71 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 20, 2011
Before passing the metal detector in the airport safety control what do you do with your expensive IWC? Do you put it in the plastic tray with the rest of your belongings or maybe do you put it inside your handluggage to avoid scratches? I think the last is better to protect it. Or maybe do you refuse to quit the watch from your wrist?
3,233 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 23, 2002Montreal, Quebec,
Canada
Hi Hector,
I do a little traveling and spend time in security lines.
I never used to remove my watches but the sensitivity of the machines have recently started to detect my watch, after removing all other metals, LOL!!!
I now take off my watch but make sure that it it properly cushioned on the tray with a scarf or jacket or anything soft, and inform the security gut that it's an expensive watch.
I also make sure to tell the security staff NOT to touch my tray on the other side until I am beside it again.
188 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 5, 2011
Canada
If I'm travelling within or to the US, I slip my watch into my shoe. While in Canada, I'll sneak it under my coat or something. Part of the reason why I bought a Mark XVI.. Will make a perfect travel companion as it's very understated and most people won't think it's an expensive watch.
13 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 5, 2010
I had a worrying (at the time), but slightly amusing (afterwards) experience once at airport security in London. After passing through the metal detectors sporting the 3717 pilot chrono (and subsequently setting the alarms off), I was asked to remove my watch and hand it to the guard. I obviously complied but suddenly started to get worried... after looking at the watch the guard walked off and started whispering to his supervisor - showing him the watch and glancing back at me suspiciously - now I WAS starting to worry: Give my beloved pilot back! SO - the supervisor beckoned me over to a separate area behind the partition and referring to the watch said: "Excuse me sir but could you explain why your watch is stopped?"
"What do you mean stopped? it was working 2 minutes ago - what have you done to it?"
"Sir - the large white second hand is not moving. Please explain why?"
"Ah you mean the chronograph timer - of course it's stopped, I'm not timing anything" - a blank look from the guard. "look - check the small sweeping red hand on the left!"
Gasps of realisation and a few apologies followed.
I stopped sweating and rapidly replaced the watch back to it's rightful position on my wrist. Apparently they thought it was some sophisticated detonation device. How hilarious - "no," I explained it's a sophisticated watch but quite safe, I assure you!"
And there I was thinking I was going to get a few compliments on my subtle good taste! - at least these guys are doing a thorough job though, in all seriousness.
Lesson learned: I now only travel wearing the VC AT, with the 3717 secured firmly in it's travel case - - that central seconds hand on the AT DEFINITELY knows how to move!!
1,805 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 4, 2003White House, NJ,
United States
Traveling in the US I removed it from my wrist and place it in a little fealt pouch that my AD supplies with each purchase and then put it in my briefcase. I have traveled with as many as five watches at a time and never had a problem or even been questioned about why. Hope this helps. Kevin
43 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 9, 2011
These days before I enter the security control area, I take my watch off my wrist, and put it in a Oakley semi-hard soft vault case for large watches. Best travel case I have seen and best $20 I spent.
I keep the vault case in my carry-on laptop case. This way, I avoid all risks such as:
1. watch getting magnetized by metal detectors 2. having to explain why my watch is so thick or why my chronograph is not for setting off explosive devices? 3. watch disappears or is stolen when tray and I do not complete the scans at the same time 4. watch falls off the tray or is mishandled by airport security or TSA staffs
3,233 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 23, 2002Montreal, Quebec,
Canada
Blue Orca Wrote:These days before I enter the security control area, I take my watch off my wrist, and put it in a Oakley semi-hard soft vault case for large watches. Best travel case I have seen and best $20 I spent.
I keep the vault case in my carry-on laptop case. This way, I avoid all risks such as:
1. watch getting magnetized by metal detectors 2. having to explain why my watch is so thick or why my chronograph is not for setting off explosive devices? 3. watch disappears or is stolen when tray and I do not complete the scans at the same time 4. watch falls off the tray or is mishandled by airport security or TSA staffs
Blue
Blue, one habit I now have is to always wait until the tray is securely on the belt and on it's way into the X-Ray machine before I even pass through the metal detector.
If security waves me through, I tell them I prefer to wait and keep an eye on the tray....always works and I never had any negative response.
43 Discussions and CommentsMember since June 9, 2011
Nad Zakem Wrote:
Blue, one habit I now have is to always wait until the tray is securely on the belt and on it's way into the X-Ray machine before I even pass through the metal detector.
If security waves me through, I tell them I prefer to wait and keep an eye on the tray....always works and I never had any negative response.
Nad, I do the same as you do - making sure my carry-ons are entering the X-ray machine before I enter the metal detector / full body scan.
But once in a while, the guy in front of me (or myself) may take a little longer than usual for the full body scan (e.g. scaning for a 2nd time, communication lag, etc.) while my belongings have completed the scanning, sitting on the other side of the X-ray machine and out of my line of sight.
This is why I always prefer to hide my watch in my laptop case. You never know if someone in front of you decides to grab the watch when no one is watching. By the time when the security tapes are reviewed, that person may be long gone, thousands of miles away or up in the air, taking and posting wrist shots of his "new-to-me" IWC. :-)
Last edited: 12 November, 2012 - 19:51
I do a little traveling and spend time in security lines.
I never used to remove my watches but the sensitivity of the machines have recently started to detect my watch, after removing all other metals, LOL!!!
I now take off my watch but make sure that it it properly cushioned on the tray with a scarf or jacket or anything soft, and inform the security gut that it's an expensive watch.
I also make sure to tell the security staff NOT to touch my tray on the other side until I am beside it again.
Cheers,
Nad
Big Pilot 5004
Aquatimer 2000 (3568-02)
Last edited: 11 May, 2012 - 19:25
Andrew
andrew.thomas1@mac.com
Last edited: 1 January, 2012 - 02:03
Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49
SO - the supervisor beckoned me over to a separate area behind the partition and referring to the watch said: "Excuse me sir but could you explain why your watch is stopped?"
"What do you mean stopped? it was working 2 minutes ago - what have you done to it?"
"Sir - the large white second hand is not moving. Please explain why?"
"Ah you mean the chronograph timer - of course it's stopped, I'm not timing anything" - a blank look from the guard. "look - check the small sweeping red hand on the left!"
Gasps of realisation and a few apologies followed.
I stopped sweating and rapidly replaced the watch back to it's rightful position on my wrist. Apparently they thought it was some sophisticated detonation device. How hilarious - "no," I explained it's a sophisticated watch but quite safe, I assure you!"
And there I was thinking I was going to get a few compliments on my subtle good taste! - at least these guys are doing a thorough job though, in all seriousness.
Lesson learned: I now only travel wearing the VC AT, with the 3717 secured firmly in it's travel case - - that central seconds hand on the AT DEFINITELY knows how to move!!
Sam
I have traveled with as many as five watches at a time and never had a problem or even been questioned about why.
Hope this helps.
Kevin
Last edited: 29 March, 2012 - 21:17
I keep the vault case in my carry-on laptop case. This way, I avoid all risks such as:
1. watch getting magnetized by metal detectors
2. having to explain why my watch is so thick or why my chronograph is not for setting off explosive devices?
3. watch disappears or is stolen when tray and I do not complete the scans at the same time
4. watch falls off the tray or is mishandled by airport security or TSA staffs
Blue
Blue, one habit I now have is to always wait until the tray is securely on the belt and on it's way into the X-Ray machine before I even pass through the metal detector.
If security waves me through, I tell them I prefer to wait and keep an eye on the tray....always works and I never had any negative response.
Cheers,
Nad
Nad, I do the same as you do - making sure my carry-ons are entering the X-ray machine before I enter the metal detector / full body scan.
But once in a while, the guy in front of me (or myself) may take a little longer than usual for the full body scan (e.g. scaning for a 2nd time, communication lag, etc.) while my belongings have completed the scanning, sitting on the other side of the X-ray machine and out of my line of sight.
This is why I always prefer to hide my watch in my laptop case. You never know if someone in front of you decides to grab the watch when no one is watching. By the time when the security tapes are reviewed, that person may be long gone, thousands of miles away or up in the air, taking and posting wrist shots of his "new-to-me" IWC. :-)
Blue