patekova
1424
Has the reality and/or perception of a big uptick in luxury watches being stolen (often violently) off people’s in public settings affected your watch wearing habits?
Sep 17, 2022,18:31 PM
For me, the great joy of owning a Patek is wearing it. When I first started collecting Pateks it seemed like very few non watch people had ever heard of the brand. Then years later it seemed like a majority of people had heard of the brand but probably had no idea what a Patek looked like. Now Patek is very much recognizable and coveted. And certainly thieves know exactly what a Patek looks like especially Nautilus.
Until recently I never had any concerns about wearing a Patek anywhere anytime. I felt the brand was totally under the radar, but not anymore. Very sad!
Now I avoid wearing a Patek, particularly Nautilus or Aquanaut (or sport Rolex) in certain places or at certain times unless it is under my sleeve and I am dressed in a relatively inconspicuous way. I prefer not to be noticed either because of my watch or the way I am dressed. When traveling by plane, I forgo the joy of wearing a Patek for the comfort of feeling unnoticed and safe. This bothers me tremendously but I feel I have no other satisfactory alternative.
Since for me 99% of the joy of owning a Patek is wearing it the new reality is very distressing. I am still buying Pateks and wear a Patek frequently BUT in a manner, and at times and in places where I feel the risk is extremely minimal. I think twice before going into a luxury watch store even if the Patek is under my sleeve. I am paying much more attention to who and what is going on around me.
So I ask my fellow forum members have you changed your Patek wearing habits? What precautions, if any, do you take? And generally has the current seemingly more risky climate influenced your Patek buying habit?
I look forward to a discussion of what I feel is one of the most important issues facing the Patek (and other luxury watch brands) collecting community.
Best, Patekova