The Breitling Watch Source Forums

That's why I said the "hotel safe", not the "room safe". I'd want to shift the most responsibility possible.

I'll take my Navitimer World. If I'm going to be around seaplanes and water, I'll have to find something else to wear. I'll use my old Timex if I have to.

In room safe. They are very secure. Only security has the ability to open them and its a pretty involved ordeal.

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-RJ

I've been to London approx 15 times and have worn everything from Breitling, Rolex and Pam without incident. Over the past few years I've also been to Malta, Sicily, Mallorca, and Turkey to name a few, again without incident. Enjoy your trip.

You bought it to wear it so wear it. Just stay out of the ghettos, I'm assuming that they have those, and have fun.

And I only take my PO, perfect vacation watch.

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

My sister lives in south London, and when I visit, i generally use caution. I don't flash watches about esp. when travelling or out shopping etc., but in restaurants and bars etc you'll be ok.
Just use common sense. Even though it'll be summer, try to wear a long sleeved shirt if possible. Muggings in London can happen at anytime of the day. The latest trend is "huggings": where a group of people try to befriend you outside a bar etc. and while hugging you and wishing you well, someone else takes your watch, phone, wallet.....
I sound paranoid, but I do notice certain youths eyeing my watch wherever I am.

My ex-boss was in Paris on a stag weekend last month. He got mugged. They took his new Carrera and wallet.

On a side note, I loved the feeling of safety in Japan. All the nights out we had and I never saw one incident of crime. I wore a TAG at the time and nobody except AD's looked at it.

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

Thank you for all your replies!

Seems like it's safer than I thought, but should be careful about where and at what time to go right?

I'd like to add that I'm not tall (5'7", 168cm), and wear glasses , does it make me an easier hunt for the thieves, or am I getting paranoid here?

Sorry to hear about your ex-boss!

Does anyone else had bad experiences?

And yes Japan is very hassle free on this subject, very safe indeed.

I visit London on a very frequent basis and as already mentioned just use a little caution and keep your wits about you. A little common sense and you'll be fine with whatever watch you chose to wear.

Muggings can happen pretty much anywhere in the world, but I've personally never found London to be any worse than anywhere else. As others have said, just avoid the run-down areas and you'll be fine. It's worth remembering there are a HUGE number of extremely weathly people in London, and they're not all getting robbed on a daily basis. Just exercise a little caution and try not too look too much like a tourist and you'll be extremely unlikely to have any problems. Same goes for Paris IMO.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I worked in London for years and never even saw a mugging. Got pretty close to being blow up by the IRA a couple of times, but I don't think that the watch factored in

There are places in London that I wouldn't go, but then there are places in most cities that I wouldn't go, just be sensible.

I've traveled to London repeatedly and always feel quite safe - it's one of my favorite places on the planet. Can't vouch for Paris because I haven't visited, but acquaintances who've been there have never reported safety concerns. The only European cities I've heard warnings about are in Italy, particularly Rome and Naples.

Yes, you're getting paranoid.

I travel around Europe all the time wearing my Breitlings.
No problem at all,actually lots of people walking around wearing more expensive pieces.....

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Breitling Skyracer Raven
Breitling B-1 A68362

I have visited London on many occasions Julks and it all boils down to common sense. Like me, wear your 'Ling but if you feel that a location makes you feel 'uncomfortable' then cover it up - you could take a lightweight top with sleeves in your rucksack/bag for this purpose.
I would imagine you will be mostly visiting the tourist locations which are mostly in the centre of London - you should be fine here as there are many other tourists (all with expensive cameras, watches etc ). I would certainly cover up if I was going on the Underground - that's a cert'. If you are going off the 'beaten track' ie out of the centre of London and into the suburbs - you would just have to see what the area was like and make a decision based on that.
Regarding safes - the ones in the suite are normally sufficient and secure enough (I have often left my watch in them) but if you wanted to be extra secure, then the hotel safe would be the better option but I would make sure that you get a signature for it AND make sure that you have a photo of your watch (just in case).
Finally, it doesn't matter if you are 4' tall or 7' and nor does it matter if you wear glasses or not - if you are 'targeted' then the criminals will take you on regardless (that applies anywhere in the world) and you would have been extremely unlucky. I hope this helps Julks.

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TAG Professional (Silver/Gold) 2000 - still going strong and kept as spare when Wolf is away.
Breitling B1 (Blue) 2003 - 2008.
Breitling Airwolf (Black Sunburst) 2008 - Date.

I wear my SA (also fairly noticeable) whenever I travel - London included. I've never had an issue and the only precaution is when going to an unfamiliar area I generally wear a long sleeve shirt in case I need to cover it up. Of course I grew up around Detroit so I'm used to needing situational awareness to avoid issues. Keep aware of the people near you, your surroundings and enjoy your trip!

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Breitling Chrono Super Avenger(Steel, Auto Breitling 13); Super Ocean(Steel, Auto Breitling 17)
Omega Seamaster(Ttnm, Auto Omega 2500)
TAG Heuer Formula 1(Steel, Qtz)
U-Boat Classico AS 1(Leather, Auto ETA 2824)
Movado Temo Black Museum Dial(0605903 Qtz)