DIY Watch Collector's Box

Note: I've been designing and handcrafting horology-related accessories since year 2000. I'm doing this for a living. The articles and instructions found in my blog here are shared with you through personal experience; projects shown are all simplified alternative methods designed to make it easier for a beginner. My apologies for not showing you the exact way of how I got things done. You know the reasons. If you would like to custom-made watch winders, watch-strap holders, watch collector's case or boxes, you can email me @ furnicraft(underscore)boutique at yahoo dot com

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So now you want to get organized and don’t wish to spend money on commercial watch boxes. DIY could be your hobby and you have decided to be stingy and make a cheap box for your expensive collection; or maybe your watches aren’t that expensive. Or perhaps the shoebox you were keeping them in had mushrooms growing and had to throw them away. Where else could you keep your precious timepieces?


Look no further; here are the 16 steps to make your own watch box.

Tools required
Sharp utility/art knife
Contact Glue
Try square
Marking pen or carpenter’s chalk
Steel rule
Cloth scissors
Patience and
Lots of imagination


Materials required
Wooden box (your preferred size)
Velvet or satin (I use both)
Laminate Foil with wood prints
Artcard or stiff cardboard

 
Step 1

a) Scout around for two small boxes that would be sufficient to house the number of watches you have. One box for the cover and the other for the base.

I picked two boxes from Daiso that were kind of “nested” and could comfortably house three bulky watches. That’s the only available ones that suit the purpose.


a) Start with one of the boxes first. I started with the base which was the smaller of the two.

b) Cut strips of satin cloth to size slightly longer and wider than the length and width, just to cover the upper part of the box. There should be 4 pieces.

c) Spread contact glue across this strip of cloth and paste it on the box.

d) Trim the edges of extra cloth or frays with a cloth scissor.

e) Don’t worry about the uneven edges. This will be taken care of later.

 
Step 3

a) Cut 4 pieces of artcard for the two lengths and two widths. This is the first layer of outer skirting for the base.

b) Cut 4 pieces of velvet just enough to cover the top portion of the artcard.

c) Paste the velvet on each of the 4 artcard using contact glue.

d) Leave to dry for about an hour.

 
 
Step 4

a) Paste the first layer skirting you’ve prepared on each side of the box, over the satin cloth.



Step 5

a) While the pieces are drying, start cutting pieces of artcard for the second skirting layer. This should be the length I cut 5 pieces of artcard for each dimension so that they match the thickness of the top cover.

b) Paste the 5 pieces together with contact glue. Drying time is 1 hour.

 
 
Step 6

a) Unpack the laminate foil. I use this type shown in the picture below.

b) Measure the “new” external lengths and widths of the base box after you’ve pasted the 1st layer skirting.

c) Cut strips of laminate foil and paste it over each piece of the 2nd layer skirting.

d) This also has to be enough to cover the edge of the artcard strip.

 
 
Step 7

a) Once all four are completed, paste them on the four sides of the base box. This forms the outer skirting of the base.

 
b) I’ve made the length-wise strips slightly longer than the widths to hide the joins when they come together.

c) Once the four sides are pasted, they should look something like this.


a) In the same manner, cut strips of artcard and velvet to paste them on the insides of the box.

b) Don’t rush - measure, cut and paste one side at a time. My principle - Measure twice but cut only once!



Step 9

a) Next, we have to make the inside-base for the box.

b) Measure the internal L x W and cut 1 piece of artcard to size.

c) Cut velvet to size and paste it over.

d) Position the completed base board and press firmly to the base.

 
 
Step 10

a) Next step is to make separators or dividers for the base box.

b) Measure the internal dimensions. Using some math, calculate the required size of the separators and the quantity required. This depends on the box size and the number of watches.

c) Using your new acquired cutting skills, cut the required number of separators and form a “block” such as this shown in the picture below.



Step 11

a) Cut pieces of velvet to cover just the longer sides of the “block”. The shorter sides can’t be seen once placed inside the box.

b) Put contact glue on the base of the block and insert into the box. Press gently but firmly to let the glue settle in.





Step 12

a) When inserting the other separators, use some kind of measuring device which helps you position them accurately. I made a simple one using discarded pieces, shown below. The widths are slightly smaller than the watch pillow so that there'll be a snug fit.

 

Step 13

a) This is the second last step for the base box.

b) Cut laminate foil to cover the entire length of the exterior. It must cover the exterior in one piece. Using four separate pieces would not be aesthetically pleasing to the eye.


 
Step 14

a) Carefully paste the cut foil around the box. Ensure no air is trapped under the foil during pasting.

b) Trim-off any excess foil.

c) Sorry I forgot to take pictures of this step.

d) You’ve now completed the bottom half of the watch box.

 
Step 15

a) Again I forgot to take pictures of this step, must be my age catching up.

b) Anyway, cut a piece of laminate foil slightly bigger (about 1cm) for the upper surface of the top cover. This laminate foil is self adhesive.

c) Slowly position it on the top cover and paste it. You could also lay the foil on a table and gently lower the top cover on it.

d) Ensure no air-bubbles trapped.

 
Step 16

a) Cut length-wise a long laminate foil strip, the size of the entire top cover length, meaning both lengths and both widths. Cover it in one go.

b) The foil I bought has a big ugly crease across the width (see picture below). I literally ironed it out. Use a clothes iron set to “SILK” and place a double layer cloth over it. Iron it for just 5 ~ 10 seconds. Repeat if needed. Allow to cool before pasting otherwise the foil will be stretched to an irregular shape.

c) Paste it slowly across the entire length. A little lateral tug is required too.

 
Once completed, the top cover should look like this. I wanted the beautiful "grain" to be slightly off-centered.
d) Tuck in all the four sides. Use your fingers to level any uneven corners or edges.
 

Labels: DIY Watch Boxes