Secure storage of watches in a safe deposit box
Perfect protection for your valuable timepieces in an ideal climate
For many, a watch is more than just a simple timepiece, it’s a status symbol and an investment – especially a luxury wristwatch. Anyone investing in several premium-brand watches, e.g. Breitling, Chopard, Glashütte Original, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Patek Philippe, Rolex or Tag Heuer, will soon realise they have acquired assets worth protecting. But how do you store luxury watches securely while also preserving their value? Because this demands more than mere safekeeping.
These watches are not lifeless, mechanical objects; owning them requires careful attention to ensure they are not destroyed by the ravages of time. The delicate interplay of high-precision, skilfully handcrafted movements, the finest dials and elegant cases always demands the utmost care and attention. So, to maintain their appearance and functionality over the longer term, luxury watches need an ideal climate with temperatures as consistent as possible and, sometimes, other model-dependent measures as well. A distinction should also be made here between wristwatches intended to be worn regularly and those purchased purely for investment purposes.
It makes little sense to lock away wristwatches intended for daily or occasional external wear. These are generally stored in the manufacturer’s original watch-box. A viable alternative here is a lockable watch cabinet or display case. Home safes offer a little more security against theft, but tend to require special materials and professional installation if they are to withstand the attentions of a crowbar, or simply being carried away. However, none of the aforementioned storage solutions are suitable for investment watches, for which the recommended protection is a custom safe deposit box designed for watches.
Luxury watches as an investment
In addition to jewellery items and precious metals, luxury watches are particularly suitable for use as an investment product. Such items are invariably wristwatches from leading manufacturers, housed in high-quality cases made from stainless steel, gold or platinum. The watchmaking technology used, the design, edition and history of the brand and model are also crucial details which influence the value of each watch. Limited-edition models and exquisite craftsmanship are just as popular and highly regarded as models set with diamonds and precious stones. Yet investment watches also demand in-depth specialist knowledge of the investor, because not every model necessarily has the potential to increase in value.
For any investment watch, the visual and mechanical condition is also of crucial importance. To achieve the highest possible resale value, a watch should be new, or in virtually new condition, without scratches, blemishes or other signs of wear and tear. These watches should never be worn in any circumstances, and should always be accompanied by the original watch box and manufacturer’s certificate as well as any other supplied accessories, such as a warranty declaration bearing the dealer’s stamp.
Anyone who has invested in watches with special mechanisms and additional functions – generally termed ‘complications’ in watchmaking circles – should already be aware that these exclusive features require a special form of storage. For example, a perpetual calendar or a moon-phase display requires the movement itself to be in continuous regular motion, which clearly occurs automatically during everyday wear. This particular feature can be simulated and addressed using special watch winders. In addition, electronic watches equipped with quartz movements contain batteries which could leak when stored for a long time. So experts recommend removing the power source as a sensible precaution.
Why must luxury watches be securely stored?
High-quality luxury wristwatches can command a high price. Depending on the model, a desirable watch can soon acquire a market value of as much as 30,000 Swiss francs. And the luxury watch market remains buoyant. According to the Fédération Horlogère Suisse (FHS: Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry), Swiss watch exports in 2022 were valued at almost 25 billion Swiss francs. The USA is the current market leader with an import volume of 3.56 billion francs, ahead of China (2.39 billion CHF) and Hong Kong (1.76 billion CHF).
International demand is therefore high. So, perhaps unsurprisingly, the media are constantly reporting stories of burglaries involving the theft of valuable jewellery and watch collections. These items reappear later on the black market where they still sell for high prices – especially watches kept alongside their accompanying documentation. That’s why it is really important to protect these valuable assets by arranging optimal security to ensure your capital investment does not become a loss-making enterprise overnight. However, as already noted, watches also have special storage requirements of which all investors must be aware.
Watch storage options
If watches are to be maintained as new, or at least in the best possible condition, then most of all they need a suitable atmosphere: A cool, dry environment is ideal, without much light and certainly shielded from direct sunlight. Generally speaking, the original watch box, or special display cases and cabinets already offer these essential attributes. In addition, such facilities generally also permit your assets to benefit from an elegant, decorative display. Specialist dealers also offer air-conditioned storage systems that can maintain a constant storage temperature regardless of the exterior climatic conditions.
However, even if such solutions are lockable, they offer little practical protection against theft, because cabinets and boxes can simply be carried away. The same applies to many domestic furniture safes or built-in safes too. Bank safe deposit boxes, which local banks or similar financial institutions may make available to their own customers, offer significantly more security. However, the range is rather limited nowadays, because financial institutions no longer consider renting out safe deposit boxes to be a viable part of their core business activities. Furthermore, it is increasingly the case that their security facilities no longer meet modern protection standards. Thus, rather than committing to expensive modernisation programmes, banks are now opting to withdraw customer safe deposit boxes altogether. In addition to these issues, investors will rarely find a bank safe deposit box facility which can offer any kind of air-conditioned storage environment.
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The benefits of storing luxury watches in safe deposit boxes
Despite all these hindrances and restrictions, it must be said that safe deposit boxes are ideal for luxury watches – provided they can offer a high level of physical security and can be optimally adapted to provide the appropriate climatic conditions. Such criteria are most likely to be met by the high-security systems maintained by specialist storage providers. Unlike many bank contexts, private storage facilities are invariably protected by sophisticated modern security systems. One aspect of their service is all about the physical security of the safe deposit boxes, but in addition, the location and external appearance of their buildings will also have received careful consideration. Ideally, a safe deposit box facility should not be located in a city centre, or within a busy urban area. And crucially, the external visual appearance should not advertise the fact that the premises house a safe deposit facility. You can find out more about this topic in our information section covering ‘Everything about safe deposit boxes’.
Swiss Gold Safe is a good example of an independent specialist storage provider. The company rents out bank-independent safe deposit boxes in Switzerland to both domestic and international clients. Their ultra-modern safe deposit boxes feature not only modern, state-of-the-art security technology, but are also housed in an air-conditioned room environment. These advanced air conditioning and ventilation facilities provide a dedicated safe deposit box system designed to preserve the value of luxury watches. Other advantages for Swiss Gold Safe clients include unrestricted protection of title to your assets, absolute discretion, and complete dealer neutrality. The company believe that security and privacy are equally important criteria for asset storage in safe deposit box systems.
The importance of air-conditioned storage for luxury watches
Temperature-controlled storage of watches is a vitally important aspect of preserving the value of these investment products. Here, maintaining an optimal ambient temperature and a relatively low level of humidity are crucial. Unacceptably high humidity levels can potentially degrade the case material over the longer term and also cause damage to fragile internal movements. Last but not least, overly humid air can cause mould to form on leather bracelets and watchstraps, leading to the development of unpleasant odours.
An air-conditioned safe deposit system for storing watches will ensure a constant recommended temperature and humidity all year round. Swiss Gold Safe ensure regular maintenance is carried out by a specialist company to maintain continuous air conditioning system functionality to the requisite performance standards.
Optimal insurance for stored luxury watches
Even the very best security precautions can never guarantee 100% protection for stored assets. So, to protect your goods against unexpected loss or damage, it is always advisable to keep your stored luxury watches optimally insured. Swiss Gold Safe private safe deposit boxes are covered by a bespoke insurance. While a basic sum insured of 25,000 Swiss francs is automatically included in the rental price, the insurance cover can be individually adjusted to reflect the value of the goods stored. In addition, it is also possible to arrange a comprehensive insurance protecting against loss or damage in the event of theft, fire and a range of other risks, with a sum insured up to the replacement value of your stored assets.
Summary: Safe deposit boxes for luxury watches
- Luxury wristwatches are invariably high-value investment products.
- Watches purchased specifically for investment purposes (and thus not not worn) require storage in a secure location under ideal climatic conditions.
- Dedicated safe deposit boxes for watches offer significantly more physical security than classic storage systems.
- Bank safe deposit boxes are only suitable for storing luxury watches to a limited extent.
- Private storage companies such as Swiss Gold Safe specialise in the secure storage of watches and other valuable assets.
- These bank-independent safe deposit boxes in Switzerland offer gold-standard modern security protection.
- Safe deposit box systems are equipped with state-of-the-art air conditioning systems that maintain a constant temperature and humidity all year round. This ensures luxury watches will retain their value.
- Special safe deposit insurance policies provide comprehensive protection in the event of an emergency with high sums insured covering replacement values.
