If it happened to me it could happen to you

[Mick P]

This morning the wife and I decided it was high time for her to take a walk around the local market as she she slowly recovering from her stroke.

We went down to the local market in San Juan de Los Terreros, spent about 45 buying a few baubles and then made our way back to the car park. We were about to drive off in the car when a young woman tapped on the drivers window which I lowered. She said she was looking for work and did I know anyone who was looking for a cleaner. She suddenly grabbed the Rolex and started to tug it off my wrist and of course I was tugging it back. My wife saved the day by whacking the woman about the head with her walking sticking which must bloody hurt because she ran off.

The police aren't interested because they can't prosecute unless they witness the crime.

It certainly made a change from the normal daily routine.

[pete-r]

Glad no harm done and you’ll be on your toes next time.

I was chatting to a Zenith AD in central London last week who told me there had been a few attempted scooter mugging in the area so to be careful with my rucksack.

[alanm_3]

What a horrible and scary thing to happen Mick, it just goes to show we all need to be vigilant, no matter where we are.

Good on your good lady for her quick thinking to save the day!

[tango]

That's awful Mick, hope you and the wife are ok.

Sadly thats the world we now live in when even wearing a nice watch is dangerous.

I and others I know, have stopped wearing anything of any significant value due the violent theft of watches being on the rise.

I know the more affluent area in the city I live in has seen a recent rise in aggravated burglaries where households are apparently being targeted for high value watches and jewellery.

I can only see things getting worse as the cost of living crisis starts to bite.

[Alpha4]

It couldn't happen to me because I no longer own any Rolex watches - Muahahahaaha!

[Robsmck]

Hope you are both OK Mick, not a nice thing to happen.
I was in Leiden last week, on the main pedestrian shopping strip, when a scooter with two youths on board went steaming past, weaving through the people. No evidence that they were up to no good, but it's a fair punt imho.

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[Hooshabak]

Hope you are both OK Mick, not a nice thing to happen.
I was in Leiden last week, on the main pedestrian shopping strip, when a scooter with two youths on board went steaming past, weaving through the people. No evidence that they were up to no good, but it's a fair punt imho.

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Cool story bro

[Rodder]

Cool story bro

Cool quote bro

Caveat, if it was 2010

[Robsmck]

Cool story bro

Don't understand your point tbh

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[Sinnlover]

Sorry to hear this happened Mick
Glad you are ok.
It could happen to anyone. There are scrotes everywhere.

[shoppy]

Glad that you are both safe Mick; well done for your wife’s quick reaction with the walking stick.

[jukeboxs]

As mentioned, Rolex snatching has been around for some time (surprised you haven't been targeted at your clubhouse carpark yet by two eastern European beauties with clipboards wanting a hug).

You are a much easier target than most on here I imagine (despite the older demographic of the typical TZ member) - you're elderly, infirm, with a wife physically dependent on you (albeit she turned out to be the star in this instance). Glad you both came out physically unscathed.

[Noaksey]

I'm very conscious of wearing mine in Central London now, if I'm wearing short sleeves I normally don't bother.



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[Mj2k]

I'm very conscious of wearing mine in Central London now, if I'm wearing short sleeves I normally don't bother.



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I’m with you there, only in once a week these days - Rolex or Panerai don’t get worn as too obvious / large for the later.

My Tudor, Omega constellations and damasko seem to fly under the radar so much more & more comfortable losing one as required.


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[oldoakknives]

Glad you both came out unscathed. There seem to be more and more of these type of incidents reported. As said a lot of us probably look like easy targets because of age etc.

A pair of eastern europeans tried to pickpocket my father once when he was getting on a bus. Luckily he was aware of what was happening and one of them ended up with a very sore wrist before they legged it. No doubt they saw him as an easy target because of his age but he was still pretty fit at the time.

[TKH]

Sorry to hear Mick hope your now both ok

Well done the Mrs outstanding job.

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Sad to read Mick - hope you are both ok.

[Halitosis]

Glad to read no harm was done and your wife’s recovery is going well enough for a little anaerobic workout! We love SJDLT and hard to imagine such a crime there :shock:


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[learningtofly]

Close shave, Mick. Glad you're both okay, and be careful out there.

[Clem]

Good to hear that you came out of it "all ok" so to speak!
Maybe the only draw back was your wife didn't hit the twat hard enough!!!

[Ruggertech]

A frightening episode, the good news is you're both okay. I can imagine it will have changed your mindset somewhat when out and about though.

[wileeeeeey]

Glad you’re both ok, Mick.

Time for a beater perhaps? And I don’t mean your wife!

[Mick P]

This is now a PITA. My friend in the know reckons there is a good chance that the car in the plot may have followed us home, so now it's max security until we return home (EasyJet permitting).

[murkeywaters]

Sorry to hear that Mick and glad you are both okay, the sleepy market towns in Spain frequented by British, Germans, Dutch at this time of year wearing (T shirts/Polos) are hot targets for organised gangs with Rolex the No1 targets.

I'm sorry to say that if you continue to wear a Rolex in these areas then I fear you will lose it and like you say the police are not interested so surely not worth the risk, I bet she or someone tailed you all the way through that market.

Again glad you are both okay but think of your safety first..

[sprite1275]

This is now a PITA. My friend in the know reckons there is a good chance that the car in the plot may have followed us home, so now it's max security until we return home (EasyJet permitting).

What a nightmare. How long you got left? Also is your friend in the know a proper friend or a local you have met?

[Mick P]

I will be honest and admit that I woke up in a cold sweat at 3.00 am thinking about what would have happened if it had been a couple of thugs doing it rather than a girl and her boyfriend. Right now I am in a quandary, do you let a couple of low lifes mess up your life or do I take Mr Curta's point and put my wifes safety above everything.

Right now today I am done with wearing Rolex and just want nothing more to do with it or watches in general. The enthusiasm has evaporated. If anything had happened to my wife the blame would have rested 100% on me and I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

[murkeywaters]

I will be honest and admit that I woke up in a cold sweat at 3.00 am thinking about what would have happened if it had been a couple of thugs doing it rather than a girl and her boyfriend. Right now I am in a quandary, do you let a couple of low lifes mess up your life or do I take Mr Curta's point and put my wifes safety above everything.

Right now today I am done with wearing Rolex and just want nothing more to do with it or watches in general. The enthusiasm has evaporated. If anything had happened to my wife the blame would have rested 100% on me and I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

Never sell a Rolex Mick!!

I imagine your having post related shock which will make you think the way you are, there is nothing wrong with owning a Rolex, expensive jewelry or walking around with £1000 in cash, just don’t flaunt it, wear a Seiko when out in Spain so it’s not on your mind and you can enjoy yourself, lots of places on this planet are not safe for expensive goods but doesn’t mean you can’t go there, just be aware and smart about your surroundings..

[Passenger]

This morning the wife and I decided it was high time for her to take a walk around the local market as she she slowly recovering from her stroke.

We went down to the local market in San Juan de Los Terreros, spent about 45 buying a few baubles and then made our way back to the car park. We were about to drive off in the car when a young woman tapped on the drivers window which I lowered. She said she was looking for work and did I know anyone who was looking for a cleaner. She suddenly grabbed the Rolex and started to tug it off my wrist and of course I was tugging it back. My wife saved the day by whacking the woman about the head with her walking sticking which must bloody hurt because she ran off.

The police aren't interested because they can't prosecute unless they witness the crime.

It certainly made a change from the normal daily routine.

I will be honest and admit that I woke up in a cold sweat at 3.00 am thinking about what would have happened if it had been a couple of thugs doing it rather than a girl and her boyfriend. Right now I am in a quandary, do you let a couple of low lifes mess up your life or do I take Mr Curta's point and put my wifes safety above everything.

Right now today I am done with wearing Rolex and just want nothing more to do with it or watches in general. The enthusiasm has evaporated. If anything had happened to my wife the blame would have rested 100% on me and I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

Protect what's most important to you Mick, my advice fwiw. Glad you're both alright albeit shaken, which is entirely natural of course.

[Neil.C]

I will be honest and admit that I woke up in a cold sweat at 3.00 am thinking about what would have happened if it had been a couple of thugs doing it rather than a girl and her boyfriend. Right now I am in a quandary, do you let a couple of low lifes mess up your life or do I take Mr Curta's point and put my wifes safety above everything.

Right now today I am done with wearing Rolex and just want nothing more to do with it or watches in general. The enthusiasm has evaporated. If anything had happened to my wife the blame would have rested 100% on me and I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

I can't blame you Mick.

If you can't wear a particular watch out and about what is the point of ownership?

Plenty of really nice Seiko's etc around for an everyday wearer.

Very glad you and the Mrs are OK.

[verv]

I will be honest and admit that I woke up in a cold sweat at 3.00 am thinking about what would have happened if it had been a couple of thugs doing it rather than a girl and her boyfriend. Right now I am in a quandary, do you let a couple of low lifes mess up your life or do I take Mr Curta's point and put my wifes safety above everything.

Right now today I am done with wearing Rolex and just want nothing more to do with it or watches in general. The enthusiasm has evaporated. If anything had happened to my wife the blame would have rested 100% on me and I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

Really sorry to hear about this Mick, but glad you and Mrs Mick are OK. Good thinking on the walking stick part.

I think if you enjoy your Rolexes, continue to do so at home and around places where you feel comfortable, but stick something more under the radar on for going into town in short sleeves.
If im in London I wear either an Omega DSOTM or a modded Seiko. Neither of them are attention grabbers.
Not many thieves know what's what beyond the really obvious Rolex/AP candidates so perhaps start a hunt for a town watch that isnt screaming as a way to rekindle the watch love after a shocking event.

[Robsmck]

Two words for you Mick. Glock. Nineteen.

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[Mr Curta]

Seriously Mick, take care. You'll likely be seen as soft targets and some assailants don't give up as easily. I know that you pride yourself on not worrying about the risks of wearing a high profile watch anywhere and at anytime, but you need to put the physical and mental wellbeing of yourself and your wife first especially whilst she relies on you for assistance.

[Mr Curta]

Safety and wellbeing should come first but it needn't impact on your life unduly. I've lived and worked in numerous high crime environments whilst still enjoying collecting and wearing watches, and frequently wore an Omega during our four years in Bogotá although it was always tucked under a sleeve when walking out and about. A very well built colleague was relieved of his limited edition 2254 after work one day which was a bit of a bummer but he did the sensible thing, handed it over, made the police report and got onto the insurance. Fortunately I like a lot of inexpensive vintage Citizens and Seikos so there was always something for the trips to Caracas or out with the kids when it just wasn't worth the risk.

[boring_sandwich]

How awful for both you and the wife.

I had my Submariner stolen off my arm in 2017 and fortunately wasn't hurt or injured, but ever since I am always conscious of what I am wearing. I find myself pulling down my sleeve when out and about or using public transport etc.

It has defiantly affected me and I often find it stressful when I have a Rolex or something similar on the wrist and would never wear a Submariner or DJ with flutter bezel or anything too obvious.

[dkpw]

Dear Mick,

I’m very sorry to have read that you were attacked and the subject of an attempted robbery. Well done to Mrs. Mick for her quick thinking with her stick to defend you both. It must have been a very unpleasant experience.

I was about to write that I would exercise caution, since you may now be identified as a future target but your friend has already warned you of this possibility. I hope you can remain sanguine in the face of possible worries. Of course both your wife’s and your health and safety must remain your top priority. That means, I would suggest, making sensible changes in what you wear and when, confirming your insurance is up to date and adequate and having solid storage options.

We shouldn’t have to do any of that but we’re prudent and live in the real world.

All the best.

David

[R0bertb00th]

Sorry to hear about this and Im glad you are both ok physically anyway

I never take anything too expensive abroard for such stories and Im very conscious of what im doing and where Im going before wearing mine nowdays, I was in Banus a few weeks ago and lots of people were flouting rolex and s/s shirts many of whom were very much worse for wear and border line sitting ducks for anyone targeting people

[prexelor]

Sorry to hear of this. I hope you and your wife are ok. We should be able to wear what we feel but unfortunately that isn’t the world we live in.

[samswatch]

What a rubbish experience, glad you and the wife are relatively OK.

I was nearly mugged once (but managed to stay on the bicycle and kept riding) and it takes a while to get over it. Just be kind to yourself. You seem to be doing all the sensible things as well.

[Mick P]

First of all thanks to everyone for the sympathetic comments, it is much appreciated.

The wife and I are now back to normal and I will continue to wear the watch but I will be choosey where I go and what I wear.

The longer term plan is when I get back to the UK, I will only wear the 39mm Explorer 214270. That must be a very off the radar watch by Rolex standards and I may even put it on a brown leather strap to make it look even less like a Rolex.

One point I would add is that yesterday both Sue and I noticed that the girl was very nice, very gentle in her approach and spoke quietly. It was only when she opened the car door that we became suspicious but she said her hand was arthritic and it was all bunched up which we later realised was false. She allowed the "dysfunctional hand" to lower itself to my wrist and she then undone the clasp in a couple of seconds but was still talking in a whisper. Obviously as we were in a public place she did not want to attract attention. I suddenly realised what she was up to and when I tried to pull her hand off the watch she was still being totally silent which added to the unreal effect of what was going on. If she had shouted or been aggressive it would have been more real and obvious.

The moment she was whacked on the head she walked off in a way that would not attract attention and the man just slowly drove off, again, without attracting undue attention.

Therefore attracting attention is the thing that they really don't want, so if it ever happens to you shout back loudly or sound the car horn, anything to attract attention. Her first aim was to take it off me without me even realising it and she very nearly done it.

It was all done in a professional way.

[markrlondon]

^^^ This is all useful to know. Thank you.

[forpetesake]

^^^ This is all useful to know. Thank you.

Seconded.
Food for thought.

[Mike2500]

Sad to hear and read but at least you’re both okay apart from being shaken up of course.


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