimmyslr]

simon800 said:

“Watchfinder’s study found that over the past 12 months, more than 6,000 watches were reported stolen in London alone – accounting for 55% of watch crime nationwide – with £162 million worth of watches being stolen across the capital over the last five years.

There have been a number of high-profile crimes with celebrities robbed and major retailers raided, which has affected public attitudes.

Watchfinder’s study reveals that two thirds (65%) of those surveyed agree the increase in thefts has made them more vigilant when wearing their watch and a third (36%) want to do more to protect their watch against theft.”

It’s hardly humble bragging to be wary….

My 2p….

There are 6m workers in London, 9m inhabitants, add a large chunk of tourists and it’s 10m+ people milling around everyday. Some of those folk are going to experience crime, with theft the most common be it wallet, handbag, watch etc.

I am sure there is more watch crime involved these days as they have become a more widely recognised value item, something one sees on social media, talked about more and so on, hence watches are more of a target than they once were and there’s a more ready secondary market for hooky watches. As for footballers being targeted, I think that’s a different topic as it’s specialised gangs going for a big score having researched their target.

With that backdrop and with social media to fan the debate there will be a feeling of heightened sensitivity, perhaps more so that the reality. At the margin are watch savvy owners going to be a bit more sensitive, yes, so the watchfinder survey would say that. Bear in mind that’s also the same watchfinder who now promote watch insurance.

Personal experience of 30 years working in London has been painless. Perhaps more statistically significant, I’ve also not come across anyone who has experienced a problem of the sort often cited. Maybe that’s unusual, but my points is that even if was endemic I’d know dozens of people who’d experienced this problem.

So I’m in the not too concerned category. By all means apply some common sense at the margin, but I don’t buy the “one can’t wear a decent watch in London” hypothesis.

[okgo]

Seems you have 3 watches that will go under the radar already? What’s the issue?

[T1547]

I’d look at watches from brands such as Stowa, Sinn, Farer, Nomos etc.

Great watches but not really common theft targets.