Would you take your Rolex to Kuwait for a year?

[Bisquitlips]

As many may know I am preparing to work in Kuwait for 1 year (at least).

I am not real comfortable taking my Rolex with me and will probably pull out one of my less expensive GMT's or purchase a GMT that works well on a NATO strap.

Now I know that many of you will offer to babysit my YM for me and I do appreciate it, but have decided not put it in the safe and it will be here waiting for me when I come home on vacations.

I was just wondering would any of you risk taking your Rolex on a job like this? I do know that I will be sharing an apartment in Kuwait City with 2 other gentlemen (guys that will be working with me). It's a very large nice apartment in a great part of town, but I am certainly queasy about taking anything expensive with me.

Also, any suggestions on a nice non Rolex GMT that has a 24 hour bezel and looks great on a NATO would be appreciated.

[1MAC]

Good question, Richard. In general, I would say your lovely YM will be much safer on your wrist in Kuwait than in your own lovely suburb. Remember, the Kuwaiti sense of justice is slightly different than ours! They tend to punish pretty harshly for theft.

[mretzloff]

If you can trust the guys living with you, take it. Otherwise, just take a Timex or a Casio.

[Ozzie]

I'd take it and enjoy it. Life's too short. Don't you have it insured anyway?

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

I'd take it and enjoy it. Life's too short. Don't you have it insured anyway?

Not insured yet but will be before I go. I had put that on the back burner. Moving to the front burner now. I need to find out if Jeweler's Mutual insurance will cover it in this situation.

[Ozzie]

I'm in the UK, so insurance maybe slightly different. I added my watches to my home contents insurance as name items and it cost around 1% of the sum insured. ie £60 for £6,000 worth of cover for accidental damage loss and theft.

Enjoy your trip.

[GVmil]

Same here.
Take it with you and enjoy it.
But definitely have it insured, I have mine covered on a rider to my homeowners. Keep the original papers and any appraisals at home in a safe or a safety deposit box. Take photocopies with you to Kuwait.
Cheers,
J

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

I'm in the UK, so insurance maybe slightly different. I added my watches to my home contents insurance as name items and it cost around 1% of the sum insured. ie £60 for £6,000 worth of cover for accidental damage loss and theft.

Enjoy your trip.

I understand. The main reason I don't want to do a rider is that if I suffer a loss, my home insurance goes up for an indefinite period of time. Been there and it was an obscene increase.

[Deep Sea]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Not insured yet but will be before I go. I had put that on the back burner. Moving to the front burner now. I need to find out if Jeweler's Mutual insurance will cover it in this situation.

Not sure if you have access to USAA, but their insurance is VERY reasonable. I have all my watches insured through them, and it was much less expensive than other alternatives. All I needed to do was provide the make, model, and serial number, along with the purchase/replacement price.

Good luck over there.

[Cato]

I always left my good watches at home before I was deployed overseas. I always needed the alarm feature on my G-shock.

[Greenring]

Buy an Explorer 2 and leave the MOP YM in your safety deposit box, or with me.

[ErikAalto]

It's just an excuse to never take it off your wrist, but I would definitely wear it. Wouldn't you feel outcast if the other 2 gentleman happened to be wearing the exact same watch as you, and you neglected to bring yours along?

[Tony-GB]

Richard, from what I have heard, Kuwait should be a safe place to wear a Rolex. I bet you won't be the only Rolex wearer there.

Get it insured for peace of mind on a "new for old" policy to avoid any price hikes.

Can I look after your dog while your away?

[GBJIV]

Originally Posted by Deep Sea

Not sure if you have access to USAA, but their insurance is VERY reasonable. I have all my watches insured through them, and it was much less expensive than other alternatives. All I needed to do was provide the make, model, and serial number, along with the purchase/replacement price.

Good luck over there.

I use USAA also. They are excellent.

[Yume-sama]

Definitely. Especially if it is insured.

I don't think theft is THAT prevalent over there, not as much as here. I didn't see many people walking around with only one hand, if you know what I mean.

[bodybump]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Definitely. Especially if it is insured.

I don't think theft is THAT prevalent over there, not as much as here. I didn't see many people walking around with only one hand, if you know what I mean.

i agree withe yume richard....have it insured and wear it with a nato...but if it will bother you from work then just use a less expensive one...you might end up watching your watch safety than yourself hahahahaha

[kcmo]

Take it with you and enjoy it Richard! I am sure you'll think of Leah each time you put it on!

[toph]

take it and enjoy it. what are you doing over there, if you don't mind me asking? (sounds interesting)

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by toph

take it and enjoy it. what are you doing over there, if you don't mind me asking? (sounds interesting)

Chris,

I will be working on Arifjan doing IT work.

[Incurable]

I don't know... I'd be tempted to employ the old adage, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" and leave it home. Then again, maybe not... helpful??

[356 speedster]

Richard
Can you make it a year with out it? I couldn't.
If you do take it have it insured first.

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by 356 speedster

Richard
Can you make it a year with out it? I couldn't.
If you do take it have it insured first.

Lambros,

That is a good question.

I think I will just get it insured (taking it in for appraisal tomorrow) and just take it.

What I really need now instead of this beautiful black MOP YM is an SS/YG GMT IIc. My hindsight is 20/20. Just perfect.

[petespendthrift]

Pointless having it if you can't wear it. My experience of Kuwait is that you will have no trouble at all.

I spent last year in West Africa travelling all over the place and on my own a lot of the time and wore my SD and had no problems. I would probably leave it at home if I was going to the wrong parts of many western cities. So it all depends on the parts you are going to in the country, not the actual country itself. Obviously steel attracts less attention than gold - not sure which you have.

[Lol-x]

Maybe the question you should ask yourself is:

"Can I really live and enjoy myself in the matter to which I am accustom without wearing or seeing my Rolex for 1 year."

It is obviously up to you. Maybe your TT YM is a little too dressy and so why not get a regular Pepsi bezel GMT, there are some great vintage GMT's (especially a 1675) that are just some of the best model Rolex, value for money reasonable $$$ tool watches for traveling (with a 24 hour hand) and vintage street cred too.

[marshallr47]

Richard, I say take it. I brought my GMT to Afghan with me and it's the best thing I could have done. I have built so many wonderful memories of what I have done here while wearing my watch....and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Good luck on your decision.

[cody p]

i'd bring it - life's too short!

[Erix]

Originally Posted by cody p

i'd bring it - life's too short!

And if you don't trust your roomies..wear it all the time.

[jdpny]

Take it of course, the key here is that you WEAR it on your wrist and it will be plenty safe. BTW, I insure my Sub Date for $6,000 with USAA and pay $15/month - well worth it.

[ttannert]

I say take it. I think after a couple of months you will wish you had it. They are meant to be worn.

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by ttannert

I say take it. I think after a couple of months you will wish you had it. They are meant to be worn.

I TOTALLY