Cheap watch there for sure from what I've heard.

 

Absolutely. Nothing fancy. Although the weather there is usually glum enough that you'll be wearing long sleeves most of the time anyway. Still wouldn't risk it, though!

The active population, i.e. number of people who are actually in London on any one day plus those who are undocumented, is estimated to be well north of 10m.

 

I would wear what I normally would wear.

 

My thoughts exactly

 

Wear whatever you want. Don't do dumb stuff.

 

Why live in fear? Why allow your enjoyment to be ruined by the minuscule chance that something negative will happen as a result of wearing your watch of choice?

Avoid flashing wads of pound notes, pointing at your wrist and shouting, “Look at this bad boy! It costs tens of thousands!!!” and you’ll be fine.

 

.....

Avoid flashing wads of pound notes, pointing at your wrist and shouting, “Look at this bad boy! It costs tens of thousands!!!” and you’ll be find.

I once saw a man in Brooklyn do just that, but it was dollars of course, not pounds.....

 

Everybody who has responded so far has an American flag by their username. Waiting to hear from locals (or at least people who can speak from 1st hand experience rather than what we've heard or read). Following at any rate.

 

Only if you want to get shanked up by a drilla, guv.

 

London has a population of 8.9MM people. Meaning there are at least 8.9MM in London every year on any given day.
London receives 20MM international visitors every year ,on average.

That means, every year, there are 29MM individuals in London interacting/engaging

29000 Reported watch thefts in 5 years = average 5800/year.

5800 watch thefts out of 29MM human interactions in the city every year = 0.02% chance of watch theft, per person.

Keep an eye on your surroundings and don't wave your bedazzled wrist around to intentionally make yourself a target.

 

You are looking at 29 million individuals. But how many of them wear nice watches?

If 100.000 of them are nice-watch-wearers, that would bump the statistic to a 5.8% chance of a watch theft if you are a nice-watch-wearer.

 

I think to be a target you really have to be flashing your wrist around. This time of year you can still wear long sleeves to cover walking around Piccadilly or other congested areas. Underground, etc. it’s not too awfully difficult to pick up on someone paying extra attention to you, as they’d have to be close to see a watch. If traveling with others, wear what you want. If traveling alone, same rule but be aware of your surroundings. Stay close to storefronts if you feel uncomfortable, dive in. I’ve always enjoyed the fish and chips at Garrick Arms if in that area.

 

I was about to type some long winded thing like @appophylite but on second thought I can sum it up in one sentence.

Sack up and wear your watch.

 

I would. I do daily, location notwithstanding.

 

I wore an IWC every day for a week there in December, felt no different than wearing every day at home in NYC. It's not something easily identifiable like a Rolex or a Panerai. But I didn't think twice about it. We stayed among other places in South London and Hackney and it was a total snooze re watch worries.

 

Wait, what's boring about Seiko?

 

I’ve never been to London, but I’ve been to many other large international cities around the world. The title mentions “a nice watch.” What’s a nice watch? I’d wear my SuperOcean, Longines, Oris, or Damasko…all nice watches…and not think twice about it there. However, I probably wouldn’t parade around half-drunk with a Daytona on my wrist. Of course, I can say that about any place I’m not familiar with.

Ultimately it comes down to what you’re comfortable with. There’s nothing wrong with a “boring Seiko” if it makes you more comfortable. I can guarantee you nobody else is going to care if that’s what you’re wearing.

 

Q If you were spending a week in London, would you wear a nice watch (or not)?
A. It depends on what you mean by "nice watch," for even a Casio F-91W would be considered a nice watch.

 

I'd wear this.

 

I always wear cheaper, more affordable watches when I travel to places like that. Wearing something like a gold daydate is asking for unnecessary attention from shady people

 

No, and I'd also keep my phone in a pocket where I could feel it, as apparently there are quite a lot of phone thefts there, too.

 

Why?
There is no need for a watch in London.

 

Absolutely not.

 

I don't wear my Rolex all the time and wouldn't feel like I'm "living in fear" if I chose to wear my Citizen for a trip to London; I enjoy wearing it.

 

Are things as bad there as the media suggests, or is it overblown?

The answer to the question is always "it is overblown," regardless of subject. That's how media works. If you want accurate information, consult theft statistics for the area you're visiting and determine if it's within your risk tolerance relative to what you're used to. Anything else is seeking confirmation bias one way or the other.

I am generally of the opinion that you should wear what you want, where you want. Otherwise, what's the point?

 

I no longer live in London but close enough so we occasionally go on various day trips there either with family or just by myself. I never hesitate to wear my most expensive pieces if I feel like wearing them. My watches aren’t necessarily the most popular models although I could see some of them recognised as valuable if I received actual attention from spotters.

Still, as ever, common sense plays a big role here, and it’s recommended to be as aware of your surroundings as you would in any other big city and you’ll be fine.

 

Probably nothing crazy. I tend to take one analog watch of medium value and my garmin fenix on vacation. The last thing I want to worry at all about is my watch, and I assume literally no one cares what that random American is wearing for the 20 seconds my wrist is visible to them.

 

My advice to Americans visiting London: Wear your nice watch - but bring your gun.

 

I certainly wouldn't walk around with anything expensive on show, that would be asking for trouble. Keep it under your sleeve whilst walking around and you'll be fine.