This is the most comprehensive video I have seen on traveling with a watch. The added bonus of understanding the mechanics of different travel watches was extremely helpful and explained beautifully. This video should be required viewing for anyone traveling with a watch. Well done, Tim.
Tim, your guide on traveling with a luxury watch and using GMT features is outstanding! The tips on handling customs and managing time zones are incredibly practical. A must-watch for any watch enthusiast on the go!
Thank you for supporting our video. I may record a follow-up since I wasn't happy with the shorthand discussion of customs. For the EU and many individual Asian countries, we could have gone much deeper. My advice to travel with just one watch on your wrist is my shortcut around the details since Customs is used to overlooking a single personal watch regardless of regulations. But add extras in your luggage, and you're almost certain to be hit with fines and duties. That, and it's much harder to secure multiple watches while traveling. Best, Tim
There’s an article on Fratello watches about being stopped at customs when visiting Basel World. The end of the article says “Ever since this happened to Mike, we have traveled lightly and more carefully when going over the border in Switzerland for Watches and Wonders and brand events. It was an expensive and wise lesson. Don’t bring more than one watch unless you go through the process of getting carnet forms and so on.”
That's why I recommend traveling with just one watch. Customs typically doesn't question a watch on the wrist. But if they choose to search and find extras in the luggage, that's when trouble starts. Best, Tim
Thanks for advising which declaration to use. Ive seem other watch youtubers have issues in the past with TSA and customs. It's crazy how they will try and get you to pay duty on a watch you own
Great video. One constructive criticism. Please include super close up shots when you’re manipulating the crown to show the features (similar to what you do when reviewing the watches). The top down shot is too high with a lot of glare to really see the intricate details of the watch.
Customs or TSA RARELY check what’s on your wrist. Unless you declare what you own or bought. I don’t think I heard about any situations where drug dealers, grey watch dealer employees or money launderers ever got caught transporting $350k Richard Mille watches on wrists? That’s the safest way you can transfer illegal money from one country to another. Customs/TSA more likely do not know the difference between a RM or G-Shock a Michael Kors or a Rolex.
You've never seen Swiss customs bust a traveler with a new Patek on the wrist, but I know plenty of people in the industry who have seen this and worse. Even vintage watches owned for generations have been subject to seizure and fines.. Or see Arnold and how German customs treated his AP earlier this year. Don't get caught with extras in your bag, because it's usually not the worn watch that causes the horror stories. Best, Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviews Flying out of Switzerland yes. They will check your bags for sure. Other countries not so much. Flying within the United States, that never happens.
Another brilliant video covering some of the nuances of time zone watches! There are so many different complications out there it's easy to get left behind on which watch does what. Thanks Tim!
Thanks James. I'd like to talk more about navigating customs and personal security when traveling with a watch, but that will need to wait for a follow-up recording. Best, Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviews yes that was interesting - I've only traveled within the states but have definitely taken a small watch roll with one or two extra, so it would be a great topic to cover, would hate to have to pay tax on something I'm bringing along for style or function during a trip!
So question from a commoner who is just getting into watches and has tk go through TSA abd the metal detectors. How safe is a mechanical/automatic watch in a metal detector if TSA makes me remove it? Should i just travel with my beater quartz Timex Expedition?
Thank you. I would have loved to go deeper into travel advice and customs details, but the format doesn't lend itself to long-form breakdowns. Best, Tim
We may record a second installment since the customs and duty-specific details couldn't fit in a single video much less one that's also devoted to explaining travel-style watches. Best, Tim
I travel with 3 pcs. A G-Shock, and 2 Seikos. These day it is so dangerous to travel with expensive watches. Be extra careful in #london, #paris (was one of my favourite cities. In general most Asian cities are safe.
My preferred method is to travel with three watches - one expensive one, and two watches worth less than $1k or, ideally, less than $500 USD. One of the three is usually a Chinese watch to wear in areas I’m not certain of the safety level.
Yeah, that's the way to keep it under control. Really, you can't travel with too many Swatch/G-Shocks, so go nuts. It's only when you get caught with something expensive in the luggage that customs jumps. Best, Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviews Good advice. One of the Fratello guys has a horror story about being made to pay duties on three of his own watches that he took to Watches and Wonders.
Customs won't believe a person needs to travel with multiple watches. They're going to hit you for "buying" in-country when outbound or "importing" to sell when inbound if they check you bags. That, and storing extra watches in a hotel room "safe" is an invitation to get robbed. All of those things have been compromised already. Best, Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviewstotally agree. If you need to travel with a second watch because you can’t take yours everywhere, pack a Casio as a backup. Heard of several occasions where people misplace or leave their watch because they thought they had it packed. Hard to do that when it’s on your wrist.
@@the1916companywatchreviewsinteresting. I travel back and forth from Singapore to Japan every month since 2022 and on my carry on there’s 3 watches minimum almost every time. Not once I’ve been stopped by customs. Initially I thought it might be a problem but I’ve just never been stopped. This might be different compared to the states now. Last I visited was 2018. Or maybe I’m just lucky. I did think to myself, what would I say if I was stopped. I think I’ll just say I like to travel with my watches.
Tim, Excellent topic, however, what recommendations do you have for traveling within the same country like the USA? Do you still say travel with one watch?
I like to carry one for home and away time when traveling domestically. But treat domestic unfamiliar cities and neighborhoods the same as London or Paris. Be ready for the same kind of risks you might find in foreign cities with bad reputations. You might still have a use case for Swatch and G-Shocks. Best, Tim
Tim, would you please give your opinion on what the most legible worldtime watch is in terms of not needing a magnifying glass to read the cities or 24 hr ring? I was about to pull the trigger on an omega world time but I had to pull my wrist 3-4 inches from my face to read it. Luckily a local shop had one. It seems the GP Traveller wwtc is very legible but can’t try this in person and before I spend a pretty penny thought I’d ask you this question. Or should I just ditch the worldtime and get the JLC master geographic? Thanks!
Probably some kind of "geographic" watch like the Lange 1 or JLC Master Control Geographic. That, or there's the huge Mortiz Grossmann Universalzeit with several reference cities but not quite the same number as a 24-zone watch. Best, Tim
I've been to over a dozen cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. I've travelled through these places with millions of dollars of watches in tow. It's not the Foreign Service, but it's a good start. Best, Tim
Huh, is this mostly for Western countries? Or high end watches? I'm going to Korea tomorrow and always bring a whole watch roll, but less than $1k combined, and never had to do anything special. And nobody's stealing watches in Seoul lol that's the one place I feel like I can wear what I want.
This is the most comprehensive video I have seen on traveling with a watch. The added bonus of understanding the mechanics of different travel watches was extremely helpful and explained beautifully. This video should be required viewing for anyone traveling with a watch. Well done, Tim.
Tim, your guide on traveling with a luxury watch and using GMT features is outstanding! The tips on handling customs and managing time zones are incredibly practical. A must-watch for any watch enthusiast on the go!
Thank you for supporting our video. I may record a follow-up since I wasn't happy with the shorthand discussion of customs. For the EU and many individual Asian countries, we could have gone much deeper. My advice to travel with just one watch on your wrist is my shortcut around the details since Customs is used to overlooking a single personal watch regardless of regulations. But add extras in your luggage, and you're almost certain to be hit with fines and duties. That, and it's much harder to secure multiple watches while traveling.
Best,
Tim
I never thought to declare my watch when leaving the US. I'll look into it.
Thank you!!
There’s an article on Fratello watches about being stopped at customs when visiting Basel World. The end of the article says “Ever since this happened to Mike, we have traveled lightly and more carefully when going over the border in Switzerland for Watches and Wonders and brand events. It was an expensive and wise lesson. Don’t bring more than one watch unless you go through the process of getting carnet forms and so on.”
It always amazes me how much beauty and precision are added to the parts of amzwatch's watch 99% of people will never see.
I always travel with 2 pieces only: one for regular wear and a banger for dinners and meetings. Much easier to manage that way imo
Agree I think two watches is the perfect number
Just got back from England. Customs didn’t even look at my watch. I’ve never had them ever ask about my watch upon re-entry into the United States.
That's why I recommend traveling with just one watch. Customs typically doesn't question a watch on the wrist. But if they choose to search and find extras in the luggage, that's when trouble starts.
Best,
Tim
The true GMT is the cleanest design.
Thanks for advising which declaration to use. Ive seem other watch youtubers have issues in the past with TSA and customs. It's crazy how they will try and get you to pay duty on a watch you own
Great video. One constructive criticism. Please include super close up shots when you’re manipulating the crown to show the features (similar to what you do when reviewing the watches). The top down shot is too high with a lot of glare to really see the intricate details of the watch.
Thanks, we'll do better next time.
Best,
Tim
Customs or TSA RARELY check what’s on your wrist. Unless you declare what you own or bought. I don’t think I heard about any situations where drug dealers, grey watch dealer employees or money launderers ever got caught transporting $350k Richard Mille watches on wrists? That’s the safest way you can transfer illegal money from one country to another. Customs/TSA more likely do not know the difference between a RM or G-Shock a Michael Kors or a Rolex.
Yep. I just got back from England and they didn’t look at my wrist. I’ve never had them ask about my watch anything I’ve re-entered the country.
You've never seen Swiss customs bust a traveler with a new Patek on the wrist, but I know plenty of people in the industry who have seen this and worse. Even vintage watches owned for generations have been subject to seizure and fines.. Or see Arnold and how German customs treated his AP earlier this year. Don't get caught with extras in your bag, because it's usually not the worn watch that causes the horror stories.
Best,
Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviews Flying out of Switzerland yes. They will check your bags for sure. Other countries not so much. Flying within the United States, that never happens.
Another brilliant video covering some of the nuances of time zone watches! There are so many different complications out there it's easy to get left behind on which watch does what. Thanks Tim!
Thanks James. I'd like to talk more about navigating customs and personal security when traveling with a watch, but that will need to wait for a follow-up recording.
Best,
Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviews yes that was interesting - I've only traveled within the states but have definitely taken a small watch roll with one or two extra, so it would be a great topic to cover, would hate to have to pay tax on something I'm bringing along for style or function during a trip!
I travel with my gshock square, and buy a souvenir watch at the destination 😄
That's often what I do. I buy the city-edition Swatch for my mom at each new destination I visit.
Best,
Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviews thats awesome of you 🫡
So question from a commoner who is just getting into watches and has tk go through TSA abd the metal detectors. How safe is a mechanical/automatic watch in a metal detector if TSA makes me remove it? Should i just travel with my beater quartz Timex Expedition?
Great advice….which is your fave complication Tim?
Excellent explanation of the different travel time watches and travel advice. Well done.
Thank you. I would have loved to go deeper into travel advice and customs details, but the format doesn't lend itself to long-form breakdowns.
Best,
Tim
Best part of this advice was the swatch (or gshock)
I always take that that advice to heart. No loss if things go south, and I wind up enjoying it just the same.
Best,
Tim
Excellent information and advice. I thought bringing a sports watch and a dress watch on vacation would be a good idea, but now not so much.
I wouldn’t wear anything valued over $1000 in one of the newfangled “culturally enriched” areas, including Paris, London, Berlin etc
@@Melontheyoutuber You can say it buddy. Place's where illegal ingrate's follow Obama and worhip his Sharia Law buddy
Thanks for the vid - first time I've seen discussion of this (definitely makes me appreciate my favorite beaters a lot more)
We may record a second installment since the customs and duty-specific details couldn't fit in a single video much less one that's also devoted to explaining travel-style watches.
Best,
Tim
I travel with 3 pcs. A G-Shock, and 2 Seikos. These day it is so dangerous to travel with expensive watches. Be extra careful in #london, #paris (was one of my favourite cities. In general most Asian cities are safe.
My preferred method is to travel with three watches - one expensive one, and two watches worth less than $1k or, ideally, less than $500 USD. One of the three is usually a Chinese watch to wear in areas I’m not certain of the safety level.
Yeah, that's the way to keep it under control. Really, you can't travel with too many Swatch/G-Shocks, so go nuts. It's only when you get caught with something expensive in the luggage that customs jumps.
Best,
Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviews Good advice. One of the Fratello guys has a horror story about being made to pay duties on three of his own watches that he took to Watches and Wonders.
Tim, you lost me at "travel with only one watch".
Customs won't believe a person needs to travel with multiple watches. They're going to hit you for "buying" in-country when outbound or "importing" to sell when inbound if they check you bags. That, and storing extra watches in a hotel room "safe" is an invitation to get robbed. All of those things have been compromised already.
Best,
Tim
@@the1916companywatchreviewstotally agree. If you need to travel with a second watch because you can’t take yours everywhere, pack a Casio as a backup.
Heard of several occasions where people misplace or leave their watch because they thought they had it packed. Hard to do that when it’s on your wrist.
@@the1916companywatchreviewsinteresting. I travel back and forth from Singapore to Japan every month since 2022 and on my carry on there’s 3 watches minimum almost every time. Not once I’ve been stopped by customs. Initially I thought it might be a problem but I’ve just never been stopped. This might be different compared to the states now. Last I visited was 2018. Or maybe I’m just lucky. I did think to myself, what would I say if I was stopped. I think I’ll just say I like to travel with my watches.
@@ahmadghufran8117depends how expensive are the watches you travel with. Would someone stop you carrying five Swatches each 100.USD?
@@the1916companywatchreviewssure they will. Never had an issue in nyc.
Tim,
Excellent topic, however, what recommendations do you have for traveling within the same country like the USA? Do you still say travel with one watch?
I like to carry one for home and away time when traveling domestically. But treat domestic unfamiliar cities and neighborhoods the same as London or Paris. Be ready for the same kind of risks you might find in foreign cities with bad reputations. You might still have a use case for Swatch and G-Shocks.
Best,
Tim
Tim, would you please give your opinion on what the most legible worldtime watch is in terms of not needing a magnifying glass to read the cities or 24 hr ring? I was about to pull the trigger on an omega world time but I had to pull my wrist 3-4 inches from my face to read it. Luckily a local shop had one. It seems the GP Traveller wwtc is very legible but can’t try this in person and before I spend a pretty penny thought I’d ask you this question. Or should I just ditch the worldtime and get the JLC master geographic? Thanks!
Probably some kind of "geographic" watch like the Lange 1 or JLC Master Control Geographic. That, or there's the huge Mortiz Grossmann Universalzeit with several reference cities but not quite the same number as a 24-zone watch.
Best,
Tim
Thanks Tim!
So I got incredibly lucky traveling internationally with four 😬
Im not going to lie, I didn't know this was a thing
I like to travel with cheap, yet reliable watches.
The safest and most carefree solution.
Best,
Tim
Yes, traveling to a different country wearing an expensive watch is a temptation to robbers. Wear a Casio G-Shock and be sensible and safe.
Tim, I love your shows but methinks you got to travel way more.
I've been to over a dozen cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. I've travelled through these places with millions of dollars of watches in tow. It's not the Foreign Service, but it's a good start.
Best,
Tim
what if I were to relocate to a different country? say UK to Canada permenantly with all my watches.
thats immigration, not travel.
@@georgen26 i live in different countries for work
Huh, is this mostly for Western countries? Or high end watches? I'm going to Korea tomorrow and always bring a whole watch roll, but less than $1k combined, and never had to do anything special. And nobody's stealing watches in Seoul lol that's the one place I feel like I can wear what I want.
Who's the 1916 company?
Watchbox was rebranded earlier this year
@@eus9 ty
So about 2s of advice and the rest is a sales pitch. OK thanks.
i thought this was going to be a video about cool cases and pouches etc etc. waste of my timeeeee
I recon you thought wrong, mate.