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timo12345 · 4 January 2011, 06:15 PM

Hello All, this is my first message in the forum.

A few days back a lady put a scarf over my rolex on the London underground, and exerted upwards pressure on my rolex. With my hand on the hand rail at the time i thought she was stupid as she looked the opposite of a thief, and it wasn't until latter that I realised she was trying to pop/lift the face/bezel from my watch.

My question goes out to those who work with rolexes. Could the bezel easily be lifted/removed in this way? Is there any position to put the bezel face in to make it harder to thieve? Any advice is most appreciated?

I couldn't find any information on bezel theft what-so-ever.

Let those with rolexes out there know!

Thanks so much in advance!

Paranoid to wear my Rolex now!

Colnago · 4 January 2011, 06:20 PM

I would imagine that it could be possible.....bezels can be pried off using for intsance an old credit card....however I would imagine that someone attempting to do it in the manner you described would have to exert a lot of pulling force on the scarf, it would not go un-noticed by you....obviously it depends which kind of bezel we are talking about as well.....a sports model bezel would possibly give enough purchase for the scarf removal technique....on a DateJust or DayDate I would not think that method would work..

slevin kelevra · 4 January 2011, 06:44 PM

IS THIS POST FOR REAL??

If so then it's very silly IMO and its posts like this that ruin the forum.

All those Rolex wearers out there.....beware of the scarf wearing bezel theif!!

duckdown · 4 January 2011, 06:49 PM

Sounds pretty unlikely IMO.

Andad · 4 January 2011, 06:50 PM

She might have been trying to warm herself up...it has been bloody cold over there.

Welcome to the Forum mate.

esm · 4 January 2011, 07:21 PM

hi and welcome to TRF - certainly an unusual event... wondering which LU line it was

Quote:

Originally Posted by timo12345

A few days back a lady put a scarf over my rolex on the London underground,

that would ring a bell for me straight away....

Too Old · 4 January 2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esm

hi and welcome to TRF - certainly an unusual event... wondering which LU line it was

Must have been the Circle Line!!

ally · 4 January 2011, 07:44 PM

Crazy

timo12345 · 4 January 2011, 09:20 PM

Hello,

I am sorry if my post seems dubious or some sort of a joke, but unfortunately it is not. The event mentioned is for real. It happened on the Victoria line between Victoria and Green Park at about 6pm.

Theft on the London tube is nothing new. I once had someone try to steal something from my bag. But I have never heard of someone attempting to steal a rolex bezel, which is why I am bringing this to the forum. To see if it is possible. Clearly it has raised alot of doubt to suggest that it is not common.

I own a 2001 YM platinum bezel/steel, and also own a 1952 omega constellation (linen dial) and a limited edition Tag I wear from time to time. And some other watches too. So by no means a collector but certainly a small enthusiast.

With Thanks,
Tim

tattooedfagin · 4 January 2011, 09:27 PM

brazen at the very least, i make a point on the underground of not using my watch hand to hang on to a rail

Colnago · 4 January 2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timo12345

Hello,

I am sorry if my post seems dubious or some sort of a joke, but unfortunately it is not. The event mentioned is for real. It happened on the Victoria line between Victoria and Green Park at about 6pm.

Theft on the London tube is nothing new. I once had someone try to steal something from my bag. But I have never heard of someone attempting to steal a rolex bezel, which is why I am bringing this to the forum. To see if it is possible. Clearly it has raised alot of doubt to suggest that it is not common.

I own a 2001 YM platinum bezel/steel, and also own a 1952 omega constellation (linen dial) and a limited edition Tag I wear from time to time. And some other watches too. So by no means a collector but certainly a small enthusiast.

With Thanks,
Tim

Hey Tim....don't take too much to heart....I agree it could be possible...for instance if you tried to do it with a friend helping out, say with a silk scarf, pulled really tight...I dare say you could get the bezel to pop off....but I would imagine it would take a lot of pulling between you both.....having said that, I would not relish the thought of having to replace a Platinum bezel so I would try not to allow anyone to perform the "scarf trick" without my prior consent.....

By the way...welcome to the forum and please hang around here.....the more the merrier!!!

Gundam · 4 January 2011, 10:01 PM

You do have to be wary especially in crowded environments & have a high level of suspicion at anyone behaving strangely at or around you. They may even have an accomplice for distraction techniques.

I wonder what'd be the best response in such a situation...

timo12345 · 4 January 2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gundam

You do have to be wary especially in crowded environments & have a high level of suspicion at anyone behaving strangely at or around you. They may even have an accomplice for distraction techniques.

I wonder what'd be the best response in such a situation...

Yep, I agree with you.

This is how it happened.

Picture if you will finishing work after a long day. At 6pm you catch the tube home. You grab the railing of the tube as the train departs. Behind you there is a lady mid 20's in nightclub atire. She reaches down to grab her boot/shoe with one hand and looks to be in an awkward position. As she does so she reaches with the other hand and a scarf which lands on your wrist. You then feel an outward pulling motion on your watch. You are temporarily confused for 5 seconds as to what is going on. You then move your hand and stare in confusion at this lady.

I remember her leaving at the next stop and chatting to someone else. This this may of been the accomplice.

rajurama · 4 January 2011, 10:22 PM

Well you can knock off the bezel even if you bump it at the edge also.. About the theft I guess you have to excercise the same caution you would for the whole watch.

johnbeth · 4 January 2011, 10:33 PM

I find this thread funny, because if you can not feel the pressure of someone trying to remove your bezel manually, hence your arm is moving, then they might as well chop your arm off as u probably have no feeling what so ever and take your rolex!

DS_Obsessed · 4 January 2011, 10:39 PM

You should have punched her and stole her scarf. Just kidding. Crazy story, welcome to the forum.

GEO_79 · 4 January 2011, 10:52 PM

maybe she was trying to steal the watch...

masterkiller · 4 January 2011, 10:56 PM

I REALLY find this totally absurd IMHO, NO WAY that she was triying to steal the Bezel, that is just plain stupid!

/masterkiller

marcinthemiddle · 4 January 2011, 11:25 PM

That was certainly one brazen woman.

What was the follow-through? Did you have her arrested? File a report? Never reade a post like this before!

Tunacan26 · 4 January 2011, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckdown

Sounds pretty unlikely IMO.

Yeah.

timo12345 · 4 January 2011, 11:33 PM

I reported it to London Underground and the police are investigating it. It sounds stupid but I didn't realise untill a couple of hours afterwards what was going on, so a bit late then - My bad :-s

timo12345 · 4 January 2011, 11:34 PM

Imagine if you will finishing work, kind of tired and heading to the underground to head home. You grab the tube railing and behind you there is a young lady mid-twenties with a short skirt and general nightclub atire. She reaches down with one hand to adjust something in her bag/shoe. With her other hand she grabs your wrist with a scarf in an 'awkward position' and exerts an upwards force. Remember you are holding the tube railing. You think this lady must be crazy, on medication or something. After five seconds you pull your hand away and stare at her. She leaves at the next tube stop and chats to someone on the way out.

It's not untill afterwards you realise what has happened.

axecollector65 · 4 January 2011, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEO_79

maybe she was trying to steal the watch...

I think this is more likely. I would think it would be easier to steal the entire watch than to pry the bezel off while on your wrist.

Watch Professor · 4 January 2011, 11:59 PM

It sounds like she was trying to pull the watch off of your wrist. You should have grabbed one of her fingers and tried to pry it off of her hand. One bad turn deserves another.

acce1999 · 5 January 2011, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timo12345

I reported it to London Underground and the police are investigating it. It sounds stupid but I didn't realise untill a couple of hours afterwards what was going on, so a bit late then - My bad :-s

I guess one should not be surprised... and I would guess that she tried to get the entire watch off your wrist, but I doubt that would be successful. Perhaps on watches with weak springbars, but Rolexes are strong. From a mechanical/materials perspective the bracelet and watch will hold at least 100 kilos (if I remember correctly, and did my math properly). Of course the bracelet pins should break before your arm does, but just think about the force needed to snap it off your wrist...

BTW: Welcome to the forum. This is a great place! Post some pictures of your watches. Pictures are appreciated here.

Best,

A

conrail · 5 January 2011, 12:14 AM

Is your bezel diamond crusted? If not, why on earth would someone try and lift a normal bezel!?

acce1999 · 5 January 2011, 12:17 AM

I think I understand the scarf trick now, and how it could work on a watch on a soft strap... leather for example ...

TopNotchChach · 5 January 2011, 12:19 AM

Did you get her number?

Singslinger · 5 January 2011, 12:23 AM

What happened makes a lot more sense if she was trying to steal the watch instead of just the bezel.

spuds · 5 January 2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DS_Obsessed

You should have punched her and stole her scarf.

4 January 2011, 06:15 PM	#1
timo12345 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London, UK Watch: YM 2001 Steel/Plat Posts: 31	Rolex Bezel Theft - How Easy Is It? Hello All, this is my first message in the forum. A few days back a lady put a scarf over my rolex on the London underground, and exerted upwards pressure on my rolex. With my hand on the hand rail at the time i thought she was stupid as she looked the opposite of a thief, and it wasn't until latter that I realised she was trying to pop/lift the face/bezel from my watch. My question goes out to those who work with rolexes. Could the bezel easily be lifted/removed in this way? Is there any position to put the bezel face in to make it harder to thieve? Any advice is most appreciated? I couldn't find any information on bezel theft what-so-ever. Let those with rolexes out there know! Thanks so much in advance! Paranoid to wear my Rolex now!

4 January 2011, 06:20 PM	#2
Colnago "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Bill Hart Location: Richmond, NY, UK Watch: Rlx=3, Tdr=3, Om=3 Posts: 3,053	I would imagine that it could be possible.....bezels can be pried off using for intsance an old credit card....however I would imagine that someone attempting to do it in the manner you described would have to exert a lot of pulling force on the scarf, it would not go un-noticed by you....obviously it depends which kind of bezel we are talking about as well.....a sports model bezel would possibly give enough purchase for the scarf removal technique....on a DateJust or DayDate I would not think that method would work.. __________________ Bill "There's only three kinds of people in this world....those that can count....and those that can't" TRF's "JJ's" Bar & NightClub Patron

4 January 2011, 06:50 PM	#5
Andad 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 37,744	She might have been trying to warm herself up...it has been bloody cold over there. Welcome to the Forum mate. __________________ E

4 January 2011, 07:44 PM	#8
ally "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Alan Location: london Watch: Explorer II Posts: 790	Crazy __________________ 14060M Explorer II TT DJ. 16610 LV.

4 January 2011, 09:20 PM	#9
timo12345 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London, UK Watch: YM 2001 Steel/Plat Posts: 31	Yeah, The Thread Is For Real Hello, I am sorry if my post seems dubious or some sort of a joke, but unfortunately it is not. The event mentioned is for real. It happened on the Victoria line between Victoria and Green Park at about 6pm. Theft on the London tube is nothing new. I once had someone try to steal something from my bag. But I have never heard of someone attempting to steal a rolex bezel, which is why I am bringing this to the forum. To see if it is possible. Clearly it has raised alot of doubt to suggest that it is not common. I own a 2001 YM platinum bezel/steel, and also own a 1952 omega constellation (linen dial) and a limited edition Tag I wear from time to time. And some other watches too. So by no means a collector but certainly a small enthusiast. With Thanks, Tim

4 January 2011, 06:44 PM	#3
slevin kelevra "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Scotland Watch: 14060m Posts: 631	IS THIS POST FOR REAL?? If so then it's very silly IMO and its posts like this that ruin the forum. All those Rolex wearers out there.....beware of the scarf wearing bezel theif!!

4 January 2011, 06:49 PM	#4
duckdown "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: R Location: Toronto, Canada Watch: d a t e j u s t 2 Posts: 462	Sounds pretty unlikely IMO.

4 January 2011, 09:27 PM	#10
tattooedfagin "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Chad Location: the neighbourhood Watch: 1680 Red Posts: 2,262	brazen at the very least, i make a point on the underground of not using my watch hand to hang on to a rail __________________ SS Sub Date (F) DSSD (V) Red Sub (Mk4) TRF Hall of Fame

4 January 2011, 10:01 PM	#12
Gundam "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK / HK Posts: 188	You do have to be wary especially in crowded environments & have a high level of suspicion at anyone behaving strangely at or around you. They may even have an accomplice for distraction techniques. I wonder what'd be the best response in such a situation...

4 January 2011, 10:22 PM	#14
rajurama "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Rick Location: Wakanda Watch: amacallit Posts: 2,136	Well you can knock off the bezel even if you bump it at the edge also.. About the theft I guess you have to excercise the same caution you would for the whole watch. __________________ रोलेक्स

4 January 2011, 10:33 PM	#15
johnbeth "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Depends on mood. Posts: 9,536	I find this thread funny, because if you can not feel the pressure of someone trying to remove your bezel manually, hence your arm is moving, then they might as well chop your arm off as u probably have no feeling what so ever and take your rolex!

4 January 2011, 10:39 PM	#16
DS_Obsessed "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: J Location: Texas Watch: 116660 V Posts: 438	You should have punched her and stole her scarf. Just kidding. Crazy story, welcome to the forum. __________________ _______________________________ Currently wearing : 116000 V / 116660 V / PAM 292 / AP royal Oak Offshore Safari / Royal Oak Offshore Volcano / Tudor heritage / 116520 “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack”

4 January 2011, 10:52 PM	#17
GEO_79 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: Georgian Location: Constanta_Romania Watch: 216570 Polar Posts: 904	maybe she was trying to steal the watch...

4 January 2011, 10:56 PM	#18
masterkiller "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sweden Watch: Rolex, AP & PAM... Posts: 1,403	I REALLY find this totally absurd IMHO, NO WAY that she was triying to steal the Bezel, that is just plain stupid! /masterkiller __________________ Rolex - SubC... AP - Diver... Panerai - PAM380 Omega - Speedy PRO

4 January 2011, 11:25 PM	#19
marcinthemiddle Vacated Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Marc Location: Connecticut Watch: PAM 111 'N' Posts: 2,558	That was certainly one brazen woman. What was the follow-through? Did you have her arrested? File a report? Never reade a post like this before! __________________ NAWCC Member Card Carrying Member of the Global Assoc. of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons Executive Dorklehead

4 January 2011, 11:33 PM	#21
timo12345 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London, UK Watch: YM 2001 Steel/Plat Posts: 31	I reported it to London Underground and the police are investigating it. It sounds stupid but I didn't realise untill a couple of hours afterwards what was going on, so a bit late then - My bad :-s

4 January 2011, 11:34 PM	#22
timo12345 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London, UK Watch: YM 2001 Steel/Plat Posts: 31	Imagine if you will finishing work, kind of tired and heading to the underground to head home. You grab the tube railing and behind you there is a young lady mid-twenties with a short skirt and general nightclub atire. She reaches down with one hand to adjust something in her bag/shoe. With her other hand she grabs your wrist with a scarf in an 'awkward position' and exerts an upwards force. Remember you are holding the tube railing. You think this lady must be crazy, on medication or something. After five seconds you pull your hand away and stare at her. She leaves at the next tube stop and chats to someone on the way out. It's not untill afterwards you realise what has happened.

4 January 2011, 11:59 PM	#24
Watch Professor "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Myron Location: New York Watch: GMT IIC; Sub Date Posts: 3,166	It sounds like she was trying to pull the watch off of your wrist. You should have grabbed one of her fingers and tried to pry it off of her hand. One bad turn deserves another.

5 January 2011, 12:14 AM	#26
conrail "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 3,177	Is your bezel diamond crusted? If not, why on earth would someone try and lift a normal bezel!? __________________ "Oh, you give a f****' aspirin a headache, pal!"

5 January 2011, 12:17 AM	#27
acce1999 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: GMT+1 Posts: 2,711	I think I understand the scarf trick now, and how it could work on a watch on a soft strap... leather for example ...

5 January 2011, 12:19 AM	#28
TopNotchChach "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Near the Ocean! Watch: 116610 Posts: 1,306	Did you get her number?

5 January 2011, 12:23 AM	#29
Singslinger "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 6,425	What happened makes a lot more sense if she was trying to steal the watch instead of just the bezel.

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