Southeast Asia forum

Personally, I tend to leave any jewellry, watches, etc at home when travelling for two reasons:

1. In case I lose it (it's just one more thing to keep track of)
2. Because I don't like the extra attention, inquisitive glances and stares that it may invite. I feel bad enough walking around with an expensive camera as it is. When you are walking around in poor villages where your watch is worth more than a couple years of income to the families you do start to feel conspicuous.

If I want to wear a watch, I tend to pick up a cheapie in Asia (eg $10) and maybe wear a simple band on my finger.

I would just take it with you.

If you're concerned about loosing it, in asia or back home, you shouldn't buy it at all. What's the point of having it then?
And the same argument goes for lizzies 2nd point. Robbery is probably less likely in asia than back home and most likely the average robber is less likely to recognize your watch as being expensive. It certainly isn't a bigger risk than having your camera being robbed or being robbed back home. Just take normal precautions.

And that would only leave your conscience as a possible obstacle when you visit a dirt poor village indeed. But then again, as Lizzy points out, people bring very expensive cameras without giving it any thought.

My boyfriend leaves his Tag Heuer watch at home when we travel in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, etc. It's not a bling-bling watch studded with diamonds, so the decision is more about him worrying about it getting damaged than it being stolen.

That said, the cheap digital Casio watch he wears when we go backpacking is much more practical! It also has a LED light and alarm which are very useful.

I would choose a watch based on what you do while travelling. Personally I prefer a large digital display with backlight easy to read during overnight flights/buses/trains, an altimetre and compass for motorbike rides up north, and barometer/depth gauge for snorkelling/diving, and of course travel alarm. Suunto Vector is a excellent choice, but only water resistant to 30m so take care if diving.

Winstan
Where are you going, what are you going to be doing? There's some important variables in there. But, in the aggregate, as long as you are not concerned about forgetting it in some hotel safe somewhere, you can take it without worrying someone is going to snatch it off your arm.

If it actually looks really nice, you gain status points here. Back home flaunting your wealth is considered at best a little crass. Here, it gains you social points.

I generally use a cheap and cheerful watch that I won't be bothered if it gets lost/damaged/stolen.

My last watch had to be replaced after DEET corroded the plastic back plate...

Just leave it a home, I use my cheap cellphone to tell the time.

Expect to lose that watch. I had a cheap Casio stolen out of my hotel room in Hanoi - couldn't imagine why they'd want a $30. watch???