Which watch to take.
- A watch you will not worry about: a tough tool watch or a field watch.
- A solar or quartz watch if you do not want to wind or reset it.
- A GMT if you cross time zones; see our best GMT watches.
Protecting it.
- Use a padded watch roll or a hard case for spares.
- Take it off for contact sports and heavy lifting.
- Rinse a diver after swimming in sea water and wipe it dry.
- Keep it away from magnets in bags, speakers and some phone cases. See magnetism explained.
Time zones.
A GMT watch keeps home time on a separate hand while the main hands show local time. An atomic ana-digi such as the Skyhawk A-T GMT lets you choose a city. GMT vs world timer explains the options.
Security.
- Wear a more modest watch where theft is a risk.
- Keep expensive watches in a hotel safe.
- Photograph and record the serial number before you travel.
Good travel watches.
SHY037 Titanium NH34 GMT Diver
A titanium GMT diver with a ceramic bezel and a 300 m rating
Zenshin Chrono Silver Dial (CA4610-85A)
A titanium solar chronograph with a panda dial
Voyager S72 Cream
Titanium character. A three-day reserve.
A few good questions.
Should I put a watch in checked luggage?
No. Wear it or keep it in hand luggage to avoid theft, knocks and temperature swings.
What is the best watch for travel?
A durable, low-maintenance watch such as a solar chronograph, or a GMT if you need a second time zone.
Can airport security damage a watch?
Normal scanners do not harm watches, but strong magnets can affect mechanical movements, so keep them away from magnetic items.
Do I need to reset an automatic watch when I travel?
Set the time and date when you arrive, and avoid moving the hands near the 9 to 3 window if the manual advises against it.
How we write guides: we explain watchmaking from manufacturer documentation and published standards, and say plainly where numbers vary by brand or movement. Our approach.