Why Dubai Watch Collectors Trust Italian Winder Safes for Luxury Watches
In Dubai, where Dubai Watch Week is taking place, the culture of collecting is closely linked to lifestyle. A collector who chooses a self-winding safe with climate control emphasizes that a watch is not just an accessory for him. This is a part of the heritage that needs to be preserved for future generations.
Today, such safes are not a luxury, but must have an item for everyone who sees watches as an
investment and a symbol of time. They combine safety, technology and aesthetics, allowing the collection to remain accurate, protected and valuable for decades.
In Dubai, watch collecting has long outgrown the scope of a regular hobby. For some owners, this is a passion, for others it is a large investment that requires the same protection as paintings or rare jewelry. Automatic mechanisms, especially models with perpetual calendars and complex complications, are sensitive to pauses in operation. It is worth leaving them stationary, and the mechanical system begins to suffer from drying out of the lubricant and wear of parts. That is why more and more collectors are choosing specialized safes with automatic movement, climate control and a multi-level security system.
The global luxury watch industry is steadily growing. According to forecasts,it is projected to grow from USD 59.97 billion in 2025 to USD 134.53 billion by 2032. Against this background, the Middle East and Asia are becoming centers of attraction for collectors. But with the growth of the market, threats are also increasing: theft, heat, humidity, as well as banal storage in wooden caskets or open drawers. In the UAE, only 27% of owners use safes designed specifically for watches, while 62% continue to store collections in boxes. At the same time, statistics show that those who invest in climate-controlled self-winding safes record 30% fewer mechanical failures.
Watch safesare designed differently from universal vaults. Modules with an adjustable number of revolutions per day (TPD) are installed inside, which allows you to simulate the natural movement of the wrist. This system maintains the accuracy of the stroke and extends the service life of the mechanism. For owners of watches with a tourbillon or perpetual calendar, this is especially valuable: it can take hours or even days to set up. Self-winding frees the wearer from the tedious procedure of adjusting the date and time.
The climatic features of the region make the role of protection from the external environment key. Dubai’s high humidity and temperature can destroy leather straps and damage mechanisms in a short time. Modern safes maintain an optimal microclimate: they regulate humidity, temperature, and protect watches from dust and sunlight. The internal compartments are upholstered in soft suede, and separate modules are created for each copy, eliminating even the slightest risk of scratches.
Safety is not limited to massive steel doors. The new models are equipped with biometric locks, alarms and a multi-level access system. Some safes are connected to smart home home systems and allow you to monitor the collection remotely. For insurance companies, such a decision is a serious argument: storage in a certified safe reduces the cost of insurance coverage and facilitates the registration of a policy.
The appearance of the safe is not inferior to its functions. Collectors not only to protect, but also to showcase watches. The safes are equipped with rotating modules, LED lighting, carbon fiber, walnut, and mahogany finishes. They turn into an interior item, creating an atmosphere of respect for the collection. It’s not for nothing that in 2023, more than 58% of luxury watch buyers said they prefer to keep collections in premium safes that combine protection and aesthetics.
The cost of such solutions varies from several thousand to tens of thousands of dirhams. However, the costs are quickly justified if the value of the collections is taken into account. Many limited editions have only 30, 38 or 90 copies, less often 188 or 250. Such watches instantly become rare, and their loss is equivalent to the disappearance of a unique cultural object.
In Dubai, where Dubai Watch Week is taking place, the culture of collecting is closely linked to lifestyle. A collector who chooses a self-winding safe with climate control emphasizes that a watch is not just an accessory for him. This is a part of the heritage that needs to be preserved for future generations.
Today, such safes are not a luxury, but must have an item for everyone who sees watches as an investment and a symbol of time. They combine safety, technology and aesthetics, allowing the collection to remain accurate, protected and valuable for decades.
Biker, foodie, guitarist, Swiss design-head and New School grad. Operating at the sweet spot between simplicity and mathematics to create strong, lasting and remarkable design. I prefer clear logic to decoration.
