6 watches stolen at Schiphol Airport - 33.3, SM300, Zenith Cairelli, JLC 4ATM, ...

Sa Calobra · May 18, 2022

cristos71
My business has been broken into a few years ago and the small narrow street where I'm located has cctv cameras at both ends, do you think the Dutch police were interested in:

1. Looking at the CCTV
2. Letting me look at it to identify the suspects ( as I suspected an inside job )

Well the answers are both no and no

It's a shame the experiences differ so much by type of event. I've had an attempted streetrobbery in Rotterdam with a gun - had lots of follow ups, going through databases with pictures of potential suspects, etc. Was surprised by how long they kept on investing time in it.
That being said its probably classified differently and therefore getting more attention

Sa Calobra · May 18, 2022

STANDY
So checked baggage is probably safest in this instance. Unaccompanied bags due to missing flights are minimal compared to 20 years ago…

I would be more worried about the temperatures and humidity in the freight compartment - not sure if it's good for a vintage watch

Archer · May 18, 2022

Lonestar
Another article released:
https://nltimes.nl/2022/05/15/french-businessman-loses-valuable-watches-schiphol-chaos

"Matthieu has since filed a report, believing the watches were stolen. The CCTV footage should show what happened, but he doesn't think the police have looked at it yet."

with hope that someone in a Dutch police office spends the needed 30mns to watch the recordings, if they are still available....

Were the watches insured?

Sa Calobra · May 18, 2022

@Archer

No they weren't. Good reminder for me to start digging through the forum for an 'insurance' thread.

Dan S · May 18, 2022

Sa Calobra
I would be more worried about the temperatures and humidity in the freight compartment - not sure if it's good for a vintage watch

Nothing to worry about. The temperature in the cargo hold never even gets close to freezing (as you already know, if you think about it), and it's obviously not particularly humid.

Shabbaz · May 18, 2022

Sa Calobra
That being said its probably classified differently and therefore getting more attention

Yep. With guns the police are bringing the extra troops

cvalue13 · May 18, 2022

Dan S
Nothing to worry about. The temperature in the cargo hold never even gets close to freezing (as you already know, if you think about it), and it's obviously not particularly humid.

still, we’re not condoning the idea that putting watches in checked luggage is better than carry-on, right?

Evitzee · May 18, 2022

cvalue13
still, we’re not condoning the idea that putting watches in checked luggage is better than carry-on, right?

Putting valuables in checked luggage is the worst choice option, that's a perpetual no-no.

I hope that article in the NL Times paper was a poor translation when the Schiphol spokesperson said the situation was 'very annoying'. Annoying means to me that they don't appreciate being called out for a probable theft on their premises and now forced to investigate the situation. 'Very concerned' would be the reaction I would expect from a spokesman for the airport.

STANDY · May 18, 2022

cvalue13
still, we’re not condoning the idea that putting watches in checked luggage is better than carry-on, right?

Have done myself several times, never lost a bag in travels….Never had a late bag or gone home from the airport without one. Travel a bit (usually business though)
I have traveled without carry on more than with over the last 10 years.
Just for the whole security screening BS

Worked at airports for many years and in the last 20 or so years unaccompanied luggage is nothing like it used to be. Usually only the multiple connecting long haul flights these days.

Funny how people post watches all around the world but seem like it’s a no no to stick in a bag on a plane your travelling on. Think about it…..

Tony C. · May 18, 2022

STANDY
Have done myself several times, never lost a bag in travels

I don't think losing the bag would be the primary concern. It would be the bag going through a radiograph machine, and the watch(es) tempting an unscrupulous security agent.

Edit: Also, I've seen bags thrown around in a manner that would give any self-respecting balance staff nightmares.

fiberguy · May 18, 2022

Tony C.
I don't think losing the bag would be the primary concern. It would be the bag going through a radiograph machine, and the watch(es) tempting an unscrupulous security agent.

I have had items taken from my checked baggage on more than one occasion.

cvalue13 · May 18, 2022

Yes, we’re here experiencing a broad range with checked bags.

At least here in the U.S., the TSA regularly fires employees for stealing from checked luggage (they perform dummy-bag ‘stings’), while surely not catching them all. Millions of dollars of items are reported stolen from luggage each year.

I would stubbornly refuse to believe this is a U.S.-only problem.

I’ll keep my valuables on my person.

Scarecrow Boat · May 18, 2022

cvalue13
I’ll keep my valuables on my person.

After having a camera and other items, on different occasions, taken from my checked bag, I too travel with valuables on me, in a carry on that fits under the seat.

Peemacgee · May 18, 2022

STANDY
Have done myself several times, never lost a bag in travels….Never had a late bag or gone home from the airport without one. Travel a bit (usually business though)
I have traveled without carry on more than with over the last 10 years.
Just for the whole security screening BS

Worked at airports for many years and in the last 20 or so years unaccompanied luggage is nothing like it used to be. Usually only the multiple connecting long haul flights these days.

Pre-pandemic I would travel from the UK, through Schipol, multiple times per year (on KLM) to the Middle East.
I've lost count of the times I've had to dash out and buy a shirt and toiletries upon arrival because my bags didn't travel with me or got lost along the way - I usually pack a polo shirt and smalls in my hand luggage as a hedge but that's no good for business meetings. (and I've had issues travelling both Business and cattle class and in both directions)

I would habitually travel with a watch roll with four Constellations - always in my carry-on luggage. (and one on the wrist of course)
I can't vouch for the Amsterdam check-ins but the airside transfer screening was improved tremendously a couple of years back but that doesn't mean to say that I still don't watch my bag like a hawk as I'm being processed.

The biggest irritation is having to unpack your laptop and place it in a separate tray - I almost left my MacBook behind on one occasion as I'd stacked two trays on top of one another whilst stepping to one of the side tables in order to reassemble my wardrobe (belt, shoes, jacket etc)
I only remembered my laptop when I was half way out of the security hall - luckily it was still where I left it but it is only too easy to do when hurrying for a plane.

I do hope the subject of the thread gets some kind of satisfaction for his lost watches.

MRC · May 18, 2022

cvalue13
I would stubbornly refuse to believe this is a U.S.-only problem.

You're right, the UK's busiest airport is commonly known as Thiefrow. Very happy to say I haven't needed to go through there in >25 years.

Dan S · May 18, 2022

cvalue13
still, we’re not condoning the idea that putting watches in checked luggage is better than carry-on, right?

No, not condoning that. I've had luggage misplaced too many times. Usually it shows up, but not always. But if you wanted to pack some low value watches in checked luggage to avoid carrying them, they would be comfortable in the cargo compartment.

Syrte · May 18, 2022

Walrus
#1-do wear a Vostok
#2-leave the rest at home

^^ well if anyone wants to follow the advice above, now’s a good time as any to go on Ebay, because there’s a cluster of Ukrainian watch sellers in Zaporjija, a city West of Mariupol from where there was mail service, but now that Mariupol has fallen they might need our money more than ever.

I bought a well patinated Vostok a couple weeks ago, waiting to get it, might try to get another one to help people in need.
Whether the watch ever makes it into my hands is another matter, but we’ll see….

Larry S · May 19, 2022

Dan S
No, not condoning that. I've had luggage misplaced too many times. Usually it shows up, but not always. But if you wanted to pack some low value watches in checked luggage to avoid carrying them, they would be comfortable in the cargo compartment.

Never ever put valuables in checked luggage. Was forced by airline to check a bag intended to carry on years ago. Forgot that I had car keys and my Bose Headphones in it. Bag was not on carousel. Got a call from a Chicago policeman a few hours later. Bag was found in ladies room rifled through. Changing all the locks on my house, new phones, and new car keys was an expensive lesson.

Larry S · May 19, 2022

JimInOz
Hmmmm.........maybe I'll have to move Frankfurt from the top of my list of world's shittiest airports.

Not until I've been through Schiphol though, and then I'd have to toss a coin to see if LAX would stay in position No 2.

Frankfurt (the sweaty unfriendly, made my usually stoic wife cry, rat maze) is top of my s..t list. Schiphol is up there too. In both places I’ve experienced overzealous carry on checks in addition to overall chaos….in the Priority systems. I can’t imagine what it’s like in the non frequent traveler systems. Never a problem at LAX. My second most hated after Frankfurt is LaGuardia.

Larry S · May 19, 2022

Twocats
I passed through two scanners today at Dubai and Istanbul and both times I put my watch and wallet inside my laptop case in a zipper pocket, they never ask me to take them out ever and I do it a lot.

I once traveled with a full roll to London on a business trip. I did a “Time For A Pint” podcast with Chris. The roll traveled at the bottom of my backpack, spent its time in hotel safes. Fortunately, as a priority traveler through O’Hare / Heathrow no issues. I was in London for the better part of three weeks, though and I was nervous the whole time. I was once being ordered, and I refused, to remove my Rolex at a chaotic security check at Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona. Travel now is with cheap, replaceable watches.