Australia is hard on a watch collection. Humid summers, strong sun and homes that swing from air-conditioned to hot can all take a toll on straps, dials and the boxes that hold them. The good news is that a few simple habits protect them all year round.
Keep them out of the sun
Direct sunlight fades dials, leather straps and box linings, and it heats up whatever it falls on. Choose a spot away from windows, or a box with a closed lid if it has to sit in a bright room. A display box is best kept in a shaded corner or on a shelf out of direct light.
Avoid heat and sudden changes
Keep watches away from heaters, air-conditioning vents and the top of appliances. Rapid swings in temperature are harder on a watch than a steady warm room. Cars, garages and sheds get far hotter than the house, so they are no place to leave a watch.
Watch the humidity
In humid parts of the country, moisture is the bigger risk. Leather straps can develop marks or mould, and damp can find its way into older or vintage watches. A few simple steps help:
- Store watches in a closed box in a dry, well-ventilated room, not a bathroom or laundry.
- Let leather straps air out after wearing before you put them away.
- Add a sachet of silica gel to the box in the wettest months, and replace or dry it out regularly.
- Rotate leather straps so each has time to dry between wears.
Choose the right box
A closed-lid box keeps out dust, light and the worst of the humidity. Timber boxes are best in a stable, indoor spot. If you travel or move often, a structured case or zip case protects watches in transit. For automatic watches you rotate, a winder keeps them running, but it still belongs out of the sun and away from heat.
A quick yearly check
Once a year, take everything out, dust the box and brush the velvet, check leather straps for wear and marks, and look at the date of each watch's last service. It takes ten minutes and keeps small problems from becoming expensive ones.
Browse our lock boxes, or read our care notes on each product page for how to look after timber, leather and velvet.