Practical Travel Safety Issues - How do you handle expensive watches (and jewelry) through airport security?

For those of you who own expensive watches (or other expensive jewelry I guess) What do you guys do when it comes time to go through the metal detector? I see people leave it on and get wanded, seen it put in shoes, or put into a soft case in the carry on bag and immediately removed on the other side.

Whats your strategy to minimized damage/loss/theft/TSA stupidity?

For those of you who own expensive watches (or other expensive jewelry I guess) What do you guys do when it comes time to go through the metal detector? I see people leave it on and get wanded, seen it put in shoes, or put into a soft case in the carry on bag and immediately removed on the other side.

Whats your strategy to minimized damage/loss/theft/TSA stupidity?


I always put my watch, keys, wallet in my backpack or carryon when going through the xray. I don't trust leaving them in those buckets while going through the machine. If I get delayed going through the machine, it wouldn't be too hard for someone to swipe them before I even go through the detector.

I keep mine one, and it doesn't usually trigger the detector, should it, then they just wand it over.

Disclaimer: I don't fly through the US often.

I have many Rolex's.

Wear each one through and never been detained.

I have an extensive watch collection. I typically don't travel with any of my very high-end watches in tow.
I have a few $200 to $500 watches that I typically wear on business and pleasure while traveling. My favorite traveling watch is actually a Croton Titanium that I purchased many years ago for about $200. Being Titanium, it's ultra-light, stylish, and unique. The few times I wore it through the MD, it did not set off the alarm. It's quartz movement so I never have to worry about it keeping time or being wound for the 3 years that the battery usually lasts. Best investment I ever made.
I leave the high-end watches in my collection at home, in my collection. Not worth damaging or losing them when I travel, as my schedule can be hectic.

Regardless of the watch;
I typically put them in my carry-on through the X-Ray. I rarely leave them on. When I leave my hotel or Home, I already have my jewelry in my carry-on. Once through Security, then I finish "Dressing".

Could be wrong................but:

My everyday watch is over $10K. I still don't take it off.

My watch is actually built into my phone (yes, hard to believe, though they actually have had them now for 15+ years), making one on the wrist redundant. :)

So the "watch" goes into the gray bin along with the wallet and belt.

Could be wrong................but:

My everyday watch is over $10K. I still don't take it off.

My watches in that category stay at home. I wear them, but not when I travel.
I do have a Tag that I paid about $2k for that I wear a bit when I travel, but my $10k's are in the crib. Spinning slowly and very comfortable. ;) Especially the Patek.

I have a Brietling and several others I love. I am a watch guy.

I now put my watch, wallet and all other valuables in the front pouch of my swiss army backpack and lock it with a TSA lock. No problem so far.

I have a Brietling and several others I love. I am a watch guy.

I now put my watch, wallet and all other valuables in the front pouch of my swiss army backpack and lock it with a TSA lock. No problem so far.

I dont typically wear my Breitling or JLC when traveling. I have at times though. When I have, I either just wear them through or put them in by briefcase/backpack.

I know some who buy the Oakley Watch Vault and put it in there and then into their carry-on while travelling. Myself, I just take it off and put it into the zippered front compartment of my carry-on.

The issue isn't often how to get it through TSA, it's how to bring it back in without getting accused of buying it overseas (from an international trip). It's happened only very rarely for me but I've been questioned a few times. I always bring a photocopy of my receipt (if bought locally) or the customs forms showing duties were paid.

Haven't owned a watch in over 30 yrs, never wear any jewelry and the only metal I carry thru the detectors is stuff that was "installed" both with and without my express written permission.;). All the little things I take with me go into the plastic bins.

The wife, OTOH, will occasionally travel with some very expensive trinkets. She never takes them off or lets them get out of her sight. Never had any real problem going thru security; just sometimes gets an extra "wanding."

Breitling goes in my shoe.

I tend to put all things of any value in my carry-on luggage, which I sometimes lock with a padlock before going through security. I really don't like using those open plastic trays for valuables, which seem to me to be an invitation for someone (fellow passenger or security worker) to take something or for mix-ups to happen.

As this concerns airport security, please follow as it moves to the dedicated FlyerTalk forum on that subject. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

My watch is a $39.00 digital Timex chronograph that I bought at Target, that along with my wallet and ID’s get locked up in my attaché case when I go through security, I never use the small round bins for my valuables.

I don’t trust my fellow passengers in line or the screeners manning the checkpoints from having sticky fingers, out of sight, out of mind.

Mr. Elliott

My Tag stays on my wrist when I go through...doesn't set anything off. If I must take it off, I just put it in my carry on.

Breitling goes in my shoe.

How do you get the watch in the shoe without a potential thief seeing you put it there?

It must hurt to walk around like that! :)

Do any of you reallly believe that someone at TSA knows what a Breitling or TAG or Patek is?

And if by chance their is 1, do you think they can tell if it's real or a fake?

I'm quessing if a watch, and watch alone, is stolen it's because it's "neat looking" colorful, big, fancy looking, expensive looking.

But I'm skeptical someone in the security line would steal your watch because it was real and expensive.

I zip my engagement ring into the change pocket in my wallet, then I zip my wallet closed, then I attach it into my carry-on bag with a large lobster-claw clasp. I do all of this before I am even in sight of the checkpoint. I figure the ring is small enough that a sizable pile of coins will hide it from the X-ray because they are all the same radiographic opacity (metal).

My ring on, if asked to take it off my reply is that is won't come off. I always take my Panerai off and put it in the bin, usually in my hat or messenger bag.

I always make sure that I can see my belongings at all times when going through security and opting out. If I cannot see me belongings I tell the TSO this and move to an area where I can see my belongings immediately. When I do this I am often given a hard time and told not to move but do so anyways.:)

My Tag stays on my wrist when I go through...doesn't set anything off. If I must take it off, I just put it in my carry on.

I have a Tag as well. Best watch I have ever bought myself. I usually put it in my carryon because seems like in the past, it would set off the WMTD. I just had the habit of taking it off and putting it in my computer bag. When I flew last month I forgot to take it off and surprisingly it didn't set it off. In the future, I will keep it on and see what happens.

Do any of you reallly believe that someone at TSA knows what a Breitling or TAG or Patek is?

And if by chance their is 1, do you think they can tell if it's real or a fake?

I'm quessing if a watch, and watch alone, is stolen it's because it's "neat looking" colorful, big, fancy looking, expensive looking.

But I'm skeptical someone in the security line would steal your watch because it was real and expensive.

They may steal any portable thing because it looks interesting, or expensive, or reasonably pawnable, or good enough to be gifted as real, whether it is or not. People who steal may not have a rational, organized agenda. They see it, they want it, they take it.

That said, I left a brief assignment working with offenders knowing considerably more about small items of value than when I started. ;)

I wear a tank watch, so the watchband is leather. It's very traditional. As for jewelry, I usually just wear pearl studs and my wedding set when traveling. Maybe a string of pearls around my neck, depending on my mood. I doubt it would set off any metal detectors. Anyway, I don't take any of it off. I don't go through the metal detector, as I am in a wheelchair. I always ask if it's necessary to remove my jewelry, and am always told it's not. I am given a manual check by a TSA agent. Not my favorite part of traveling.

Ya know, when I was single, it took three dates at nice restaurants and quite a bit of wooing before a gentleman got to where the the TSA agents get with me. In public, no less. Welcome to the 21st century. Sigh. :rolleyes:

For those of you who own expensive watches (or other expensive jewelry I guess) What do you guys do when it comes time to go through the metal detector? I see people leave it on and get wanded, seen it put in shoes, or put into a soft case in the carry on bag and immediately removed on the other side.

Whats your strategy to minimized damage/loss/theft/TSA stupidity?

I never travel with my expensive stuff - that's just an invitation to theft, in airports or in the street - I leave it in my safe, at home.

I never travel with my expensive stuff - that's just an invitation to theft, in airports or in the street - I leave it in my safe, at home.


Barring visiting dangerous places, what is the point of having a watch if you do not wear it?

I am strictly talking about watches that are not bought as an investment.

My daily watches rotate between a Cartier and a Girard-Perregaux, usually just put them in my shoe and havent had a problem

Barring visiting dangerous places, what is the point of having a watch if you do not wear it?

I am strictly talking about watches that are not bought as an investment.

Your suppose to be IMPRESSED with the mere fact that they own one.

Why would you believe someone owned an expensive watch, if they never took it out of the closet/safe/valt/safe deposit box.............

This article asked about - expensive - the rich people just felt they needed to tell you their watch brand so you new how rich!

My watch is actually built into my phone (yes, hard to believe, though they actually have had them now for 15+ years), making one on the wrist redundant. :)

So the "watch" goes into the gray bin along with the wallet and belt.

:). Haven't worn a watch for over a decade. My phone goes in my carryon. Wallet in my pocket. No belt. Ring stays on.

Watch and wallet goes into my zipped up backpack. My personal twist is that I organize myself before getting to the security line. Therefore any watchers cannot come up to me in line and pick my pockets. Also prevents nosy security guard at the divest station from determining my contents location (this is more of a Canadian thing than US thing. CATSA staffers move around more often than TSA perps. In Canada it is not uncommon for the divestiture perp to also become the carryon search and swab perp.

Unfortunately this is what is required to make oneself safe at the security checkpoint. I would like it more if I could yell to the Security Swipers "Swiper, no swiping!":D and they would just ride off into the sunset.

Thanks for those of you who kept it on topic.

My experience is a leather band has not set off the metal detector. I used to take off a watch with a metal band, but that was in the pre strip search era, where I felt like I had better control of and less separation from my valuables.

I can understand the concern some of you have with taking your valuables with you into unfamiliar or potentially riskier areas. Its always an equation between risk (losing) and reward (getting to enjoy what you worked for). How much of this equation is based on the location you are traveling to? For items like watches and rings, they seldom leave your person, so even storing them in a hotel is a risk you usually do not have to take (although there still are times when they are best removed).

For those of you who have poor reading comprehension - this thread isn't about using your cell phone or bragging about what you own. Its simply about how you transport valuable things that are often kept on your person.

Thanks for those of you who kept it on topic.

My experience is a leather band has not set off the metal detector. I used to take off a watch with a metal band, but that was in the pre strip search era, where I felt like I had better control of and less separation from my valuables.

I can understand the concern some of you have with taking your valuables with you into unfamiliar or potentially riskier areas. Its always an equation between risk (losing) and reward (getting to enjoy what you worked for). How much of this equation is based on the location you are traveling to? For items like watches and rings, they seldom leave your person, so even storing them in a hotel is a risk you usually do not have to take (although there still are times when they are best removed).

For those of you who have poor reading comprehension - this thread isn't about using your cell phone or bragging about what you own. Its simply about how you transport valuable things that are often kept on your person.

But those that had to name the brand of their watch and their reasons for not wearing them out in the big bad world were on topic?

Your suppose to be IMPRESSED with the mere fact that they own one.

Why would you believe someone owned an expensive watch, if they never took it out of the closet/safe/valt/safe deposit box.............

This article asked about - expensive - the rich people just felt they needed to tell you their watch brand so you new how rich!

Hey........I have a lot of Rolex's and so does my wife. We wear them. When you have it, flaunt it.

I also carry a $50K rider on my homeowners for "unscheduled" jewelry.

Hey........I have a lot of Rolex's and so does my wife. We wear them. When you have it, flaunt it.

I also carry a $50K rider on my homeowners for "unscheduled" jewelry.

I point being, the initial poster didn't ask what type of watch do you own and do you wear it to the airport.

Why the half the posters felt a need to address a question(s) that wasn't asked, can only lead one to believe...................

I point being, the initial poster didn't ask what type of watch do you own and do you wear it to the airport.

Why the half the posters felt a need to address a question(s) that wasn't asked, can only lead one to believe...................

You must be a jerk.

Read the thread........my answer was number 4.

You don't read, or look any further than your nose, do something else.

You must be a jerk.

Read the thread........my answer was number 4.

You don't read, or look any further than your nose, do something else.

Had a non-jerk read quote to me. They agree poster doesn't ask us FTer's to identify what brand of watch we wear?

Just what we do with expensive jewlery - which may include a watch - at security.

The poster also doesn't ask anyone's opinion of why they don't wear their watch to the airport.

Poster #3 seemed to be able to answer the question without pointing out the brand of watch he wore.

Why did you?

I've never taken my watch or medic alert bracelet off at security. They are the only pieces of jewelry I wear when traveling, and neither has been a problem.

> Whats your strategy to minimized damage/loss/theft/TSA stupidity?

My everyday watch is, um, expensive. I do not take it off; ever since TSA
Supv Renee Zima tried to steal it. She no longer works for the TSA. Seems
the Airport Police caught her using her TSA badge, trying to steal one of their
K9's. Amazing. She had other "misuse of badge" problems ... one of them is
documented on YouTube.

I find it easier to opt out. Always. If asked why I'm opt'ing out, I politely
and calmly explain that a TSA supv in Detroit once attempted to steal my
watch.

If you travel with any valuables, NEVER let your bag leave your sight. NEVER.
Three weeks ago, I had to re-educate a TSA worker at BWI who insisted that
I was not allowed to keep my eyes on my gear. He lost.

Know their rules. Insist that they follow their rules. When they do not
follow their rules, file a written report w/names, dates & times.

Be polite. Be respectful. Be very firm.

> Whats your strategy to minimized damage/loss/theft/TSA stupidity?

My everyday watch is, um, expensive. I do not take it off; ever since TSA
Supv Renee Zima tried to steal it. She no longer works for the TSA. Seems
the Airport Police caught her using her TSA badge, trying to steal one of their
K9's. Amazing. She had other "misuse of badge" problems ... one of them is
documented on YouTube.

I find it easier to opt out. Always. If asked why I'm opt'ing out, I politely
and calmly explain that a TSA supv in Detroit once attempted to steal my
watch.

If you travel with any valuables, NEVER let your bag leave your sight. NEVER.
Three weeks ago, I had to re-educate a TSA worker at BWI who insisted that
I was not allowed to keep my eyes on my gear. He lost.

Know their rules. Insist that they follow their rules. When they do not
follow their rules, file a written report w/names, dates & times.

Be polite. Be respectful. Be very firm.

As a funny (ironic?) side note - Both coming and going through FRA last week was told - very nicely - I DIDN'T need to take my watch off.

Here I have a zipped compartment inside my zipped compartment of my backpack that I D ring the two zippers together.

As a gentleman of leisure, I have no need to be encumbered by a Patek Phillippe. But if I did, I would have my personal assistant place it in a compartment in my rollaboard that could be locked before approaching the checkpoint.






















:p:D

Seriously though, it bugs me to see people with elite tags futz around with keys, coins, phones, etc. right before putting their stuff through the x-ray. I have that all stowed before I get to the Trained Document Checker.

I point being, the initial poster didn't ask what type of watch do you own and do you wear it to the airport.

Why the half the posters felt a need to address a question(s) that wasn't asked, can only lead one to believe...................

Well i think by knowing what type of watches, and what they cost, it helps put in perspective how people treat them. By saying "i always put my watch in the bin" vs "oh i never take it off" it helps to be able to know just how much money the poster is willing to entrust to the TSA vs keep on them