Watch rolls and travel watch cases

Watch roll, leather pouch or hard case?

Three different objects. The right one depends on how many watches you carry and what you carry them in.

The hard case, for one or two watches

It is the only format that genuinely protects against crushing. The shell keeps its shape and the watch stays put. For a single piece taken away for the weekend, the London black leather watch case is our best seller. For two, the Geneva brown leather slip case holds both head to toe so they never touch.

The leather pouch, for a collection on the move

A compartmented strip of soft leather that rolls up on itself and closes with a tie or a strap. It adapts to what you put in it: three watches out, six back. It is the collectors' format, and by far the most requested on our site.

The watch roll, the enclosed version

Same idea, but each watch sits on a removable cushion inside a leather tube. The Prestigium 3-watch roll suits a short trip; the 5-watch roll adds side reinforcements that keep it upright once full.

How many watches should you take?

Count the watches you actually wear when travelling, not the ones you might. Beyond six, you no longer need a case — you need a transport box.

• 1 watch — London black case or blue shockproof case.
• 2 watches — Grandval black grained leather pouch, with room for two spare straps.
• 3 to 5 watches — Prestigium 5-watch roll or Barbour 5-watch pouch.
• 6 watches — Grandval 6-watch pouch or Avel & Men Ploumanach.

Made in France: two workshops, two approaches

Grandval, Pays de la Loire

A workshop holding the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, awarded by the French state and reviewed every five years. The leather is full-grain milled calfskin that patinates quickly. The range covers the 2-watch blue and four six-watch colours: black, brown, honey and blue. Honey moves fastest: it darkens and marbles within months.

Avel & Men, Brittany

Made in Ploumanac'h, on the Breton coast. It closes with a flat sailor's knot on technical cord rather than a metal buckle: nothing hard can reach a crystal. Two colours, brown and navy dyed through.

Oiled cotton, the alternative to leather

Some travellers avoid leather for one reason: it marks with water. The Prestigium pouches in Barbour oiled cotton are water-repellent and supple from day one. Three shades: beige, khaki and blue.

Luxury watch case: four things to check

The lining. Suede or alcantara, never shiny synthetic: it is what rubs against the crystal for eight hours of flight.

Compartment depth. A 44 mm diver on a steel bracelet will not fit a pouch cut for dress watches. Measure your largest watch first.

The closure. Tie, strap or knot. Any metal part near the watches is a risk — which is exactly why Avel & Men use a knot.

The stitching. A saddle stitch survives ten years; a long machine stitch gives way at the first snag.

Travel case or watch box?

They do different jobs. A case protects in transit; it is not made for permanent storage, since soft leather lets a watch lean on its neighbour when the pouch stays rolled for months. For daily storage at home, look at our watch boxes and storage cases, which hold every piece flat on its own cushion.

And if your automatics should be running when you get back, our watch winders save you resetting the date every time.

A question about a model, or about fitting a specific watch? We have every reference in hand. Write to us — we answer within one working day.