Back in 2018, 45% of Americans owned a wristwatch and 32% were wearing it regularly. Fast forward to 2024 and the U.S. watch market is slowly and steadily increasing.
If you’ve just invested in a sleek, high-quality watch, take a moment to think about where it ends up when you’re not wearing it. Are you going to toss it casually onto a nightstand, or invest in a watch storage solution? I hope it’s the latter, as the way you store watches can put a dent in their function and look over time.
Whether quartz or automatic, watches are precision instruments, and they need a safe, controlled environment to operate best. So, even if it’s just one cherished heirloom or an extensive watch collection, luxury or not, let’s see how to store watches when not in use and, most importantly, how to keep watches in good condition for years to come. Their value will only go up.
Essential Storage Tips for All Watches
Where you store watches, how you position them, what you use to protect them and how you keep them separated — all of these details matter.
Set up the right environment for your watch
Learning how to store watches when not in use starts with the right environment. That is a cool, dry spot, away from direct sunlight. Why?
- Extreme heat or a serious chill can make the materials in your watch expand or shrink. That might not sound like a big deal, but it can throw off the timing or damage your watch over time.
- Humidity is a major troublemaker, especially for quartz watches where moisture can damage the IC circuits. A simple fix is using silica gel packets in your watch storage box — these little guys suck up moisture like a sponge. The best part? You can easily tell when it’s time to swap them out as they change color when saturated.
- Just like it can damage your skin, the sun can fade your watch dials and wear out leather straps faster than you’d think.
Looking to store your watches long-term? Rent a climate-controlled storage unit.
If that is not an option, or you’d rather keep them at home, look for a cigar humidor. These are built to keep things stable, with no wild swings in humidity or temperature, which is exactly what your watch needs.
How to store watches safe and sound
Keep your watches safe from scratches, dust and the unexpected with a combination of dust-tight pouches, cases or cabinets. By keeping out dust and dirt, your watches look like new for longer and, most importantly, fine particles cannot mess with their delicate mechanisms.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for home storage and while on the go:
| Storage Solution | Benefits | Details |
| Watch box | Combines protection with display capabilities. | Choose boxes with soft linings to prevent scratches. Glass tops allow for visibility while keeping dust out. |
| Drawer insert/tray | Prevents watches from moving and getting scratched. | Inserts with watch rolls and compartments also help organize straps and bracelets. |
| Watch roll | Portable protection for multiple watches. | Made from soft materials like leather, rolls protect watches from damage while on the move. |
| Leather pouch | Portable protection for individual watches. | Easy to carry, these pouches offer good scratch protection and are practical for travel. |
| Secure safe | High-security option for valuable watches. | Consider safes that can be bolted down or hidden. Important for homes with frequent guests or during absences. |
Pro tip: Always store your watches face up to prevent unwanted scratches on the crystal or bezel.
Keep your watches separated
Wondering how to keep watches in good condition for as long as possible? One key strategy is to not store them together haphazardly.
Yes, your fancy watches shouldn’t just be tossed in with the ones you wear when running errands. That’s because your high-end watches are likely more delicate and could be made from materials that scratch more easily. Keeping them away from your everyday watches and jewelry means you’re less likely to see those heartbreaking scratches or dings.
Plus, by giving those special pieces their own space in a dedicated watch box, be it in a cabinet or a safe, you no longer have to worry about pets and small children running around and knocking them down.
Pro Tip: If you have to store everything together, wrap each watch in a soft cloth or put them in individual pouches.
How To Store Watches Based on Type
Different types of watches need different kinds of TLC in storage, but one thing’s for sure: most of them don’t like magnets.
While digital quartz watches cannot be influenced by magnetic fields, both automatic watches and analog quartz ones must be kept away from anything highly magnetic to avoid messing up their timing. And it’s not just MRIs to keep away from, but also computers, speakers and even magnetic phone cases. Did your watch accidentally get magnetized? Just take it to a watchmaker to demagnetize it and it will once again tell the time right.
Now, let’s see how to store watches the right way based on their type: automatic or quartz.
How to store automatic watches
Automatic watches don’t like to sit still. If they’re not worn regularly or if you have a sedentary job and lifestyle, they need a little nudge to keep the gears moving smoothly. How often should you wind them? Since it depends on your movement, a good rule of thumb is once a week for active individuals and every night if you sit for most of your day.
In this case, as well as if juggling multiple automatics, a watch winder is a good idea. Just make sure to pick one that lets you tweak the settings to suit each watch and avoid any that might build up static — no good for the delicate insides.
| Winder Feature | Benefit |
| Multiple slots | Accommodates more than one watch, great for collectors. |
| Precision settings | Ensures each watch is wound according to its specific needs. |
| Material | PU leather helps prevent static that can damage the watch. |
How to store quartz watches
Quartz watches might seem easier to handle, but there’s a trick to storing them right and it has to do with the battery. If you’re putting your quartz watch away for a while, yank that battery out. Left too long, batteries can leak and mess up the internal workings of your watch. Once the battery’s out, keep your watch in a spot that’s dry and dust-free to avoid any other issues.
Pro Tip: Not sure about popping the battery out yourself? Better safe than sorry, so get a pro to do it. It’s worth a trip to the jeweler rather than risking damage.
How To Store Watches When Not in Use
You can easily keep your watches ticking and valuable with these three key pointers: cool, dry and away from sunlight. Level up with secure cases or safes to additionally protect them from dust and scratches, and make sure they are always face up—whether you are stashing them in a closet or a self-storage unit.
Since high-end watches need extra space, don’t crowd them with everyday pieces. Watch type also matters. For automatic watches, regular winding is essential; for quartz, remember to remove the battery if it’s not in use for a while.
Remember, from avoiding magnets that mess with your watch’s accuracy to using the right kind of storage that prevents scratches and wear, each step you take in storing your watch properly is like putting money back in your pocket.
