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Presentation boxes. When did they go on ‘roids?

Rman
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I was looking at some newer Omegas, there still hasn’t been one to break my vintage habit quite yet.

But what struck me was the size of the boxes they came in. I simply don’t understand it.

It appears that since the 1930’s when the box was only slightly larger than the item it protected and was nicely done in leather, Bakelite, even silver, the boxes went from larger to generous to finally ludicrous size rendered in more pedestrian materials.

Often we hear that watch sizes are on their way back towards more modest sizing but what about these boxes?

Would you rather have a smaller more luxurious box that uses less resources? Curious
 
M'Bob
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You nailed it. These new boxes are way too large, I have no room for them, and they actually dissuade me somewhat from buying some of the new offerings.
 
C
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I only need so many treasure chests in storage. The latest iteration of Omega boxes are large enough to house a collection.
 
Rman
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C ChiefMark
I only need so many treasure chests in storage. The latest iteration of Omega boxes are large enough to house a collection.

I guess you could use it as an ottoman?
 
sonicosa
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I haven't added a modern Omega to my collection yet, but I already find the more modestly sized boxes that came with my Hamilton, Longines, TAG, etc a bit cumbersome to store. Of course, living space is at a premium where I reside. I got my bass guitar out of storage a few weeks ago to keep me busy in quarantine, and the first words out of my wife's mouth when I came in the door with it were "Where are you going to keep that?" I knew she'd ask, which is why I had left the practice amp in the trunk of our car.
 
gbesq
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I like the lacquered blonde wood box with the cream leather interior that comes with the Seamaster line. It’s larger than it needs to be, but it is very nicely finished and makes for an impressive presentation. The “big box” that comes with the Speedmaster Professional is another matter. It is ridiculously large and most of the accessories that come with it don’t add much value to the watch, with the exception of the NATO strap. When I purchased my Speedy, I sold the box and the accessories on eBay shortly thereafter. No regrets.
 
C
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gbesq gbesq
I like the lacquered blonde wood box with the cream leather interior that comes with the Seamaster line. It’s larger than it needs to be, but it is very nicely finished and makes for an impressive presentation. The “big box” that comes with the Speedmaster Professional is another matter. It is ridiculously large and most of the accessories that come with it don’t add much value to the watch, with the exception of the NATO strap. When I purchased my Speedy, I sold the box and the accessories on eBay shortly thereafter. No regrets.
While you have every right to sell your goods, I'm always dismayed to see those sales because I'm sure that 90% of the purchasers are going to pair those materials with a garbage Chinese fake and some poor sap will get taken for a few thousand dollars.
 
gbesq
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^ I’m sure that happens more than I would like to believe. In this case, however, I received a very nice email from the buyer who told me that he had purchased the box because he wanted a place to store his vintage Speedmaster that he now wears infrequently. There was no reason for him to share that information with me post-purchase, so I feel quite certain that the box went to a good home.
 
kelsey
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I wish every large omega watch box would have extra slots for use as a multi watch box.
 
hanky6
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kelsey kelsey
I wish every large omega watch box would have extra slots for use as a multi watch box.
Well you can modify the box....
Sorry for the crappy picture, but you get the idea
1B7D6F92-3BE1-4A96-8EBC-4BB1DD858BF5.jpeg
 
rob#1
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It’s not just the size, but the weight also. I’m so glad I had booked a suitcase in the hold for my return flight after picking up my Speedy - there’s no way the box would have come in under the carry-on weight allowance 😵‍💫
 
dinexus
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gbesq gbesq
I like the lacquered blonde wood box with the cream leather interior that comes with the Seamaster line. It’s larger than it needs to be, but it is very nicely finished and makes for an impressive presentation.

...an impressive presentation that takes up way too much space in my closet tho.
 
dinexus
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kelsey kelsey
I wish every large omega watch box would have extra slots for use as a multi watch box.

IWC is doing this right now - watches come in a small pouch, which can be added to a box that can be converted to hold up to four watch pouches. Pretty clever.

1580815115140.jpg
 
scapa
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dinexus dinexus
IWC is doing this right now - watches come in a small pouch, which can be added to a box that can be converted to hold up to four watch pouches. Pretty clever.

1580815115140.jpg

Yep. And the leather pouch makes an excellent travel case. That's how I use mine, with a variety of watches. It replaces a Doxa SCUBA-type watch tube that an airport security rep tried to confiscate as a pipe bomb. For reals.
 
kelsey
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hanky6 hanky6
Well you can modify the box....
Sorry for the crappy picture, but you get the idea
1B7D6F92-3BE1-4A96-8EBC-4BB1DD858BF5.jpeg
Yes seen similar a few times, be just easier on resources if Omega did such in the first place.
 
OllieOnTheRocks
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Rman Rman
I was looking at some newer Omegas, there still hasn’t been one to break my vintage habit quite yet.

But what struck me was the size of the boxes they came in. I simply don’t understand it.

It appears that since the 1930’s when the box was only slightly larger than the item it protected and was nicely done in leather, Bakelite, even silver, the boxes went from larger to generous to finally ludicrous size rendered in more pedestrian materials.

Often we hear that watch sizes are on their way back towards more modest sizing but what about these boxes?

Would you rather have a smaller more luxurious box that uses less resources? Curious
I made a post along this same vein a couple of months ago and I got like 3 comments.. clearly you have some political sway in this group
 
OllieOnTheRocks
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And to answer your question I love small boxes, they’re neat, protect the watch, and don’t take up unnecessary space. The ones that are being made today are made by people who clearly didn’t go to design school, it’s nonsense and they break many fundamental rules of industrial design. Clearly some people must appreciate them, but I am not one of the people. Haha
 
hanky6
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kelsey kelsey
Yes seen similar a few times, be just easier on resources if Omega did such in the first place.
I only have one of those big boxes, bought it second hand on Ebay to house my watches, never found a watch case I liked.
 
kelsey
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OllieOnTheRocks OllieOnTheRocks
I made a post along this same vein a couple of months ago and I got like 3 comments.. clearly you have some political sway in this group
Or simply timing
 
Evitzee
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Bigger, seemingly more impressive, boxes started about the same time display backs became standard on watches, mainly to convince the newbie owner who just shelled out a good chunk of a month's salary (and often more) on a mechanical watch that he was getting something special. 'Look, ma, at my special watch, you can SEE it working from the back side and LOOK at the impressive box'.
Edited:
 
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