Heathrow Attacks My Tourbillon

For the recent Press Conference in Schaffhausen, I wore my Portuguese Regulateur Tourbillon. After all, this is the year of the Portuguese and it is a nice watch. A few people at IWC asked me why I would travel with such a watch, and I explain that it really is my everyday watch. I probably wear it 80% of the time. Watches are meant to be worn and it’s held up fine. I’ve taken it on dozens of trips and through scores of airports.

That is, until the watch met its match at Terminal 5 at Heathrow in England. As I usually do, when passing through security I put my watch in my case so that there’s no metal to set off an alarm as I pass through the metal detector. So far, so good.

But when I put the watch back on my wrist and checked the time a few minutes later, I noticed that it was running about 15 minutes fast. I thought that I might have made a mistake and accidentally reset the time when winding the watch. So I reset the watch –and a few minutes later it was running another 5 minutes fast. Reset again –and again it was running fast.

When I finally landed I reset the watch and put it away for the night. In the morning it was running about 3 hours fast –ouch. I knew then that there was a problem, and was worried stiff that I’d have a $2000 tourbillon repair. Perhaps the watch got jostled and something awful happened.

More likely, I thought the watch might be magnetized –so I called Jack Freedman for advice. Right off the bat, he asked if I had been through any airport scanners. He then suggested I get the watch demagnetized. I asked if I could go a local Radio Shack store and buy something, and he suggested I go to a local watchmaker. I did –and in a 2 second swipe through the demagnetizer, the watch worked fine.

Whew! And beware of Heathrow, Terminal 5 –and least with watches without antimagnetic shielding.

Regards,
Michael

The Culprits

The Victim

Pranksters!!!

It must have been daunting checking your watch each time and seeing such deviation, but the relief must have been even more glorious. Very glad to hear it was something so simple.

I guess this was your return flight so welcome back.

Cheers,
Evan

They should post a sign: "Ingenieurs only in this

line".

Fine outcome to a scary incident, nt

Scary and thrilling. Glad to hear the resolution.

I avoid Heathrow whenever possible. This is...

just one more reason to do so.

Scary

That is a very disturbing experience, probably ruining your composure while travelling. I would feel very anxious, and a bit mad too. So, there is no way to travel safely with a watch? That is a bit disturbing, although I understand why the checks are there. But you were lucky in a way, that it was not serious after all. Your watch has three lifes until now?

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing steel VC Pilot's watch, but not fit for Heathrow

Glad the story has a happy ending...

It is not possible to fully express myself here Michael. However, I suggest point to point private travel whenever possible.

Isn't that Jack sharp?

Best regards,
--
Isobars.

A good point here Alan (nt)

glad to hear the soft landing... what a story,

from now on I will only travel with Fliegers and Inge's.

Greetings, Martijn

Too right, one of the worst airports in the world!

I avoid it out of principle (and I'm English!)

Glad the solution was an easy one Michael. That watch has already had an interesting life!

Ross

Agree on airport authorities

Some warning, or better even, some special treatment for watches, to make sure they don't get damaged, would be some kind of service. I once asked if I could keep it on my wrist, I got an OK, but that was on Schiphol, if I recall well. The ultimate test to see whether it is a watch? Look if it runs, drop it from 2 meters height, look again. If it does not run it is a watch, if it runs it is a bomb.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing Heathrow-proof titanium Ingenieur Automatic AMG

I thought Terminal 5 would be an improvement....

...which wasn't my brightest moment. I also had problems with busing when landed, security delays, etc.

I went through Heathrow to save IWC money --the BA connection was much less expensive than a non-stop flight to Zurich. I could have gone through Copenhagen instead, but the layover at the airport was much longer.

Despite all the hassles of travel today, it's still worth it to go to Schaffhausen. It's always a pleasure to see everyone at IWC, to go to the factory and to visit a beautiful town.

Regards,
Michael

One time I dropped off my family ahead of me ...

so we would not have to carry lots of luggage. It took me 20 minutes to get to the rental car drop off and 20 more minutes to get back. I almost missed the plane.

But part of the issue is they do not care! nt.

I have been complaining about this for 2 years

My travel watches are Ingenieurs and pilot watches with anti-magnetic properties. I had to get rid of a Reverso because it was a useless travel watch. I have spent three weeks traveling and have worn 2 Ref 666s and tomorrow I fly to J'burg wearing a Mark 11. The display back watch is not designed for the 21st century.

Incidentally, the search I had last week on the way to San Francisco at the gate, having gone through security already was highly intrusive. I felt I needed my own personal display back. This security is only required, I was told for flights to the US.

I'm glad your watch was quickly demagnetized.

I had the pleasure of seeing...

that beautiful watch when we met in Dallas. I'm glad it is alright and the "fix" was an easy one. I wish I could take my other IWC's when I fly...but travel exclusively with my Mark XVI to avoid a similar circumstance.

Best regards,
Jim

Same thing happened to my with my 5001....

and the solution was also a quick demagnetizing at the local watch maker...

If I have this Port. Tourbillon I also keep it on my wrist most of the time. It is a beauty!

Good to know everything is OK, Michael.

M

Scary story indeed!

Good to read that everything turned out OK in the end. I guess you now switch sidewalks when you see guys wearing yellow security vests? :-)

Kind regards,

Clemens

You are confirming my Heathrow story, always...

...everthing goes wrong with me, since about 12 years.

I have seen my flights being canceled and delayed, have seen one suitcase lying on the tarmac while the coach/bus was bringing us to the 2 propellor airplane to Antwerp, and - YES - it was mine (the suitcase).
I have been suspected to be a drug-carrier.
I have been attracting the drug dog's eyes in some way (as I use to do with dogs) such that I nearly had to undergo a strip-search.
Luggage came late in 50% of all my flights.

Once, I have been stuck in a traffic jam of coaches bringing travellers to their airplane for 1.5 hours such that I missed my flight... Can anyone imagine ... on the tarmac, in a silly bus.

And only recently UK colleagues told me that - having terminal 5 - all is going well...

Please allow me the words, and sincerely believe me but Heathrow s...s. !! Well it stincks and we all know, but I meant another word, which I will not spell here.
Sorry MF, please remove my post if you want, or please delete this single sentence, however it is the one and only truth.

Since then, whatever happens, I am flying to London City Airport, really to be recommended, recently extended, even with with a reasonable catering place (big) and very nice service, table service. Last week, I even left cash service tip on the table, just because of the welcoming service by one of the catering ladies.

Just what one likes on a lousy Friday evening returning home.
But at the other hand, also... please stay away, London City airport is getting too crowded also. Ok, agreed, only EU flights, but still...

Ciao, Rob.

Well said and why I avoid it like the plague. n.

My Big Pilot has only set off one metal detector..

that was probably adjusted to a strong setting while entering a sporting venue. I have not yet set off a detector at an airport and I always wear my IWCs through the detectors (although I make sure to remove any other metal on me, including my belt buckle). I've seen the display screens for what goes through the conveyor belts and they switch colors to illuminate different things. Who knows what kind of magnetic fields and radiation your belongings are subject to going through there!