Mugged in Buenos Aires-Rolex gone!!

[bobert]

Unfortunately there are criminals like this in most (if not all) tourist destinations. You happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. At least your experience with the majority of locals was pleasant...and you weren't hurt (physically). Good luck on getting the AK back, my friend.
-B

[Aventura]

Originally Posted by psv

So sorry hear that. Good reminder, I'm heading to BA in a couple of weeks and I'll make sure to leave valuables at home.

The Rolex are very cheap in Bs.As. due a exchange issues. You can sell your dollars in the " blue market" and you can get prices 30% cheaper than in USA plus the devolution of IVA ( 21%) in the Airport when return.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by j ingram

Very sorry to hear of your experience. This is one of the main reasons I trained in Krav Maga beginning about 3 years ago. I never wanted to be a victim of some scumbag taking something that I worked very hard for or even taking my life for no reason. It is an Israeli form of self defense taught to their commandos which can be learned by civilians. You learn how to react instinctively at any moment's notice to attacks from one or multiple assailants. There's actually a specific defense technique against being grabbed around the neck from behind. I'm almost at the expert level now but I still exercise extreme caution in strange or unfamiliar areas. Glad you're ok!

This and every other martial art known to man claims a defense technique for being grabbed from "X"-position. While it is great that you've learned an art for self defense I echo the sentiments of the Brazilian gentleman above. Leave it in the dojo or for when serious harm to you or a family member is imminent.

I have a pretty extensive background in defense and security......but if some one wants my watch they can have it.

Any material item is replaceable. Be safe everyone.


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[Roselló]

Sorry to hear. Thankfully you weren't physically injured............ I know a similar story of a tourist with a TT DJ in Italy but, the end was not good at all.

[michel33]

Originally Posted by j ingram

Very sorry to hear of your experience. This is one of the main reasons I trained in Krav Maga beginning about 3 years ago. I never wanted to be a victim of some scumbag taking something that I worked very hard for or even taking my life for no reason. It is an Israeli form of self defense taught to their commandos which can be learned by civilians. You learn how to react instinctively at any moment's notice to attacks from one or multiple assailants. There's actually a specific defense technique against being grabbed around the neck from behind. I'm almost at the expert level now but I still exercise extreme caution in strange or unfamiliar areas. Glad you're ok!

Not worth it to risk your life for your watch, as others wise members stated.
(I've been studying KM for about ten years now, but I would only resist if my or my family's physical integrity were at stake, certainly not for what remains just a nice replaceable watch).

I would like to congratulate the OP for his positive frame of mind that shows his emotional stability and maturity.

[DrLindaPhD]

Gosh. Makes me want to NEVER wear one of my watches when I travel abroad.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by DrLindaPhD

Gosh. Makes me want to NEVER wear one of my watches when I travel abroad.

but we all live in a place that is abroad for someone

[Cesium133]

Originally Posted by LA_LEC

Sorry to hear about this and I feel your pain. BUT...as I have said before,my boyfriend was mugged in the same plaza in Palermo, Plaza Serrano when we lived in BA. Same thing exactly. We were eating in a high end cafe on the sidewalk with tons of well dressed locals.

All of the sudden a well dressed man grabs him from behind around the neck and in a flash rips the watch violently off his wrist! He then runs into the street and onto the back of a waiting motorcycle. Total time less than 7 seconds!

We ended up living there for 6 years as expats and saw the same scenario time and time again with both tourist and natives. In fact, during my time there in BA I would often worn fellow American tourists that I would run into and noticed were wearing Rolex or other expensive jewelry of the dangers of wearing it there.

Make no mistake...these are professional criminals who look perfectly normal and not the street kids or homeless. You will never suspect them until they strike and they strike fast!

This is why I don't leave my home. I've seen all of BA I want to see from the OPs pics.

[Zach T]

Sorry to hear about the AK.

[Rags]

So sorry to hear of your ordeal & your loss.

[Royalex]

Sorry to hear that, i hope you will get the love one back.

[pensbay]

Originally Posted by Aventura

The Rolex are very cheap in Bs.As. due a exchange issues. You can sell your dollars in the " blue market" and you can get prices 30% cheaper than in USA plus the devolution of IVA ( 21%) in the Airport when return.

Good to know....

[luv2fly]

Sorry about your experience in B.A. but glad you're ok. The bad guys are experts at identifying both tourists and high end watches and jewelry - it's their job and unfortunately they're way too good at it. Also not a good idea to carry expensive cameras around your neck down there.

[luvsub]

Sorry to hear this...

[ocwatching]

so sorry to hear...

[cokecoke]

sorry ,that just sucks

[theken]

Very sorry to learn of your loss but thankfully you were not physically harmed.
I am impressed by your ability to deal with it as well as you have.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us.
Your story is an important lesson for all of us that travel with expensive watches.

[samson66]

How did you not insure it??? I had mine insured before I even got it home from the AD. Even with the insurance I wouldn't have worn it down there - too much risk of injury or death when wearing expensive stuff like that abroad. Tourists have bulls eyes on their backs as it is.

But anyway, sorry to hear and glad you were not hurt. I can only hope they somehow catch the scumbag

[kaseri]

Sorry to hear about this and I'm happy that you are physically fine. You can always replace your watch. We can all use this as a learning experience. This is precisely why it's good practice to leave the expensive jewelery at home/bank deposit box when traveling abroad. Not because you might get the item stolen from you but to avoid any potential physical harm that may come your way from scumbags trying to steal it. The last thing any of us want it to end up hurt or dead because of a scumbag thief.

[Americanlife]

third world problems


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[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by Americanlife

third world problems


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[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Americanlife

third world problems

[j ingram]

Originally Posted by pensbay

Please please, do never ever try it ! Here in Brazil, many people do know jiu jitsu in some level and other martial arts also are common.... but these guys who steal always have back ups behind..if you grab one of those burglars, another just behind will shoot your, so a good advice is : keep martial art within the Academy. And I am sure you and your life is worth much more than any Rolex ever made. best regards, Mark !

You're right. My life is worth more than a watch which is insured and will be replaced with a brand new one anyway. Thank you very much for the advice.

[43builder]

oh no - I'm am sorry to hear that. Thats never a fun feeling.

[j ingram]

Originally Posted by michel33

Not worth it to risk your life for your watch, as others wise members stated.
(I've been studying KM for about ten years now, but I would only resist if my or my family's physical integrity were at stake, certainly not for what remains just a nice replaceable watch).

I would like to congratulate the OP for his positive frame of mind that shows his emotional stability and maturity.

I agree with you also and would only retaliate if my or my family's lives were at stake. As you know, KM is for life threatening "defense" only, not to prove how "bad" you are. Thanks for the advice also!

[motoikkyu]

I am very sorry for your experience and your loss. It's just awful. I agree that health is precious and I'd trade any of my watches for my safety or life, given the choice. I'm very glad you didn't have to make the choice.

[azguy]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Hopefully this will put an end to all of the people on here they say "sure, wear your Rolex why on vacation, I've never had anything happen"

Personally wear it while out of the country is foolish IMHO

[Shan77]

I feel really bad for the OP and it has also highlighted to me this issue which I hadn't previously considered as I have only recently obtained my first Rolex (4 weeks old!).

I have other watches (Omega, Tag, Breitling) and am always aware of whats going on around me but I suppose Rolex just attracts more attention and therefore puts you more at risk.

I have been on holiday for the past couple of weeks with my shiny new Sub-C and although not in the most dangerous of places in the world (Canary Islands!) perhaps my Seamaster would have been a safer bet. While out and about on the island there were glances at it but fortunately no issues.

I too am a KM practitioner (3 years) and agree with the previous advise given that any resistance you give when put in any situation like this should only be used to get out of a life threatening situation.

Again, I really feel for the OP and am humbled by the way he has dealt with the loss. I hope I would have the strength to reflect on it the way he has.

[nyyankees]

Glad you're ok. It's just a watch!


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[Aggiez28]

look on the bright side of things......at least you were not raped.