Advice for wearing PP in Europe

[soxfan39]

Summer is fast approaching and many will be traveling in Europe. For those living or traveling in cities such as London/Paris/Geneva/Zurich would you wear your PP around town?

[dardeca]

Not in London. Geneva and Zurich I've had no issues. Can't comment on Paris.

[goog53]

No way would I wear in London or Paris

[kastor77]

Not in London and Paris.


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[Breizh]

I'm in Europe two months every year with my Nautilus 5726, no issue whatsoever.
Most people don't know what a Patek is.
Use the same common sense you use in LA.

And remember, pick pockets target people looking like tourists first, just dress accordingly.

[private jet villain]

Originally Posted by Breizh

I'm in Europe two months every year with my Nautilus 5726, no issue whatsoever.
Most people don't know what a Patek is.
Use the same common sense you use in LA.

And remember, pick pockets target people looking like tourists first, just dress accordingly.

“Most people” don’t know what it is but watch thieves absolutely do. With that said, I have higher risk tolerance as I wear RMs, Pateks, APs out and about but I do exercise caution.

[pav333hp]

It's probably fine and most people are OK until something bad happens. Doesn't matter what city in Europe or US or any other parts of the world for that matter. Watch theft can be a crime of opportunity or targeted... And yes, people have been assaulted, beaten, and in some cases killed unfortunately for a watch :(.

1. Long sleeves certainly help with covering the watch.
2. If you do decide to wear, make sure it's insured.
3. How well can you handle yourself (meaning, are you physically fit, can you fight, can you defend yourself, can you run fast, etc.) - while I'm not suggesting you get into physical altercations, but outcomes can be vastly different if you're 6'5", strong and know how to fight vs. someone who's unfit and isn't trained... Just saying... again not encouraging anyone to get into fights - just saying you should know your own ability to handle yourself in a bad situation.
4. Situational awareness is 100% key here - and at all times! I'm always looking around at people and what's going around me.

Will you be fine... probably... no one care really tell you or predict what can//may/will happen, but in recent years expensive watches have been a target and problem is bad enough that it generated global news, especially in watch circles... So make your own decision on this, but know that the watch theft problem is real and does happen.

[rootbeer7]

I’d try it on my wrist.....

[cavallino17]

Being from Germany and currently living in London I would assume there is no definitive answer. Really depends on the city and the watch.
Just saw a gentleman wearing his wonderful 5320G in London at the table next to me, nobody really seemed to care. However, I would never wear a 5811/5711 or even a 5167 in London.
In Germany, Austria or Switzerland it is very different. Just use your common sense, do not look like a tourist and you will be fine. In Munich and Zurich you regularly see PP on the wrist, never heard that anything happened.

[Will_NL]

It depends on a couple of things:

- don't wear a Nautilus or Aquanaut at all, that's asking for trouble
- don't wear a Patek or Rolex out in the open whilest also wearing other expensive clothing brands (or even without)
- Stay out of well know bad areas and be mindfull of your surroundings

And in my opinion this goes for Barcelona, Madrid, Paris (all large cities in France), London, Rome, Amsterdam, and many other European cities. At the moment the EU is being overrun by immigrants from Romania, Poland and Africa which causes a host of problems that I will not go into because this is a watch forum

my 2 cts

[bibbi]

Originally Posted by Will_NL

It depends on a couple of things:

- don't wear a Nautilus or Aquanaut at all, that's asking for trouble
- don't wear a Patek or Rolex out in the open whilest also wearing other expensive clothing brands (or even without)
- Stay out of well know bad areas and be mindfull of your surroundings

And in my opinion this goes for Barcelona, Madrid, Paris (all large cities in France), London, Rome, Amsterdam, and many other European cities. At the moment the EU is being overrun by immigrants from Romania, Poland and Africa which causes a host of problems that I will not go into because this is a watch forum

my 2 cts

Thank you for being noted as a „host of problems” immigrant nation in the EU (for those not knowing - Poland is an EU member).


bibbi

[JulesVerne]

From what I heard, there were fewer watches stolen in Paris in the past year compared to 2020-2022 period.
Still, one needs to be careful: wear long sleeve, be mindful of your surroundings.
I only had one attempt on one of my watches (Rolex Daytona) at a music festival in Barcelona but noticed the thief and my friends were surrounding me too

[aa_watch]

Originally Posted by JulesVerne

From what I heard, there were fewer watches stolen in Paris in the past year compared to 2020-2022 period.
Still, one needs to be careful: wear long sleeve, be mindful of your surroundings.
I only had one attempt on one of my watches (Rolex Daytona) at a music festival in Barcelona but noticed the thief and my friends were surrounding me too

Barcelona is probably the worst city for watch thefts.

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by aa_watch

Barcelona is probably the worst city for watch thefts.

Was at a restaurant in Barcelona and was told not to leave my cell phone out on the table by the waiter. He said someone will come walking by, grab the mobile phone and run! You’ll not get your phone back!

[sya]

Originally Posted by JulesVerne

From what I heard, there were fewer watches stolen in Paris in the past year compared to 2020-2022 period.

Still, one needs to be careful: wear long sleeve, be mindful of your surroundings.

I only had one attempt on one of my watches (Rolex Daytona) at a music festival in Barcelona but noticed the thief and my friends were surrounding me too

Will popular tourist areas like Louvre, Eiffel tower, Versailles, Disneyland require you to remove your jackets during security checks ar the entrance?

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[fsprow]

Originally Posted by Will_NL

It depends on a couple of things:

- don't wear a Nautilus or Aquanaut at all, that's asking for trouble
- don't wear a Patek or Rolex out in the open whilest also wearing other expensive clothing brands (or even without)
- Stay out of well know bad areas and be mindfull of your surroundings

And in my opinion this goes for Barcelona, Madrid, Paris (all large cities in France), London, Rome, Amsterdam, and many other European cities. At the moment the EU is being overrun by immigrants from Romania, Poland and Africa which causes a host of problems that I will not go into because this is a watch forum

my 2 cts

Seems like staying in bed and watching videos about the world going to hell and the dangers of immigration is the best approach. I prefer to be out in the world and willing to take statistically small risks.

[soxfan39]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Seems like staying in bed and watching videos about the world going to hell and the dangers of immigration is the best approach. I prefer to be out in the world and willing to take statistically small risks.

I've been waffling back and forth but tend to lean toward this approach.

I'm fully insured but will be traveling with family and would rather not risk a chance of putting them in any danger. But as another reply said it's not like the states is any safer and I don't feel the least bit unsafe wearing it in Los Angeles.

What I'll probably do is end up taking a couple different options with me and wearing the Seiko diver or apple watch in Paris/London and then strap on the big boys in Switzerland.

I'm touring Patek in Geneva and would hate to be there without representing. :-)

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by soxfan39

I've been waffling back and forth but tend to lean toward this approach.

I'm fully insured but will be traveling with family and would rather not risk a chance of putting them in any danger. But as another reply said it's not like the states is any safer and I don't feel the least bit unsafe wearing it in Los Angeles.

What I'll probably do is end up taking a couple different options with me and wearing the Seiko diver or apple watch in Paris/London and then strap on the big boys in Switzerland.

I'm touring Patek in Geneva and would hate to be there without representing. :-)

Sure seems like a good approach to me. Family safety first!
Frank

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by Will_NL

It depends on a couple of things:

- don't wear a Nautilus or Aquanaut at all, that's asking for trouble
- don't wear a Patek or Rolex out in the open whilest also wearing other expensive clothing brands (or even without)
- Stay out of well know bad areas and be mindfull of your surroundings

And in my opinion this goes for Barcelona, Madrid, Paris (all large cities in France), London, Rome, Amsterdam, and many other European cities. At the moment the EU is being overrun by immigrants from Romania, Poland and Africa which causes a host of problems that I will not go into because this is a watch forum

my 2 cts

Dude… way to go with the causal ignorance and bigotry. For a start, Romania and Poland are members of the EU.

[johnsonsxusfrt]

Originally Posted by Will_NL

It depends on a couple of things:

- don't wear a Nautilus or Aquanaut at all, that's asking for trouble
- don't wear a Patek or Rolex out in the open whilest also wearing other expensive clothing brands (or even without)
- Stay out of well know bad areas and be mindfull of your surroundings

And in my opinion this goes for Barcelona, Madrid, Paris (all large cities in France), London, Rome, Amsterdam, and many other European cities. At the moment the EU is being overrun by immigrants from Romania, Poland and Africa which causes a host of problems that I will not go into because this is a watch forum

my 2 cts

thanks for the heads up, I'm heading to Europe next month and your cautious note is helpful


BTW when I went to London last year my travel agent literally said "don't wear a Rolex"

[scurfa]

Originally Posted by johnsonsxusfrt

thanks for the heads up, I'm heading to Europe next month and your cautious note is helpful


BTW when I went to London last year my travel agent literally said "don't wear a Rolex"

The hotel I was heading to in Barcelona told me the same thing!


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[bob101]

Originally Posted by scurfa

The hotel I was heading to in Barcelona told me the same thing!


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Honestly these days it’s not worth the hassle wearing watches out in Europe.
Dress watch under the shirt sleeve perhaps.

[SL BRABUS]

I heard about men getting rob or mug for their watch...

What about women that carrying Hermé Birkin or Kelly, are they safe..??. Do they get rob or mug...??

[Vasco]

I would confirm Will_NL for Paris (and south of France).

[bp1000]

If you are a tourist I'd probably not bother. Just like I wouldn't take a patek to Paris, Barcelona etc.

I'm in London all the time and wear patek. But I'm aware of what's going on and my watch is strictly covered at all times.

Funny how times have changed. I use to wear some very obvious watches daily in London, travelling all over the city, in a t-shirt, did this for years and never even considered I was putting myself in danger, never had a single problem. Then in around 2018 onwards, I started hearing of watch theft then it happened to a friend of mine for a simple DJ on jubilee. All he did was get an uber into town, he went straight to a restaurant and when he left a few hours later, he walked from the door to his uber, was push into the taxi and they attempted to take his watch.

BS times. The authorities are letting us down with liberal justice.

[fsprow]

I wear Pateks - Nautilus, Aquanaut, 5170 all the time in most of the cities mentioned here. The only issue I ever had is once in the Paris Metro I had a fellow grab my wrist at a stop and try to take my watch off. I hit him hard in the face and that was that. He ran off the train. But that was a rare exception. I always wear long sleeve shirts and most of the time my watches are covered. If I was going to spend my time worrying about it, I certainly wouldn’t wear a watch or any other jewelry.

[StylinProfilin]

Originally Posted by fsprow

I wear Pateks - Nautilus, Aquanaut, 5170 all the time in most of the cities mentioned here. The only issue I ever had is once in the Paris Metro I had a fellow grab my wrist at a stop and try to take my watch off. I hit him hard in the face and that was that. He ran off the train. But that was a rare exception. I always wear long sleeve shirts and most of the time my watches are covered. If I was going to spend my time worrying about it, I certainly wouldn’t wear a watch or any other jewelry.

[adi365]

living in Switzerland, no issues

[Ashj52]

I would highly recommend avoiding wearing short sleeves in London with a Patek. Without going into too much detail, a friend of mine has suffered life changing injuries after being mugged on the street, at 7pm in central London for a Rolex submariner. He was out for dinner with friends at the time.

[Ubiquitous1984]

I live in UK and no longer wear a PP or even a Rolex in London. When we visited at Xmas I deliberately under-dressed for all occasions due to the crime in the city.

I didn't take one on a recent trip to Munich, but that was because I don't know the city well more than anything.

I wore my 5712 in St Tropez last year with so issue, although with hindsight that was a bit foolish and I won't be doing it again.

I'd never wear a PP with short sleeves in Madrid/Barca/Paris/Rome and I wouldn't do it in my home city Manchester either.