Luxury Watch Displays for Aficionados
This week's post comes by way of Michael DiMartini, CEO of Everest Bands.
Everest Bands provides a premier alternative to the OEM Rolex Bracelet in a variety of materials and colors. The bands are specifically designed to compliment the fit, finish, and quality of nearly all Rolex models. They can be configured in a number of lengths and ordered to accept the Rolex Clasp or tang buckle.
Luxury Watch Displays for Aficionados
Serious watch collectors know that the best chronographs should not only be worn but also displayed safely. If you’re looking for a solution for showcasing your finest timepieces, you’ll want to start by looking for something that provides ample storage and plenty of protection.
With styles that run the gamut from ultra-luxury — complete with built-in winders and genuine suede lining — to relatively affordable boxes that you can take with you while you travel, this collection includes luxury watch displays for every type of collector. They’re ideal for storing and displaying your most prized vintage Rolex and other pieces in your upscale watch collection.
Deepsea Sea Dweller with Everest Bands Rubber Strap
Not everyone can have a one-of-a-kind custom watch display, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find one that’s tailor-made to your needs. Before you start shopping for the right display, you’ll want to consider a few factors.
First, determine your budget, noting that displays vary in price almost as much as the watches they store, with prices ranging from $50 to several thousand. Naturally, custom-made and handcrafted watch boxes will ring up for significantly more. You’ll also want to choose a box based on the size of your collection, as there are styles available to suit one watch all the way up to a few dozen.
Watch Boxes that Stand the Test of Time
Available in wood, glass, leather and many other materials, watch boxes are good for small and medium-sized collections. For display purposes, you’ll want to choose one with a glass top. The primary benefit of a watch box versus other types of displays is that they’re relatively portable (good for taking with you while you travel) and generally feature soft watch compartments made with materials that prevent scratching or finish damage. Additionally, they’re made to keep your watches safe from moisture and dust. Many also feature tamper-resistant designs with locks for added security.
An Affordable Pick: The Wolf Windsor 15-Piece Watch Box, $180
Why It’s Great: This gorgeous display features a sharp design with enough room to hold 15 of your most heirloom-worthy watches. Besides the striking black or brown finish, the focal point of this display is its expansive locking glass cover that showcases your collection. It also comes in smaller sizes for those with fewer watches.
Why It’s Great: Longtime watch collectors will instantly recognize the name Agresti. This Italian safe-maker specializes in offering watch boxes that are not only exceptionally secure but also quite beautiful. This style features four divided watch compartments plus a pull-out drawer, allowing you to display up to seven watches at a time. The handcrafted briarwood construction and suede lining give it a luxe feel.
Practical Watch Winders
Watch winders are storage solutions that triple as watch displays, storage boxes and winders in one. Most feature a mechanical winding device inside to keep automatic (self-winding) watches running while not worn because, let’s face it, your watch isn’t going to wind itself.
With an amazing variety of practical yet luxurious watch winder boxes on the market, aficionados often use these cases to ensure that their watches are ready to wear and always have the right time, even after being stored for long periods. Although winders were long considered a high-end option for collectors, there are many companies that now make affordable styles that wind several watches at once.
An Affordable Pick: Barrington Two-Watch Winder, $465
Why It’s Great: This two-watch winder by British company Barrington features two individually-programmed, multidirectional rotors for precise winding. The best part is it’s set in a modern-looking display that’s perfect for showcasing your two most valued timepieces. It’s also finished with LED downlights and has a digital display, making it a good pick for tech-focused wristwatch aficionados.
Why It’s Great: This high-end watch box is the one you take with you to hobnob with the other watch fanatics in your life. With enough room to fit two watches, this display is equipped with a rotary mechanism that keeps your timepiece fully wound while not in use. It’s made with calf leather and has soft nubuck (cowhide leather) lining to preserve the finish of your watches. Smaller compartments are great for housing cufflinks, watch bands and more.
Large Display Cases for Big Collections
If you want to showcase your most treasured watches and you have a larger collection to display, you may consider investing in a free-standing glass or wooden display case. The key to picking the right watch display case is to find one that looks appropriate in your home — in other words, don’t choose a commercial style that you’d find in a jewelry store — and one that doesn’t take up too much space. Locking display cases are the ideal choice for those aficionados with a larger collection. Many avid watch collectors invest in custom-built watch cabinets.
An Affordable Pick: 20-Watch Wood Display Case, $100
Why It’s Great: This relatively bare bones watch display is a smart option for collectors who want a practical, upright display box for a larger collection. It has enough compartments to store and showcase as many as 20 watches and is equipped with a hinged door with an elegant lock and key for security. The soft velvet and plush lining keeps watches in great shape, while the scratch-resistant acrylic face keeps out dust, moisture and contaminants.
A Luxury Pick: Buben & Zorweg Collector 32 Deluxe, $45,000
Why It’s Great: This is one of the most luxurious non-custom watch displays on the market, and the price tag reflects it. This German-made box is made from fine, tropical and European woods and fits 32 watches with four pull-out storage drawers. What’s more, this incredible display also features a built-in winding mechanism and has state-of-the-art LED lighting and polished stainless steel portholes for a unique look. It’s the ultimate way to spotlight your collection of vintage Submariners and other high-end, Swiss-made timepieces.
A big thanks to Michael DiMartini from Everest Bands for providing this post. Be sure to check out his site for some of the best finished and fitting strap options for your sport Rolex available, and be sure to check out his other blog posts while you're there.