It is quite crazy. Most of these massive boxes look and feel cheaply made. I'd rather have a very small box that is nicely made... something worthy of being called a presentation box for a watch that costs thousands of dollars. I wonder how many folks ever go back to look at the box once they start wearing the watch...
My first new Omega came in the red leather clamshell inner box, white outer box. I kept it on a shelf in storage for years before tossing it in a move. I did regret that later when I realized I’d tossed the extra links and papers.
My most recent acquisition of a new watch came in the giant wooden box. It’s nice and all, but it’s now sitting on a shelf until it gets tossed. I already stored the papers separately with other important papers.
You get a big enough collection and your shelf is filled with useless boxes. I kind of like how the new James Bond Seamaster or the ST1 came in a pouch for the most part. No giant boxes to store in a closet to never be used again.
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'.
^
This... back in the 60’s and 70’s the tool watches that we all love were expensive but not like they are today. I’m thinking it was like the equivalent of buying an iPhone. They would be astonished that we might now pay $8,000 for a plain black submariner or $5200 for a standard speedmaster. The retailers realize people are sometimes on the fence about whether or not to make the purchase and the fancy box helps to push the image that this is a luxury good that you deserve. We all complain, but imagine if the latest limited edition $13,000 speedmaster came in a small plastic clamshell?
First world problems, I guess.
Here is my storage for 32 watch boxes and papers, along with assorted service boxes, polishing cloths, winder cushions, some tools, and other bits. Hardly a chore keeping track of them. You can call them useless, I call them part of the watch package as they came from the manufacturer, they sit there quietly, not bothering anyone. I'm not about to throw them out.
Sir, great to see your priorities are steadfast despite COVID -- keeping all your 32 watch boxes and making room for just 1 toilet paper roll.
