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How do mechanical watches react to airport detectors?

5K views 23 replies 21 participants last post by  kwcross 
#1 ·
Will be travelling soon with one watch. One that I'll be wearing at all times, including passing thru airport security.
questions: should I wear the watch thru the metal scanner? And is it safe to place it in the bin thru the X-ray scanner?
 
#2 ·
They will ask you to run it through the scanner and it won't affect it at all. I am in and out of courthouses almost every day and they run my watches through with no problems.


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#7 ·
mine didn't react at all. It seemed pretty nonplussed about th whole affair.

They will ask you to run it through the scanner and it won't affect it at all. I am in and out of courthouses almost every day and they run my watches through with no problems.

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So how long a stretch are you looking at?
 
#14 ·
Most airports (I go through a "few") ask you to take it off before the full body scan, on the rare occasions I forget they usually ask to look at it, usually only a glance. I always carry my watches in my carry-on and leave one slot in my travel case for the one I have on, I put it in before the xray machine just to keep it from getting scratched.

No issues with mechanical watches (or quartz) with any of the airport scanners.
 
#6 ·
While in some cases you can put it in your bag, if you are going overseas it makes sense to wear it and dump it in the little container with your keys so you don't run into someone saying that you need to pay customs thinking you bought it overseas.
 
#13 ·
Doesn't affect the watch much. I'm more worried about scratching my watches while taking them out, putting on the tray, etc.

For that reason, I usually carry a slim watch case on my carry on - I leave my watch there until I'm through the checkpoint. Just to avoid hassle.
 
#16 ·
I am sitting at the airport in New Orleans right now, and minutes ago went through security with my watch on (Speedmaster). Like every other flight I have ever taken (US, Canada, Europe, Australia, etc.), I was not asked to remove it, and there were no detectors set off by it.

The three other watch people I met in the security line, all wearing Panerai's, also went through with their watches on. I know people have said they have been asked to remove them, but I never have...

Cheers, Al
 
#19 ·
This is the same as me.(Well except for the part about being surrounded by people wearing Panerai's)

I am not a huge traveler but have been through airport security over 100 times in the last 2 years and have never been asked to remove my watch. I do believe it happens but I think it is the exception rather than the rule. At least for US domestic travel.
 
#20 ·
I wonder what airports everyone is using where they wear watches through security. In Houston and Atlanta (and most other places) I practically have to strip down before going through either a metal detector or a full body scanner.

I generally put everything into my carry on and then saunter through in my Speedo.

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#22 ·
I would rather not remove my watch at the airport again.

I took off one of my favorite and most valuable watches and carefully placed it in the plastic tray. As I walked through the metal detector, they randomly decided I needed extra screening. The next thing you know I'm hauled off to the side, told to stay put, while my watch is sitting untended at he end of the conveyer belt as people grabbed their belongings. My watch was out of my sight, reach and control for about 5 minutes. It could easily of been stolen and there is no way the airport or the TSA would of taken responsibility for it. It was agonizing and I will never take my watch off at an airport again.
 
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