I usually travel with a basic Casio, so I don’t mind throwing it in the tote.  

If you are traveling with a nice watch can you keep it on?  My research says mostly yes, you just say you would prefer to not remove it.  For extra fun most airports charge the rules on you.  What is ok in one isn’t in the next.

Keep it on.  Zero issue over many many flights.

Kept it on for the first leg, had in it in my personal bag for the return, always in my direct observation.

Years ago before every airport overseas had those scanners I would take a travel case for my watch and pack it in there and then deep in my backpack.

Very easy to unseen grab in a tote, not so much digging through a backpack.

But i have not done that for at least 5 years. Everything is keep your watch on these days.

My experience has been 'it depends'.

If there is a scanner on site, and it's functional, then the answer is usually 'yes', your watch stays on your wrist.

If it's the metal detector it seems to depend on the level of sensitivity for the sensors at waist level.

I usually sport a 44mm Breitling Colt.  If it's on the bracelet, it's almost guaranteed it's too much mass for the metal detector.  Some TSA peeps are decent and will have me take it off, they look at it to see if it looks like a watch, and hand it back.

If the Magic 8 Ball in the head of the TSA one-striper says 'put it through the X-ray machine' I grab one of the small bowls, put it in the bowl, watch it go in the machine, proceed through the metal detector, and stand at the other end staring at the abyss on the downstream end of the X-ray machine and retrieve my watch when it comes out.

Next time you go through TSA look up - there are a LOT of cameras to record anyone getting froggy at security.  Those cameras can, and do, catch crooked TSA agents, so I'm not terribly worried about my watch growing legs.

Traveled to Europe over the Christmas break and had zero issues at Schipol or Fiumicino, be it Schengen travel or international departures.

Haven't had any issues with it when it's on a leather strap or NATO, so have concluded the bracelet is what puts it over the edge.

Hope that helps, YMMV.

I’ve worn a Rolex through an airport many times and never removed it.

I keep mine on my wrist

Never an issue with my GMT….but now that I had a total knee replacement….will see how that generates scrutiny!

Leave it on unless they ask you to take it off.

I just toss my SeaDweller in the tray with the rest of my crap.

This. Stainless Sub, in my case.

Pre-check master race: just put your watch hand at the small of your back to keep it away from the sides of the magnetometer as you walk through. Works every time. And be sure to wear a non-magnetic belt. If you must have an uber-tactical buckle make sure it's titanium.

Going through the mmWave scanner with the great unwashed: absolutely no issues at all. In the event of there being no pre-check I also hold my wallet in my hand.

Same. When I travel I often bring a few watches, they’re in a travel case in my personal carry on.

Don't be stupid?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236439/Geoffrey-McGann-Artist-carrying-homemade-watch-bomb-California-airport-escapes-charges.html

I’ve worn some sort of stainless bracelet mechanical watch for 20 years - never been an issue at airports.

Just leave it on.

I am in!  Wore it through and no one said anything.  I did get an extra couple seconds in the scanner, but who knows.

I usually wear a Casio when I travel, so I have been taking it off and dropping it in my shoes.

We also just went and got TSA precheck, so no more shoes off I hope.

This was my retirement gift to myself.  

Attached File

Nice!  What's your next watch?

Not sure.  I like tudors.  Maybe the titanium one, or a GMT

my Pelagos 42 wears better and lighter than my 38mm SMP. It's amazingly comfortable once you get it dialed in.

Sitting in airport as I type

I have worn my through
I have take in off & put in the bin with my belt
I have gone with several in my carry on in a watch roll

There is a small niche industry
Of guys that travel back & forth from the US, Europe & Asia
They wear the watch though the check point. Then put it in there bags.
And ship the box later.
To get around taxes.

A courier service of how grey market dealers some times gets watches because of exchange rates & sales tax avoiding.


P.S. make sure your S/O takes her CCW out of her purse, before the TSA check point....  arggg

You could put it in one of your bags instead of the tote...

I don't leave my wallet, phone, anything like that in a tote, goes in a bag, only crap in a tote is a belt, keys, etc

Pelagos Attached File

Ok Pelagos shopping now!

I put it in the bin and pick it up on the other side.

We have TSA Precheck and travel a lot, including internationally.

I always wear my Rolex, and usually put it through the scanner.  It's easier.

Submariner and I have lost count of how many TSA checkpoints I have been through and never had it off.

I don't recall a tritium Marathon GSAR setting anything off... which is perhaps disconcerting since it's technically radioactive.

If you take it off, do it when you get to the airport and put it in your carry on bag.

Never take off jewelry/watches in line or put them in a bin.

If TSA has a problem after scanning they will just ask you to rotate your wrist to see the watch or bracelet. If walking through a metal detector - put your arm over the center of your chest away from the sides.

I’ve never (had to) removed my Sub-date or Batgirl.

I've never removed a watch domestic or international.

Pelagos is the way