Storing Watches in a bank safety box

[uri40]

Other than the hassle of having to go to the bank to store or retrieve a watch is there any other disadvantages?

[SearChart]

You can't wear them while they are in the box.

[JM0127]

Too much trouble to swap them out.

[James K]

Having worked in a bank that had safe deposit boxes......you make one of two things obvious when you use one. You have something that you deem precious enough to put in the box in the first place making you a target of interest. Second thing, you either had or now have something of value on your person when you walk out of the vault.

Criminals do their homework and these are some of the things they look for. That being said you can't constantly live in fear of these things, just at least make yourself aware so you don't become a victim in between vault visits.

Another small disadvantage is you're subject to access to your items to the hours of the bank. You didn't ask for the advantages so I won't go there.

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by uri40

Other than the hassle of having to go to the bank to store or retrieve a watch is there any other disadvantages?

i keep all my watches and valuables in SDB I think the access is super easy and rather wait until the bank opens than the officers at the PD to report burglaries.

[1William]

Out of sight, out of mind. I prefer to have my possessions, like watches, on hand. Safe Deposit box for vehicle titles, etc.

[beshannon]

Having worked for a bank, I cannot imagine waiting in line, signing in and going through the process of getting the box out of the vault just to get a watch.

[gettocard]

Cancelled my bank box after 4 months, not worth the hassle and missed my watches too much.

[tyler1980]

to me i look at it like this: The watches im most worried about damaging/scratching always get that unsightly ding first where as i have beaters that look brand new still. Same with bank vaults. with my luck, the ones i am trying the hardest to protect would be the first ones i would get stolen. So basically i treat them all the same and dont use a bank vault or a home safe 95% of the time. If i leave for an extended period of time then yes.

Plus, transporting watches to and from the bank is probably the most risk you will face with a collection as they are not in the bank's safe and not in your house. Thats when something is going to happen.

[crew]

For me, I’d have to have a watch worth something north of $50k before I’d consider utilizing a safety deposit box. And that’s something I’ll never have to worry about.
If I had a watch, or a collection of watches, that needed protection I’d buy a large safe and keep it in my home. The safe would need to be large enough and heavy enough that no one could steal it without some serious effort & equipment to lift it.

[~JJ]

I have insurance and a SDB, much easier to be protected then worry. I swap out 2-3 pieces every two weeks. Takes :30 min during lunch... cant fathom this being a hassle but everyone has their own preferences.

[Hpozzuoli]

Depending on the size of your collection your insurance provider will mandate you put them in a Safety Deposit Box. Kinda like boat insurance, when a named storm comes the boat either gets pulled or it needs to be in a certain geographical location determined to be safe by the insurance company. Some insurance companies take preventive security very serious.

[antbkny]

i guess the trick is to keep a box at home for a few watches to play with for the month, and the rest stays at the bank.

[GB-man]

Luckily my bank is walking distance to my home. I can be in and out in 5 minutes normally. My collection tends to ebb and flow as I have to try them all. When its flush I use the sdb. When its lean I have other methods.

[Tmac478]

I have a safe in my home office. Any watch I'm not wearing is in that safe. The safe is heavy duty and bolted to the floor and the studs in the back wall.
I couldn't imagine running to the bank every time I wanted to wear a different watch. Often times, I'll wear 2 different watches in the same day.

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by JM0127

Too much trouble to swap them out.

+1

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by Tmac478

I have a safe in my home office. Any watch I'm not wearing is in that safe. The safe is heavy duty and bolted to the floor and the studs in the back wall.
I couldn't imagine running to the bank every time I wanted to wear a different watch. Often times, I'll wear 2 different watches in the same day.

Same here, plus I can control; my safe temp and humidity.

[loobster09]

It’s too much stress and inconvenience to me..

[goin camping]

Too much hassle. Also have a large safe for another item I collect. So the watches go in there.

[Laszlo]

It’s called a ‘safe’ deposit box and yes, it’s fine to store watches in them. We have a fairly big one stuffed with priceless valuables.

[GradyPhilpott]

It's not a hassle for me to go to the bank.

I'm in the area almost everyday anyway.

I never have to wait in line.

The staff knows why I'm there and I just give them a wave and have a seat in the waiting area.

The whole process of retrieving my watch or watches takes no more than five minutes.

For me, it's just the safest and sanest way to protect my watches and other precious items.

There are no downsides for me.

[Jay (Eire)]

At least in the US anything stored in a safe deposit box is not covered (by the Bank charging you for the box) against theft or damage. And both theft and damage does occur. So you have to insure the contents separately, at your own cost.

[uri40]

You mean that even in a safe deposit box items can still be stolen?

[JM0127]

Originally Posted by uri40

You mean that even in a safe deposit box items can still be stolen?

Don't you watch the movies?

[uri40]

That only happens in the movies

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

At least in the US anything stored in a safe deposit box is not covered (by the Bank charging you for the box) against theft or damage. And both theft and damage does occur. So you have to insure the contents separately, at your own cost.

I think it s so worldwide however better banks are equipped state of the art fire and theft protection and i m not talk about Texas Midlands:-)

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

It's not a hassle for me to go to the bank.

I'm in the area almost everyday anyway.

I never have to wait in line.

The staff knows why I'm there and I just give them a wave and have a seat in the waiting area.

The whole process of retrieving my watch or watches takes no more than five minutes.

For me, it's just the safest and sanest way to protect my watches and other precious items.

There are no downsides for me.

Agree 100%

[offrdmania]

Most SDB vaults do not have climate controls. On top of the hassle of getting to the box when you want to wear a watch, you need to take precautions against humidity.

I personally own a floor safe in my house which I can control the climate and have access to 24/7 without having to wait in line.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Most SDB vaults do not have climate controls. On top of the hassle of getting to the box when you want to wear a watch, you need to take precautions against humidity.

I never thought humidity was a problem with waterproof, or even water resistant, watches.

Now my guitar needs constant monitoring for humidity, but for my watches, not so much, even the lesser ones and my vintage ones.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I never thought humidity was a problem with waterproof watches.

Now my guitar needs constant monitoring for humidity, but for my watches, not so much, even the lesser ones and my vintage ones.

That may be true for a brand new watch but I wouldn’t trust waterproofing on a vintage.