How do you insure and secure your watches? Any recommendations?

[xrole]

Seeing the latest "watch stolen during burglary" thread got me thinking about how I don't really secure my watches (soon to be around 6). Granted, I live in an apartment block so its harder to break in and you would really have to know what you were looking for, but still its possible and I really should take that into account.

So, my questions are:

1. Do you insure your watches?
2. How do you securely store your watches?

I assume I should look for a small safe that I can fix to the wall but if anyone has any recommendations I am all ears.

[PBJ1925]

Insurance yes. How to secure, varies. Some prefer a safe, some prefer a safe deposit box /secure location, while others will put them in the most random places such as below a floorboard, in a kleenex box, (let your imagination roam here).

[4reRlxGuy]

After my home burglary where there broke into my safe I keep most of the collection at multiple safe deposit boxes which I insure through SDBIC in the US (much cheaper than a home owners policy). You can get coverage for pieces you'll wear through your homeowners policy or places like Hodinkee.

[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by 4reRlxGuy

After my home burglary where there broke into my safe I keep most of the collection at multiple safe deposit boxes which I insure through SDBIC in the US (much cheaper than a home owners policy). You can get coverage for pieces you'll wear through your homeowners policy or places like Hodinkee.

I just read a review of SDBIC stating they do not insure your losses if it’s an inside job from the bank

[londondude]

I include them in my content insurance. You need to specify the items and it adds quite a lot to the premium but it’s worth it

[996marty]

For me they go in a place that would be the last place you’d think of looking

[aniconic]

I found Hodinkee insurance (which is via Chubb) was much cheaper than adding a rider to my home insurance. A couple of big plusses (other than cost) is that it has worldwide coverage and also coverage if you lose the watch. I haven't made a claim, but there are a lots of positive posts. Cost depends in part on the zip code where you live (I don't know if it is available outside of the US).

[1William]

I insure my watches through Hodinkee.

[brandrea]

No insurance. I grew tired of the premium acceleration.

I could buy a new SS professional reference every 5 years on the premiums I was paying. Yes, if I’m robbed or just plain forgetful and I lose a watch, it’s on me full stop

I store my watches in a safe deposit box at my bank. It’s 5 minutes from my home so I don’t find it in inconvenient and I know they are as safe or safer than in my home under lock and key. I tend to rotate my watches once a week, so for me it’s perfect YMMV

[TikTok]

Originally Posted by brandrea

No insurance. I grew tired of the premium acceleration.

I could buy a new SS professional reference every 5 years on the premiums I was paying. Yes, if I’m robbed or just plain forgetful and I lose a watch, it’s on me full stop:

This^

Stored in a safe at home. Would use a safety deposit it it was available locally but not an option.

[rcwatchcollector]

I have a 200lb safe bolted to the floor in walk in closest. I do not insure my watches.


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[EEpro]

ISM Super Treasury with IR motion and accelerometers.

The door alone weighs 800 pounds.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by 996marty

For me they go in a place that would be the last place you’d think of looking

Of course it's the last place they look. Once they find it, they stop looking.

[samson66]

I have a jewelry rider on my homeowner's policy. It would only cover a chunk of the value if I lost everything.

But one way I avoid the possibility of losing all my watches in a single burglary is to NOT keep them all in the same place. some I keep in a secure gun safe, others may be in unsecure spots around the house where most people would not go looking for watches. The problem with safes is that they will be the first thing hit if you are ever robbed. All a safe does is delay the theif, not stop him.

[jamesbondOO7]

1. No
2. Safe in the kitchen

[jamesbondOO7]

Originally Posted by zengineer

Of course it's the last place they look. Once they find it, they stop looking.

[DJ2020]

Insurance? Absolutely! As far as safe, it's on my left arm 24hrs a day. I'm Definitely not afraid of wearing my watch anywhere that I go. Never have been.

[pk552502]

I don't insure my watches because I think insurance overall is kind of a hassle. The whole insurance industry is a big hassle.

[pk552502]

Can't a simple angle grinder get into pretty much any safe? Safes deter your common thief perhaps, but they are not fool proof.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by pk552502

Can't a simple angle grinder get into pretty much any safe? Safes deter your common thief perhaps, but they are not fool proof.

Anything that is made of homogenous steel plate below 10 gauge yes. Above that a torch is faster.

TRTL safes with amalgam of high psi concrete, glass, corundum, and copper shavings not so much.

[ThornappleWatch]

Unlike most here, my collection is limited with approximate value of $20K.

My wife purchased me a plexiglass topped leather 10-watch box last year for Christmas.
Top row is mechanical watches (in order): Archimede SportTaucher (my beater watch), Tudor Black Bay Panda, Rolex Sub, Fredrique Constant highlife chronograph (wear when wearing blue), Hamilton khaki Field watch on custom Horween leather strap (only manual watch).

Bottom row are inexpensive quartz watches, including a Timex Ironman, Apple Watch and my deceased father's dress watch (never remembered him wearing).

Watch box sits on dresser in bedroom unlocked; I like to know specific order so I can switch out watches t night without waking my wif.

The Rolex and Tudor are insured through State Farm, the rest.... no.

Fairly safe, semi rural area. We don't even lock our doors when leave for the day, and only recently started locking when leaving town for vacation. Previous order said they never locked their doors. We're fortunate...

[Blansky]

Hide in plain sight.

[JSol1]

Hodinkee for me.

[aniconic]

Originally Posted by brandrea

No insurance. I grew tired of the premium acceleration.

I could buy a new SS professional reference every 5 years on the premiums I was paying. Yes, if I’m robbed or just plain forgetful and I lose a watch, it’s on me full stop

I store my watches in a safe deposit box at my bank. It’s 5 minutes from my home so I don’t find it in inconvenient and I know they are as safe or safer than in my home under lock and key. I tend to rotate my watches once a week, so for me it’s perfect YMMV

Wow, your insurance was terrible (like my homeowner's insurance would have been). With Hodinkee insurance, 5 years of premiums for my watches wouldn't even buy a replacement SS bracelet.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by aniconic

Wow, your insurance was terrible (like my homeowner's insurance would have been). With Hodinkee insurance, 5 years of premiums for my watches wouldn't even buy a replacement SS bracelet.

Maybe a bit expensive, I’m not sure. I was paying roughly 2% of the value of my small collection. I think that’s roughly in line with what I’ve seen others paying.


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[piratfisk]

I keep mine in the AD's safe. I only have to pay MSRP + tax as a one-time premium. Did I get the short end of the stick?

[aniconic]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Maybe a bit expensive, I’m not sure. I was paying roughly 2% of the value of my small collection. I think that’s roughly in line with what I’ve seen others paying.

Just renewed my Hodinkee, and it is just under 1%. This is a little less than the estimates listed by Hodinkee, but I'm in a very low risk zip code.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by aniconic

Just renewed my Hodinkee, and it is just under 1%. This is a little less than the estimates listed by Hodinkee, but I'm in a very low risk zip code.

Nice.

Hodinkee doesn’t insure in Canada (yet).


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[Swearengen]

"I've never been insured in my life. I don't believe in insurance."

https://youtu.be/hKlKfYSC5Kg?si=AELuavd1ymY81iwo

[pickettt]

My answer to 90% of security questions …Malinois.