Moving to another country… WHAT ABOUT THE WATCHES?
OK, people, I would really appreciate your input here. The wife and I are moving to the US from Mexico in the following weeks, and I'm kinda clueless about what I should do with my watch collection.
First of all, we've sold pretty much everything we own over here in order to be able to pack light on the way to our new home. Car's gone, appliances are gone, even a lot of our clothes have found new owners, and we're okay with that: the concept of a "fresh start" appeals to us. However, getting rid of watches or leaving them behind is not something I'm favoring.
At the time the 60 piece collection is getting trimmed to about 45-48 watches. I have a couple of "big hitters" that I plan to wear on the flight, but as for the rest… WHAT DO I DO? After a couple of nasty incidents regarding lost/vandalized luggage I'm hesitant to pack everything on the checked baggage. Carrying a briefcase full of watches also seems kinda sus, don't know how it'll be viewed by customs or TSA. And there's also the issue of my Wolf winding case (pictured above), that beast would easily take 2/3rds of a standard 28 inch rolling duffel.
HALP!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭
I rediscovered my love for watches about four years ago. Should've stayed away. BUT I REGRET NOTHING.
Do you know someone in the US that you could ship them to for you to collect them from one you have settled?
Hmmm…. Can you ship them to your new home? Have someone from Mexico ship it to your new house after your settled in? Just a thought…and Congrats and Good Luck!!
If you have a watch dealer that you trust, have them ship the collection to you overnight FedEx or ups they will have the necessary insurance in case anything happens.
I'm over here just trying to build a respectable 10 watch collection 🤣🤣 😢😭
I’m available to hold them for u. Ship them to me. I’ll take very good care of them until you want them back. I have 2 wrists that can be your watch winders😁
First, congrats on the new life you’re starting. And this is an interesting and unique problem! Not really sure, but I think you could ship several insured to a trusted friend. And take the rest in a padded carry on. In regards to TSA, maybe bring any receipts you have, and other forms of validation that you simply are a watch collector. 🤷♂ Best of luck!
I agree with those who have said ship them. Insured for their value.
I think the main thing would be to prove you are moving. Receipts like @DailyDial said to show you’ve owned your watches for a while and aren’t flipping them, proof of address at your new location like a rental agreement or a deed, and proof you are no longer living in Mexico wouldn’t hurt either (new job offer, expiring rental agreement, or bill of sale for home). I’d go with a carryon as well for peace of mind since it’s only 50 bucks to check in all your other stuff.
Wow what a unique situation but solvable imo. The biggest/driving question here is how emotionally attached are you to the watches? If they hold deep sentimental value, then I’d carefully pack them in your carry on, have all your receipts to show to TSA and/or customs if questioned. I’d only keep “prized” boxes and winders to lessen the load. Your passport showing proof of your relocation should adequately substantiates you as a collector (vs. a reseller). Good luck 🤞🤞🤞
Carry them in a briefcase.
Here is the typical TSA worker...
Here is your typical mail carrier...
Just have your collection on you, so that nobody steals your stuff!
I think you are good to go with the advice of K.evin & DailyDial.
The winder and the less valuable watches shipped and carry on all the heavy hitters between the two of you receipts in hand.
Safe travels.
As others have stated, can you ship them to a relative until you are situated?
Good luck on the move!
Hello FinisimaPersona,
First of all, this is a nice problem to have. Congratulations.
Secondly, if you send the watches to yourself via a courier service, this will go through a brokerage service, with US import rules and all. Inevitable trouble ensues.
I understand your trepidations sending it in a container with your other belongings.
My only advice: Get good insurance and actually talk to a insurance person, itemize the watches and so on. You will probably have to eat the fees and costs of import tarifs - which are moderate, if you write out the watch worksheet correctly.
The TSA is not in charge of import regulations, this is the jurisdiction of customs. I would think twice to make a big haul in your carry on and then have a discussion with an agent at the airport, probably after a couple of sleepless nights packing everything up, saying goodbyes, and getting ready.
High-value pieces in a small/medium case in hand luggage. 🤔🤨
Leave them with a close friend or relative you might be likely to visit and bring it across piecemeal?
If you have a watch dealer that you trust, have them ship the collection to you overnight FedEx or ups they will have the necessary insurance in case anything happens.
I guess I'll inquiry about their insurance rates. Overall this seems to be the most sensible suggestion.
I'm over here just trying to build a respectable 10 watch collection 🤣🤣 😢😭
Well, I've started with Swatches in the 80's, so I have a good head start on you 😉
First, congrats on the new life you’re starting. And this is an interesting and unique problem! Not really sure, but I think you could ship several insured to a trusted friend. And take the rest in a padded carry on. In regards to TSA, maybe bring any receipts you have, and other forms of validation that you simply are a watch collector. 🤷♂ Best of luck!
Very helpful, thanks a bunch. Also, thanks for the good wishes!
Carry them in a briefcase.
Here is the typical TSA worker...
Here is your typical mail carrier...
Just have your collection on you, so that nobody steals your stuff!
Fears: reignited!
I’m available to hold them for u. Ship them to me. I’ll take very good care of them until you want them back. I have 2 wrists that can be your watch winders😁
Thanks for the offer, brutha! 😂
lolol what counts as proof that you’re “simply a watch collector”? can he just show his Watch Crunch profile as proof? 😂😂
If only! 😂
I had the same issue when moving in and out of Japan for my overseas postings. In my case, there were about 100 pieces, which I packed for cargo transport via sea. I don’t think you should scale down your collection just for the sake of logistical convenience. Most probably there are relocation agencies for the Mexico-USA route. Why not ask them for advise.
If you gift them to me I will be sure to wear them with love & donate at least half to @HotWatchChick69 for charitable auction . All kidding aside (unless you want to gift them to me) A small carry on for the best pieces & ship the rest to someone trusted in the US. Welcome to the US Brother! Many Blessings in your new home
I like watches but to me, they’re just ‘things’. The fresh start with the family is the important thing. Hope the move works out well and everybody settles in okay!
keep the heavy hitters and the wolf winding box. sell off the rest or, you can just send them to me.
My daughter lives in Charlotte, NC, and I'm moving to Texas. It's a good suggestion, but I still don't know about insurance rates for all those pieces.
I would think the shipping company would sell you insurance as part of the cost.
What I did when I moved from Thailand to Switzerland was I put all my 10+ watches in single watch travel cases, packed into my travel bag pack and hugged it all the way on the plane. 😅
If you need the boxes you can ship them, with empty boxes you’d avoid paying high import taxes too
Love this suggestion
If you gift them to me I will be sure to wear them with love & donate at least half to @HotWatchChick69 for charitable auction . All kidding aside (unless you want to gift them to me) A small carry on for the best pieces & ship the rest to someone trusted in the US. Welcome to the US Brother! Many Blessings in your new home
I'll keep you and @HotWatchChick69 posted about the final decision, of course. 😉
Sell. Everything, except the ones that really mean anything to you. No more than 7. Starting over is starting over!
I'll keep you and @HotWatchChick69 posted about the final decision, of course. 😉
Safe Travels & Welcome to the US! Looks like you have spent a lifetime collecting. I hope all of your watches find their way to your new home