Do you guys wear expensive dress watch on vacation or leave it at home? I wear cheapo watch on vacation while I hide my nice watch in safe place at home. I don't want to attract attention on vacation.

I wear a cheapo watch all the time.

I wouldn't bring an expensive watch on vacation unless for a good reason (like maybe I'm going to visit with watch buffs, or go to a dress-up event where the fancy watch is part of the outfit, etc). If I did bring a fancy watch, I certainly wouldn't wear it except during the specific occasions where it was called for. The rest of the time I'd wear my plastic digital.

Who needs a watch? My cell phone tells the time if I need to know it. Otherwise, there are clocks everywhere. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I have a really expensive swiss watch that I only wear within the country. I wouldn't wear it for business trip or vacation to anther country. There is too much crime and terrorism around the world nowadays that I don't want to be murder victim of mugging too.

I?ve collected some nice, not to flashy watches from wellknown manufacturers during the years.
For what reason I?ve bought those great pieces of craftmanship? Definitely not to bury them in a safe! <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
Next time someone told me not to wear my shoes because I might be mugged for them...?

I have the ability to fashion a sundial out of natural materials found almost anywhere, therefore I don't wear a watch. It is a very valuable survival skill. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have a TAG and I wear it all the time. I don't buy quality things not to use them, whether it's a watch, flashlight or gun. Realistically, the most important time to have your best gear is when you are away from home.

I wear what I feel appropriate for the trip. I usually wear an Omega Seamaster Pro, black face which really doesn't look expensive. If I am camping or hiking I usually take a Casio G-Shock. I have travelled the world wearing a Rolex GMT Master with no one ever bothering me for my watch. I do not own any gold watches, don't like them. Maybe they would attract attention by unsavory types, I dunno. Only reason I ever leave an expensive watch at home is to protect it from me beating it up:)

I've lost more watches than anyone because I frequently take them off during work (every classroom has a clock). Besides the students are always aware of the exact time that class is over (but fail to keep track of the starting time.) <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

When I used to travel on business for a living, my watch of choice was a simple timex with an alarm. I'm honestly more concerned about functionality and dependability than style.

Besides, a cheap watch allows more money for other gear <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

''Besides the students are always aware of the exact time that class is over (but fail to keep track of the starting time.) ''

Who can blame them...... (and me)<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jim,

I don't blame them at all. I wouldn't want to listen to me lecture for more than an hour anyway. Besides, I was one of the worst clock-watchers in graduate school.

i have been a security and loss prevention officer for al kinds of places including hotels and such. i know watches are suppose to go with the outfit. but if your gonna pay 300 bucks for the watch be watchful of the inviroment. if you wanna have fun and no worries wear a cheapo. just my 2 cents

Just got back from Nepal and before leaving I pondered the same question as you. Since my last trip I ended up EDCing expensive limited edition (250 made) Doxa ($1400). On previous trips I always had Luminox timepiece. I ended up taking Doxa with me. I think it was a good choice since I had on my wrist something familiar and reliable. I got few offers that made me laugh such as: I trade you two sticks that make fire for your watch or you can have few beads for your watch... But also since political situation in nepal is not really stable and people are being taken hostage or asked for "donations" I also treated my watch as something that can save my skin. Since climbing permits on Everest are $70000 maoist and local bandits have no problem asking for donations in thousands of dollars. After all in 2002 small sebenza and hundred us dollars got me out of Uganda when border patrol was trying to turn me over to WHO for possible Ebola contamination.

I do see your point and I heard stories (key word: heard) about people getting their watches pulled off when their hand was hanging out the window or being robbed. I even heard that peoples wrist were chopped off. Basic precautions on my part such as not hanging my arm out of the window or covering the watch with long sleeve took care of it.

In the end having a good old watch felt closer to home. I couldn't carry half the stuff I wanted since either TSA banned it or it was counter productive on the mountain. Watch was just a reminder of home and it was another familiar thing in the strange environment... kind of like finding my dog's toy in my sleeping bag that he burried when my bag was drying out before my departure.

Were you there to summit or were you doing base support or something? Or just entirely unrelated and vacationed in a fairly unstable political environment for the thrill of it. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

pleasure mixed with work... I trekked for a while but also worked with Himalayan Rescue Group at the base camp. My hosp dropped meds and equipment so they needed some training. Never seen so much done with so little.

I have one watch that I wear all the time, a Tissot T-touch. It was around $650 when I bought it. The only time I don't wear it is when I'm working (construction or on cars). I don't think anyone would want it now though, it's pretty beat up. I actually sand blasted the band not to long ago since it was so scratched up. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />