🌍 Traveling and Vacationing with Luxury Watches: A Safety Guide

Owners of luxury watch brands such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, F.P.Journe, Breguet, A.Lange & Söhne, Cartier, Omega, Ulysse Nardin, Vacheron Constantin, and many others, when preparing for a business trip, a holiday, or travel abroad, usually ask the same questions. The key ones: do luxury watches need to be declared at customs, how to protect them from theft, and whether it’s safe to wear them to the beach even if they have high water resistance. ⌚✈️ In short, everything can be managed - but let’s dive into three crucial aspects of this safety guide.

Customs, Borders, and… “Smuggling” 🚧

The most important rule when crossing a border with a luxury watch on your wrist or in a case is the ability to prove that it was already your property before the trip. Otherwise, your accessory may be subject to heavy duties or fines.

At customs control, there are two “lanes”:

• “Green” lane - if you have no items requiring declaration;

• “Red” lane - if you have valuables, large sums of currency, electronics, or expensive watches that must be declared.

Personal belongings are items clearly used by the owner, not meant for resale. If the watch is new, in original packaging, or you have multiple pieces, customs may treat it as merchandise and apply duties.

As for Swiss watches: they may be exported from or imported into Ukraine without declaration if their value does not exceed €500. Rules vary by country, so always check before traveling.

Examples:

• if you buy gold jewelry in Greece, Egypt, or Turkey - it must be declared;

• into Ukraine you can import up to €500 (or €1000 if by air) duty-free, with weight limits.

Since 2023, Ukraine allows pre-declaration online via the official Customs Service website.

Steps:

1. Fill out the form online with supporting documents (receipts, invoices).

2. Sign it with a digital signature.

3. Receive your declaration number.

⚠️ If unsure, always choose the “red” lane. Breaking customs law risks fines up to 100% of the item’s value and confiscation.

Importing Luxury Watches into Ukraine

If you return home with the same watch you traveled out with, a correctly filled departure declaration will solve any issues.

But if it’s a gift purchase exceeding €500, it must be declared. Always keep the receipt, and be prepared to pay duty + VAT.

💡 Tip: Buy luxury watches at Chrono 10:10. It avoids customs risks, gives insurance, authenticity certificates, and saves money in the long run.

Protection While Traveling: Packaging, Insurance, Safety 🛡️

• the safest place for your watch is on your wrist;

• never put luxury watches in checked baggage;

• during security checks, keep it on your wrist, not in trays;

• beware metal detectors that can magnetize mechanics - use X-ray scanning instead;

• insure your watch if traveling to countries with higher theft risks.

• keep the policy at home or in a hotel safe;

• never flaunt the watch in crowded or high-risk areas.

Beach and Watches - A Real Test 🏖️🌊

Hazards include:

• heat ☀️, direct sunlight, salty or chlorinated water;

• sand damaging crowns, bezels, and cases;

• sunscreen lotions dissolving seals and coatings.

🔑 Tips:

• Apply lotions 15–20 minutes before putting on the watch.

• Only swim with watches rated for 100 m or more.

• Rinse in fresh water after seawater.

• Vintage watches are rarely waterproof - handle carefully.

• Swap leather straps for steel, rubber, or nylon.

Once home, carefully inspect your watch. A quick service check is a minor cost compared to a potential repair or replacement.