TRAVELLING WITH WATCHES: How do YOU do it?
I’ve now spent three and a half weeks away from home and, consequently, away from my watch collection. While I knew this trip was going to be on the longer side (a week covering an assignment in Arizona, followed by an undisclosed amount of time buying a house in Texas), the decision to pack a couple of watches that covered all bases during the following days came down to my trusty Seiko 5 GMT ‘Black Grape’ as the everyday beater and my Longines Legend Diver for special occasions (I got married while wearing it, but that’s another story).
Anyway, while I dearly miss being able to switch watches on a daily basis, I’ve been reflecting on my travelling choices and I feel pretty confident I made the right call with these two. My question to you is: which watches in your collection would you pack on a long trip (think anything over a week). Is two enough? I have this individual travel case that Rado gifted me when I got the Captain Cook Bronze and it keeps the spare watch stylishly safe, but the idea of purchasing a three-piece hard shell travel roll for future escapedes seems to be making more sense with each passing day. What’s your take, crunchers?
I rediscovered my love for watches about four years ago. Should've stayed away. BUT I REGRET NOTHING.
It only makes sense that the watch should fit the activity/activities and length of the trip.
Casual beach trip? A diver that you shouldn't be afraid to scratch up with sand. Dinners out are at casual beach restaurants (at least for me) where people are wearing shorts and t-shirts, so no need to wear anything nice or flashy. I can do a whole beach trip with just one watch - or two, if I'm going to be cooking and need a chronograph, like I did with my last trip to Florida.
Business trip? Something casual during the day and something more formal or flashy after-hours to draw comments and invite conversation from like-minded collectors once the drinks start flowing. I have a three watch roll, so if I pack it up I have four choices at my disposal, and since I plan what I'm going to wear and know what the colors will be, I can choose an appropriate watch to match my sartorial choices and situation.
I’ve taken my tag heuer Solargraph on holiday this week. Lightweight, reliable. I’m at Disneyland still have been timing the queues with the bezel (so far way shorter than the park says - so that’s good.)
It won out over my quartz grand seiko in part as I am checking how accurate that watch is over time - so I didn’t want to be changing time zones on it..
I usually travel with just 2 watches and pick them depending on what I am doing for the trip.
I wear 1 and keep another in a soft leather case that I got with a cheap watch.
Pre-COVID I used to travel about a third of the year, usually in 1-2 week trips, always internationally. I typically brought three watches: Explorer II for the GMT and to handle the adventurous side of things, the Speedmaster Pro which works in lots of situations, and then a third depending on what I planned on doing during the trip.
These days I don’t travel much at all, but the few trips I’ve been on I’ve found it to be liberating to bring only one watch, either a GMT or diver/field watch, depending on the trip. It’s nice to not have to track the other watches and figure out where to hide them when not wearing them.
If it’s a beach/holiday trip I have to take the SMP and if it’s city trips I’ll take my BBPro. Always take the Santos as well for when we visit the ‘nicer’ establishments.
I usually wear my GW-M5610U when I travel. Last time I also took with me the SNA411 with spare straps because the Flightmaster is very dressable up or down with just a change of strap, but in the end I kept the M5610 on my wrist for the whole vacation.
Me: SMP 300M Diver, Explorer, MoonSwatch
Wife: SMP 300M Diver mid-sized, Vintage Air-king, MoonSwatch
Hopefully going to Dubai for a holiday in the next few months so will be taking diving watches as hope to spend a lot of time in the sea or pool
Rolex deep sea
Bell and ross ceramic diver
Explorer 2
I’m always concerned about loss or theft when traveling. I only bring one watch, though I do bring two quick change straps to switch up looks and purpose. My preferred travel watch is my Omega Railmaster, because it is not so flashy as to attract thieves, is stylistically flexible with strap changes, and doesn’t have a date window (so time changes can be done without thinking about AM/PM wheel engagement).
For beach holidays I always bring my Submariner. That covers everything. I avoid bringing more than that so I don’t have to worry about storing it when I’m not wearing it.
I used to (for the last 3 years or so) take three watches with me cause I have a three spaces watch pouch. I had my Farer for night out,
the dive Q&Q for the pool
and the "explo" Q&Q for hanging around.
Lately I got a GA-B2100 so it replaced the diver as the all-rounder/no-brainer.
And two weeks ago I got a Citizen PMD56 wich I believe is the perfect GADA for an affordable budget (sub 500€).
I'm on holiday in the french alps right now and just bring this one, a'd don't regret it at all because I wouldn't have wear any other watch.
For a long trip (three weeks or more) I would actually go with the Citizen, the Farer, and if tjere is some risky activities (Base jumping in the middle of a Bear park, snorkeling with sharks or hiking with the lions), the G-Shock is my man
All you need is a g shock for a daily. Then a dress watch. I do this every time I travel.
My travels are truly limited to vacations generally and that means I’m going where there is sun, so a beach or a cruise.
I always then take a dive watch. Typically my Alpina Seastrong or Seiko 5.
For formal dinners, such as on a cruise, I bring my Hamilton Jazzmaster.
I normally take 3 watches when I travel most time digital, and two quartz.They are basic watches incase I loose them or get robbed I won't care less. I always in the look out incase I see something nice and rare I might end up buying it. Theres always the possibility going with 3 coming back with 4.