I have a small collection that I leave in safes.Some are air conditioned, some are in UK and not in heated environments, Some are in banks - where I expect they turn off A/C at night.

I recently saw in Hong Kong an early 1675 Gilt dial that had been put away in perfect condition into a safety deposit box 10 years previously, and now the dial is toast - cracked and dull.

So I worry where to keep them.

And what conditions will cause decay?

Too damp, too dry?

Too hot, too cold?

What say you all?

 

A lightproof (UV) hermetically sealed container purged with ultra-pure dry nitrogen in a lead lined capsule.

Hidden under your bed.

 

Seriously now.

As just said, the killers are high temperatures, humidity, UV light and oxygen.

Aircon that goes on and off causes cooling of the environment, and in a humid climate condensation forms as soon as the cooling goes off.

Davis Monthan storage facility has thousands of aircraft out in the open, many to be re-used after sitting in the dry climate for months or years.

I wouldn't store my watches there but it's an example of the right environment for the right purpose.

 

Would make for an interesting niche business, long-term storage capsules for your watch (or anything precious that's similarly sized). Put them in the capsule, then store them in a safe, bank etc. knowing the capsule will keep the watch pristine. Could be a good kickstarter campaign.

 

You can have a safe installed in your air conditioned home. As long as it is stored in a cool dry place and the temperature is even.

 

I'm thinking of picking up an extra hygrometer from my local cigar man and popping it in the safety deposit box for giggles. Thought I detected a hint of condensation last time I checked. Most of my watches are in plastic pouches with one of these tucked alongside.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00967J7BQ/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_AExjub11HQ2HA

 

AC can be your worst enemy - that is if you consider AC as it is commonly perceived. True AC controls both temperature and humidity. What most people consider as AC is actually comfort cooling i.e, it only controls the temperature. De-humidification is a by-product of cooling because the moist air releases its moisture as it passes over a cold surface (condensation occurs on the face of the cooling coil) but humidification is not controlled unless you have the ability to add moisture to the air. If the condensate is not drained properly, the air will take the moisture back until it becomes as saturated as the ambient air, as soon as the cooling ceases.)

Essentially, what you need is a stable environment with the RH controlled to somewhere between 40 and 60 %.

 

I may not have such an expensive collection and i really see the point of needing a safe, but i also love to see my watches on display, so that i can look at them whenever i find the time.
I always thought about building something like a safe with a bulletproof pane of glass
which is contreted into the wall. So i could have my watches at display and safe at the same time.
But i think a humidor isnt such a bad idea either, nevertheless it needs electricity which wont be available in a safe deposit.

 

I want thinking just a mechanical hygrometer to check the humidity. No electricity required.

 

I think a constant temperature and silica granules to keep the air dry are two basic needs.

 

We should go find out at what humidity and what temperature is the idea storage.

A dry cabinet (those use to keep camera) that can control humidity should be fine.

 

Interesting. I'd say that if the watch is waterproof and the temp of the storage is between +10 and +30 Celcius not too much can happen.

 

I want this to store my watches.
http://www.wimp.com/antiquedesk/

 

Now that is an exquisitely elaborate complication!

 

One simple solution is to keep them in zip lock bags along with a silica gel sachet. Press most of the air from the bag before sealing. Then store somewhere with a reasonably constant temperature.
Fire proof safes are surely a good investment and the portable ones are not expensive.

 

I'd need two because I'd spend so much time playing with it,I'd probably wear it out.