Marcus

Pete and everyone else, This is a bit weird for a first post, but I thought it might be useful if I contributed my experiences (some of you may remember me from RWG1 so it's not really a first post ). I fly transatlantic (usually Miami ⇔ London ⇔ Stockholm) on average once every 2 months, have done so for the past two years. I usually have a full 4- or 6-watch rosewood watchbox in my checked luggage. During customs inspection (agriculture upon reentering the U.S.) eyebrows have been lifted, the last time I reentered which is about a month ago, I was wearing a Santos 100, and my watchbox contents were a TT Sub, a TT Daytona, a PAM 212 and a Broad Arrow. I was asked whether I could provide receipts for the four watches in the box, they did not demand it of me but I was cautioned that I should either bring them with me or exit-declare them before boarding the outbound leg of the flight. The question of genuineness did not arise, however the watches were taken away for inspection along with some other things (laptop, external USB harddrive, cellphone) and were out of my sight for a brief while. It did not seem like any special attention was given to them, though. Several other times when I have carried two or more reps in my carryon luggage, they have been inspected during the new boarding procedure at Heathrow (second screening right before boarding). It has seemed that the point of interest have been that they are actually running (keeping time, being only watches), not whether they are genuine or not. This has only happened once when boarding in the U.S. but seems to be the norm in England. I have never had any problems entering Sweden, only curious looks and polite compliments. On a side note, if I'm wearing a Navi I usually get a comment from the pilot crew when I deboard if I happen to be walking next to them making conversation on my way to customs, or if I'm next to one of them during agriculture (upon entering the U.S.). Never been called out, just compliments in passing The conclusion to this is that I won't take my watchboxes with me anymore just to avoid hassle, but I never have problems wearing a rep, and I'll probably stick a second one in my carryon. Marcus. PS. I have the same forum name over on flyertalk.com, so if anyone just so happens to be using the BA (I always fly BA, company policy) lounge calendar for meeting up over a drink and some small talk, feel free to hit me up