After watching the latest episode of Hodinkee's Talking Watches featuring Jeff Stein, I ordered a pack of AceTimers ziplock PVC watch bags. But after they arrived, I had second thoughts. Are these safe for vintage watches long term? Im sure they are made in China with little or no regulations. Could these cause longterm damage to the finish of our precious watches? https://www.hodinkee.com/videos/talking-watches-jeff-stein
Personally I would not use PVC. I'd rather go food grade. Some PVC can outgass and some can get "sticky" and could affect nonmetal parts. It's the old baseball card collector in me. Polypropylene is better.
Personally, I wouldn't use those for long term storage, especially for a watch with a coated or bakelite bezel.
Wrap the watch head in a soft cloth or jewelry tissue paper first. @STANDY - show'em the little watch sacks please!
I would NOT do not do this. In a former job I experienced PVC plasticizer migration. I am not saying this would happen, I am not a chemist, but plastic stored around PVC can have this happen, so acrylic crystals or inserts or any other plastic would potentially be at risk. This would be long term. I have also seen adhesives speed this process (again not knowing how they are made), but my experiences were limited to applications that remained unchanged for years. Nonetheless I would not risk it and if you want to learn more do a quick Google search on it...
Thanks guys, I had the same reaction, unfortunately after they arrived. I guess I had a moment of weakness. When I saw the video linked in my OP I figured if Jeff Stein uses them it must be a good idea
And they are even marketed to collectors: http://www.acetimer.com/Pack-of-100...play-storage-Watches-Pouch-Case-Reg-size.html anyone want to buy 100 ziplock bags
I saw this...and assume this would prevent the PVC from sticking to the bakelite bezel...but my original question was more about a chemical reaction that would occur even without direct contact. Although, I think the immediate concern is the PVC contacting the watch. I started thinking about this because I live in the South and after Hurricane Katrina there was a huge sheetrock shortage in the US. All the lumber supply stores started importing Chinese sheetrock and a large percentage of homes were rebuilt using this material. Within months the chemicals used in the drywall started corroding all the electrical and plumbing inside the walls. It even destroyed any electronics (TV's, stereos) in cabinets near the walls. This shit was bad...caused millions of dollars in damage. Basically anyone who used the drywall had to gut their homes and replace all the electrical and plumbing for a second time.
I've been using them for three years, unwrapped but all of them with desiccant, and haven't had any problems
It would be best to avoid PVC. Numismatists have long known that PVC degrades rare coins. http://www.coinweek.com/dealers-companies/wings-company/pvc-damage-world-coins-avoid/
They are. I like @ulackfocus's idea of wrapping the heads, but one of the advantages with these is that you can see them at a glance.
Not to mention I have seen dog toys and shoes marketed as PVC free for years. I guess my logic is if I shouldn't walk on PVC in my shoes or have a dog playing with PVC, I wouldn't put my beloved watches in PVC to protect it... hope no one works in the PVC industry
Hmmm, I currently store mine in these, but wrap the watch head in a layer of bubble wrap. I guess this would prevent the PVC from screwing with anything, but now I'm wondering if I need to add some rice or desiccant...