Dangerous to wear Rolex?

[TimothyDwight]

I am a college student have been considering getting a watch for some time, and have been saving up from various summer jobs. I was pretty set on getting an Omega SMP, but the echo that i see on this forum of waiting for the one you want (hopefully a pre loved Sub or GMT IIc) has made me hold off.

Anyway, I go to college in a city which i would not characterize as safe in some areas and am kinda worried about getting mugged/shot because of my watch. I am a country boy, so basically I am looking for city dwellers to give me some advice.

Thanks so much!

[karmatp]

Get one and don't wear it in places that you feel you might get jumped for it. As long as you don't show it off and get drunk at the local bar then run around saying "look at my Rolex" I think you will be ok.

[chazha]

go and get one and stay off the trouble. otherwise dont wear it daily basis. especially before you going to a college brawl or something similar.

I bought my first Omega Seamaster Titan when I was 16... no troubles at all considering that I lived in the worst area in the whole country. numbers gangs and robbery, But nothing happened to me.

[Trurolexer]

You planning to buy a Rolex and now you're still collage student?
You're so lucky!!!

[Nucengineer]

Originally Posted by TimothyDwight

I am a college student have been considering getting a watch for some time, and have been saving up from various summer jobs. I was pretty set on getting an Omega SMP, but the echo that i see on this forum of waiting for the one you want (hopefully a pre loved Sub or GMT IIc) has made me hold off.

Anyway, I go to college in a city which i would not characterize as safe in some areas and am kinda worried about getting mugged/shot because of my watch. I am a country boy, so basically I am looking for city dwellers to give me some advice.

Thanks so much!

Hi Tim,
My advice to you is: if you live in a dorm don't buy the Rolex. Things have a way of disapearing in such places . Most people don't know what the SMP is and you will probably be OK and not have to worry as much with this watch. Also, this watch is a big bang for the buck, being a chronometer and all. The lume on the Omega's is insane. Mediocre on the Rolexes. It will also give you some experience with an upscale watch and the caring for it. Avoiding banging into things etc., takes a little more conscious effort. Once the word gets out you have a Rolex someone will relieve you of it - most likely. I went to College in Springfield Mass and alot of things disappeared on campus. My stepson went to school in New Britain, CT and his truck was stolen - never recovered. If you're like most college students i.e., broke, you will be way ahead buying the SMP and saving the money for the Rolex after you Graduate. Once you have job after college, things will get mush better financially.

PS: Most the guys on this forum are older and have been working for a good while. So when we are buying toys, our perspective is a little different than someone your age - assuming your a college aged student.

[Yume-sama]

As with everything nice, be careful about who you show it to. If you have a priceless collection of art, don't invite over the neighbors you don't trust . People notice your watch perhaps more than anything else you are wearing, so don't invite the wrong kind of attention from the wrong kind of people. I wear one of my watches at all times, but depending where I am... the hand goes in my pocket, or the sleeve comes down all the way. Also be careful when traveling... although it may not apply to you since you are from the USA, but it took me a few trips to get up the courage to wear it to LA / NYC

Just take comfort in the fact not too many people know what nice things look like. I mean, to most people my Platinum Super President watch is Stainless Steel with Crystals on it

Those who get in to trouble are most usually flaunting the fact they have it. Don't be going to the bar, to the club, etc. to show off. I myself am well past the part of my life where I would be doing so, but... I can only imagine the type of things that could happen to a person there. Rolex is more of a... to the lounge for drinks while listening to live Jazz music type of watch.

[Tools]

I would get the Sub or a black insert GMT 16710.

I don't think that very many people are mugged for Subs, it's almost always the solid gold Day-Dates or diamond bezels that get the attention..

Any watch, or wallet, is likely to get stolen if it isn't taken care of and watched closely. With a Sub, you don't ever have to take it off, and if you don't tell people it's a Rolex, probably most folks will never notice..

[drnosker]

Timothy,

My sons, 19 and 16 both have rolexes. The one at college takes only one at a time to his dorm, and wears it basically 24/7. He loved wearing his Sub in his scuba class, especially. I'd recommend wearing it with an aftermarket band (like a NATO for a sub, for example) partly for comfort, and partly to make it less noticeable.

Go for it, but be careful about where you go. Think about putting it in your pocket if you find yourself in an uncomfortable position. That's what I tell my sons.

[ji603]

You'll be alright - save for the one you really want. I wouldn't walk around some parts of New Haven as it stands anyway... wear it to Mory's though. :) The type of person who know what a GMTiic looks like is the least likely to try and take it from you.

[thecoinopcollector]

Tim

Don't waste your money on an Omega. Omega's are depreciating assets (althought the Seamaster and Speedmaster are very nice watches). Buy the Rolex. If you are a freshman, by the time you graduate the Rolex will still be worth what you paid for it and if well maintained will continue to rise in value. If in the city, I would be careful where you wear and especially if you are out doing what college students do (no details necessary). If you are worried about loosing it, ask your parents to add it to their insurance police or get it insured yourself w/ one of the jewelery specialist insurers.

Marc

[scottschoe]

As a college student who visits all sorts of areas, I feel safe wearing my watch 24/7. Just be smart about it and try to get the watch insured. College is no warzone.

[Time_Peace]

I wore a Datejust in college (Austin, TX) 24/7 and never had a problem. The New Haven part of the equation is the concern. That's an issue in parts of every city, though. Just be careful where you go and who's around you (as you should be anyway) and you'll be fine.

Regards,

Jed

[sojourner]

Hi Tim,

Don't let that sort of fear stop you from enjoying a great watch. Buy it, insure it (maybe jewelersmutual.com), and wear it...life is too short not to..!!

Have fun!

Tom

[SD090608]

Going against the general grain a little here, but what can I say...you're a college student, and if you have any college loans, pay those off before you start buying bling. I'm not your daddy, your pastor or your superior officer...I'm just a guy that's BTDT.

Get out of debt before you buy a nice watch.

Best wishes to you.

[ronin7]

iam a criminal lawyer and i still remember representing a client who shot 3 members of the same famil yfor their rolexes!!! it didnt stop me from eventually buying my sub/gmt,but i have always been wary of wearing them when being in certain situations.you might be better off purchasing the omega.i find my seamaster/planet ocean dont really arouse the interest of my clients.more serious criminals i find prefer breitlings and cartiers,go figure! a rolex might just get you the wrong kind of attention.just be safe and what ever you buy enjoy.

[ColinB]

I used to wear my Sub every day 24/7 but because my job takes me to some dubious areas and with the increase in knife crime in the UK, I bought a Seiko 5 automatic for work on ebay.
Now I swap watches when I finish work and don't worry so much about being mugged (the Seiko cost £21).

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by SD090608

Going against the general grain a little here, but what can I say...you're a college student, and if you have any college loans, pay those off before you start buying bling. I'm not your daddy, your pastor or your superior officer...I'm just a guy that's BTDT.

Get out of debt before you buy a nice watch.

Best wishes to you.

Great advice. I'd wait...you can get a Rolex anytime. By something cheaper than an Omega, maybe a Tissot or a Raymond Weil.

That way when you get tanked and nekkid and all that other stuff students do...you won't have to worry about your timepiece!!!!!

Jeez...I thought kids had enough to worry about at University (women, booze, roadtrips) without having to worry about crappy, boring watches.

You're young...enjoy it!

J

[dopeymuppet]

I know it sounds odd but I wouldn't ever shy from buying anything because of what could happen to it. I was lucky enough to be bought a WG Daytona which I wear more or less every night when I'm out and although a few people have commented upon it, I've never ever felt like a target as most people won't know what it is anyway.

Just my thoughts. Although I do have a friend who won't wear YG watches due to their obvious value.

[AJF]

Wear a Casio G Shock for college and buy the Rolex when you graduate.

That way you will worry less.

AJF.

[ryan_m]

it should be safe to wear your rolex to college. as long as you dont flash it. you shouldnt worry. besides that not every college student would know what a rolex looks like.

[ratae1950]

Originally Posted by nucengineer

hi tim,
my advice to you is: If you live in a dorm don't buy the rolex. Things have a way of disapearing in such places . Most people don't know what the smp is and you will probably be ok and not have to worry as much with this watch. Also, this watch is a big bang for the buck, being a chronometer and all. The lume on the omega's is insane. Mediocre on the rolexes. It will also give you some experience with an upscale watch and the caring for it. Avoiding banging into things etc., takes a little more conscious effort. Once the word gets out you have a rolex someone will relieve you of it - most likely. I went to college in springfield mass and alot of things disappeared on campus. My stepson went to school in new britain, ct and his truck was stolen - never recovered. If you're like most college students i.e., broke, you will be way ahead buying the smp and saving the money for the rolex after you graduate. Once you have job after college, things will get mush better financially.

Ps: Most the guys on this forum are older and have been working for a good while. So when we are buying toys, our perspective is a little different than someone your age - assuming your a college aged student.

ditto!

[ratae1950]

Originally Posted by nucengineer

hi tim,
my advice to you is: If you live in a dorm don't buy the rolex. Things have a way of disapearing in such places . Most people don't know what the smp is and you will probably be ok and not have to worry as much with this watch. Also, this watch is a big bang for the buck, being a chronometer and all. The lume on the omega's is insane. Mediocre on the rolexes. It will also give you some experience with an upscale watch and the caring for it. Avoiding banging into things etc., takes a little more conscious effort. Once the word gets out you have a rolex someone will relieve you of it - most likely. I went to college in springfield mass and alot of things disappeared on campus. My stepson went to school in new britain, ct and his truck was stolen - never recovered. If you're like most college students i.e., broke, you will be way ahead buying the smp and saving the money for the rolex after you graduate. Once you have job after college, things will get mush better financially.

Ps: Most the guys on this forum are older and have been working for a good while. So when we are buying toys, our perspective is a little different than someone your age - assuming your a college aged student.

ditto!

[TimothyDwight]

Thanks for the various advice! I still have quite a bit to consider. It being stolen from my dorm room is not really a concern of mine, as it would be on my wrist 24/7, and my roommates are of top quality, as I would trust them with them wearing it without blinking. I am not worried about what would happen to the watch, as I would get insurance, so thats not a concern, more so of if it really is that big of a target on fringe streets in New Haven.

I am sure I have some time to further consider this, as I have not found any excellent deals yet.

[Rolex_07]

Tim:

You might want to try Rolex in MGM @ Foxwoods. I have been there several times and I would highly recommend them.

[gmt master x]

Pull the trigger, get a timex or casio for wild evenings or travel hot spots , breathe, it will be ok.
Most rolex models { most} are understated....
Best of luck .

[f16570]

Originally Posted by ColinB

I used to wear my Sub every day 24/7 but because my job takes me to some dubious areas and with the increase in knife crime in the UK, I bought a Seiko 5 automatic for work on ebay.
Now I swap watches when I finish work and don't worry so much about being mugged (the Seiko cost £21).

You bought a watch to work on e-bay, is working at e-bay so rough and dangerous that you cannot wear your Rollie there?

[f16570]

Tim ,buy a Rollie and let it enjoy your college days with you.

[ColinB]

Originally Posted by f16570

You bought a watch to work on e-bay, is working at e-bay so rough and dangerous that you cannot wear your Rollie there?

Ebay can be a dodgy place!

[Z-Sub]

If you really want to get a Rolex then get it insured.
As mentioned above, I do take my watch off rarely if I don't want to catch attention and put it in my jean or shirt pocket.

[Parachrom]

Buy it get a NAto starp for making it look less than it is and if anyone asks tell them its a fake you got off some schmuck in downtown somewher.