Horological Meandering

The following is WatchProSite Moderator Patrick_y's personal thoughts. 

Okay!  Boxes!  Specifically the original watch boxes some watches come with when they leave the factory.  I'm not referring to aftermarket boxes like Scatola Del Tempo. 

I'm a big fan of beautiful boxes.  I actually collect beautiful cigar humidors despite the fact that I don't smoke.  Boxes and packaging are special to me; well-executed packaging can really elevate the product and show a lot of care went into the product.  So, this all begs the question...  Which watch brand makes the best watch boxes? 

I started my research amongst the big watch brands.  A lot of people really like the current Patek Philippe watch box; a design that Patek Philippe has been using for over a decade.  One Patek Philippe fan was praising the watch so much that he went on and on about the box (it's his first Patek Philippe, and his fanboy rant is now on YouTube).  Does he know that these boxes aren't that special?  But what goes into this watch box?  Where is it made?  How is it made?  These Patek Philippe wood boxes are made in South East Asia.  Why South East Asia?  Partially due to available expertise, existing production infrastructure and capacity, skilled yet inexpensive labor, and to a very small extent the varnishes and toxic chemicals used to make these wood boxes are less regulated in South East Asia.  The boxes are made on efficient jigs in an assembly line process that allows for speed, precision, and quality.  Considering that Patek Philippe buys on average around 60,000+ wood boxes per annum, I'm certain Patek Philippe gets them for a very attractive per unit price!  Other brands outside of Patek Philippe have their boxes made in South East Asia; Panerai's pear wood boxes with the matte exterior are also made in South East Asia. 

But if you're under the assumption that the best watch boxes come from one of those famous brands like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, or Lange...  Wait until you've seen these...

As the title already conveys, after my extensive research of various watch boxes, I have determined that the best watch boxes come from MB&F.  Congratulations to MB&F!  Here are most of their watch boxes over the years...

Horological Machine 1 had an unusual watch box that came in a messenger bag.  What a cool box! 

Keep in mind, MB&F is not a large manufacturer.  These boxes cost a fortune to produce because they're mostly different between models and they're not made a few dozen units at a time unlike a major company's box where 60,000+ are made in a year.  These boxes are individually made, mostly by hand because it's not cost effective to set up an automated production line when you're only making 50-100 boxes.  I truly applaud Max Busser and his team at MB&F for taking the time not only for making their wonderful Horological and Legacy Machines, but also their INSANE COMMITMENT to delivering VALUE to their clients.  If they spent so much time on the box, imagine how much time they spent on the watch!  I give many thanks to MB&F's attention to detail, the designers have come up with meaningful boxes that are specially created for nearly each and every model of their watches!  Packaging a watch is really something that is overlooked by most manufacturers.  Twenty years ago, even the big brands doled out poor quality boxes as packaging was really just an afterthought.  But as more brands realize that watch collecting is a lifestyle choice, it's nice that these brands realize that the watch box is an enjoyable bonus for watch fans.  We keep these special sculptural boxes on our bookshelves, on our desks, in our offices, in our homes.  These watch boxes are great conversation starters and in the case of these MB&F watch boxes - they're sculptures in their own right.  These MB&F boxes probably have more thought and design going into them than any other major brand's boxes; I wouldn't be surprised if 100+ man hours went into the creation and design of these MB&F boxes, amortized over only 50-100 units that's an insane amount of detail considered.  Take any of the Big Three Swiss brands, I doubt their generic boxes took 100 man hours to design! 

I invite you to share your thoughts about your favorite watch boxes; please share photographs of your favorite box(es) as not all WatchProSite readers have seen the boxes.  And what do you think about these MB&F boxes? 

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