We often get the question whether you can take a watch on holiday. Of course you can! But which watch do you take with you, and how do you keep it safe? In this article we will discuss a few things you can take into account, so that you can travel stress-free with your faithful watch!
Tip 1: Only take the watches you really need
Not many people take multiple watches with them when they go away for a long weekend. For a city trip of 3 days, one watch is usually enough. Although there are of course also ladies and gentlemen who want to wear a different watch with every outfit.
But if you are going away for a longer period, it is wise to first consider what activities you are going to undertake. Swimming during the day and dancing in a trendy club in the evening? Or backpacking through multiple countries and time zones? Which watch functions do you really need? Is the travel destination safe?
We do not recommend taking more than two watches. Be picky and critical about what you take on a trip.
Tip 2: Good travel insurance provides security
When you travel with expensive items, it is always good to take extra care of your belongings. This applies to the preparation, but also the journey itself. Anything can happen on the way. With travel insurance, you can travel with peace of mind. Check in advance whether watches and jewelry are covered.
Tip 3: Customs is extra alert to luxury watches
If you are going on holiday with multiple luxury watches, take (a copy of) the purchase receipts with you. Customs will automatically assume that the watches were bought on holiday when you return to the Netherlands, especially when you return from countries such as Dubai, Switzerland or duty-free locations such as Tenerife. If you cannot prove that you already had the watch in your possession before departure, you run the risk of it being (temporarily) confiscated or that you have to pay import duties.
Buying a watch on holiday? Be extra careful of imitations and check the rules for importing luxury products on the Customs website before you leave.
Tip 4: Transport your watch on your wrist or in a travel case
A good rule of thumb is to always keep your watch(s) as close to you as possible. This means that if you are traveling by plane, it is better not to check them in. It is not often that airlines actually lose luggage, but if you are unexpectedly unlucky, it is very unfortunate. To prevent the evil, it is therefore useful to take your watch as hand luggage.
Airports and airplanes are chaotic places with thousands of fellow travelers, so be alert and try not to show off your watch too much. Pickpockets are treacherously sharp, so it is wise to be prepared for that.
Furthermore, a travel case or roll is a good idea. This way you can safely transport your watch in your hand luggage.
Tip 5: Don’t forget your charger!
Many people nowadays have a smartwatch that needs to be charged regularly, so don’t forget to bring your charger!
But even if you take a ‘normal’ quartz watch with you, it is wise to check in advance whether the watch is still running on time or whether the battery needs to be replaced. Especially with watches that you do not wear daily. And put a solar watch in the sunlight or under a lamp before leaving to make sure that it is fully charged and that all functions are working properly.
Tip 6: Take good care of your watch on holiday to keep it looking nice
Arriving at your holiday destination, you want to start enjoying yourself right away; Swimsuit on and off to the beach! However, we advise you to take a few minutes to choose the right watch.
Is the watch waterproof?
First of all, it is important to keep your 5 ATM (= 5 bar, = 50 meters) waterproof watches dry. 5 ATM means that the watch is splash-proof, so a splash in the water with such a watch on your wrist is not wise. Then store the watch properly before you go swimming; for example in a hotel safe or in the trunk of your car.
With a 10 ATM watch you can swim, snorkel and do other water sports, but you can’t scuba dive with it. The test standard for that is at least 20 ATM.
Are you unsure whether your watch is waterproof? Read this article.
Avoid large temperature differences
If you are lying in the sun, it is not wise to immediately take a jump into the tempting blue water. Let the watch cool down first before you go swimming. Otherwise there is a chance that the materials will expand too quickly due to the temperature shock, causing the watch to lose its water resistance. And before you take the plunge, check whether the crown of the watch is properly screwed shut.
Rinse the watch thoroughly after swimming
When you are cooling down in the sea with a watch of at least 10 ATM, it is important to rinse the watch well with fresh water afterwards. Salt and fine sand are disastrous for moving parts such as the crown and bezel.
Last thing for the checklist: sit back and enjoy!
Now that you are all set for your trip, you can enjoy it without any worries.
Are you still looking for a waterproof watch for your holiday? Techzle has a wide range of watches that you can wear during your water fun! Find your perfect 10 ATM watch here. Are you going diving? Then take a look at our range of 20 ATM watches,