Buying guide for Best watch boxes
Have you amassed an impressive collection of watches over the years? To keep your timepieces safe, consider investing in a watch box.
A watch box is a unique and attractive storage unit where you can house and display your watches. Your valuables remain protected between wearings, and they look great inside the box. Many boxes are decorative enough to be left on a table or chest of drawers.
Premium wood watch boxes often feature elegant engravings or glass lids. Boxes made of other materials, such as faux leather or plastic, can look beautiful while holding up through years of use. If you choose, you can select a personalized watch box with engraving or monogrammed plates.
For many people, watches hold sentimental value. Therefore, choosing a watch box is a highly personal decision that you most certainly want to get right.
Key considerations
Perks of using a watch box
Some people are partial to storing their watches in their original boxes or valets. However, that means the watches are left exposed, and as a result, they are more susceptible to damage and premature wear. A watch box fully encloses your watches and keeps them damage- and dust-free. For the aesthetically conscious, this is a smart storage solution.
In addition to being practical, watch boxes can be stunning. Some people choose to feature their watch box as an accent piece in a bedroom or other space. If you’re looking for an exquisite gift, a watch box may be an apt solution. Many elaborate wooden watch boxes last for decades and become cherished family heirlooms.
Watch box vs. accessory organizer
The terms “watch box” and “accessory organizer” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are different items. A watch box holds only watches: a series of compartments gives each watch its own dedicated space. Compartments may be plain or cushioned with removable pillows. An accessory organizer is a small storage unit that houses a mix of accessories, such as cufflinks and jewelry. Some accessory organizers have limited compartments for watch storage as well.
Travel watch boxes
More often than not, watch boxes are kept at home in a bedroom or inside a safe. If you’re someone who travels frequently, however, you may wish to invest in a travel watch box designed for portability. Travel watch boxes are carry-on-friendly. On average, they hold two to six watches and have a molded hard side design with a snap or zipper closure.
If you’d like to personalize a watch box, speak to a jewelry or wood craftsperson about attaching an engraving plate with the recipient’s name or initials.
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Features
Lining
The lining of a watch box may be made with velour, real leather, or faux leather. These materials are soft and scratch-free to avoid nicking or denting box contents. The linings, especially velour ones, attract quite a bit of dust. Because they’re fairly hard to rid of dust, prevention is key: make it a habit to close the lid every time you retrieve or return a watch.
Construction
Body: The body of a watch box may be made of premium wood, leather, or another material. It is constructed similar to a jewelry case in that the sides are rigid and protective and the hardware (hinges, locks) reflects high quality.
Lid: A watch box lid may be made of glass or at least have a window in the lid, inviting visibility. However, some watch box lids are plain and viewless, made of the same material as the body of the box.
Expandability
A few watch boxes offer expandable storage. For someone with an ever-growing collection of watches, this is ideal. There may be a removable drawer or compartment dividers and pillows with adjustable filling to accommodate watchbands of different sizes.
Locks
Quite a few watch boxes are equipped with locks, though consumers are divided on whether it’s worth the investment. According to some, a lock adds a layer of security to the box. According to others, the lock isn’t much of a deterrent, especially for thieves.
DID YOU KNOW?
A classy, elegant watch box makes a fantastic gift for anniversaries, wedding party members, and new graduates.
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Accessories
If your goal is to organize your accessories, here are a few suggestions for housing items other than your watches.
Cufflink box: Glenor Co. Cufflink Box
This attractive cufflink box has enough room to accommodate up to 35 pairs of cufflinks. Its sleek, contemporary design features a glass lid for maximum visibility and a buttery-soft black faux leather lining.
Jewelry box: Vlando Wooden Jewelry Box
Keep all your earrings, bracelets, and necklaces safe in this simple yet elegant jewelry box. It offers a variety of compartments and ring rolls, and the inside of the lid features a large mirror.
Watch box prices
Inexpensive: Entry-level watch boxes cost from $20 to $60. A variety of designs made with affordable materials like faux leather or low-quality wood are found here. Quality is hit-or-miss in this price tier, so beware of poorly made designs with faulty hardware or misaligned components.
Mid-range: Most watch boxes costing $75 to $150 are well-constructed with elegant details such as contrast stitching, engraved hardware, or etched glass. It’s common for watch boxes in this range to come in more than one finish or color.
High-end: The priciest watch boxes cost anywhere from $150 to $400. Made by reputable furniture and home goods designers, they often feature ornate and mixed textile designs. Quality is unparalleled, making this price range the best option if you’re interested in a watch box that is built to last.
Familiarize yourself with the materials of a watch box so you can buy appropriate cleaning products. You may need to buy several products including glass cleaner, leather conditioner, or furniture polish.
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Tips
- Close the lid carefully. While watch boxes are designed to be opened and closed often, take care not to slam the lid. This could damage the watch box or cause unintentional harm to the contents.
- There’s no need to match. A watch box is an attractive accent piece. As such, it’s not necessary to match it to other furniture or décor. Because a watch box can be a statement piece, you might wish to select an ornate design that stands out.
- Store links properly. Even if your watch box lacks additional compartments, you can store extra watchband links beneath the pillow. In fact, some watch box pillows have hidden pockets for this purpose.
FAQ
Q. I bought a wooden watch box, but it feels much lighter than expected. Why?
A. Chances are you purchased a watch box that isn’t made of 100% wood. The design likely features a mix of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and wood components. While it’s probably an attractive piece and will last for some time, the watch box won’t have the durability and longevity of an all-wood design.
Q. Can I simply toss my original watch box that came with my watch?
A. Consumers are split on this issue. Some refuse to part with the original box and packaging because they view watches as collectible or resellable in the future. Others have no reservations about getting rid of the box, especially since it clears up valuable space. At a minimum, it’s a good idea to keep your receipt, warranty information, user guide, and registration.
Q. Do watch boxes come with room to store additional bands that match the same watch face?
A. Most do. If you have several watchbands and additional accessories, you might be better served by a deluxe accessory organizer with a variety of compartments and storage options.
Q. Can I buy a watch box to store my smartwatch accessories?
A. Yes. In fact, many consumers invest in watch boxes if they have a wide variety of interchangeable bands and cases. Some smartwatches can be attached to necklaces as pendants, so the chains and their cases can be stored in watch boxes as well.
