Without an appropriate storage spot, you may also increase the chances you’ll misplace or risk damaging it. Especially if you own multiple luxury watches, it’s important to develop a storage solution to protect your timepieces and preserve them for the future.
Here are a few simple steps to get started.
Think About Conditions
Three elements can affect the movement and performance of your mechanical watch: Humidity, dust accumulation and light. In turn, the ideal storage environment is one free of natural light, as UV rays can fade dials and cause parts to crack.
The area should also be dry, as moisture may cause the watch’s fine parts to rust, can affect the dial and alter the oil lubricating its mechanism.
As a result, a dark, dry storage area is ideal, preferably with a silica gel included to control moisture.
Don’t Forget Documentation
It’s a good idea to keep the boxes and paperwork that accompanied your watch purchase in a safe, secure location. Until relatively recently, when watchmaker Breitling announced its efforts to become more sustainable, these factors were key for authenticating the timepiece and remain essential for resale and appraisals.
Yet, it’s not the best idea to store these aspects with the watches themselves. Instead, keep the box and papers, as well as certificates, proof of purchase and warranty cards in a separate moisture-free area, perhaps in a protective bag to reduce potential deterioration or damage.
Storage Methods
To find a physical location for your luxury watches, a few solutions are recommended:
- Safe Deposit Box: If you’re planning on preserving rather than wearing your luxury watch collection, a safe deposit box at a bank is often the most secure option.
- At-Home Safe: As the next secure option, purchasing a safe for your home lets you select a watch for wear without having to make a stop at the bank and protects them in the event of burglary, as long as it’s secured to the structure. In some cases, a safe may even be strong enough to shield your investments against fire and water damage.
Watch Case: Also known as a watch box, this method is ideal if you regularly transport and display your watch collection. For full security, you may want a lockable case to store inside of a safe. Make sure the case not only accommodates your existing collection, but also any future purchases. Furthermore, look for mounting methods that preserve the integrity of, rather than crease, the watch strap.
Whichever method you select, make sure your safe or case accommodates both the watch and any watch winders needed. Considering the regular maintenance automatic watches require, a winder rotates clockwise, counter clockwise and bi-directionally in a motion similar to your wrist. This ensures the watch stays in motion, displays the correct time and eliminates the need to manually wind the mechanism each time before use.
Look Into Insurance Policies
Homeowners insurance provides some degree of coverage for the valuables in your home but oftentimes, the amount is not enough for a full luxury watch collection. In turn, it’s a good idea to revisit your policy to add a rider, or extension, specifically for this valuable.
You may need to pay a higher premium, but the amount provides assistance for replacing your investment in the event of damage, theft or loss and helps with repair costs.
Before updating your policy, first take a full inventory of what you own and calculate how much you’ll need to insure. Take a photograph of each watch to establish its current quality and compile all receipts and paperwork to determine the value of and serial number for each timepiece.
Also keep in mind that many luxury watches, even with regular use, appreciate over time. In turn, your insurance coverage should anticipate the collection’s current and future value.
Additionally, the documentation and system you develop now may come in handy in the future, if your collection is stolen or damaged and you need to file a claim with your insurance carrier.
Whether your first Swiss watch will become a family heirloom or you’re an avid collector, browse our selection of luxury timepieces from brands like Tag Heuer and Oris. If a particular watch catches your eye online, stop into one of our Connecticut stores to see it in person today!
