Thread: Watch Boxes

Absolutely beautiful, David. Good on you for sticking to your guns. I bet none of the buyers believe they only bought a watch.

Originally Posted by double.d

Early in 2021 i made a sample watch box and sent it to a Sydney watch maker who was embarking on his first batch of watches made totally in house, he loved it and after settling on a price i was given an order for 25 which were all made from highly figured Silky Oak.
His clients loved them and in July last year i was asked to quote on 50 boxes for the latest watch release. The quote was indicative of timber pricing and an upgrade of hinges quality which amounted to a reasonable $40 extra. I heard nothing for 5 months and then received a phone call expressing his disappointment with the quoted price. The conversation then centred on him telling me how to run my business and reduce costs so i could supply him for less, after all he could buy Chinese examples for a 5th of my price. Having spent 40 years in sales i knew it was time to end the relationship, and he softened when i explained to him that people who are buying his $7,000 watches aren't interested in seeing a shelf full of the same box, they want something unique and one off, so it was decided i would make as many boxes as i could from different timbers so that his customers could choose a unique one off piece.
It is my experience that people with unlimited funds do not care what they pay for an item, it can be very cheap, and as long as it is unique and a one off they will show their similarly well of friends and brag that they have bought a one of a kind.

This was the first batch of this year in unfinished form, Tas Oak, Sheoak, Banksia, Silky Oak, Tiger Myrtle
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This is the second batch finished, Redwood, Beefwood, Red Gum, Blackwood fully lined with Beige Pig Skin Suede and matching pillows with matching timber end caps
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Lovely work, they are truly unique.

As boxes go, they are beautifully made. As a woodworker, I'd be proud to say I made them. As a (very small) horologist, they complete its presentation.

I hope he is paying you well for them!

Regards from Perth

Derek

Well done. You do no one - yourself, the client or your fellow woodworkers - any favours by reducing your quality to meet an unrealistic price.

Originally Posted by aldav

Absolutely beautiful, David. Good on you for sticking to your guns. I bet none of the buyers believe they only bought a watch.

Initially i thought every watch was going out in a box, but that is not the case, the buyers when collecting their watch are asked if they would like to purchase a box for the watch and the majority are taking up the offer so i know they truly like the box, which is satisfying.

All the linings are removable so the customer can repurpose the box if they desire.

David, they would look a lot better with your hinges fitted. Before you made yours available i asked the client to make hinges for his boxes but he reckoned that at a $100 a pair it was not worth it.