While walking around in a mall one day, I spotted a lifestyle shop selling an 8 watch box for $160.00 plus GST. On the exterior, they looked fine with PVC leather, no glass window and a neat latch lock. The interior lining was nothing close to what I expected. It was clad with cheap velvet. Overall, the quality is so-so because the folds and stitches are not up to par.

Here is my version of a similar watch box and other products…

8WNS

This watch box can store more than 8 watches. Four fixed slots at the top row, one fix slot on the bottom row and a large long pillow that suits bracelets or women’s watches. The pillows are 60mm in width and are soft. I’ve inserted soft foam inside so smaller watch bands could go over it without difficulty. I’ve also ensured that larger watch-buckles would comfortably fit the slots and larger watch dials could sit next to each other without the squeeze. These are the major improvements I’ve made to my design over the other one in the mall.

In summary,

a) PU Leather – Polyurethane is far more resilient to heat, wear and tear. PVC peels over time.

b) High tensile nylon stitches – others use cotton thread which will fray

c) Glass viewing window – user replaceable; no need for expensive shop/agent replacement.

d) Silver-tone latching lock, with key – for security

e) Micro-suede interior – velvet seems to attract more dust than micro-suede.

f) Watch pillows fit up to 60mm watch dials – no worries for Panerai buckles too

g) The long pillow allows flexibility for smaller women’s watches – accommodate more.

After the 3^rd try I managed to get all the dimensions correct to make this watch box. I used 4mm thick MDF for the external and 2mm/3mm for the internal lining. Measuring and cutting the materials using ordinary (primitive) tools such as a tri-square, 2^nd-cut file, hack-saw and pen-knife, sticking the micro-suede with cobbler’s glue, sanding with sand-paper, stitching and traveling twice to the glass maker I had this done in 3 days. I was pleasantly surprised at the results, which was worth the efforts.

8WNS Picture: -

THE LUXUR

This is my interpretation of an ultimate watch collector’s box. The top half stores extra straps and bands while the bottom half is where you place five of your prized timepieces.

The exterior is clad in black glossy (mock croc) PU leather and the interior is lined with dark gray micro-suede. The lock and embellishments are all gold-toned to give that classy look.

Since this box is a little long, I didn’t take any chance and went ahead building it entirely with MDF for the structure to prevent “sinking” in the middle. The alternative would be using art-card which is a little soft and would be unsuitable. The glossy material was lustrous and I wouldn’t like to “spoil” the look and so decided to use black stitches so that the glossy motif would be highlighted. Using white stitches like the watch-box above would be a total distraction.

I only had time to make just one piece after buying all materials from my recent trip overseas. Singapore doesn’t seem to have the materials I want. Jalan Sultan Textile Center only sells normal types of PVC and some PU leather but I prefer the more exotic/classy look.

WATCH-STRAP WALLET

After reading comments from the Forums, I realized that there are a number of Panerai collectors that keep extra watch straps/bands. They usually interchange their bands quite often and according to the occasions they wear their timepieces.

This would definitely be a good place to store their watch band collection.

Again, I’m using PU leather on the exterior but this time, light-weight soft flocking for the interior. It has a total of 14 pockets (7 on each side) to store 14 watch bands. Alternatively, the collector may also keep their watches together with their bands inside this flat wallet to be placed in a safe. The flaps folds securely over the pockets, holding its contents when closed.

The most difficult part for me is sewing the pockets because of the many folds. I had to hot-press them with a clothes iron prior sewing. The other part was the stiffness of the PU leather and sewing the very narrow trims along the sides. My finger tips swelled and had blisters after making all these pieces. I forgot to mention that I’ve also modified my grandma’s SINGER sewing machine to insert an industrial gage needle. Now nobody can sew clothes on it. Hahaha!

I wasn’t successful in fabricating this particular piece due to my injured fingers and as a result, the strap outside was badly sewn.

Anyway, here are the pictures of the piece. I’ll make another later.

Watch-strap Wallet Pictures: -

Watch boxes and cases, whether in wood or leather, are a perfect and stylish way to display, store and protect your investments. I would recommend collector’s to store their Limited Edition SWATCH watches, valuable antique watches and their luxury timepieces in them.