The watch hobby doesn’t give its addicts a break. No sooner do you have one watch, then you get another, and another. Once you do that, you will need a way to store them. Of course, you will need more than one watch when you travel, so you have to get something to carry them safely. And what are you going you do with the spare straps and tools? It never ends. Fortunately, there are brands like Vario out there, ready to address all of your watch geek needs. They recently sent me a sampling of their new leather accessories as well as a pair of donut-style travel cases for review.
Let’s start with the donuts. I have mentioned my affinity for watch rolls as both a short and long term storage solution, but they are not ideal for watches with bracelets as these tend to be on the fat side when stuffed down a pouch, and left unprotected, the clasp will rub the case back. When traveling with a watch on a bracelet, only a round, zippered pouch will do.
Vario has had these in the collection for a while now. The formula is simple: tough nylon fabric over a hard shell, with a soft interior, secured by a zipper. At 5″ wide and 2.3″ thick, they are large enough to swallow a G-Shock and offer sufficient protection to bounce your watch down a flight of stairs. (See the video, I can’t bear to try it myself.) The new Gen 2 version is a step up, adding slick black camo fabric and a water-resistant zipper. Much like the original VW Beetle, it is not water-tight, but it will float, so you’ve got a chance to rescue your Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso before it is lost to the briny depths. Head over to Kickstarter before the campaign ends on July 29, and you can snag one for just $13 US. After that, they will be $22 on Vario’s site.
Next up are the handmade Belarusian Leather Watch Roll and Pouch. Made from 1.5mm thick leather, they have clean stitching, an unfinished interior, and are wonderfully soft. I sampled a suede Hickory Brown pouch ($30), and a Caramel Brown, two-pocket roll with a slight sheen ($36). You can also opt for a four watch roll for $48. Both were lovely and looked far nicer than their modest prices might suggest. You will get a leather key fob too. What can I say? It holds keys. Feels nice too. Not a bad little bonus.
These days, most of us are staying close to home, or indeed, literally staying at home all the time. Those of us not getting out much may want to invest in a leather valet tray. For $20, you can get the plain Caramel or Hickory, or you can opt for one emblazoned with the “Certified Watch Geek” or “School of Horology” seals for $24.
If you are buying something else from Vario (don’t forget their excellent watches and straps) and would like to sample the leather before you buy, just ask. Vario will gladly send you a swatch along with your purchase.
I highly recommend you visit Vario and check out their wares. Even if you manage to resist the Empire and Eclipse watches, the great selection of straps, and the watch nerd t-shirts, you might just add one of the small leather goods to your cart. ⬩
