Reps and Airport Security

[kid_charlemagne]

I once heard a rumour that going through airport security/customs with a rep watch could lead to it being confiscated.

Is this complete BS? How would they attempt to prove it is a replica or gen?

Just wondering if any of you guys have any further thoughts/info on this

Thanks,

Kid

 

[Fiddo]

If you were wearing it on your wrist, I doubt anything would happen. I have never had an issue.

If you had several watches in your carry-on bag, then you would probably have some issues.

 

[DonBrizzel]

I am going to attempt it in a few weeks on my way to the west coast. I will report back to how it went. But I doubt that anything will happen if your wearing it. Hard for them to stop you for a watch that you are wearing...

 

[CBR]

It depends on if you are asking about CUSTOMS or AIRPORT SECURITY (TSA).
The TSA agents barely know the difference between water and liquid nitrogen. They probably dont wear watches because they cannot tell time, and they SURELY are not going to call you out for wearing a fake Rolex.

Now if you are traveling between countries and CUSTOMS agents are inspecting your baggage or anything else on your person... they may have the knowledge to ask some questions. But I again, doubt that they could/would confiscate a watch being worn.

NOW, if you have a bag full of replicas... (or even genuine watches) plan to have some issues...

I have traveled all over the world with replicas and gens and I have never had a TSA or customs agent ask me about them. If you appear sketchy... they will ask other questions though!

 

[beachcat]

Flying within the conus they don't care about your watches.
TSA is only concerned with security issues.
Hey ya got a watch fetish......so what.....lol

 

[Meta4]

Airport security have no interest in whatever watch you are wearing as long as they don't perceive it to be a security risk.

Customs ... maybe, but you're only going to have to deal with them if you are making international flights - definitely not on domestic. But it's extremely unlikely they would even notice what watch you are wearing or care and very few are likely to be able to tell a good quality rep from a gen. You are entitled to your personal watch without incurring customs issues.

If you want to travel internationally with a bag full - you may attract the attention of customs and have some explaining to do.

 

[tommy_boy]

I take my watch off and put it my briefcase. No reason to have it set the arch aglow! Some airports screw them down so tightly that my belt buckle sets it off. So my 47mm watch case and buckle? Beep! Beep! Beep!

I agree: It's Customs that you may have to be concerned about if you look like a watch dealer with a suitcase full of watches that look expensive. Like Rolex, a brand they likely know about. But a couple of PAMs? Nah.

 

[UKASIA]

Airport Security

Being a UK citizen and going thru too many airports in the last few years I have the following comment.

If you go through Dallas Texas or LAX and you are not a US citizen they search you more than US citizens ( or at least they did me, I am white and not an ethnic so I guess its just non US citizens) if you are wearing the watch things will be fine, but I went thru Dallas and had a new Rolex GMT that I had got from Galeria in Dallas, and they even questioned that as to its authenticity as it was in my carry on bag and spotted it.

I produced a receipt with state tax paid and all was good

If you are made to take of the watch DON'T.. tell them it is worth 5k or 10 k whatever the real deal is and insist it stays with you tell them tell them if it gets lost you going to pay , first as it wont get snagged that way second they cant look at it too close .

I never take of my watch while going thru the door of security, they are asking me to do so more often now but that is where the problem will come, you only need some enthusiast to see that its not real and pick it up . My understanding is that the US is worst for this, the UK is not so bad and in ASIA they will sell you a replica if they could.

OF course if you are wearing a really shit replica you deserve to have it taken in any event

 

[guanaco]

The real question here is, what will happen if you take reps in your other luggage [not the carry on]? In an international trip, say, from the UK to LAX.

 

[fakemaster]

lol I wouldn't worry about that. Now if you are wearing things like underwear or shoelaces that is sure to bring out the rubber gloves.

 

[beachcat]

The real question here is, what will happen if you take reps in your other luggage [not the carry on]? In an international trip, say, from the UK to LAX.

If they are all the same model and they inspect your suitcase:huh:

 

[guanaco]

If they are all the same model and they inspect your suitcase:huh:

Who would have two of the same model? :wacko:

lol, for example 2 reps in each luggage [the ones going for cargo] for a total of 4 reps. One gen in your carry on and a rep on your wrist.

 

[CBR]

The last three trips I have been on I have found a little yellow or green card IN MY CHECKED LUGGAGE that states that the luggage was inspected by the TSA. That is why the TSA requires any lock to be a TSA approved (they have master keys and can unlock and re-lock them).
So even if your watches are locked in your checked in luggage they may see them.
And I would suggest AGAINST telling a TSA agent that you refuse to do anything if you really want to get on your plane. In the US, a TSA secondary inspection can be carried on over a 48 hours period. Which basically means, you CAN BE detained for almost anything for up to 48 hours.
I dont know if refusing to take off a watch would qualify you for a stay in a dark gray room... but it may.

 

[jmd33]

It depends on if you are asking about CUSTOMS or AIRPORT SECURITY (TSA).
The TSA agents barely know the difference between water and liquid nitrogen. They probably dont wear watches because they cannot tell time, and they SURELY are not going to call you out for wearing a fake Rolex.

LMFAO!!!!!

I fly CONUS all the time and wear my rep(s). Never a problem. I don't take off my watch (I hold it chest level and cover it with my right hand as I walk through - even my SMP300 won't set off the machine that way, and that thing's pretty meatty).

+1 on a suitcase full - probably an issue.

 

[Dr.Verylong]

The security staff at Dallas is the most idiotic and stupid bunch of people I have *ever* encountered - and I have met a lot so far.

I travelled with reps without any issues and I put the watch together with wallet into the containers. No probs so far* - even with real hardcore fantasy Quartz Breitlings.

Dr.verylong

*knock on wood

 

[kid_charlemagne]

Reassuring comments. Glad I'm not going to need the KY and gloves!

 

[hk45ca]

rolex has sole importation rights to the u s. you as an individual are allowed to bring 1 rolex into the country and that's the one on your wrist. if you leave the country with 2 or 3 of your rolex's you have to put them on your declaration form and take your purchase receipts. when asked about them then you can produce all the proper documentation and everything is good. if not they can seize the watches you are not wearing. customs will notify rolex and they can pursue legal action against you for importation.

 

[pcsam]

not watch related but airport security related . well i do wear and take a few watches with me when I travel .....

I have a spinal cord implant with a control unit implanted in my front left ?
i cant go through the control gate at any airport as they can interfere with my implant .... i have special id i carry with me that i have to show airport security befor i approach the beeb Beeb machine , once they read it im taken to the side id checked again and pass on without the beeper . (well on most occasions its that simple but a few times it can get stupid)
you should see the looks i get from the other passengers and on more than one occasion i have had the sky Marshall coming to me asking discreet questions . one even said to me once im on this flight today mate ,are you just going to a job at another airport ????????? yes I have been mistaken as a sky Marshall ................ but i have never had a problem with my watches rep or gen i have with me ..........:cool2:

 

[king_o]

I've been International thru Philly, Washington, Charlotte and Yeager with a Pam and not even a second glance. I was even on a flight with a U.S. Senator and there was not even an extra security check...................

One flight my Mum was with me wearing Genuine Rolex and that was not even glanced at, I think you would have to have a case full of watches or else act very nervously to be scrutinised.

 

[trailboss99]

rolex has sole importation rights to the u s. you as an individual are allowed to bring 1 rolex into the country and that's the one on your wrist. if you leave the country with 2 or 3 of your rolex's you have to put them on your declaration form and take your purchase receipts. when asked about them then you can produce all the proper documentation and everything is good. if not they can seize the watches you are not wearing. customs will notify rolex and they can pursue legal action against you for importation.

HK beat me to it. As crazy as it sounds he is correct. Go on, try buying a Rolex on da bay and importing it into the US, you MAY get lucky or you may just end up forfiting a 5 grand+ watch . . .

So much for the Land of the Free.


Col.