GMTIIC - a travel nightmare !

[18pcs]

Firstly let me wish every one a Merry Christmas.
I recently travelled from Europe across several airports to Asia and at every security whether the watch was in my carry on luggage or in my jacket pocket (passed through Xray) or in the tray along with other small stuff, laptop etc from my pockets, the security insisted on taking a look and on two occassions insisted on passing it through the xray again. Is it because of the ceramic bezel ? Maybe it has some material content which the security dont like like lead, I really dont know maybe the knowledgeable forum members could highlight this please. Its a real nuisance to be picked on by airport security for whatever reason and if the bezel has some offensive material then Rolex should look into it and modify it.

[Kirby]

Just wear it through the metal detector next time? My Sub doesn't set off any alarms.

[Dylan Wade]

I just came back from a recent visit to a couple of Asian countries too and was also asked to take off and dump the watch (GMT-IIc) in a tray.

I doubt it has anything to do with the GMT’s ceramic bezel as I’m sure security had no idea it was a Rolex let alone the material used...........I think its simply some new higher level security requirement (maybe for SS watches) just like your laptop.

I also doubt and very much hope Rolex would not change anything on their watches because of what is IMO a very minor inconvenience.

Anyway, I’m sure we will here other views and confirmation if you and I were just “picked on” or not?

[Erix]

Originally Posted by Kirby

Just wear it through the metal detector next time? My Sub doesn't set off any alarms.

x2 same here..no prob whatsoever..

[bodybump]

Dont worry about it...anything that has metal sets on the alarm...even if you have bracess on your teeth or a wire bra will set the alarm on....

[pyromaniac2112]

It all depends how sensitive the alarms are set. Even if there is no audible alarm then there is a light display at the top of the scanner that tells staff the approximate metal content of each traveller. I am always stopped and frisked if I wear my sub through the scanner, but I hate the idea of dropping it in the tray and then having to keep my eye on it while the tray goes through the scanner. I think that would look more suspicious!

[Bisquitlips]

Originally Posted by bodybump

Dont worry about it...anything that has metal sets on the alarm...even if you have bracess on your teeth or a wire bra will set the alarm on....

Yes!!!

The wire in my bra sets the stinking things off every time!!!

But I do enjoy being taken aside and having that wand thing run all over my person!
















Just in case any of you are thinking for ruining my reputation on this board with this information, don't.





























I am just kidding!!!!







I should know better than to try and be funny here!

[Nica64]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

Yes!!!

The wire in my bra sets the stinking things off every time!!!

But I do enjoy being taken aside and having that wand thing run all over my person!


Just in case any of you are thinking for ruining my reputation on this board with this information, don't.


I am just kidding!!!!

I should know better than to try and be funny here!

__________________________________________-

[18pcs]

Unfortunately am not too comfortable putting a YG GMTIIC in a tray. Hence passed it thrrough the scanner either in the carry on bag or in the winter jacket pocket. No question of it setting off the alarm as I wasnt wearing it, but the xray guys saw something in it which alarmed them and asked me to show them the watch, and they repassed it through the xrays again and were then satisfied, thats it. But what alarmed them in the first place. I am sure its the ceramic bezel.

[RolexNoob]

Originally Posted by Kirby

Just wear it through the metal detector next time? My Sub doesn't set off any alarms.

I had no problem with it either. Was just there two weeks ago. Went through Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Pengang. No problem at all.

I do recall a couple of times I was asked to remove my watch. I simply replied, it is not going to set off the detector and there is no need to remove it. And that was it.

[18pcs]

Originally Posted by RolexNoob

I had no problem with it either. Was just there two weeks ago. Went through Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Pengang. No problem at all.

I do recall a couple of times I was asked to remove my watch. I simply replied, it is not going to set off the detector and there is no need to remove it. And that was it.

Which watch ? The GMTIIC ?or the Sub?

[cameron]

Originally Posted by bodybump

Dont worry about it...anything that has metal sets on the alarm...even if you have bracess on your teeth or a wire bra will set the alarm on....

Do you not get noticed more going through security with a bra in your teeth ?

[2careless]

Hmm, weird. My GMT2 pepsi set off the alarm in Changi Singapore...

[JBat]

Originally Posted by Erix

x2 same here..no prob whatsoever..

Me too. The only time it would is if I was also wearing a substantial belt buckle or something. By itself, it never trips the alarm.

[SSD]

I actually have had a little training in this area, believe it or not. Certain materials appear as different colors when examined in modern "X-ray" machines because of how those materials reflect or absorb the radiation used (I'm not going to be too specific here). However, steel would appear as a different color than plastic, cloth or leather. It is reasonable to assume ceramic will do the same, though I have never tried it myself. Things that used to be transparent to the imaging devices, like carbon fiber knives, for instance, no longer "disappear". Compounds like explosives and gunpowder absolutely have a specific color, as would batteries and wiring (you get my drift...).

I'd simply wear the watch and not act any differently. That should remove any suspicions, and if not they'll probably just have a look (And get jealous or pay a compliment?). What if its a watch nut? Who knows, a nice conversation might surface!

[Perpetuator]

No need to remove the watch unless asked, which will probably be much less often than you anticipate since it just slows down the whole screening process altogether. What kind of contraband could someone be carrying inside a watch anyway? Some James Bond-type gadgetry and weaponry come to mind, but nothing that could really pose a serious threat.

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by 18pcs

Firstly let me wish every one a Merry Christmas.
I recently travelled from Europe across several airports to Asia and at every security whether the watch was in my carry on luggage or in my jacket pocket (passed through Xray) or in the tray along with other small stuff, laptop etc from my pockets, the security insisted on taking a look and on two occassions insisted on passing it through the xray again. Is it because of the ceramic bezel ? Maybe it has some material content which the security dont like like lead, I really dont know maybe the knowledgeable forum members could highlight this please. Its a real nuisance to be picked on by airport security for whatever reason and if the bezel has some offensive material then Rolex should look into it and modify it.

Merry christmas to you as well. The extra screening has nothing to do with the bezel and there is nothing you could hide in a Rolex that could serious harm an airplane.

[KenrickJ]

I also didn't have any problem with it

[cmr]

they were most likely wondering why you weren't wearing a 7,000.00 watch on your wrist instead of putting in your carry on luggage. why did you remove it?

[RsqVet]

18 --

As others have mentioned the screening your baggage goes through is diffirent than the metal detector you go through so there is no "alarm" on your watch just an operator viewing an "x-ray" image of your stuff. So you either have bad luck, an aura of nerves or the mix of stuff you had made them want to look further, or possibly a directive based on intel.

With all due respect what you describe hardly is a "nightmare" and we should all have such problems in life.... getting a 5 figure solid gold watch through security. For my one job I travel frequently (1-2 x per month) fly with much odd stuff --- medical supplies, investigative gear, et. al. I always get looked closer however i never have an issue with security, they have their job to do and life goes on for all of us, to me they have been nothing but quick, efficinet and not a pain in any way, and in fact I have frequently stuck up nice conversations with them. And this is not from a guy that flys once a year... sitting here I would estimate that I have been screened about 60 times in the past 2 years.

Yet each time I pass through a screening point there is some dope that feels it his or her mission to take whatever frustrations he or she has in life out on the screeners, which just makes their lives harder and delays all of us.

So get over it man, or buy a nice swatch or timex, as they will attract less attention; or if you want to take out your frustrations on those responsible, go serve in Afganistan.

[MrCowboy99]

my GMT never set it off either.

[SS Oyster]

I've traveled all over the world and never had a problem with either my sub (last Rolex) or my GMT IIc. Just wear it.

[Kirby]

Originally Posted by RsqVet

With all due respect what you describe hardly is a "nightmare" and we should all have such problems in life.... getting a 5 figure solid gold watch through security.

This is one aspect I forgot to comment on. If this is a nightmare for you, stop traveling.

[Mrdi]

"The wire in my bra sets the stinking things off every time!!!

But I do enjoy being taken aside and having that wand thing run all over my person!"
__________________________________________________ _________________________


Listen Hot Lips, no need to worry about acquiring a bad reputation,
you took care of that eons ago.
Regarding the wire in your bra.......
try the titanium supports.

Best!

[Jon2168]

My Explorer II never had a problem through the metal detectors nor have they asked me to take my watch off. Maybe now security got tighter?

Jon

[Jason888]

I also fly on a regular basis. I normally just put my stuff in the carry on luggage while lining up for the metal scanners. The only thing that goes in the tray, is the Laptop.

I prefer to reduce the risk of someone pinching my cell phone, keys and especially my watch if I get held up by someone infront of me through the metal detectors.

Also another reason to put it in your carry on luggage is a few of my previous cell phones have been gotten scratched up pretty bad by being placed in the item tray.

[18pcs]

Originally Posted by cmr

they were most likely wondering why you weren't wearing a 7,000.00 watch on your wrist instead of putting in your carry on luggage. why did you remove it?

Marcus, where in the world can you get a YG GMTII for $7000/- ?

[BigHat]

I go through metal detectors everyday. The only watch I own that sets it off is my 18kt Sub. Of course, just how sensitive they set the unit is the key, but the mass of a gold Sub (just like a gold GMT-II) set off every detector on Capitol Hill until I no longer tried wearing it through. So if he's wearing an 18kt GMT, your experiences with various SS models, with or without a ceramic bezel (not a factor in my view) are irrelevant.

[cmr]

Originally Posted by 18pcs

Marcus, where in the world can you get a YG GMTII for $7000/- ?

i didn't notice in post 9 where he mentioned it was yg. the question still stands, why would he have removed it in the first place? being solid yg would make it even a bigger target for being stolen. i don't remove my ss gmt2c going through any medal detector. if they demanded it be removed it would be witnessed and handed to and from security, not tossed in a medal tray or stuffed into my carry on.

[18pcs]

Thanks everyone for your experiences of US and Asian airports. I am sure if anyone has transited through any European airport specially Frankfurt will understand why I took it off and passed it through the xrays. They dont let you take anything through, not even a pen or reading glasses which you may be wearing. It all depends on the time of the year one is travelling I guess and the security flag if its on high or low.