Reply With QuoteWith the heat and humidity you will encounter best to put it onto a NATO. And take a spare.
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So I am planning to get a Rolex SubC Date for my 30th birthday in April next year new from an AD.
My girlfriend and I are also planning to take some time off work for 12 months in 2019 to backpack round the world (been planning for the last few years).
Question is -- would you wear the watch whilst travelling or is this just asking for trouble?
We will be travelling through lots of countries including China, South America, Australia etc so it will be quite a mix.
I did toy with the idea of wearing the watch on a rubber strap so it was not as easily noticeable but not too sure...
However, I also think it would be a stupid move to pick a watch up new to then leave unworn for a year in a safe where it could potentially seize up slightly or put on a watch winder which would unnecessarily wear the watch - both options leading to a possible earlier service requirement for the watch.
Appreciate your thoughts!
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With the heat and humidity you will encounter best to put it onto a NATO. And take a spare.
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You are asking for trouble. Not only the watch but anything else of any value leave at home.
I don't know if you have never backpacked before but expect all your possessions to be at some risk. Hostels have little security, you'll be staying in some of the less salubrious parts of town. Some drinking might even be involved!
Get a G-Shock, a cheap smart phone and have a cracking time. Life is way too short to spend looking over your shoulder in case you get mugged for a 5k watch in Rio.
South America would be the problem I think.
If you're thinking of going backpacking in those countries with one of the world's most recognisable expensive watches, it would be better if you didn't go.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Insure it and wear it. Don't take it off.
I wouldn't wear a nice watch i were going backpacking again. You will find yourself in some slightly uncomfortable situations from time to time while you are travelling and you will not want the added worry of an expensive watch on your wrist. Buy the watch as soon as you can to avoid price hikes and leave it at home. It'll give you something to look forward to when your trip comes to an end. The watch will be fine for a year in a safe, no problem.
Leave it at home. Take a casio or G shock.
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
And if you miss it when away you can buy plenty in SE Asia or HK for 20 stg..........
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Surely a trip like that is the perfect occasion for this watch?Originally Posted by seikopath
Is a Rolex movement really in danger of "seizing up" if left for a year?
I`m amazed the OP needs to ask the question!
Not very helpful when someone kills you to get the watch off your wrist.
Do not take a Rolex backpacking around South America. Simple.
I'm amazed he would drop £xk on watch, only think that it might 'seize up' if left in a safe for a year, or wear out if left on a watch winder.
Solar atomic G shock is the way to go.
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
Granted,
when I was backpacking I didnt have any proper watches...........I used to buy a cheap plastic watch! (similar to a "Swatch" but not as "expensive!).
Now for my hols to Thailand I will take a Seiko or two.
If I was you, Id use a Seiko or a cheap G-shock!
Well, problem is, with respect, that if someone holds you up to mug you of your watch, they'll still think this is a Rolex.Surely a trip like that is the perfect occasion for this watch?
Is a Rolex movement really in danger of "seizing up" if left for a year?
If the Rolex is insured correctly, you'll have something to give them, at least - if the worst did happen, which it likely would not if you are sensible.
How often does that happen? Killing someone for their watch? Killing them?!
Better than being killed for a Rolex 'Homage' I suppose.
Last edited by ped; 29th June 2017 at 11:16.
Yeah it seems quite a stupid move thinking about it.
My thought process was it would be a bit of a waste to buy the watch only to store it for a year unworn which could lead to an earlier service.
I could buy one when back but wanted to commemorate my 30th as it's been on my bucket list for a while.
I think you might be surprised.
Life is cheap in a lot countries.
I've done a bit of backpacking - one time was with a Seiko Monster and the other times were with one of Eddie's PRS-3. Of course I had a g-shock in tow too! No way in hell would I take anything of value! I was paranoid enough with the nice camera but thankfully that was ok. Best to not attract extra attention as it is!
Yeah I am planning on taking my DSLR and few lenses but it's insured and I want to take as many pictures as possible!
Totally agree. I don't think you can have an appreciation for how dangerous it can be until you have visited these countries. No valuables, no worries.
Well I am happy to be corrected although I suspect in such places you'll be killed for a lot less.
Like I say with some basic precautions most touristy/backpacker places will be fine, the biggest threat probably being fellow backpackers nicking things - hence my advice not to take it off.
But that's the risk I'd take.
It does amuse me when people insist that LEDC countries are full of thieves.
i used to collect ancient beads
i know of people who have been killed for something they were wearing round their neck
Good luck everybody. Have a good one.
A small tip - don't go OTT with lenses, keep light weight as possible. TBH stick with one good all-rounder zoom and a fast prime for low light condition. No flashes or any other faff.
To add I had no problem with my camera, but it was a lot of the time with me.
I would agree with this, very few muggers will attack a fit 30 year old.
However if the OP goes down this route, he should check his insurance. Most insist you wear it all the time when abroad and also have a limit of 45 days.
Honestly, it's your choice - but are you prepared for getting it lost/damaged/stolen? You could bring it with you, but store it in a suitable watch case or pouch when in areas that would be unsafe to be seen wearing an expensive watch. That's what I do when travelling.
If it were me, I'd probably put off getting the Rolex until after the trip. Maybe see it as a reward for the amazing experience and privilege of being able to travel around the world and see such amazing places!
Insurance not much good if you've been shop for your watch.
OP, I felt self conscious in Peru with a Suunto...leave it at home.
Let your girlfriend wear it.
Have you been to South America? Doesn't matter how fit you are if the mugger has a gun!
Buy it after. Why put yourself in a situation where you're making you, and by extension your wife, a target?
When we went to Kenya, we were told not to take any jewellery. Especially rings (easier for them to take the whole finger than waste time trying to remove the ring).
So we're writing off all of South America then?!
No, just the one South American who's pointing a gun at you demanding your watch.
Chances of meeting him are?
If you get held at gunpoint, as my friends in SA will tell you, you simply smile and hand over the insured goods. 99% of the pickpocket type mugger you're imagining are everywhere are opportunists who will nick things left lying around. It would take quite something for a nugget to hold someone up let alone at gunpoint for their watch unless you go somewhere REALLY dodgy, which I assume backpackers wouldn't.
That's my POV anyway - luxury watch sales remain healthy in S.America despite there being people held at gunpoint everywhere [/sarcasm]
I Absolutely wouldn't risk it.
I mean who cares about losing the watch, yes its a chunk of money but you can always insure it or earn more money. I would be more concerned in losing my hand for the watch.
Also any incident would only but a shadow over the trip, so just don't take the risk.
In all seriousness - is this not what G-shocks are designed for?
I wouldn't take it backpacking, backpacked all around europe and you tend to go to places that are off the beaten track and meet up with a lot of different people, often locals too. I know I had a few times where I was worried about where I was and who I was with. However 99% of these people are decent humans but because you are more exposed to risky situations as a backpacker your chances of running into someone unsavory are much higher, so walking around with £6k strapped to your wrist isn't the most sensible thing to do. I would take a G-shock and bank the watches.
And as people have mentioned it's not the loss itself that would worry me as much as been seriously injured or killed in a mugging/shooting.
......Greatly reduced if you don't have a shiny new Rolex strapped to your wrist 👍
I am a doddery old 68 year old, so very muggable and I spend 24 weeks every year travelling around Europe and I always wear a Rolex. This year when abroad, I have worn a 16710 GMT, a Zenith Daytona and a Freccione Explorer11. I only take the one watch and wear it 24/7.
If you are that worried, you got to ask the simple question - are you really suited to wear a Rolex. Why buy something and then worry about it.
Last edited by Mick P; 29th June 2017 at 12:01.
I'm usually in the 'wear it while away' camp. But backpacking is entirely different. You'll be visiting countries where the average annual salary wouldn't stretch to buying a Rolex. A definite no this time.
Living next to South America (Falklands) and as a frequent visitor I can assure you your Rolex wouldnt last five mins in Brazil / Argie / Chile!
Especially a Sub - the most recognisable Rolex!!
I dont even flash my phone about let alone a Rolex!
My wife (Chilean) has a friend who got her earrings ripped out of her ears downtown Santiago a few months ago in broad daylight. The earrings were worth about 50p from a market!!!
Last edited by kultschar; 29th June 2017 at 11:54.
I take you haven't run into a group of local girls in the backpackers in Rome and then headed into central Rome in the middle of the night to meet their friends who turn out to be selling stuff that's not legal and been surrounded by people who look decidedly dodgy, all the while been very drunk. Backpacking tends to be a lot more out there, at least in my experience. Nowadays I go on nice civilized holidays with my wife and stay in nice hotels and are back home by 12 at the latest :-) And I would wear my watches on these holidays.
It's about wearing something suitable for the area. I would genuinely like to see someone wear a rolex in Nairobi without a care in the world. It would be naive at best.
You either take it, and be slightly on edge the whole time, and avoid certain areas. Or don't, and just enjoy the trip.
If you're actually going back packing, you're going to be staying in basic places, doing stupid adventure things, getting drunk. No need to have a Casio as your only watch as you might want to go into a decent hotel to use the loos or go to a good restaurant (not that it will stop you but it's nice to look the part), so I would say a basic Seiko diver does the job perfectly. You can bash it around and it will always be your holiday watch after which reminds you of that long trip.
The idea of wearing a brand new Rolex on such a trip is really not worth considering for the hassle and near constant worry, plus definitely attracting the wrong kind of attention. Also hard to bargain for things as a backpacker when something worth a few years' salary for them is strapped your wrist. In fact I'd go as far as to say that it would be distasteful and insensitive.
I have done a lot of backpacking and always used to pick up a Swatch at the airport or wear a battered Seiko 5; even that drew covetous looks in India and South America.
I do not see the point of owing a watch if your not prepared to wear it.
I would personally put it on a NATO and wear it and take a spare NATO.
Great minds 😀😀
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Get a large box of condoms plus a commensurate amount of Viagra for your birthday and buy the watch upon your return.
F.T.F.A.
Can you afford to lose it or put yourself in a situation where your lives maybe in peril over a watch? Why take the risk - buy eg a Timex expedition or a G-shock
You'd wear a rolex somewhere like Nairobi?
Sign of times here at TZ-UK
Or Buenos Aires, Rio, Caracas or Bogota?
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
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