Humanist
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Watch theft and safe storage
Inspired by several posts about the theft of watches here, I'd like to discuss how to keep the watches safe. How do you do it? In the bank - they are not easily accessible in the safe deposit box. How protected at home? In the safe, with an alarm system? Of course, I don't want to read a good guide for the next burglar here. But maybe we can all learn from the experiences of the stolen? Thank you for your thoughts. 
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A multi-million dollar watch heist in Hollywood Hills sparks debate on collector security. Learn how to protect your Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet watches.
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Watch theft and safe storage
Inspired by several posts about the theft of watches here, I'd like to discuss how to keep the watches safe. How do you do it? In the bank - they are not easily accessible in the safe deposit box. How protected at home? In the safe, with an alarm system? ...
Hi Stephan, really sorry for your experience.
Thankfully you're ok and most any watch can be replaced. I would do the same as you did every time without hesitation.
Message to our community...
Please be very careful how you respond to this thread as anyone can view your comments about how you store your watches.
+1
Crimes are getting rampant nowadays. Pls stay safe and always think a few steps ahead of the thieves.
The problem I see is that criminals now know where to read.
In Italy, soccer pros were burglarized after posts with watches. I think as we all post our watches here we invite them. Sadly.
Definitely...when Facebook first became 'a thing'...
...posting photos of you on your vacation halfway around the world probably wasn't the smartest thing to do. Or telling people what concert you'd be attending next Friday.
I have a meager collection and what I do have is mostly sentimental value...
...but if I did have a collection like some here, I would use a safe at home but go to great lengths to hide its location. If thieves can't find it they can't break into it : ) Or you could go the opposite route and put them in the bottom of full Cheerios...
It’s hard to answer this here
News yesterday was abt thieves targetting instagram accounts to select who to rob, in Italy. They marked the owner, followed him a few days to establish a pattern, and struck when he was out. My neighbour was robbed last week and all her handbags were gon...
Not sure this is relevant but depending on the device, unless the feature is disabled, photos will be marked with geotags making location easy.
There was a case where someone posted a photo of his car and announced he was leaving the house. When he returned, the car was gone.
You could be someone else claiming to be the humanist...
that is what a good burglar would do. 😆😉
Bank deposit boxes are often not as secure as one might imagine.
Living safely without broadcasting one's wealth and having a decent security system are all helpful, but nothing is 100%. Having a sense of caution with whoever one has in one's home (contractors, cleaning staff, etc.) is also important.
Sorry to always be “That Guy” that points out this article
Basically, nowhere is safe if it’s your time, not even Safety Deposit Boxes www.nytimes.com
Remember, don't blindly trust your safety deposit box! Article here...
www.watchprosite.com
Thank you Patrick
Does anybody know if safe box regulations in Europe are any better?
That’s a very good question.
I’m told in Switzerland that safety deposit box standards are generally higher than that of USA and presumably higher than in Europe. But I don’t have anything concrete nor specific to tell you. Factually, I know safe deposit box rentals in Europe and Swi...
Yes Patric,
I have mine in different bank/safety provider in safe boxes. Their standards look very good to me. However, I have not read the fine prints. You are looking somewhere around EURO 500 p.a. for a decent size. I am aware of only one or two incidents in the l...
A crazy idea
If you are known to be a collector of high end watches and afraid of being robbed at home. What about having a stash of replicas ( ewww it’s hard to say that word when talking about our passion I know) but hear me out. In the event you are robbed and are ...
I agree on the subject line😂
In the same spirit, I know of people with two safes at home: one with the real things and one with just a few bucks, hoping the robbers will take the latter and believe that’s all...The main issue i see with these strategies is, if the robbers for whateve...
Experience the two safe story. They got one and left the second.
Now everything at the bank, nothing home.
This will always be a problem with luxury assets.
Its not only how you can store them safe but also how to wear them safe. They stole a watch from my wrist two years ago . Just be careful and don’t show your watches that much in public places imo
They grabbed my wrist after hitting my left mirror with a motorcycle during a traffic jam
I opened my window to adjust it and someone came from behind the car and grabbed my wrist and pulled of my watch . You can’t do anything at that time . Once I felt someone grabbing my wrist i know what was going on but your powerless (we aren’t allowed to...
I remember this, horrible story. Alas, the "rearview mirror trick" is a common one they've been adopting in recent years, at least in Italy. They often don't even look at your watch -- if the car looks good, chances are the watch will be good too.
There's really nothing you could have done there, and it might have happened to anyone -- all people are to some extent exposed ;-) Sorry again for your loss! ;-)
Sorry to hear that...
I live in Italy and the left mirror assault is quite common here... that’s one of the reason why I started to wear watches on my wrong wrist, now became the right one at lest for me... Watches in the bank safe always, then I fear most a direct attack like...
