Travelling with watches

A thing I'm sure alot of us do more these days is travel. I myself am not particularly fond of long trips or flying, but I do it quite a bit for work and leisure. With each trip comes the most important question: what watch(es) am I taking with me?!

Ive posted before about magnetic resistance specs, and travel is one of the reasons I started to become hyper aware of the effects of magnetic fields on watches. Flying is basically exposing yourself to all sorts of magnetic fields. Xray machines, metal detectors, electronics everywhere! Not to mention bags, cases, phone holders, etc. all of which may have magnets for functional purposes these days.

Now moooost of the time, as Im sure many have experienced, its fine, 99% of the time the average mechanical watch will survive such conditions, as long as youre not totally wreckless. But someone with OCD needs more than that sadly. And I havent even mentioned yet all the other practical matters like packing and safe-stating your collection at home! Did I mention I have OCD?

So with that, here is my rituals for travelling. Interested to know if there are any other neurotics like me out there...

1. Dont get greedy - I only ever take one or two watches with me travelling. I try to go with something versatile and if Im on a business trip I might also bring something more dressy or flashy. In my mind this ensures if something "bad" happens Im only ever risking two watches at a time. This of course if you have more than 2 like me.
2. Be prepared - now this is a very broad and subjective statement, I know. What it means to me is make sure I have a dedicated travel case for my watch and that its always on me, like my wallet or passport. This way if I do need to take off my watch I have somewhere to safely store it, not just knocking around a pocket or bag. Ill leave a watch in the hotel room safe if it has one, but if I bring a backpack the watch comes with me.
3. Bring spare parts or tools - this could just be extra straps, lug spring bars, or tools to change said straps, even a demagnetizer if youre that worried (or is it just me?!).
4. More robust is better - admittedly the watches I take travelling most are my most rugged ones. Casios, GShocks and Divers pretty much, or anything quartz. I would not travel with a vintage or something that easily scratches unless there is a veeeery specific reason to.
5. Dont forget the others - if Im travelling alone I dont worry so much about this one but if the house is going to be empty I make sure my watches at home are safe while Im gone. I go through varying degrees depending on the watch. My most precious will go in a sealed firebox "hidden" from view. Ive talked to friends who scatter their watches around the house to make it harder for thieves, god forbid that should happen.

So that is some insight into the things I worry about when I travel. I know, its alot! That said I hope this doesnt transfer any of my anxiety onto others. As much as I spend time obsessing over this stuff I do keep my eye on the real prize when I travel: enjoying the trip and making it back home safely.