As much as I hate to say it, the best protection I've had is to use USPS Priority Mail within the US and USPS International Express Mail to Europe. I've never had a package lost, stolen or damaged (I always pack extremely well) and using their packaging, all boxes look alike. I cut the "ebay" part off the shipping label so no one knows the contents are via ebay. These move the quickest through customs and without a hitch, and provide delivery confirmation and signature confirmation in the US if needed. While I've had many problems with UPS and Fed Ex, I've never had a problem with USPS, as de classe as it is.

Of course, the watch and clock guys are in almost every instance a good bunch and honest about receiving the pieces and condition. I've had only one quasi-dishonest person in a South American transaction. It says a lot about the sort of people who buy and sell Heuers.

Scott