With apologies to the brand, it’s not just Patek Philippe which knows that you never actually own a fine watch, you merely look after it for the next generation. Those who own luxury watches that cost more than a car know the import of storing their possessions in a fashion that keeps them ticking, and safe, for future generations. And what’s better than a high-end, watch-winding cabinet? Specially when it does more than keep your favorite timepieces well-wound. Take a look at the hot new ones:
Buben & Zorweg’s Grand Aficionado
This cabinet is for those who want to make their prized timepieces a focal point of their living room rather than dressing room. Flaunting one’s watches over wine is easy with this cabinet, which houses a watch safe, a climate-controlled wine cabinet and space for eight wine bottles. The Grand Aficionado’s ‘Vinum’ version also includes a humidor, bar and wine cork display. The ‘Tempus’ comes minus wine storage, but has a double-sided carousel, humidor, bar and pen display with the high-security safe. Both have an optional German hi-fi system.
Dottling Colosimo Spike & Mies
In 2010, Dottling created the Colosimo as a cute- looking safe that houses and winds just one watch. With 16 radially-arranged locking bolts and 32 cogs, the safe was about 28 sq cm in size and weighed under 30 kg. Now, Dottling is offering two limited edition versions of the second generation Colosimo, called ‘The Spike’ and ‘The Mies’. The drum has been redone here to offer space for three watches, though the new pieces are 7 cm smaller than the original and weigh only 14 kg. The ‘Spike’ watch winder is inspired by Louboutin’s spiky high heels; with the black leather housing lined with steel spikes and the red base reflecting Louboutin’s red soles. The quilted leather ‘Mies’ pays tribute to the 20th century Barcelona chair designed by Mies van der Rohe. Dottling will produce only 20 pieces of each of the winders.
Dottling-Hublot Morphosis
Luxury safe manufacturer Dottling and Hublot have teamed up to create the 180-kg Morphosis Watch Winder Safe. Cylindrical in shape, the safe sports two sets of winders that can hold up 21 watches each. Once you enter the correct PIN, the inner tube turns 90 degrees and shows you the first panel of 21 watches. Push the turn button and the tube spins another 180 degrees to reveal the second panel of 21 watch winders. The winder is made of steel, encased in lacquered semi-matt Hublot black panels. The safe has a music system in the form of an iPad dock, through which one can control the safe’s functions plus the lock/unlock mechanisms.
Kudoe Schli & Matz’s Gigantis
It’s no surprise that this watch winder is called Gigantis. At 1.8 m wide and 2.1 m long, the piece stands out even in large-dimension rooms. Even more impressive, however, are its inner values. At the push of a button, the two motorized side wings open, offering a view into the interior which holds 60 individually programmable and illuminated watch-winders, a humidor and an illuminated bar compartment. The watch-winders are controlled and programmed via a touch screen, which is operated from the centrally positioned mirror element. The winder also has a DVD player that plays any kind of audio file from a smartphone. Best of all, the Gigantis comes with a small fireplace.