Travelling with a vintage watch

I have a vintage Omega Seamaster Cosmic from the mid/late 1960s. I absolutely adore it and was thinking of taking it on a trip with me later this month. 

Wondering if going through the metal detectors at the airport and such will damage the mechanism or it will stop working properly due to being magnetised. If this is the case, should I leave it behind and take another watch? Or perhaps pack it in check-in luggage instead? 

Appreciate your thoughts

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It won't damage your watch, but it might get magnetized, which isn't an issue. If it gets magnetized, you can go to any watchmaker to get it de-magnetized for free. 

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The one time I travelled with one vintage watch, I pulled the crown out to set the new time zone upon arrival and the crown came out of the watch completely.

At least I had a good excuse to buy a new watch on that vacation. 

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Enjoy the watch and don't worry. My watches have gone through metal detectors and x-ray machines without any hitch. If it breaks, it can be repaired. Simply have a backup/alternative  watch, that's what I do. But since you are a WatchCrunch member, you already thought of that, hehehe!

P.S. Come to think about it, they pass the same rigours when they are shipped and mailed, so I don't think you will have a problem.

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Davemcc

The one time I travelled with one vintage watch, I pulled the crown out to set the new time zone upon arrival and the crown came out of the watch completely.

At least I had a good excuse to buy a new watch on that vacation. 

You need an excuse to buy a new watch?!!!

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savvas74

You need an excuse to buy a new watch?!!!

My struggle is to not buy new watches.  

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I travel with vintage all the time - it’s fine.
For 12 years this one has gone everywhere from +/-35*C. Didn’t like the humidity much at one point, but still works a treat.

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Travelled with vintage last week - nothing to report.

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savvas74

Enjoy the watch and don't worry. My watches have gone through metal detectors and x-ray machines without any hitch. If it breaks, it can be repaired. Simply have a backup/alternative  watch, that's what I do. But since you are a WatchCrunch member, you already thought of that, hehehe!

P.S. Come to think about it, they pass the same rigours when they are shipped and mailed, so I don't think you will have a problem.

That's a good point. Thanks! 

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I just traveled with an older seiko and a early 2000's omega.  Both went though the xray machine twice and they seem okay.  When I bought one of my watches from chrono24, the vendor sent it in a magnetic resistant box. Maybe you can find one of those if you are worried. 

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Hmmm. What about time-travel with a vintage watch? 🤔

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Davemcc

My struggle is to not buy new watches.  

Saaaaammmmmeeeee

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mortalenema

Hmmm. What about time-travel with a vintage watch? 🤔

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I would like to time travel with this one to about thirty minutes ago when I sheared off a spring bar in the lug trying to change straps.

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Aurelian
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I would like to time travel with this one to about thirty minutes ago when I sheared off a spring bar in the lug trying to change straps.

Nooooooo! Ugh. ☹️

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I've taken my 50s and 60s Seamasters through airport security several times in a watch pouch tucked away in my backpack. No problem.

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mortalenema

Hmmm. What about time-travel with a vintage watch? 🤔

I did this once, but the watch disappeared as it was made in the 1970s & I went back to 1945!

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Let’s see a picture of the Cosmic!

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ezpzCA

Let’s see a picture of the Cosmic!

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As requested