The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I travel quite a bit for work and generally try to keep my watch well covered when going through the security lines. I usually do not have to take it off, as I hold my boarding pass in my left hand and hold it up in front of my body so that the clasp of my band is roughly in the center of my chest, parallel to my heart and close to my body.

This works in most airport security lines, but I had an interesting experience yesterday. I was in a pretty slow airport with only 1 security line and did not take my watch off as per usual. As I walked through the metal detector, it alarmed so I started to move back through. The TSA rep stopped me and started to say "Do you have anything you would like to put back on the machine" but then changed and said, "Sir, could you please take your Breitling off and put in through the machine?"

I was somewhat surprised. He looked at me, flashed a smile and pulled his sleeve up to show me his Colt Chrono. When the watch went through the machine the other TSA rep said "Is that a Breitling". Apparently the TSA guys make a lot more money than I thought or see a lot of people take watches off and are thus good at identifying them.

For all of those who are curious, here are the metal detectors that I have successfully worn my GT through:

LaGuardia (LGA)
Kennedy
Salt Lake (SLC)
Chicago (ORD)
Cincinnati (CVG)
London - Heathrow (LHR)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Seattle (SEA)
Kona (KOA)

Here is the strike list:
Lansing (LAN) - Hilarious I know.

Ive never had to take of my CSO going through DCA, but always take off my SA to go through airport security. There is no way that it wont set off a metal detector. I just like to put it into a secure part of my bag that I'm putting through the machine or into a pocket of a jacket. I don't think it's a good idea to just put it in a tray, lest it get taken.

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Chrono Superocean (Black)
Rolex Datejust II rhodium/ Arabic dial

The last time I went through International European airports, i was wearing my Navitimer. Before I stepped thru the detector, I asked the guy if I needed to take it off, he said no. I went thru without setting it off. However, on the way back from Hungary (Budapest), I took it off and put it in my bag.

Breitling must be more popular than I thought with aviation professionals, as I noticed not only did the Captain have an Aerospace, but a (male) flight attendant had an older Aeromarine model...whereas the females had a mixture of Rolex DJ and Tissot.
One even had 2 watches on! Dos anyone make a ladies GMT watch
(that they would wear?!)

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Oyster Date '78, Blackbird chrono DLC '10, Blackbird chrono' 02, Navitimer Fighters '02, Aerospace Evo , Seamaster Chrono Diver 300' 02, Carrera cbm2110

... or just have a great collection of nice watches and stuff that people have left at the security checkpoint. (just kidding)

That's funny to me. As a pilot and someone that travels a lot, I by default think of watches as the BIGGEST piece of metal on the body that should be taken off first, with the next ones being coins, keys, and belt buckes.

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Chris
Club Member #0070
2009 TT Chrono Evo w/Rose gold, blue face
2009 Airwolf w/black face, Co-Pilot module
2009 TT Lady Cockpit w/Mother-of-Pearl, Diamond face for the wife

try casually placing your wrist in the small of your back as you walk through the detector. It works & security told me of this years ago. My watch never sends it off since doing this. No guarantees though as each watch is different, although mine is on the heavier side to most.
True of airline staff too. A good 15% or so pilots in my company wears the aerospace. Popular type.

It boggles my mind that one of these things can make it through.. What exactly are these machines detecting if a giant chunk of steel doesnt set them off?

On a side note, I usually pack mine in my carry-on before I go through and put it on afterward. Ive forgotten to before, and they tell me to put it in the tray.

This is LAX btw.

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-RJ

I always fly wearing a sport coat or a patagonia rain coat. I get cold on planes so always wear a coat, and I also do not like packing my sport coats and usually will be needing one or just wanting to wear one while traveling. I typically pack my watch in a interior coat pocket that locks and then neatly fold it into the middle of the jacket and send it through in a container by itself. Works every time and I know exactly where the watch is at all time.

I hate being the person who keep on forgetting to take something off or remove their cellphone or something else idiotic, so I play it safe. Next time I fly and it is not crowded, I will try the trick of putting my watch against my body and see if it sets off the detector.

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Rock Chalk!

Believe it or not, I used to carry around the case that my BGT came in and would put it in there each time. That got old fairly quickly, so I stopped doing it. It has now become more of an experiment than anything else. I'm also afraid that as I'm cutting a flight close I might forget my watch.

It does kind of make you wonder though. The BGT isn't an insignificant piece of metal, how is it that it makes it through?

i have never taken my watch off my wrist or my belt off. just shoes when they ask. i dont even take my wallet out of my pocket. my girlfriends father got a 20,000 cartier watch stolen going through because his tray got slid through way before he got to walk through! did we come to a conclusion as to whether it hurts to put your watch through one of the metal detectors or security things whatever you want to call them?

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

I have two great airport belts (1 brown / 1 black) never leave home without them. I guess I also just don't want to take any chances with my watch. If they make me specially take it off then I'm going to be watching it and everyone else around me like a hawk.

thats exactly right or i would ask for my carry on and pack it away in that before i send it through

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

I do the same thing--usually need to bring a coat on a trip. So before I go through the metal detector, I'll put in the pockets my ring, watch, dog tags, coins, sunglasses, etc. Don't have to worry about taking them off last second, losing them, or not knowing where my little tray of stuff is on the conveyor belt.

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Chris
Club Member #0070
2009 TT Chrono Evo w/Rose gold, blue face
2009 Airwolf w/black face, Co-Pilot module
2009 TT Lady Cockpit w/Mother-of-Pearl, Diamond face for the wife

I either keep it on my wrist, but usually put it in my carry-on luggage. Whatever happens, I never let my carry-on luggage out of my sight-put it on the conveyor belt, then keep watching as it come out. No security guard can break my concentration when I'm doing that, as my business laptop is also in there along with most valuables.

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Navitimer World baby!
Oh, and a sweet black arabics Super Avenger for the daily grind...

I don't have to go through the metal detector as I have an implant and have to avoid the magnetic field, I carry a card to excuse me. I always get a hand search so no need to take the Navi off.

I wouldn't put my Navi in the tray and risk it getting stolen I would always put it in my hand luggage or a coat pocket.

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STAFFWOLF - NAVITIMER

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4090

so does putting your watch through the detector walk through thing hurt it or not? i cant remember what the conclusion was? i cant find the old thread..

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle