What if you carried with you a bill of sale which would show the date and location of the purchase as proof for the customs man? Just asking.

 

I don’t think customs would give the watch a passing glance, but if you are worried about it, take a picture of the receipt with your phone.

 

Hello everyone, sorry ahead of time if this post is not allowed. Recently I purchased my dream watch. A two toned datejust. In a few days I’m going to be traveling to japan. I would like to take my watch with me. The only problem that’s keeping me from taking it is my paranoia. I’m not scared that it’s going to get stolen but I feel like I would have a problem with customs. I don’t want to declare the watch or have it holding me back at the airports. It’s more logical for me to take a g shock but I feel like it would give the DJ more meaning. Taking my dream watch on my dream trip. Sounds stupid but it is what it is lol. Any advice from anyone. Thanks to all who answer.

I don’t think customs would give the watch a passing glance, but if you are worried about it, take a picture of the receipt with your phone.

This advice right here - and make sure the date is prominent as possible.

For the most part, you only need to keep that as a CYA. Customs is barely bothered. Now, if you were traveling with the original box and papers, they may bug you a bit about it (still generally unlikely). They really keep their eyes out for if you were travelling with Multiple, all still with protective stickers, and boxes, etc - that is an indicator that you might be buying and flipping and they'll want to make sure they get their piece of the pie.

The one watch on your wrist during travel will barely get a second glance.

 

Customs won't care. Take the watch and enjoy your trip. Japanese dress very sharp. Your Rolex will fit right in.

 

It will be fine, should suit it !

 

I always wear my Explorer II and my Tudor Heritage Ranger when I travel, never had an issue with customs.

That said, YMMV 😉

 

Hello everyone, sorry ahead of time if this post is not allowed. Recently I purchased my dream watch. A two toned datejust. In a few day I’m going to be traveling to japan. I would like to take my watch with me. The only problem that’s keeping me from taking it is my paranoia. I’m not scared that it’s going to get stolen but I feel like I would have a problem with customs. I don’t want to declare the watch or have it holding me back at the airports. It’s more logic for me to take a g shock but I feel like it would give it more meaning to me. Taking my dream watch on my dream trip. Sound stupid but it is what it is lol. Any advice from anyone. Thanks to all who answer.

When I travel with multiple watches overseas I bring the warranty card and the receipt just in base. Never had to use them. But it's not like it's a burden to pull them out of storage and it's not like it's going to weigh me down so much I'll be sweating as I drag my warranty card across an airport.

 

In a week I'll be traveling out to California and spend about a week and a half out there...then from there I'll be traveling on to Europe......Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia and then on to Croatia for the entire month of May and I'm taking my Omega SpeedMaster Professional with me........definitely not worried about wearing it.

Yes I've got several other timepieces that I could wear but I chose the Omega because it was a special gift to me.

Though I definitely won't be flashing it in front of people's face's that's for damn sure (because that's just not my style).

 

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I can't imagine that being an issue. Many travel with wearing much more $$$ than a DJ.

 

All that passing through customs wearing an expensive watch does is enforce the disappointment you feel when you realise the only person who notices your watch is you!

 

This is the truth. I've had watch salesmen notice my timepieces, but that's about it except for a rather loud Christopher Ward, since sold, that got a lot of random compliments.

 

Eh, you should be fine. Like others have said, just take some pics of the receipt if you're worried about it, but you should be OK just walking through the "nothing to declare" line. Have a nice trip!

 

Never an issue with my Breguet. I suppose you could always just wear a long-sleeved shirt for arrivals?

 

I travel with a six watch box, never been asked anything about the watches.

Wear and enjoy your Rolex 👍🏻

 

6 watch box?

for some unknown reasons, you remind me of Ernst Kantorowicz who always used to travel with a box of truffles

 

I think no one will mess with a personal good like a watch. A normal watch I mean, not a crust of diamonds.

 

Just start humming the theme song to the show as you confidently walk past customs...you'll do fine Mr. Phelps...

 

For what possible reason do you think you'd get caught up in customs? Wear and enjoy.

 

I’m just over thinking it.

 

If you take a picture of the watch pre trip, it's pretty easy to proof it's not an item that will require declaration.

 

they will never notice. Wear a jacket if you're concerned.

 

I want to thank all who responded. Still on the fence. While on this trip I just want to focus on the trip and nothing else. I’m over thinking the watch. Thanks again.

 

Mine says hi

 

I think one of the watch podcasts I listened to in the run-up to Watches and Wonders had a little fun with this subject:

Fratello Talks: How To Travel With Your Watches

Podcast Episode · Fratello.com · 02/03/2023 · 29m

podcasts.apple.com

More seriously, if you are travelling with just one watch and it is on your wrist it is highly unlikely to be a problem. Having a scan of your receipt and your stamped warranty card should mitigate against any concerns.

Only one person I know has ever had an issue with a watch and customs, and this was more than three decades ago and at the time they were an incredibly frequent international flyer; I suspect that he was "noticed" for that rather than anything else.

 

I would not take it with me because the Japanese yen is so weak vs. USD, so I would take advantage of that and buy something there.
Millions of people travel wearing personal luxury items. Like someone said, the only person who will notice the watch the whole trip will be you.

 

Wow great point that I didn’t not think of. I was going to look at jdm seikos or even a grand seiko. Plus it’s tax free for travelers. I will try to take advantage of it.

 

First time I took my watch off to pass through customs I was paranoid someone would swipe it. As for having bought it abroad, if you're wearing it customs won't care. My only issue would be getting mugged. Is it insured would be a more important question.

 

No, I figured japan is relatively safe but it could still happen regardless of country. I concluded that the g shock would be the best bet.

 

I'd be more worried about a TSA agent stealing it in the plastic bin at the metal detector.
TSA "They Steal Anything"

 

I will be going through jfk first. As a New Yorker I could imagine a tsa agent trying to…

P.S love your username

 

I keep a photo of my receipt on my phone to prove prior ownership.

 

Customs has never asked about any watch I've worn. You do have to keep an eye on TSA and security. I've heard from law enforcement that occasionally they work in teams to distract you from your items if they think it's worth the effort.