Flying with your watch?

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mz_cle

·Feb 20, 2020

I always wear my watch through the metal detector or body scanner, and I have never had an issue, whether it be domestic or international.

BradleyJ.

I bought one of these inexpensive watch holders on amazon and clip it onto something on the inside of my carry on just so it's that much harder to "grab and walk away with".

I have this same clam shell design I use to take a second watch on trips occasionally. In the instances when I have to dress like a professional but want something sportier for dinner or personal time, I stash the second watch in the case, and the case goes in my briefcase.

 

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Braindrain

·Feb 20, 2020

Yes, I also take it off and put it in those clamshell cases (the old Oakley watch vault, for oldtimers). And make sure I then stick it in my carryon and close the zipper.

I also dont wear expensive watches in the cabin. Too many chances to bump and scratch/ding the watch. Doesnt matter if you're in first or cattle class. Same hazards.

If it's secured and zipped in your carryon, it's fine. Nobody's going to go through it in-flight.

 

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pnwyankee

·Feb 20, 2020

Thanks to all who responded

 

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danbl68

·Feb 20, 2020

Agreed, I have never taken my watch off when going through security....most of the time I get a watch roll and just keep it in the carry on; never had an issue

 

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BrianPankow

·Feb 20, 2020

Eve

Nice! Ive been paragliding for more that 13 years. It takes a bit more effort to cover a 100+km distance though 😀
Now that i see your video i a bit tempted to try this as well 😀 👍 maybe one day...

It is tempting!

Brian
Seattle

 

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Hduck

·Feb 20, 2020

I usually travel with the Speedmaster Racing as time zone adjustment is easy with the quick set hour hand. Before I get to security I put on a citizen beater (which I use as an alarm when traveling) and put the omega in an Omega travel case in the carry on. Once l leave security I swap them

 

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Foo2rama

·Feb 20, 2020·Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...

Only thing I think about is if I need a gmt a not...

 

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Dan S

·Feb 20, 2020

Interesting how many people apparently give very serious thought to their watches when traveling. I just throw one on and go like any other day.

 

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RI Omega Fan

·Feb 20, 2020

Dan S

Interesting how many people apparently give very serious thought to their watches when traveling. I just throw one on and go like any other day.

I guess it all depends where you’re traveling.

 

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abrod520

·Feb 20, 2020

Only reason I have a dedicated "flight watch" is because I'm concerned about knocking it into something or having something sheared off it by a heavy bag's strap. But I almost always have others packed in my bag, just not the same one as any computers or phones.

Edit 1: Worth having a flight watch as I do a bunch of long-hauls for my job now. Back and forth to Amsterdam 4x since mid-December, London, etc. with more to come.

Edit 2: I'm not rich or important enough to merit any class above economy, so I might have other opinions were I a regular business- or first-class passenger.

 

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gostang9

·Feb 20, 2020

pnwyankee

I am a very infrequent flyer.
Might be on an airplane for two trips a year at most.
Any concerns with wearing an expensive watch while flying?
Are the X-Ray machines a problem?
Any chance at problems related to magnetization if your watch is on your wrist on in your carry on bag?
Thanks.

I do 10 to 20 international trips per year and 1 to 3 domestic trips. That means 40+ trips through security checkpoints annually.

Anyone that always wears their watch without a problem doesn’t travel enough, or through enough different airports. I normally try to wear my watch though the scanners, I’d say they allow it 80 to 90% of the time, the rest of the time they insist I take it off and put it through separately. If my bags haven’t gone through yet, I put it in the front pouch of my laptop bag. When it goes separately, I watch it constantly until I get it back in my possession on the other side. It’s stressful to say the least, especially when you’re tired, jet lagged, cranky and trying not to upset the security agents looking for a reason to give you a hard time.

As for the watch, so far I’ve not had any of them get magnetized or other negative time keeping effect.

 

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studeb

·Feb 20, 2020

mjb

I put a Rolex in a bin and walked off without it once. I was putting on my shoes before I realized it.

Fortunately, most people are honest and it was still in the bin when I went back. Pfhew!

Can you say "dumbass"?

Now, I never take it off. If it beeps me going through the machine, I let them wand me. Better than losing a multi-thousand dollar watch.

A few years ago someone picked up a left behind Rolex at the end of teh x-ray machine. He was later arrested and charged with theft.......

 

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Braindrain

·Feb 20, 2020

gostang9

As for the watch, so far I’ve not had any of them get magnetized or other negative time keeping effect.

The scanners do not magnetize. Urban myth there.

 

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Katana

·Feb 20, 2020

I also bought one of those Cheopz watch cases for this specific purpose and it’s perfect for quickly slipping it in my carryon and taking it out through security. Never had any issue with magnetism, but seeing as my Globemaster is suppose to withstand up to 15000 gauss, I’d be kind of pissed if it did have an issue. The only thing I have to keep in mind when doing long haul flights is to not change the time and date between 9pm and 5am when I arrive so not to mess up the movement... easy to forget sometimes when arriving and feeling dopey after a long flight.

 

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mr_smith

·Feb 20, 2020

I have trust issues after having my SMP roughly handled/tossed (literally tossed into a bin) by a TSA agent. I now take my watches off and put them in my carry-on through the security check-in process (I typically put it in an Oakley Sunglass Vault). I very much wanted to say something but there was no damage to the watch and decided it best to not cause a scene.

 

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zinengineer

·Feb 20, 2020

I wear mine thru the detector, usually with no issue. My problem has been that I leave from a small regional airport. After having to pull my watch roll out because they can’t figure out what it is from the X-ray, I now put it out and put it in a bin with my “3-3-1” bag. I also by now know most of the TSA people at my home airport

 

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ExpiredWatchdog

·Feb 20, 2020

I've been told to take them off and to leave them on. When left on, I'd say that maybe half the time they set off the magnetic detector. Surprisingly enough although most airports I travel through have microwave detectors, they almost always make us go through the magnetic detector.

In any case, I've learned to remove the watch and all other items before going through security. Everything but my ID and ticket goes into my bag, well before I even line up for security.

 

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KAP

·Feb 21, 2020

I've never taken a watch off going through USA domestic security screening and never had issues. Similar with international travel involving security in Europe and several southeast Asian countries. Also no issues with watch performance being affected going through the screening equipment.

 

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Gav1967

·Feb 21, 2020

Dan S

Interesting how many people apparently give very serious thought to their watches when traveling. I just throw one on and go like any other day.

Ditto

 

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izydor

·Feb 21, 2020

Infrequent passenger here. I was asked few times to remove the watch and put it through scan with other belongings. Since then I just remove it before being asked. But I'm travelling with a low value beater, so I'm not worried when putting watch next to my wallet and mobile into the bin. I believe people working at security check just don't want extra work when you "beep", especially if there's a lot of people going through.