Sir Ben Ainslie

[SunkenSub]

Watch stolen at knifepoint in Barcelona
https://news.sky.com/story/sir-ben-a...elona-13205009

[mini sub]

Wonder if it was the proto titanium YM?

[brandrea]

I didn’t clock the link but sorry to hear. Hope he recovers his watch

[996marty]

A notorious place for getting turned over it would seem

[travisb]

Unfortunate to hear.

[Cru Jones]

Quite the zen and reasoned reaction from him.

[shammad10]

If it is his titanium non date YM prototype- that will be a hard watch to sell.

[Bazil]

Is it safe to wear a watch in Barcelona ?

[Number3]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Quite the zen and reasoned reaction from him.

I thought the same.

[SLWoodster]

Originally Posted by shammad10

If it is his titanium non date YM prototype- that will be a hard watch to sell.

We’ll see it Antiquorum next year

[1William]

Sorry to hear. Glad he was not hurt.

[jaydav2306]

Barcelona is a beautiful but it really is notorious probably as the worst place in europe for this kind of crime, safe to wear watches in and around your hotel (I stayed at the W) but if I headed out I wouldn't wear a watch into the city

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by jaydav2306

Barcelona is a beautiful but it really is notorious probably as the worst place in europe for this kind of crime, safe to wear watches in and around your hotel (I stayed at the W) but if I headed out I wouldn't wear a watch into the city

I wore my Hulk there in 2023 and was targeted by two guys at the market. I caught on to their ploy and immediately got into a cab and left. I am now going to only take my Gshock on vacation. I want to enjoy my vacation without having to look over my shoulder all the time.


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[enjoythemusic]

Am surprised no one warned him about Barcelona. In 2024 it's common knowledge imho.

[scurfa]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Am surprised no one warned him about Barcelona. In 2024 it's common knowledge imho.

Exactly the last time I went the Hotel we booked warned me.


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[116510lv]

Originally Posted by rlx123

I wore my Hulk there in 2023 and was targeted by two guys at the market. I caught on to their ploy and immediately got into a cab and left. I am now going to only take my Gshock on vacation. I want to enjoy my vacation without having to look over my shoulder all the time.


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What did they do please tell

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[dukie748]

Barcelona Town Hall statistics - in 2023 there were over 100,000 pickpocketing incidents and up to 140,000 thefts of different kinds in the Catalan capital, a figure that works out to roughly 400 a day.

Many Spanish media outlets report this daily average as much higher.

G-Shock it is.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by jaydav2306

Barcelona is a beautiful but it really is notorious probably as the worst place in europe for this kind of crime, safe to wear watches in and around your hotel (I stayed at the W) but if I headed out I wouldn't wear a watch into the city

Based on what has been reported by others, there can often be a false sense of safety even within a nice hotel, as there is often coordination between staff and those that are looking to steal watches.

Originally Posted by scurfa

Exactly the last time I went the Hotel we booked warned me.

This is both great to see a hotel looking out for its guests, and sad that it's come to this.

[Roddypeepa]

Probably his sky-dweller. Work in Portsmouth and there’s a big billboard of him wearing one as you exit the city.


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[omar-rye]

This thread should be pinned for everyone who asks or wonders if it's safe to wear high end watches, purses, etc. in Spain's tourist areas.

[JSCP]

hate the insecurity while in Barcelona.

[Soultime]

It's all over the press (in the UK at least) today.
What I find intersting is that other people report no interest from the authorities when it happens to them, as its so common in Barcelona.

Once it's Sir Ben Ainsley and in the press, suddenly they are keen to thoroughly investigate it.

Why not just give him a crime number and ignore it like everyone else?
Instead telling the press the following:

'Barcelona has seen a spate of luxury watch thefts and the city has a police team specialising in the theft of high-value watches.'

[Roddypeepa]

Suddenly the fact it’s in the spotlight means the authorities are keen to be seen doing something.

The fact that they have done almost nothing about crime in Barca up to this point is embarrassing.

Suddenly city is in the spotlight and they’re all over it. Hmm


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[dukie748]

The 'Tourists Go Home' brigade will be happy... however, the people who rely on those same tourists for their livelihood will not.

[Sergio_UKR]

Lived in Barcelona 8 years ago for about a year and never felt unsafe (wasn't wearing an expensive watch back then tho).
Recently went on vacation an was wearing very distinctive DJ41 on Jubilee all the time across a bunch of more and less touristy places. Zero issues whatsoever.
Maybe I just got lucky, but it seems like a very safe place to me. Compared to any major city in the US apart from Boston maybe.

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by 116510lv

What did they do please tell

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They were ushered away by the stall vender because they did not order anything and were taking up two seats while others were waiting.


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