Morocco Travel

[Parshu]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

A 24 year old man was knifed to death by a 'Rolex ripper' in central London.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...sbridge-hotel/
https://news.sky.com/story/man-stabb...ondon-13394965

No place is safe unless one is vigilant and smart about it. Like this news, few years back someone from my office was in Central London. We have office right near London Bridge station (Tooley Street) and he was staying at the Hilton, at around 1 AM he was walking back to hotel and on Bermondsey under the train track he was mugged and they took his Day Date !!!

Since then I have visited same office few times, I generally have my Date Just or Grand Seiko as everyday watch but I am careful at night even in London.

Never felt that issue in NYC, I walk around with my DD or Patek and feel fine.

[RichardBartlett]

Apparently it was in front of his family tbc

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[Krash]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

Apparently it was in front of his family tbc

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Awful, just awful.


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[Krash]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

I hear you, to each their own. Fear is real in our world. I just don’t get owning something you won’t wear.
BTW, it is about where I have been. A number of those places are frowned upon here and both watch and I not only survived, neither ever felt concerned, specially to prevent me from enjoying my vacation.
I live in South Florida so therefore I should be concerned wearing one to Miami, a city where crime is epic, yet one out of five around you wear one. My point in summary is that buying a Rolex and being afraid to wear it is no way to live. Me personally? I would sell it. But we can agree, to each their own.

Believe it or not, Miami ranks pretty good in terms of crime rates when you compare it to the largest cities in the USA. Jacksonville is even lower, and both those cities get a bad rap from people up north.





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[Parshu]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I agree.


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Yes prime locations are safe but we do have our share of bad places like Camden, NJ or South Philadelphia. I would not wear my DD or DJ in those areas

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Parshu

Yes prime locations are safe but we do have our share of bad places like Camden, NJ or South Philadelphia. I would not wear my DD or DJ in those areas

Agreed, the same holds true pretty much everywhere


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[Krash]

Originally Posted by Parshu

Yes prime locations are safe but we do have our share of bad places like Camden, NJ or South Philadelphia. I would not wear my DD or DJ in those areas

South Philly isn’t bad, is it? Kensington, Fairhill, North Philly sections definitely are.


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[502 to Right]

I stayed at L'Americain in Tangier and felt pretty safe. But I was wearing an Omega and not a Rolex.

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by Nicholas D.

Anyone have experience with traveling to Morocco with a watch on the wrist throughout?

I will not be getting too deep into the country, just Marrakech and a few possible nearby side trips.

I was considering bringing a Sub.

Thanks!

I have traveled with my Panda Daytona to many countries including Europe and South Asia. Never felt scary or out of place. It depends on the surroundings and time. I also carry a second watch for certain occasions during the trip.

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by Parshu

No place is safe unless one is vigilant and smart about it. Like this news, few years back someone from my office was in Central London. We have office right near London Bridge station (Tooley Street) and he was staying at the Hilton, at around 1 AM he was walking back to hotel and on Bermondsey under the train track he was mugged and they took his Day Date !!!

Since then I have visited same office few times, I generally have my Date Just or Grand Seiko as everyday watch but I am careful at night even in London.

Never felt that issue in NYC, I walk around with my DD or Patek and feel fine.

I have heard quite a few stories from London and Barcelona. If I visit those cities I will be wearing my Apple Watch and hope not get mugged for that

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by eugenetsang

If you need to ask... Don't bring it. Simple as that.

That's the smartest answer on the thread

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by mpkRolex

That's the smartest answer on the thread

money can buy luxury goods... But money can't buy common sense...

So many pointless threads on this forum... I just don't understand..

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by mpkRolex

I have heard quite a few stories from London and Barcelona. If I visit those cities I will be wearing my Apple Watch and hope not get mugged for that

Didn’t take any photos of my sub date LN on recent trip to London but here is a Pepsi hanging out in Barcelona, to include a very late night at a club (but far from alone or drunk).

[swish77]

Originally Posted by eugenetsang

If you need to ask... Don't bring it. Simple as that.

I don’t agree. The OP asked because he evidently has no knowledge about traveling to Morocco. It’s very safe there.

I’ve been there frequently for more than three decades with my wife and five kids, and I always wore my Rolexes without even a hint of trouble.

One reason is that punishment for criminals is quick and harsh because tourism is a major industry for the country and the government makes sure to protect it. It’s also a very religious country so vice is kept in check.

[Toproll85]

When I got in a taxi from the Medina to go to the hotel...a guy passed us, in the middle of the road (heavy traffic, we were stopped) and he pulled on the rear and front passenger doors.
Luckily they were closed, and he ran away. Thanks to the driver.

I can't say what would have happened...assault, probably for theft ?

Just to say : never idealize !
Good for tourists, but major locals are far from this lifestyle as said.

Marrakech is fortunately a calling card, and they take security to heart, so globaly enjoy

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by swish77

I don’t agree. The OP asked because he evidently has no knowledge about traveling to Morocco. It’s very safe there.

I’ve been there frequently for more than three decades with my wife and five kids, and I always wore my Rolexes without even a hint of trouble.

One reason is that punishment for criminals is quick and harsh because tourism is a major industry for the country and the government makes sure to protect it. It’s also a very religious country so vice is kept in check.

I still stand by, "if you need to ask, then don't bring it". Hypothetically speaking, if my friend who never had been to X country or city before. But asked me because I have... And had asked the same question... And I say, sure it is a safe country/city... And god forbid the inevitable happens. Will my friend blame me because I told him that it was ok?

Sorry, but I don't want that responsibility or burden. So, I still stand by, if you need to ask, then don't bring it. You're on vacation. So enjoy yourself. Why constantly worry about if you're going to get robbed for something that can be avoided. If you need to bring a watch, bring your cheap stuff. Or expensive stuff that doesn't attract unwanted attention.

It's really that simple... We don't need 50 threads about this same topic. Also what about common sense? Did we all forget about what that is in 2025?!?

[swish77]

Originally Posted by eugenetsang

We don't need 50 threads about this same topic.

In my 16-plus years on this forum, I’ve never seen another thread about travel to Morocco. I guess I missed them.

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by swish77

In my 16-plus years on this forum, I’ve never seen another thread about travel to Morocco. I guess I missed them.

And I still stand by the... If you need to ask...Don't bring it. Simple as that. That doesn't have to pertain only to Morocco.. We have plenty of threads about other places already. Morocco is no different. And same with this thread.

[kieselguhr]

Probably safer than your home city.

Considering the penalty for stealing is an extremity amputation, you could probably easily steal your watch back from the thief.

[capecodmike]

I was there in February for two weeks touring. Everyone's comments are spot on. I left my flashy watches at home and wore my Garmin.

At no time did I ever feel "unsafe". But we also had a guide and weren't night owls.

Do what your comfortable with. My level of comfortable was why think about it. Took the garmin and if something were to happen. No great loss.

Have a great trip. We really enjoyed the country.

[Lew Archer]

Originally Posted by rover26c

You’re funny?! Istanbul is in Turkey. My point was Morocco is safe as well as Istanbul, Turkey. Muslim countries are generally safe to travel therefore you can wear your watch even in the summer time.


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Apparently, it's even safe enough to take a wrist shot in broad daylight with crowds milling about!

Wouldn't try that in some places.

[elrojo]

Morocco is generally safe for tourists..

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by eugenetsang

money can buy luxury goods... But money can't buy common sense...

So many pointless threads on this forum... I just don't understand..

Reading these "pointless" threads, I have come to realize that it is not the watch. It is about the wrist shots taken in front of special places which can then be shared online. When you develop that mindset about a watch as a mere prop flex, the trip is not worth much without the watch to take all those pictures and post them somewhere. An added problem in taking photos accenting your watch, is it basically holds the watch out for the whole crowd there to see heightening your overall risk.

[alphadweller]

I've been to Morocco and felt generally safe, but would not wear any expensive piece there, just like I wouldn't in any European big city full of tourists. These places tend to attract thieves.

[Opifex]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Probably safer than your home city.

Considering the penalty for stealing is an extremity amputation, you could probably easily steal your watch back from the thief.

This. You’re safer in those countries than in places like SF, Seattle and similar US cities.

[AD31]

Considering I nearly had my Omega stolen at an airport in Egypt, I think it's put me off what watches I take abroad.

I'd be worried about Morocco personally.

[RichardBartlett]

I understand there has been some arrests in the London knifing attack.

Three arrested after man, 24, stabbed to death 'for his Rolex' near luxury Knightsbridge hotel

Their identities or motive etc haven't as yet been revealed..

[AD31]

Originally Posted by RichardBartlett

I understand there has been some arrests in the London knifing attack.

Three arrested after man, 24, stabbed to death 'for his Rolex' near luxury Knightsbridge hotel

Their identities or motive etc haven't as yet been revealed..

Work in London daily and up to recently my only Rolex is a 90s TT DJ36. I wouldn't wear it there.

Never known watch theft to be as bad as it is in London.

This incident is so sad and really makes you think twice.

[kkqd1337]

Marrakech is not safe.

I was there last October. Late at night people hang around the streets offering to 'help with directions' i.e. lead you down an alley to assault/mug you.

They make it very hard to shake them off no matter how much you tell them (literally, and reasonably aggressively) to F off.

I ended up down a deserted alleyway with a guy insinuating he was going to whack me over the head with a rock if I didn't give him cash.

I actually genuinely didn't have any cash to give him; which was an error looking back on it; after a protracted and difficult argument he eventually left.

But yeah.... it's a NO to anything but a Casio for me in marrakech.

To be fair, daytime isn't very risky.

If you must wear an expensive watch DO NOT walk around at night, even in a group, they work in groups too.

And bear in mind if you stay in the Medina you can't always get a car door to door so walking is unavoidable.

[malioil]

This has been an interesting discussion.

Perhaps rationally, perhaps irrationally, I have places I am comfortable wearing my most expensive watches (not Rolexes) and others where I only wear my Omega SMP300 or Explorer 39mm.

London is a place I have lived in for 7 years. Wore my Planet Ocean, then my most expensive watch, everywhere. Felt safe. I've lived back in my home country of Bahrain for a decade, where I've dropped $3000 in a shopping mall and someone tapped me on the back and told me I've dropped it, where I've lost my passport and someone returned it to a police station, generally a very safe country. We get about 1 murder a year. When I travel to Dubai, or any other part of the Gulf I wear what I want. Same when going to Hong Kong, Singapore or China.

Would I wear my Vacheron Overseas Chrono or my 18k Santos Dumont Skeleton in London? Not anymore. They are insured, but sentimental value isn't. Out of 5 close friends, 3 have been mugged in London, and they are Londoners. My sister-in-law's boyfriend's M2 Competition was stolen in Mayfair and her house got robbed in the same year. Perhaps I worry too much, but all of those stories hit close to home.

I travel to Marbella several times a year. Once on a trip with a family friend, who doesn't have the best street smarts, he got robbed of his solid gold Omega Constellation with gold bracelet. Someone just walked into him and with sleight of hand took it off his wrist. Yet I know Marbella well and feel very safe. I'd wear anything there.

In a few days, I'll be off to Hong Kong. Taking the Santos Dumont and for the times I'm more casual or going to street markets, my 39mm Explorer. Funnily enough, the Explorer and SMP300M is what I wear when I want to be more incognito. I'd happily wear them in even the most dangerous cities. I guess I'm in the lucky position to be able to afford to lose them so they play less on my mind.

I have a trip to Cuba in September. In two minds about what to take. Probably my Explorer.

Regarding Marrakech, it is a very safe city. Maybe I feel safer as I speak the language, but you'll be fine. Nobody is going to mug you for your watch. You can be wearing an astrotourbillon and you'll be fine. So don't sweat it. But if it is going to make you worry, then take what you are not going to worry about. That's my mantra.