Travel Watches - A cautionary word

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/ brucewilliams
What kind of statement do we make by our watch of choiec? It is not a cheery video today, this is a serious topic that should be considered by those about to travel. Do you have a travel watch? Thank you Jerry for the very relevant topic.

[@JogieGlenMait16]

The Air King is the most effective mugging deterrent.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Hahahahaha

[@Whiskey_Tengu]

😂

[@YouTubeAIbot]

*Person:* gets Air King stolen by mugger *Mugger:* sees he stole an Air King *Also Mugger:* gives Air Kng back to person

[@joshbostic4917]

"He was wearing a solid gold Breitling and went to the Dominican Republic." Me: "Oh no, this is not going to end well." My hard and fast rule: Never wear a watch that has a value at or above the mean annual salary of the country you'll be visiting. Most of the time I just wear a G-Shock Square while traveling. Don't want to give potential thieves any reason to target me.

[@Thesupermanning]

I totally agree. If someone sees your wrist candy as an important resource to their survival over the next year, who knows what they will do next.

[@fawkesandhound]

Laughed out loud before he even finished...

[@shawnw8046]

He must have been trying to lure in the ladies 🤑

[@youraveragepasser-by7367]

@@fawkesandhound are you serious...

[@SuspiciousAlertness]

I was on a bus in Brazil and a guy on the street told me to put my arm inside the bus..as I had my arm out the window exposing my watch. I didn't listen so he jumped and smacked my arm till I put my arm back in. He clearly knew something I didn't and probably saved me a lot of misery.

[@johnnybee9265]

Lol umm why wouldnt you just listen to him the first time?

[@SuspiciousAlertness]

@@johnnybee9265 Because I don't like being told what to do by a stranger and I was young and tough or at least I thought I was

[@varanid9]

@@SuspiciousAlertness LOL, you might have ended up minus an arm as well as a watch. You'd look really tough with a hook.

[@kevinong1735]

Yeah, he was trying to tell you that a moped/motorcycle team is going to cruise up to your arm and the thief sitting pillion is going to seize your arm and strip that watch right off your wrist. Unless you’ve been doing 100+ pound dumbbell curls, you aren’t retracting your wrist and watch back to safety. This happens often, especially in the third world countries.

[@acewings221]

I did that too when i visited Venezuela, i had my gold day-date and wore a short sleeve. You should’ve seen the looks I got!

[@hunwa425]

Same concept as why you don't compliment someone's Jordans in the hood... They'll think you want to jack them

[@mrp9498]

This is why solid gold watches make me nervous.

[@shawnw8046]

Mike D I also like the look but realistically wouldn’t wear it much.. Also they scratch and dent more easily

[@mrp9498]

Mike D If I ever did it would be white gold or platinum.

[@mikev3245]

Complementing people on their watches is a funny thing that can go either way. I have complemented an acquaintance on his PP Nautilus and he got a bit defensive pulling back from me. Same thing with another acquaintance when I noticed and complemented him on is vintage Rolex GMT coke bezel. Both guys are older men in their 70's that have known me for years but we aren't actual friends. Another time I complemented a personal banker at a local branch I'd never met before on his Rolex 5513 and we struck up a conversation on watches that lasted at least a half hour. So you never know I guess.

[@daa3417]

That’s highly strange behavior, and just being honest I’m not sure I’d like to be around people like that. One of the more recent watch complements I gave was a orthopedic surgeon who was wearing a highly tasteful two tone datejust on a jubilee and he immediately yanked it off his wrist and told me to try it on. Now granted the surgery my father was about to have could’ve paid for one of those but it’s still a great way to be friendly among watch enthusiasts. Not saying I’d hand a 5-6k watch to any random person but I certainly wouldn’t act as if it’s a secret or embarrassment.

[@ajgross67]

When my wife and I went to Peru last year I took my Bluetooth G-Shock. With the push of a button it will sync with my phone to get the new time zone, and I never have to worry about being targeted for theft (well, at least not based off my watch). It is a great travel watch! Next year I am looking at picking up a Citizen Chronomaster in Japan (if international travel is possible next spring). I think that would be another great travel watch as it is also pretty under the radar, and has an independently adjustable hour hand

[@sautante]

I absolutely adore the citizen chronomaster as well, such a great watch.

[@scottlalonde2878]

Great video, Bruce. If it saves one person from a bad situation because they went conservative on watch travel choices, then you did a great public service

[@clauricaune]

Just a few months ago, there were some gangs targeting people with Rolexes in my city. A guy was killed in a parking lot for resisting the robbers. Sad s**t. So, yeah, gotta mind your surroundings when wearing any luxury item. And if you get mugged, just give them the damn watch. Doesn't matter if it's a Rolex, AP, Patek, GP, Vacheron, whatever... Not worth losing your life over it.

[@snapfire3711]

I would love to give them and turns out its a pagani design

[@ForeverUnknowing]

Absolutely agree. Besides not being worth losing your life over, if it's that high end of a watch like the ones you mentioned, it's probably smart to have an insurance policy on it anyways.

[@JeeGee114]

Which city are you living in?

[@clauricaune]

@@JeeGee114 Monterrey, Mexico

[@clauricaune]

@@JeeGee114 Funny and sad thing about the guy who got killed. The guys who shot him didn't get the watch, but then it was stolen by the paramedics who attended him. That's Mexico for you.

[@JM.TheComposer]

A gold luxury wristwatch is probably greater than the lifetime income of many Dominican locals.

[@ForeverUnknowing]

Good topic. I always wear my 5610 G-Shock when I travel, not just because nobody's likely to steal it, but because if I'm traveling I want an accurate, durable, reliable watch on my wrist. The 5610 handles multiple time zones with ease, maintains perfect accuracy as it syncs every night, isn't likely to be stolen from me, and I don't mind it getting banged around during the travel process. I've had a couple GMT watches, and I never seem to keep them around, as none of them beat the 5610 in anything except maybe looks, so functionally I don't have a need for them.

[@Pg91357]

Sound advice. I am going to an area I have been to before and considering which watch to take. Although my heart says take the Longines HC ceramic or the MM300, my logical mind is telling me to take my G-Shock 5600.

[@devonchung1918]

I guess the extreme would be a guy who wears a Rolex everyday, and then travels with a Casio, I personally think you should wear your expensive watches and enjoy them, but I guess it would just be asking for trouble to go to a place like Brazil or the Dominican Republic with an obviously expensive watch, I say “obviously” because some micro brands can be pretty darn expensive but your average watch thief might not be interested because it’s not a big brand name

[@stebesplace]

4:23 this happened to me when I complimented a guy last year who had a NEW PEPSI (first I'd seen in the wild) and I just got this weird look and he scurried off. And this was me as a volunteer for a charity at the time, so bizarre.

[@MrClaudeCrook]

Great Video. Coming from South Africa, I'm always careful even when I travel to more secure locations.My go-to watch is my G-shock S5600.Its the perfect travel watch and for evening more dressy occasions I keep my $200 Seiko SKX in my luggage.Perfecg combo

[@para_bellum_1984]

It's a pretty simple formula. If you're traveling to a sh*thole, don't wear luxury items. If you can't go without, a simple G-Shock will serve you well.

[@thingsnearandfar7123]

Top tip: best travel watch is one no one would want to steal - take an Air King! 😋

[@jettyung2389]

Got my new beautiful Tudor stolen in the UK (watch crime here sucks), so now i wear my f91w. You'll never worry about it until it actually happens to you. Then you're scarred for life.

[@walzke]

Jesus where abouts? London?

[@ricchrono5907]

yea, where did it happen? I was wearing my speedy panda on bond nato a year ago back in UK, didnt go into central london, only hanged around outskirt small towns around it and took a road trip down southwest to Bristol, passed Stonehenge... speedy was on me all the time. may be I was lucky.

[@Treetopflyer777]

I wear mine in London all the time. Perhaps I’m an ignorant fool.

[@scottc6946]

A gold Breitling?!! No one in their right mind would buy a gold Breitling

[@Handburdger]

For my travel watch I always take my Aquaracer on some kind of nato or rubber strap as to not draw attention to it when I’m somewhere kinda sketchy. That watch has been on so many adventures and the so many countries, I could never travel with any other watch!

[@joemamaisfat]

Just get a G-Schock for travelling. It's cheap, light and easy to use. I have a 5610 solar too and it's perfect! And if you need to attend a formal activity just don't wear a watch.

[@stevefox8605]

That's terrible. It's not just on holiday, but I also exercise caution in everyday life too- I'm a humble shop assistant and live in a quiet rural area (Fenland, England) and wouldn't dare wear any expensive watch to work as it wouldn't be appropriate & would stand out like a sore thumb... (shop has been robbed once, and I have been KO'd & robbed walking home from a party), so I'd say try to wear a watch that's appropriate for the environment you're going to be in. Sadly there's a few scumbags out there. Cheers mate.

[@MikeOBrien1945]

I’ve been traveling all over the world for more than 50 years and I would never ever take an expensive watch out of this country. Back in the day, that would just made you look like an ugly American who was flashing your wealth, and possible setting yourself up as a target. Today, it really isn’t any different other than the fact that you face an even greater potential for theft and violence. And don’t even think about taking an inexpensive reproduction of a Rolex etc. You’ll just attract the very same trouble, just at a cheaper price. When I travel, I use a 5610 because of all of its great functions, and some type of unobtrusive inexpensive Timex or whatever, as a going out to dinner watch. I buy what I like, but I don’t wear watches to impress other people, especially when in a foreign country. I will say though, that I’ve been known to take cheap little watches to some countries, and then I give them (quietly) to some of the children. They love them...along with some school supplies. Travel safely and wisely my friends.

[@youraveragepasser-by7367]

Very kind of you for gifting children affordable timepieces. I'm sure they made wonderful memories

[@jefferyneu3915]

Most of my travel has been scuba trips. I did travel to Grand Cayman with an Omega SMP and. Ball EMII Diver. I guess I have been lucky. I mostly used locking suitcases to hide watches I wasn’t wearing. Our favorite resort in Bonaire rents safes in the closet for a $5.00 deposit that is refunded when the lid to the safe is returned. Bonaire is our favorite place to dive anywhere in the world. That said, crime is rampant. When running around the island in a rental jeep, The Club is essential on the steering wheel when leaving the Jeep, even for a minute. I don’t collect beautiful dress watches. We never felt unsafe in Bonaire, but do realize anything left unattended in our room or a Jeep will be stolen if left out. My wife regularly travels to Mexico, and won’t even wear her wedding band while traveling. It is sad to have to think that way, but safety first is our motto. Good video!

[@mt24Carson]

Bonaire is a great place to dive, it's where I learned and became certified (both basic and Advanced Open Water PADI). 👍⚓

[@jefferyneu3915]

David Williams I never felt the need to get an advanced certification. I figure over a thousand dives, many deep and requiring good navigation skills, I would just be spending money for a piece of paper.

[@macoyupadoodle]

Someone in Paris tried to get my brothers watch (not the first time) and my other brother and i stopped him (they were about 3 guys also) but they walked away . I guess we were not an easy target . My tip is if its not a crowded area and someone seems to stick to you even if there is so much space then something is happening , also travel in groups. Rolex and Patek (the popular models) are the brands that stick out .

[@dnromeoalphayankee13]

I take my Blackbay GMT when out of country.

[@ed9564]

When I go on a cruise I take multiple watches, everything from a Rolex to a Seiko and Casio.. expensive watches stay on the ship, and the G-Shock comes out for the ports. There are exceptions, Im from San Juan PR and Im entirely comfortable wearing something nice there, but then again its not nearly as bad other places. Definitely need to be mindful of where you are though!

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

I don´t travel much, especially this year. but previously I always took 2 to 3 watches with me cause I like to swap. All my watches are cheap (up to 300 bucks) so it won´t be a huge issue if any of my watches get lost or I get robbed...

[@WilsonFPRX]

Very sad & unfortunate story... As far as travel watches the Grand Seiko SBGJ237 GMT looks like a winner.

[@d3xmeister]

I was robbed of my watch when I was 17, luckily it was a cheap plastic no-name quartz but it looked like those expensive multi-indicators Casios from the early 90’s.

[@Ronin228]

My Glock 19 allows me to wear what I want.

[@danielantonio6134]

neat.

[@markplayford5836]

Wise words Bruce. I take my Casio Dura/Duro diver as it’s no hassle for through the day. Poolside, swim, beach whatever... plus if it gets a knock or even if I lost it it’s replaceable at minimum cost. Evening watch is my Seiko SARB 035 if we are dining out or going somewhere a bit more dressy. Although now they are discontinued, any simple time only piece on leather. If I’m going through an airport I take off my watch and place it in my carry on luggage before I go through security. That way it’s not in a plastic tray with your belt and loose change, plus it’s not spat out one end while your held up at the other for all to see. Back on wrist in the departure lounge.

[@paulyeoman3167]

I rock my Glycine Airman DC-4. It’s great for travel in different time zones and it’s water resistance makes it solid for a beach vacation. I just bring different straps to dress it up and down. It’s also nice to have one consistent travel watch to build memories with and to be a reminder when you wear it back home afterwards.

[@jackchueh1231]

I don’t even wear a nice watch traveling domestically.

[@scooterino3650]

I wear my Omega SMPc nonwave dial while traveling, but on a black rubber strap so its less conspicuous.

[@svon_b]

my favorite Travel watch combo is this: safe regions --> Tudor BB GMT, if do not know the area / more sporty activities are planned: Vosto Amphibia GMT Special Edition SE 420B43 Anker. I love this little thing!

[@shawnw8046]

I brought my sub to Hawaii with me and then I ended up leaving it hidden in the Airbnb almost the entire time. Not the smartest move

[@jdraven0890]

This is exactly why I am holding off buying a really nice luxury watch. On vacation going to nice restaurant and such, I'd want it - but I would indeed be scared to wear it out otherwise. But then it's in the hotel room and I'd worry about it there! And I work in a construction site that already destroyed one watch, so heck...

[@JeeGee114]

Just leave your Rolex at home when visiting Amsterdam. It is not safe to wear in public in all parts of town. Gangs of mostly North - African descent will mess you up. It is not worth it.

[@tantu2395]

The luxury brands of watches only suitable for some formal occasions such as wedding or high end officials meeting ....because they considering as a jewelry and need to meet a security environment . Don't risk your life to wear them in daily routine or in travel time at public places. Take a G shock.

[@JeeGee114]

There is so much more than a G Shock or a Rolex.

[@tantu2395]

@A. B. it is OK if some one wants take the risks to wear some luxury items in unsafe environment, a G shock only my opinion.

[@artagain8977]

Contrary to some, wearing an automatic watch through airport xrays wont magnetize it. The actual amount of electromagnetic radiation is minuscule. Hardly enough to penetrate the case of a watch. I’ve been traveling for years with automatics and have never had any time keeping issues. If in fact you know your watch is demagnetized, when you get home after a trip, put a compass next to the watch. The needle will fluctuate if it’s magnetized.

[@daa3417]

First off xrays are only one of the tools available in airport security metal detectors which absolutely do generate a magnetic field are still commonly used hand held and stationary. And it’s possible some of the millimeter wave or back scatter (X-ray) imagers might have an integrated metal detector I’m not positive and I doubt they have to disclose it. It’s also highly possible that those units might produce magnetic fields as a side effect of normal operation which are deemed safe for health purposes but are high enough to magnetize a movement, I’m not familiar with every security imaging machine and all the international undesired emission standards. And there absolutely are increased levels of magnetic radiation exposure while in flight, granted it’s more of an issue to pilots and crew but it’s still there. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11025496/

[@mellow-jello]

Casio G-Shock & Duro. No fuss, no trouble. It is a vacation, anyways.

[@ACDandMe]

If you like to wear an expensive watch in unknown areas, you should cover with long sleeves if possible.

[@matias22tk]

Now that I think of it... I went to Mexico 4 years ago, and on the way back, my luggage went missing. They said it boarded a different flight but that I'd get it back, and I did in 5 hours. I had 6 watches in that bag (all quartz, and fashion watches), and now I'm thinking they saw watches on the xray and tried to get them, saw it was garbage and gave it back. I would've gotten a heart attack if I had taken expensive pieces.

[@Brian-ee1gx]

Mexico is bad for this. Do not take expensive watches or jewelry with you to Mexico. Don't even take an iPhone...

[@youraveragebreakfastcereal5285]

@@Brian-ee1gx haha dude based on what?? I live in Houston and go to Mex all the time - to different parts of the country. I've taken my grand Seiko to Cancun and been to Mexico city with Omegas and Tag Heuers. That being said, I wouldn't pack luxury pieces in my checked luggage ever, no matter the destination. Just don't do anything you wouldn't do at home and use your 🧠

[@Brian-ee1gx]

Based on family and aqaintences having their small valuables stolen. Happened to one of them more than once.

[@markfallon7694]

Good advice. My friend is a pharmaceutical sales rep. Upon entry into Provo, he stopped to buy gas. Two guys approached him and took his Omega Speedmaster. The worst part is that a few of the locals did nothing to help.

[@AbdulRWatches]

I do take several watches depending on the number of days and locations. My favorite traveling watches are the Explorer II 16570, Fortis Marienmaster B-42 Al Tayer Edition, G-Shock MTG 9000 all black. I usually combine one luxury watches, one beater, one vintage, and depending on the occasion dress watches, and even more exotic watch like a flying hour, or a one hand watch.

[@Tdr-jv2nc]

Best travel watch and best for everyone (in my opinion) is a dive watch

[@humbleg7586]

Good advise Bruce ... I would definitely echo what you mentioned. The world is a different place outside of the comforts of the United States. Americans do not understand what poverty is and how desperate people are in other countries. I have been fortunate enough to travel to many destinations including multiple countries in Europe, Central & South America & Asia. I have family who lives in Brazil, everyone of them including my parents (on different occasions) who have been accosted, robbed and burglarized. I have seen several incidents in travels elsewhere of horrible confrontations. Mind you, as Americans, we are also not in good standing in certain parts of the world, today. My go-to travel watch is always one of my G-Shocks, though I’m even having second thoughts about wearing them again given how popular they have become. Tough question... but it’s a fact of life, sadly. My recommendation similar to yours ... wear the cheapest watch while traveling... no watch is worth yours (or a loved one’s) life.

[@michaeledwardlenzi]

Yeah, very good point. I don't think a watch is worth your life or well-being. I have been mugged a few times and it sucked when I realized I could have been far more careful than I was. Fortunately, in both situations I had nothing of value to steal. That can work out against you too if the assailant is angered by that fact. I was able to fight back and leg it to safety. --Michael

[@michaeledwardlenzi]

That said, I wear my watch all the time in the US and put it in my pocket if I get that vibe about a place. Travelling to other countries is whole different matter though.

[@CandyyyyR]

Thank you so much

[@h111551]

I do not take gold watches when I travel. I only take one watch with me, the choice of which depends if I am going to be swimming in a pool or the ocean. I try to avoid watches like Rolexes which are immediately identifiable. I try to pick watches that I would not feel terrible about losing to theft or robbery. I do not assume that one area is safer than another. London and Paris probably have as many watch snatchings as places like Mexico. Even if you are in a relatively safe city, you can easily get lost and find yourself in an unsafe area.

[@dcrump]

It definitely about how you look and present yourself... prey on the weak and unaware

[@Hellspawn256]

Be aware of your surroundings. I took my Sub to Germany, Austria, CzechRepublic and New York. No issues. Now I also went in winter so it wasn’t exposed that much. Have a good separate jewelry insurance plan. I spent good money on my watches and I want to wear them. You can be robbed for less.

[@leebalmforth2269]

Very sad story Bruce 😔. I'm always wary when I'm out. wearing my watch.

[@548vikings]

CC while wearing a nice watch always improves your outlook.

[@pranavkamath4329]

I travel a lot and if I’m going to a country or area with a low relative wealth I always bring my Seiko turtle, a g shock of some kind, and a skagen signature slim in case of formal occasion. No sense in getting into trouble with rough locals and risking a multi thousand dollar watch, and besides I love wearing my turtle anyway

[@mikep5478]

Thanks for the video, caution tales are always food for thought. The same thing can happen right here in someones own backyard. You just never really know. Should you always take caution? Of course. The world is full of predators and the United States of America has no shortage of them. Someone I know was abroad and his home was robbed and he lost his whole watch collection. I think if I were to ask him, in hindsight it may have been better having the watches with him at the time. Of course no one is going to take all of their valuables with them on a vacation, you can't live in a bubble. Not having additional special coverage on homeowners for valuable items was a costly lesson. Even with insurance, it''s not always the monetary value, some passed down priceless memory items can never be replaced.

[@tonyng6602]

I didn;t know you featured the stainless steel Casio Solar Square, but I recently bought it to be my travel watch. :) But I wanted something more 'mainstream' but unobstrusive I'd just use a Seiko (even a Grand Seiko)

[@ricchrono5907]

yea I wouldnt mind wearing my snowflake with some sporty straps as well, good enough to fly under the radar of the thieves.

[@psaez42]

My two travel watches happen to be my least valuable mechanical pieces - and are both very easily replaceable. They are last year's Seiko 5 on the oem rubber strap, and the other is the new Cocktail Time. I use the Cocktail for formal events and the 5 for everything else.

[@ajnidek475]

84ish nights on the road annually is my average. US and Europe. It is all about situational awareness and not being a target. If you are worried about your watch bad folks will sense it.

[@jboggs]

Good topic. I usually travel about 20-30 times a year for work and frequently wear my Rolex gmt master ii and no one ever notices (other than the occasional fellow watch geek at work) but I’m also in predominantly corp offices and surrounding areas for dinner etc, so feel pretty safe. For vacation it definitely depends on the area. When in doubt I wear one of my Seiko divers.

[@andreazoli6407]

Complimenting one someone's watch is like art, you gotta be good at it hahahaha Last year I was doing an intership, during lunch I spotted my collegue wearing a tudor gmt, and I said "nice watch, are you into wristwatches?" He said "no thanks" and walked away

[@ruudinkeksijat]

Generally dressing down and wearing cheap casio is great advice while traveling in riskier locations. Elsewhere you want to blend with locals, that might mean dressing up or down depending where you are traveling.

[@MrShane008]

Traveling within the US is usually pretty safe and I'd probably wear whatever I want. If I'm heading overseas, like to the Philippines or even to countries in EU, I'd just take my dive beater. Can get it wet and has a bezel for an alternate time zone/timing things.

[@rousseau327]

Always know the area you're traveling in, and go out in pairs, preferably more. Whenever I'm on a work trip, the area is generally filled with other people on business trips, so the area is relatively crime-free, wearing a Rolex is no problem. If I'm on vacation, I'm a lot more weary, and will only wear a nice watch at nice establishments. If you're not sure, just wear something that's not recognizable; Grand Seiko, JLC, Zenith, are good options.

[@Miguel_GM]

My goes to when travelling are my trusties DW-5600 or my Vostok Amphibia. You can't go wrong with that... unless your need a dress watch (let's say your are going to a weding).

[@ricchrono5907]

I usually take my sinn u2 tegimented, tough as nail with GMT function. Nothing bling bling dazzling kind but just dull coloured, tough, utilitarian piece.

[@Televisiontechnology]

I think important to ‘play it down’. As much as it’s a nice idea tp bring your favourite watch, Its also a good idea to not look like a tourist ripe for the picking. Does of course depend where you are, though, personally i’d always err on the side of caution. Always useful to have a G Shock in the bottom of your bag...

[@phillipmoodie9071]

Bruce, I live in Melbourne Australia, where a a lot of Business executives regularly travel to the Middle East and Asia where the wearing of an obviously expensive watch is considered to be a dangerous practice. I'm told that wearing a quality watch in the CBD is not the problem, it's standing out when visiting, or eating, in crowded area, popular with Tourists. It's not your watch you will lose, it's your wallet with your Credit Cards. That's because wearing a flashy watch identifies you as being both inexperienced and careless. The worst that's happened to me is having my wallet stolen from my pocket in the Bar Area of Singapore, possibly because I was wearing an expensive watch, as well as a suit. Just plain dumb, but the business executives I was meeting with wanted to "Show me the sights", before I left the following morning. It's not the monetary loss, it's the inconvenience in a strange town. So not wearing a watch is the safest way to avoid any major problem. Phil.

[@Bemjji]

I don't take my 1 good watch for fear of misplacing it. I'll take a couple Citizens though.

[@albertmanuel5028]

I travel frequently, oftentimes to Central and South America. If you go to places where people are desperate and you look flashy, then you are bringing it on yourself. My go-to watch when I travel is an eco drive Citizen field watch on a nato. If I lose it, it’s not a huge loss. But it’s tough, reliable, and I can jump in the water without removing it.

[@SJCB27]

Nearest I came to "watch violence" was when I complimented a guy on his Sinn 104... It was a Rowlecks Submareeena...

[@smr32061]

It's a shame it's come down to worrying about what kind of watch we can wear when we travel. For myself, it does depend where I'm traveling to, will determine which watch I bring.

[@homefink2235]

I usually only go to places where I feel save and secure. So I wear most of my watches while traveling. But not the Rolex ones. Everybody knows them and how much they are worth. Longines Hydroconquest with ceramic bezel is a good choice for me or a Breguet type XXI. Nobody knows this watches, except watch guys like us. Thank you for another great content.

[@robertl8429]

Exactly. I agree. Honestly just wear a dark G-Shock or a Black Casio while abroad in most countries. Something like a rubber strapped watch with no flash. Just wear a non-metal watch, preferably a plain black or army green watch or even dark brown rubber/resin watch. No glitz or flash or gleam of metal and you should be fine internationally in most countries.

[@Furniture121]

1) Don't wear a watch worth more than people make in a year where you're headed. 2) Don't wear shiny things when walking around in very poor places. When in Mumbai, Columbo, etc. I wouldn't even wear a stainless Eco-Drive on bracelet, as even it attracts attention. 3) Stay in the tourist areas, forget the "authentic" experience. The locals don't want rich tourists gawking at them, and more than you want billionaires walking through your neighbourhood staring at you to get an "authentic" middle class experience.

[@specialkfouryou]

Last international trip my daily was a gw6900 G-shock, bullet proof, world time, hard to beat it and no worries about getting robed!

[@goldendawn7]

Its just a fact; if the value of your watch is equivalent to several months salary in a country with poor law enforcement, you're asking for trouble. Not only that but i find it garish and disrespectful to wear something that expensive in a country where the average person lives on a few USD a day. Theres cities in America i go to that i wont wear a nice watch. I have a seiko skx i travel with, and picked up a 2 tone tag heuer 1500 from a pawn shop for $200 to take when i want to dress up a little. And wearing a replica of a nice watch is also a recipe for trouble, a theif isn't going to know your submariner is fake, or your steinhart isn't a submariner for that matter. Dont make yourself a target. I wont even wear a really nice watch when i go to Europe, i simply dont believe the local police will put any effort into recovering a tourists stolen goods. Just my 2 cents. Be smart.

[@celinebukowski]

Absolutely all of the above. Not only is it stupid, and putting yourself at risk, it's incredibly disrespectful and distasteful. Simple as that really.

[@Jaycelestra]

Very good advise Bruce... it’s not worth risking your life bec of your watch in places you don’t really know...

[@peterpark650]

Is Rolex GMT Master II magnetically protected enough to wear through airport security (metal detector) or should I put it in my carry on bag (x-ray)?

[@paulbonaventura4969]

Sound advice especially in a poor country or unknown elements.

[@harryvanderveen773]

Not a pleasant topic indeed, but good to cover it. Never got my watch stolen. I usually have my breitling on, but I now bought a casio for when I go to the beach and leave the Breitling in the hotel safe.

[@nukie404]

Lesser known brands or cheaper brands are probably the way to go when you're travelling. Swatches are perfect to pick up at the airport when you leave and create memories with IMHO. Japanese brands and lower Swiss luxury brands should also fly under the radar. Owning a relatively unknown model from a famous brand also helps hide it in plain sight. I think another thing to consider is how you carry yourself around the area. I think wearing a huge Gucci logo shirt is probably going to bring you more attention than any watch will.

[@mgrsdgfsdafsdgrsdgfsdg6980]

At first glance, Id be scared of Bruce too. He looks like warlord vying for control of the international drug trade...or my accountant. haha!

[@BruceWilliams]

Or both lol

[@LewisMa]

good reminder. I'm going to keep my 2006 TAG professional :)

[@eatabagel]

I take watches, but I don't take my costliest watches.On recent trips to Rome, Manila and Portugal, I took multiple watches. But they were mostly Swatch and Seiko. I took one "nice" watch on each trip for fancy dinner with my wife. I think I took an Oris dress watch to Portugal and a vintage Omega to Rome, but both were not flashy watches. Also, always use the hotel safe.

[@jackchueh1231]

LIke many others have said my travel watch is G Square 5600. Why? It’s the most complicated!

[@andypandy16]

G-shock 5610 for sure!

[@pabloj.heisecke1358]

A seiko !!! Even a grand seiko if you can afford it! They’re incredibly low key and beautiful !

[@gordonchong3580]

Within the six months prior to the travel shut down I travelled exclusively with one watch because it always stayed on my person. That watch was a Rolex 16710. At a piano bar in Madrid it was clearly the lowest value watch there. No securities worries there. In Barcelona, where petty street crime is a common occurrence, i was clearly targeted. A kid on the street asked for the time. When I responded "Around 3:00", he goes "No, what time exactly?". Obviously he wanted a better look and I brushed him off. In Medellín, Colombia I had no issues but then again I always assume there are eyes on me and adjust my behaviour accordingly. Non-locals are always target whether you wear a luxury watch or a Timex. Opportunists are not WIS.Honestly i have always felt more endangered Stateside than elsewhere.

[@jeanlefranc3817]

It’s a sad thing but rocking a great watch on your wrist, especially when it is as recognizable as most Rolexes, or Omegas, or Breitlings, is a recipe for trouble in many places in 2020. The global Covid triggered economic crisis we are all facing now does not make things any better. The Sinn556a is the perfect watch when traveling : it’s robust, it has 200 meter water resistance, doesn’t look special to anyone who is not into watches and, with the appropriate strap, can be worn in most but very formal occasions.

[@thebeardedyorkshireman8368]

I visited Mexico last November and took my JLC Polaris date and I visited Morocco in March and took my SMP 300 nobody commented on my watches but I did leave them in the safe through the day and only wore them on a night going for meals.

[@Nikkonikkobaeza]

I’ll be damned if I ever get mugged for my travel G-Shock

[@timmanion7459]

Two schools of thought here . I've traveled the world extensively, many times and mostly wore my 5513 Rolex submariner. That being said , I was in a s.o.unit and I think anyone who sized any of us up new right away that we definitely were not victims and probably figured that they didn't want to be . That's something that will be in me , personally, until I die. The other school of thought is , as you explained in this video . And I certainly don't fault anyone for that . We're all different and are shaped by our lifes experience. If I was so worried about a certain area of the world that I felt threatened, I wouldn't go there . Kind of a personal choice I guess. Just my 2 cents.

[@joedias6325]

Pause: what the Omega watch is the beginning? Anyone?

[@mt24Carson]

Good video Bruce. Traveling in the US you are generally ok, with some exceptions (especially now, sadly). International travel, IMHO and speaking as someone who lived abroad for six years, keep the bling at home. All you do is set yourself up to be a target, and in my experience it is generally best to fly below the radar and blend in as much as you are able. G-Shock or similar, or a less-expensive (not "cheap") watch is usually a better way to go. 👍⌚🌎

[@tywinn5786]

Thank you for sharing that sad story 😥. Now I need a cheap travel watch.

[@EverydayWatchGuy]

Great content Bruce. I took my Sinn 556 and Damasko DS30 to Germany last year. I just wanted to blend in, lol

[@jameshoward9700]

Too true. Never underestimate where you are going. Keep your brain switched on and don't drift into holiday numbness. As a Brit, I know most UK cities have their bad areas and London (where I grew up) is now bad for watch crime even in smart areas. I travel a lot in Europe and would be very careful in certain Italian and French cities. Out in the countryside, Europe is very very safe, but some seaside resort area can be bad. Bottom line, don't risk it. Go stealth. Metal shines, gold shines worse. Go rubber, go black, cover up. I like my Seiko SLAs for leisure travel or dull metal watches are good - titanium or black. Somewhere high risk (Central America etc), swallow your ego and wear a Swatch. All that said I've worn my Rolex Sub through some truly terrible places in the last 25years and never had a problem. Smarts, luck? Who knows, but now I'd never, never, never a Rolex...

[@hankmoody2496]

G Shock square my travel watch

[@DougE.phresh]

I end up traveling with my Glycine Airman, it does the gmt thing, has 200 meters of water resistance, looks good with swim trunks as well as a nice button down at dinner, it really just handles everything well

[@celinebukowski]

Same.