Where Not to Wear Your Rolex: Smart Travel and Theft Prevention Tips

You probably didn't buy a Rolex thinking about when not to wear it. But at some point—maybe before walking through a city you don’t know all that well—you check your wrist and consider it. You’re not being paranoid by thinking through where and when you wear your watch. In 2025, it’s just part of ownership, and the data on watch theft backs it up.

The Theft Recovery Numbers Are Up

Image Source: Chrono Hunter

In the first half of 2025, The Watch Register—the world’s largest database of lost, stolen, and fake watches—located 607 missing watches. That’s a 26% increase over the same period in 2024. While that doesn’t mean thefts themselves have gone up by 26%, it shows a clear uptick in recovery activity and reflects just how many stolen watches are still moving through the market (The Watch Register).

Longer-term figures follow the same pattern. In 2024, The Watch Register recorded an average of 21 high-end watches newly reported lost or stolen every day. That’s up from 19 per day in 2022–2023 and 12 per day in 2021. Rolex continues to top the list of most reported brands, followed by Cartier, TAG Heuer, Omega, Breitling, and Patek Philippe.

Robbery Is Down —But That’s Not the Whole Story

Image Source: The Watch Club

Overall robbery rates in the U.S. have been falling. FBI data shows a 0.3% drop between 2022 and 2023, with city-level reporting showing further declines into 2024 and early 2025 (FBI Crime Data Explorer, Council on Criminal Justice). But luxury watch theft doesn’t always move in step with broader crime trends.

These incidents are often more targeted and opportunistic, shaped by factors like visibility, brand recognition, and ease of resale. So even as overall robbery rates decline, watch owners have their own set of risks to consider.

U.S. and European Cities to Be Cautious In

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According to The Watch Register, the top U.S. cities for watch theft include Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Houston, and New York. In Europe, the biggest hotspots are London, Paris, and Rome, especially in tourist-heavy areas and nightlife districts.

Image Source: Hodinkee

In London, the Metropolitan Police report at least four stolen watches per day, though they acknowledge that the real number is likely higher due to low reporting rates (Yahoo Finance). Many of these thefts are still quick, street-level grabs—sometimes involving mopeds or scooters. But in recent years, a more organized approach has emerged, where groups scout high-end restaurants, clubs, and hotels to identify potential victims, then follow them later.

It’s not about painting every city visit as risky. But when the same cities appear again and again in recovery data, it’s worth paying attention—especially if you’re traveling.

Know Your Surroundings—and Your Comfort Level

Image Source: G&G Timepieces

There’s no universal list of places where you should or shouldn’t wear your Rolex. It depends on where you are, how familiar you are with the setting, and how visible your watch is in that moment. Walking through your neighborhood in broad daylight might feel fine. Wearing a gold Day-Date in a city you’re visiting for the first time might give you pause. That’s a personal call.

The point is to stay situationally aware. If something feels off, or you’re heading into a space where you’d rather not stand out, there’s no harm in choosing to wear something else that day. It’s still your watch. You decide how to enjoy it.

A Low-Profile Strap Makes a Real Difference

Rubber Straps For Rolex Watches

One of the simplest ways to make a Rolex feel less attention-grabbing is to swap the bracelet. The polished center links of some Oyster bracelets or the shimmer of a Jubilee are part of what makes a Rolex visually iconic—but they also make it easier to spot from a distance.

Everest Straps For Rolex Explorer II

A matte black rubber strap tones that down instantly. Everest’s curved-end rubber straps are a good example. They fit the case perfectly and shift the overall look of the watch to more understated and utilitarian. It’s still the same watch, but it blends in more when that’s what you want.

Plenty of collectors already use rubber straps for travel, warmer weather, or daily comfort. In cities where watch theft is more common, that same strap can offer a little extra peace of mind—without changing how the watch feels on your wrist.

Smart Ownership Isn’t Overthinking

Most Rolex owners will never deal with a theft firsthand. But staying informed doesn’t mean you’re living in fear. It just means you’ve thought it through. Wearing your Rolex should feel enjoyable, not stressful. A bit of familiarity with where you are and a few small adjustments—like your strap choice—can go a long way.