Traveling With Watches - a ramble and a question
One of the first "excuses" I gave myself for buying ANOTHER watch back when I first started going down this watch-y rabbit hole was that I "needed" it for travel. I was going to be on a beach, so I needed a robust watch that could become my "beach beater."
As I am wont do, I did some research and settled on trying to find a gently used Orient Mako USA ii. Found one. And it's been my "beach watch" ever since. (to be fair, it only sees the beach infrequently, but is a regular weekend watch for me).
Also, I often bring other watches to the beach...
But here's the point I wanted to make... When I travel, I like to have a variety of watches with me. Just like at home I like to mix it up from day to day. Unlike at home, when on vacation, I often change watches a couple of times a day! One watch for the beach, another when we go out to dinner (for example)...
Or while grilling...
I just finished up a family vacation of 8 days. Bringing (checks notes and watch roll, and other travel case) 9 watches! My overall collection is heavy on micros and independents with most in the more shallow end of the watch pool - so I'm not worried about traveling with very high-value pieces.
You can see them all at the top as I packed them up for the journey home. In case you're wondering, from left to right - Second Hour Mandala (Mk1), Smith's Transglobal (with adventurine dial), Casio Ga-2100, Aforementioned Orient Mako USA ii, Mitch Mason Maelstrom (on waffle FKM strap), Swiss Watch Company Bunker, Lorier Falcon ii (on leather strap), and Seiko Baby Alpinist (on Uncle Seiko jubilee). Oh, and one on the wrist:
Farer Lander IV GMT.
Now I don't think I have a clear philosophy when picking what to take. Some thought on activities (beach? Kayak? Hike? Event?), some of general level of attire (Dress up? Sports? Casual?), and maybe a bit of what I'm in the "mood" for (old faves? Newest acquisition?), and if I'm trying to save space in the carry-on, some feel extra versatile (dressy sports watch? Rugged field watch?). And I even have a bit of a ritual for any trip (biz or vacation) with my youngest (almost 16) where they consult with me the night before any travel on which ones should accompany me on that trip 🙂
OK. Still here? Here's my question(s) that I (and I imagine others) would like to learn from you good watch nerds: how do you think about traveling with watches? Which do you bring? What do you keep them in? What's YOUR thought process? Any tips or stories? Am I crazy for brining so many? Do you pack more watches than pairs of underwear?
Curious to see different approaches/philosophies. Thanks for reading!
#general #travel #secondhour #smiths #casioak #orient #MitchMason #swc #lorier #seiko
Always loved the idea of mechanical watches. But in the last few years I've spent more time learning, enjoying and diving into the more shallow end of the watch pool; building up a tidy (and growing)...
I mean, I'm a one watch guy when traveling. Too many things to think of otherwise.
If I'm feeling particularly racy , I'll bring a different strap and a springbar tool in a little watch roll.
But traveling is the exact use case for the GADA watch.
I keep it pretty simply, but totally appreciate the need to bring many. Personally, I like to experience an entire vacation with a single watch, usually a sports model. If I know I am going to be doing certain activities, be it outdoors, or formal, perhaps I will add a second. The only other watch I may consider is a smart watch for runs.
I'll take this watch roll with me for a small variety on the trip, and what I take is determined by exactly what you said in your post - where am I going and what am I doing? I threw these watches on here for this pic to show that it'll hold bigger watches easily, like the converted Molnija and the Invicta "Lefty." The Tissot is average sized for comparison.
They slide in and don't move.
Of course, I'll be wearing one, so that's four for the trip. 😉
I took 2 quartz and 3 auto's with 4 of them in socks. They were my best socks too. You need the quartz to keep the auto's in time. BTW the powermatic 80 is a great traveler.
I usually wear the GW-M5610U because it's perfect for travels and I pack another nicer looking watch for when dining out.
I really don't need anything more when traveling and I don't want the bother of dealing with lost or stolen watches when I'm vacationing.
I have started to take three, with one being quartz as @OldSnafu suggests.
When I travel to a region where I am unsure about the criminality, I travel with 3 entry level Seiko´s (field, dress and diver).
When I travel to a region where I am pretty confident, I just wear one expensive luxury watch and don´t take any other watchse with me.
For vacations I like the Apple Watch for the travel days and bring 1 nicer watch when not doing activities. Thought about getting a double travel case for options, but like to travel light and two GADA watches should get me through anything I can think of (other being a Sub)
I tend to bring more watches than most while traveling. Even if just for the day!
Il bang my Seamaster on the rubber and just wear that, il be chasing a baby around so no time to be thinking about watches. Id also be nervous leaving them anywhere!
I like the idea of a one watch holiday. That way you can attach all the memories of your holiday to that paticular watch. Everytime you put that watch on, you are instantly filled with memories. But on the other hand, I switch watches several times a day.
For me it depends where I am going. When traveling to see family I tend to bring 3 or more for some variety, and they are usually my nicer pieces as I feel comfortable leaving them behind with people I know.
To bigger cities like New York (and soon to be London!!) I only feel comfortable taking 1, maybe 2 at the most. As you mentioned, I also created a justification narrative for a travel watch, which is how I ended up with my Aqua Terra 😀. It really is a GADA with the antimagnetic movement (for airport scanners and because I take my iPad with me everywhere), 150m of WR for beaches or pools, and it can be worn for a nice dinner or with swim trunks. It’s they type of watch that is worry free for me.
I will also take an extra few straps for options.
I'm too nervous to travel with more than one watch, especially if I have to leave one in a hotel or go through security. I usually just bring one do-it-all watch and it never comes off my wrist, especially through TSA.
A lot of my decision is based on where I’m going..while on an African safari, I only wore a G-Shock 5610. Just came back from a few months in SOCAL and brought three Omegas: SMP 300, Speedy, and Aqua Terre in a leather Mirage case…wore a G-Shock GA-B2100. If I were going to LA or London, I’d probably only wear a cheap Timex while out and about. My next trip will be for a month in a pretty crime free European city, so I’ll wear the SSK orange, and just take one other dressier sport watch…probably the Aqua Terra. I’m only going to be gone a month…and I’m trying to cut down LOL. So, I hate to say it, but nowadays I think that your personal safety has to be of bigger concern than what you plan to be doing. That sounds strange, doesn’t it? Sadly, I no longer travel with a Rolex for fear of inviting trouble. Well, that’s JMHO… Safe travels to ya…🥂
I took my first cruise and vacation after getting into watches. I bought a watch roll and brought 4 watches with me. Orient ray 2, Casio duro, Casio ca53 (there was a 80's night) and a minimalist watch my girlfriend got me for fancy night. I squeezed a 4th watch into the roll as I picked up a watch there.
The ray was my main watch for the trip and only worn on ship. It is my most expensive watch to date and was my daily at that point. The duro was for when we left the ship as if someone really wanted my watch it was easier for my budget to replace (wasn't really worried but it was my "reason"). The minimalist and calculator watch for the reasons states above. Great trip and except for the duro I still have those watches. They all still have the memories attached to them.