4 of the best watch rolls for safe travels or easy storage
Buffy AcaciaWatch boxes are pretty much essential for anyone with a decent collection of watches, keeping everything organised and economical with desk space. But what if you’re heading on a trip? Hard travel cases can be pretty expensive, especially if you want to pack more than three watches at a time. They’re also pretty bulky, so if you’re just throwing everything in a backpack, you’ll run out of space quickly. A watch roll is the perfect middle ground between a flight case and individual carry pouches, sacrificing a bit of padding for a compact and efficient way to transport watches.
Barton Waxed Canvas Watch Roll
The use of waxed canvas stemmed from sailors treating their cotton sails and clothing with linseed oil for waterproofing. In the 1930s, paraffin wax was discovered to be a better solution for its flexibility and non-yellowing properties, and it became widespread during WWII. As such, waxed canvas has a hardy, military aesthetic which wouldn’t be out of place in an army kit. The Barton Waxed Canvas Watch roll hones in on that look with an olive green tone, stitched leather logo and leather closing strap. It can hold up to five watches of 46mm or below, and is lined with soft flannelette to prevent scratches. Price: US$49.99
Capral Watch Roll
With the option to pack from three up to six watches, the watch roll from Capral is one of the best options for packing a large rotation. It’s made of full-grain leather for durability, and it has an internal flap which folds over and even protects the straps or bracelets from touching each other while rolled up. The best feature however, is the zippered pouch. You can put whatever you want in there, but it’s most handy for extra straps and a spring bar tool should six watches not provide enough versatility for you. There are also options for linen or suede linings, and custom engravings. Price: US$169
BezelHold The Capsule
The Capsule by BezelHold has three pockets for total separation between the watches it can carry, each one loaded with a detachable watch holder. The central holder is actually a separate capsule entirely, so you can take that with you as you go about your day, in case you need to remove your watch at a gym for example. It’s one of the least fiddly solutions, and its velvet microfibre lining comes in a huge range of colours to match your personality. It’s designed with a flat base so you can easily store your watches on a bedside table or a desk while travelling, and you don’t need to worry about it rolling under the bed accidentally. Price: US$268, available from the Time+Tide Shop
WM Brown x Wolf Watch Roll with Cigar Case
To be totally clear, I am the last person to endorse or romanticise smoking. When I was 10 years old, I even wrote a letter to the Australian Prime Minister asking him to ban smoking because I have always hated it. But, I can’t deny my love for modularity and vintage charm. The WM Brown x Wolf Watch Roll feels like it was pulled out of a 1960s time capsule thanks to a full tweed lining, and a hollowed-out roll for the Wolf leather cigar tube. The two rings go between your three watches to keep them apart while closed. The tweed may leave a few more cotton fibres on your watches than the standard microfibre case interiors, but it’s just so nice to look at. Price: US$313.70, available from the Time+Tide Shop