Watch Box Build

Excellent work. Thinking of doing something similar this year. As far as lining, I use a thick felt lining to prevent scratches on clasps. Think desk pad level of thickness I would glue the lining in place before you insert your dividers, but that is me. 

Thoughts on lining the dividers as well?  That’s where it seems it would get tricky.  I have considered flocking as well but that also seems tricky.

Looking GOOD!

A custom box is on my to-do list this year as well. 

I got some thick self-adhesive felt (faux suede I suppose) sheets for a different kind of project, that sort of thing might work well. I got mine on Amazon, and can hunt a link if you like, but should be easy enough to find.

(I covered the bitte on of an old wooden box to prevent bits of it scratching other surfaces, and originally I bought to stuff to recover some rests on a laptop table. It was a bit crap for covering cushions, but great for covering hard surfaces. Essentially it was self  adhesive baize, like a snooker table, but in brown.) 

I am planning on lining the dividers with flocking. 

My current thought is to assemble the dividers using half-notches at the intersect, tape off the joints with the box and do the flocking outside of the box and then inserting it once the flocking has set.

That’s the best plan I have now as well.  Didn’t want to get into flocking but also seems like the best solution for the grid.

now to shop for pillows, I should have sized the box from pillows up!!

I plan to line the bottom and the bottom draw with a patch of leather.

Beautiful watch box! I need to have one built. 

I would use suede for the lining. Probably costs more than felt. 

Cheers!

This is the stuff I used. Could be cut to line the sides of dividers, and is very good for lining the very bottom (not the inside which you plan to do with leather) so it would not scratch surfaces when you place it on them. Bunch of colours.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BENECREAT-Velvet-Resistant-Self-Adhesive-Fabric/dp/B07PRQRHV8/ref=dp_prsubs_1?pd_rd_w=uqaII&content-id=amzn1.sym.d7eefb39-b21e-4c2c-9e42-14db94912ddb&pf_rd_p=d7eefb39-b21e-4c2c-9e42-14db94912ddb&pf_rd_r=CBP3D1P1DZ0D0MPFV96J&pd_rd_wg=9owgr&pd_rd_r=50337352-279c-4acc-85ff-2c064c0b8093&pd_rd_i=B07BKX7B8Z&th=1

I’m in the process of making mine, though yours looks much nicer with solid walnut. I’m using scrap birch plywood and bits of cherry to hide the plywood edges.

I bought some “pillows” from Amazon as well as self adhesive felt cloth. The pillows are pretty firm and oval shaped.

I’m making a lattice of scraps of 5mm underlayment.

Seems like sticking the felt on will be easier before assembly. I’ll cover each the lattice pieces with a single piece of felt, and cut the felt in the notches. I’ll line the bottom of the box before inserting the lattice.

I have found a lot of pillows I should have sourced the pillows prior to sizing the box, the box is continuous grain walnut.  Hinge work should be fun as well.

I bought 10 pillows and worked up from there. The width of the lattice holes is the same as the pillows and I added about 1/4” above and below for some extra space like various prebuilt boxes have. My lattice will have a surround for added rigidity.

Long ago I made a couple of boxes and the hardest part about the hinges was getting the depth right. You have the right idea with the clamps.

I might make a jig for my trim router to cut the notches at the right depth.

Still looking for hinges…

I’ve sourced the hinges but still need to work on them.  Rockler has a hinge and jig system that looks nice if you do a lot.

That’s a great idea I haven’t looked on Etsy yet.

You could buy some 'florists foam' (quite thick sturdy foam, and cover it in some soft material?

This way you can cut it to shape 😁

That's going to look awesome once completed. One suggestion I'd have is to change it from a 12 slot to a 10 slot, only so that you can be assured that the watches don't end up rubbing together. I don't have the skills to build my own box and have it come out looking like anything other than an obviously home made box, so I settled on just buying my boxes. I ended up opting for the Wolf Windsor boxes, and one of the main reasons for that was that they allow for plenty of room between watches, even for larger watches.  As per your question on lining, I would think that lining would be mandatory. In addition to my Wolf boxes, I have a 4 watch display stand from Holme & Hadfield that does not have any lining, and find myself not wanting to use it for any of my "better" watches due to the lack of lining.

Looking forward to seeing photos of your finished product.

Looks great thus far! I know you can find pillows/cushions on Amazon, Etsy, AliExpress, & eBay. Not having built a custom box but retrofitting my own, I used a lattice work but plan to change it up with more padded sides in the future. Hopefully you can find some pillows that can work - in hindsight, you may have wanted to purchase these prior to sizing the box but I am sure there is room for modifications so long as the interior is generously sized. Look forward to seeing the finish product! 🤙

Yeah I should have sourced pillows then built box, oh well.  The current pillows from old cheap Amazon box were a decent substitute but I only have 10, shooting for a 12 spot box with a bottom drawer.  I could have made the box about an inch bigger and already sourced the pillows by now.

Honestly, if the pillows are decent and the Amazon box was cheap, you could consider just buying another one (for the pillows) to ensure you get a good fit. I’d just gift the empty box to the wife (or whomever) to store their jewelry or other knickknacks.

I made the lattice, covered them with sticky felt and assembled it.

I had to make the notches significantly wider due to the thickness of the felt. If you don’t it just tears. The pillows are a bit snug, too, for the same reason.

Watch pillows are in from Amazon, this is mock up, still have to get guts to do hinges and flocking.

if any one is wondering, order pillows and then build box around them, unless you can make your own.  I used older ones(not enough to fill box) and ended up with a box that is just a bit too small, but will work.

Latest update, hinges and dividers are done(productive Sunday afternoon/evening!

Up next the energy/time to sand and finish.

Then the time/nerve/desire to do flocking for the dividers.