Pocket watch flight case/briefcase?

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, Friends,

Soon, I will flying back to the Midwest to attend a Living History event, at which I will offer a short seminar on period watches. I will be using my own period examples, and need to find a proper way of getting my verge fusees onto the plane with me, in a safe and convenient manner.

Last time I did something like this, I carried my watches in a leather portmanteau, and each watch was protected in it's own padded bag. However, when going through security at various airports, I had to watch some very fumble-fingered security personnel, opening each bag, and "inspecting" each watch!!! :o This did not please me, in the least, needless to say!!!

At some NAWCC shows, I have seen some briefcase type watch cases. Have any of you actually used such a thing, and if so, how did it work for you? I have considered either buying a dedicated watch case, which I would use as part of my carry-on luggage, or buying one of those aluminum briefcases, and making my own watch case, with cut-outs for each pocket watch. Any advice, or suggestions will be gratefully appreciated! Thanks, very much, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark

[rrpktwatcher]

Doc Mark - Try this click here (http://www.thebetterhalf.com/AluminumCases.htm) I have purchased several items from these folks - including the aluminum case. btw, I have traveled with it on numerous occasions with absolutely no problems whatsoever at airport secirity checkpoints. Good Luck !

Timely regards - rrpktwatcher

[terry hall]

doc mark,

did you ask for a private inspection and notify them descretely of the importance/value of what they were getting ready to see?

[Tom McIntyre]

I like the 20 size case from Carolina Case Co. for traveling through security if I am only carrying a few watches. For more watches I use flat folding watch cases sold on eBay by Tango69 and mark them so that the secuirty people can see which side is up. I also ask for a private screening if I am carrying a lot of them.

Another trick is to take the watch cases out of my hand bag and put them in a tub by themselves. Often the screener will recognize what they are and not bother with a detailed examination.

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, Friends,

Thanks, very much, for your suggestions. I will certainly take all that into consideration when making my decision on this. One thing that kind of worries me about the flight cases I looked into, is that the cut-outs are very shallow, and really seem to be more for modern pocket watches, than the much deeper verge fusees. In any case, no pun intended, I will end up with something that should do the trick for me, and will protect my beloved period pocket watches! Thanks, again, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark

[Tref]

Doc Mark,

For those times when my watches are not in my safe I have a Pelican 1470 case. In it I have two of the common green-felted pocket watch display cases which feature indvidual "cells" for each watch. I added a quarter-inch piece of foam to the inside of each of the green cases to sit over the tray which holds the watches. And I have a small amount of foam padding under both cases as they sit in the Pelican. The eggshell foam inside the top of the Pelican case keeps the two green cases snugly surrounded, and prevents them from shifting inside the Pelican. There is a about an inch of space surrounding the green cases on each of their four sides. Nothing short of a serious fall is going to hurt my watches while they are inside this setup. And the Pelican keeps the moisture out. To show them to security all you would have to do is open the Pelican (which can also be locked with up to two TSA-approved padlocks), and then open each of the green cases for them.

http://www.pelican-cases.com/images/1470.pdf

G'luck,

Tref

[Tom McIntyre]

Good advice Tref except that you may not touch the items while they are being examined. That is why I try to keep mine clearly labeled so they will know which side is up.

[CZHACK]

Doc Mark,

Good luck but even an open case solution may not be enough. Last time I carried a selection of pocket watches in an open padded leather folio through Boston airport I had to grit my teeth as a security guard opened and then closed the covers of several gold hunter cased watches with his finger in the center of the covers and without pressing the crown. I was warned that I was committing a serious offense by interfying with security for objecting to his treatment of my property. Have fun.

Mike

[Phil Sanchez]

Doc Mark - Try this click here (http://www.thebetterhalf.com/AluminumCases.htm) I have purchased several items from these folks - including the aluminum case. btw, I have traveled with it on numerous occasions with absolutely no problems whatsoever at airport secirity checkpoints. Good Luck !

Timely regards - rrpktwatcher

I already have a perfectly good aluminum case and wanted just the inserts, I called these folks yesterday to see if they would sell them to me. They told me they were out and would order some and get back to me. If I here from them I will post here.

Phil.

[terry hall]

Hi phil... make sure you check at daytona next week.... check with Carolina Cases...

[Phil Sanchez]

Hi phil... make sure you check at daytona next week.... check with Carolina Cases...



Thanks Terry, I will do that. See you there. Phil

[harold]

I have some very strong aluminium cases but I have always had problems cutting any foam inserts. Can the inserts be bought or does anybody know an easy way of cutting foam rubber. Cutting the holes for the pocket watches seems to be the most complicated part of the operation.

[terry hall]

Harold,

some links to sources are buried in the text of posts above...

one possible source...

Carolina Custom Case Company advertises in the MART, the owner I believe is a member of nawcc and sets up at some regionals.

no web site... call 1-800-729-0017 or email
caseman_30@yahoo.com

see his ads in the MART

a second source

http://www.nawcc-mb.com/bbv2/bbBoard.cgi?a=redirect;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etheb etterhalf%2Ecom%2FAluminumCases%2Ehtm

[Doc Mark]

Doc Mark - Try this click here (http://www.thebetterhalf.com/AluminumCases.htm) I have purchased several items from these folks - including the aluminum case. btw, I have traveled with it on numerous occasions with absolutely no problems whatsoever at airport secirity checkpoints. Good Luck !

Timely regards - rrpktwatcher

Morning, RRPKTWATCHER,

I can no longer access the link that you originally posted. Would you please post that link again? Many thanks, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark

[rrpktwatcher]

Hhhhmmmmm . . . it no longer works for me either -????? Click Here (http://www.thebetterhalf)

I can only conclude that they must've folded up their tent & called it quits - they were a mom & pop part-time outta-the-home operation.

Too bad . . . all the products which I ordered were excellent & reasonably priced - Sorry !

Timely regards,
rrpktwatcher

[Doc Mark]

Hhhhmmmmm . . . it no longer works for me either -????? Click Here (http://www.thebetterhalf)

I can only conclude that they must've folded up their tent & called it quits - they were a mom & pop part-time outta-the-home operation.

Too bad . . . all the products which I ordered were excellent & reasonably priced - Sorry !

Timely regards,
rrpktwatcher

Greetings,

Thanks, very much, for your efforts, anyway! I have now come up with a completely home-made, and serviceable solution to my problem. Should work perfectly, and won't cost that much, either. Thanks, again, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc Mark