Do you take off or leave on?

[DS_Obsessed]

I bought an Oakley single watch case which I take if I'm only bringing one watch. I'll put that in my carry-on. If I take more than one watch I put it in a Lois vuitton 3 watch travel case and put that in my carry-on. Both situations it's in a case, in a bag out of theives sight. It also saves me the hassel of looking like the prick who won't take off his watch (which i understand, but i dont have a problem appearing common in most circumstances. I do have a problem looking pretentous).Both cases have been featured in past threads.

[chris russell]

I always leave it on, (Rolexes have 'disappeared' from the x-ray belt), and walk through with my arm out in front of me. That way it's away from my belt buckle and won't set off the alarm.

[GradyPhilpott]

I know some of you have no choice in the matter, but at this stage of my life, I do everything I can to avoid airports.

It is just pathetic what Americans are forced to abide in this day and age.

I thought commercial flying was a pain in the butt when I was in the Marine Corps from '67-'71, with all the military that was flying standby in those days. I used to hate layovers with a passion.

Now, the security thing is enough to make me wretch. Clearly, when I decide to take one of those once in a lifetime trips somewhere, I will undoubted have to fly, but until that day comes, if I can't drive there. Forget it.

And if the normal procedure isn't humiliating enough, when they pull you out for the special scrutiny routine, it's just an outrage. The last two flights I took, I was subjected to that and I don't like it one bit.

[slcbbrown]

I travel a lot and always remove my watch. Typically, I put it in my briefcase along with my wallet. I almost walked off and left a Sub in one of he plastic bins, recently.

I've had little luck making it thru security wearing a watch.

[Tk52174]

I usally take it off and put it in my wife's purse.

[Danand]

I take it off and empty my pockets completely. I've had a gum wrapper set off the detector and I can't stand the hassle

[mach330]

i take it off and put it inside my bag.

[mborkow]

leave it on. the safest place for your watch is on your wrist

[nauticajoe]

I always leave it on.

[ocie2000]

I let wife try it first last week on trip over with DJ. It worked for her so I tried it w/TT sub on way back. No problem! I'm not taking it off again.

[burger'n'fries]

Can anyone relay some experiences going through LAX international, overseas flights?

[ingoodtime]

I went to Ellis island this past summer. I was made to remove
my watch. I was pissed and told the agent I was not a happy
person and if my watch goes missing , he will be held
accountable.

[Rock]

What do the Aussies say about the detectors in the domestic airports? I have never had to remove my watch although I have to remove my RM Williams (boots for our American bretheren) about one in three.
I don't recall seeing people removing watches although I probably wasn't taking too much notice.
I wouldn't be all that keen about letting it out of my line of sight.

[Poohsan]

Leave it on.... unless it will cause a problem. then I put it in my carry on bag.

[travisb]

I worry about how security tends to handle valuables.

[hooliganhooker]

I always wear my SD thru and have never set off the detectors. Recently my wife and I were travelling together and she was wearing a MilGauss. She set off the detector (probably the extra Faraday cage metal) and they told her to take it off. I told them she would not, so they just took her off to the side and wanded her. They were actually pretty understanding. My guess is they get that a lot.

[Howie]

The only watch I've had that would trip the airport metal detectors was my IWC Ingenieur 3227 in SS. None of my Rolex's ever tripped it.

[jatco]

On.. that`s where it normally is..!

[belk7]

I really agree with most of the people who say "leave it on" as the safest place from both theft and damage is on your wrist. However, I've gotten into the routine of always carrying a green Rolex service pouch in the front zipper pocket of my carry-on bag. I'll put whatever watch I'm wearing in that pouch and zip the carry-on pocket well before I get to the detector.

Some guy behind me at Dulles in May of this year got flagged for his watch, hurredly put it in a separate bin and ran it through. He continued to be held up for other items in his pockets, and was behind the detector well after his watch had already passed through. The watch was a rose gold AP Royal Oak and it was just sitting in the open for a good two minutes or more!! I purposely stood there and waited for him to pass just make sure no one grabbed it. I watched him put it back on his wrist before I went on my way.

My theory is that if I put my watch in the same place every time, then I'm less likely to get caught up in one of those "chaotic" security experiences that causes people to put their possessions at unintentional risk.