Traveling with the Rolex (TSA)

[123Blueface]

Only place I have ever been asked to take it off was the Vatican.

[AshCashEmAll]

traveled to at least 6 different airports in various countries with my watch and never been asked to take my watch off once.

[Snow-Dweller]

Most airports in Europe make you take your watch off. I travel with an Oakley watch-vault.

[jjwalters3]

Same as everyone else. I never take it off domestically and have never been asked to. When traveling internationally, I sometimes use a watch case in my carry-on to avoid problems, especially on-and-off transfers with a security check as they usually aren’t extraordinarily nice - and may pull you out of line to hassle you.

[Bfd70]

Told to take it off every single time at ORD. I just put it in my shoe and into the bin.

[grimlock525]

I always throw mine into one of the green felt Rolex pouches I have and just put it in my backpack or carry-on before going through. It literally takes 10 sec and basically guarantees I won't have to fumble with it or risk dropping or scratching it.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by septantrionalis

So I'll be traveling for the first time with my Rolex. With my cheaper watches, I just threw it in the bin to go through the x-ray machine. I feel a little uncomfortable doing that with my Rolex. Do you guys just wear your Rolex's through the checkpoints? What do you do if the TSA asks you to take off your watch?

Yep. I flew today. Philly to Charlotte, NC. I’m on a business trip. Walked right through. Did not take watch off. I took my shoes off. I put my laptop in a bin, and threw my wallet and cellphone in my carry on bag, but never took off the watch.

By the way, I saw 4 subs and a datejust on the plane. 5 subs altogether counting mine. Also saw a couple Breitling Navatimers.

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[ronricks]

I don’t take it off. Was asked once in Atlanta to take it off I simply told them no. They didn’t pressure me to take it off after that.

[exador]

Originally Posted by Andrew NYC

I usually ignore TSA or foreign security agents when they say take of watches, belts, etc. I try to quickly walk through before they can say anything and not once has my watch set off the metal detector.

I was travelling through Atlanta Airport a few years ago wearing flip flops. The TSA agent asked me to remove them and put them the tray. I thought he was joking and ignored him. He then said "Sir - I won't ask you again" and blocked the entrance to the scanner.
Since then I listen to those guys

[AF_Rob]

Metal items are in my carry on before I get in line. Too many different applications of the rules among the security folks. It just makes it easier.

[s14roller]

Always worn it right through, never an issue.

[FloMoAggie]

I fly every week and have never been asked to take it off. That includes Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo and London in the last month.

[antbkny]

Cuba made me take it off and put it in the bin. That was a little nerve wracking lol

[kneedeep]

Stays on my wrist. They've looked under the clasp once or twice but not coming off wrist unless I place it in my backpack.

[mschafer]

TSA never take it off. Internationally it really depends where we are. If it’s really icky, I actually take the watch well in advance and pack it. And put it back on once past security.

[InitialAndPitch]

I have a green velvet Rolex slipcase to slip watch into bag if it comes to that. It’s rare that it’s needed but different airports here different metal detector settings. Last time I got stuck I got Airport screening guy to hold it while I walked through. Told him that watches get stolen.

[frankfrazetta]

I put mine in a case buddi and push to bottom of a very crowded backpack compartment. If some tsa person wants to take it, they'll have to open the pack in front of me.

[Jimmy Jam Jam]

i flew to San Francisco from Hong Kong in Feb and then from San Jose flew to vegas and back, i had no problems with my BLNR, i just kept it on my wrist.

[huba01]

Originally Posted by M45

Never been asked to take it off.

Fly several times a month.

+1 I have never been asked to take it off. But take it easy if you have too, there are cameras everywhere

[whattimeyougot]

I’ve had airports in Europe tell me to keep it on even before I got to the front of the que because they didn’t want to be liable if anything happened to it.

[gtnator]

Many threads on this subject


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[BillA]

OP
This has been discussed on the forum many many times
Try the search engine.

[JayG]

No brainer. always take it off and put it in my hand bag. Avoids potential hassle

[Steerpike999]

I normally travel with a backpack so just before going through security I put my watch / wallet etc in a side pocket of my backpack.

[fuigo]

I got a nice travel bag from Tumi which as a special compartment lined with special cloth just for this purpose. I drop my watch in while I'm still in line for my turn.

[HL65]

Fly all the time as well and never have been asked to take it off by TSA.

[Rockefeller]

This all depends on what country, i travel internationally and always used to get asked to take it off and put it through the x-ray machine. Now i just put it in the top zipper of my hand luggage when going through check point.
Airports are safe and never heard of anything going missing but i like to keep my eyes on my watch all the time and being in control of where it is.

[Watcheroo]

I always put my watch in a roll/pouch and in my bag well before going through security. Regardless of country or airport.

[BLNR Nairobi]

I travel a lot internationally, and the answer to your question is ‘it depends.’ In the US and parts of Western Europe they mostly don’t bother with watches. However, in the same places you may find someone who is ‘insistent’ that you take your watch off. In my opinion, the best thing to do is to invest in a small case and put your watch in it (and in your carry on) prior to getting to the airport. Once you’re in the business lounge you can wear your watch.

Why?

To avoid that (admittedly rare) case where you’re told to take it off, but there’s a long line that means you and your watch will be separated for some time. That short amount of time is what is needed for someone to ‘mistakenly borrow’ your Daytona.

I thus ensure all valuable items are in my carry on (eg expensive pen, watch etc) to avoid such instances where an opportunistic thief may help himself to stuff that is not his.

[reelestates]

My home airport is Miami and I travel to the Caribbean, Central/South America, and Asia regularly. As a Global Entry traveler, I rarely get asked to take it off. However, I got into the habit a long time ago of taking off my Plat. necklace/dogtag and Rolex watch and discreetly slipping it into a soft microfiber bag and placing it into my backpack well before I get to the x-ray machine. While domestic travel is not an issue returning from any given foreign country can be a security challenge.