How do you handle expensive watches (and jewelry) through airport security?
Apr 3, 2012, 3:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 343
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?
Whats your strategy to minimized damage/loss/theft/TSA stupidity?
Apr 3, 2012, 3:28 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: CX Silver
Posts: 88
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?
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.
Apr 3, 2012, 3:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: YOW
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Posts: 553
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.
Disclaimer: I don't fly through the US often.
Apr 3, 2012, 4:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA - HNL, SEA, DEN, ORD, MCO, and all points inbetween
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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".
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".
Apr 3, 2012, 4:30 pm
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
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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.
So the "watch" goes into the gray bin along with the wallet and belt.
Apr 3, 2012, 7:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
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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.
Apr 3, 2012, 7:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
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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 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.
Apr 3, 2012, 7:50 pm
#10
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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.
Apr 3, 2012, 8:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
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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.
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.
Apr 3, 2012, 8:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cypress Hills Research Center
Posts: 5,295
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."
. 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."
Apr 3, 2012, 9:12 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
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.
Apr 4, 2012, 9:20 am
#15
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As this concerns airport security, please follow as it moves to the dedicated FlyerTalk forum on that subject. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.