"Multi-purpose" safe recomendations.

[Sose]

After crowning my watch collection with a Rolex (pun intended), I feel as though I should get a safe. Now, before I posted, I did a search on safes but it turns out the word "safe" is too common to nail the kind of safes I was looking for in my search.

So, here's what I'm looking for: A safe. Small enough to have in my closet but large enough to hold 20 watches and 2 handguns.

Please keep in mind that while I am seeking a safe for both watches and handguns, this is a watch forum. I am real interested what some folks might recommend for both simply because I know humidity can do some damage to both instruments.

So, what do you guys use? Pictures welcome on the way you have your safe configured (please, no gun pics! I don't want the mods to lock my thread.).

[Frogman4me]

I am also pretty interested in what people are using to safely store their watches. I have 2 watch boxes but feel the need to place them in a safe. I would also like to put my handgun and some important documents in there as well. so...bump

[Zed Homme]

Been in the same boat, just can't find a good one. After all if it is small, what is to keep the thieves from stealing the whole thing. Not too hard to walk out with the entire safe, watches and all....

[janice&fred]

Originally Posted by Zed Homme

Been in the same boat, just can't find a good one. After all if it is small, what is to keep the thieves from stealing the whole thing. Not too hard to walk out with the entire safe, watches and all....

most of the time a home safe is just asking for trouble and a convenient centralized place to house all your valuables so the thief can make an easy hit.
also, ANY kind of home safe is hazardous unless EVERYONE in the home is able to unlock and open it under duress. i would hate to think that while we are away for the weekend an armed robber is pointing a gun at remaining family members demanding they open a safe that they dont have the combination for...
my opinion is better to devise and construct a decent hiding compartment in an area of the house (not master bedroom) that can fit a small waterproof pouch of valuables you like to keep in the house, and have a bank safety box for the rest.

fred

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by janice&fred

most of the time a home safe is just asking for trouble and a convenient centralized place to house all your valuables so the thief can make an easy hit.
also, ANY kind of home safe is hazardous unless EVERYONE in the home is able to unlock and open it under duress. i would hate to think that while we are away for the weekend an armed robber is pointing a gun at remaining family members demanding they open a safe that they dont have the combination for...
my opinion is better to devise and construct a decent hiding compartment in an area of the house (not master bedroom) that can fit a small waterproof pouch of valuables you like to keep in the house, and have a bank safety box for the rest.

fred

That's all dependent on where you live I guess. Arround here, no need to worry being stuck up at gunpoint in one's own home. In my Utah house, I have several safes. One very hidden (where true valuables go) and a few in plain sight. The big one is bolted into the foundation so there is no way thieves will make off with it. The important one is small and behind a fake wood panel. Truthfully, my biggest concern is fire. Honestly your post makes me happy I reside in places where home invasion is not so sophisticated, must be hell being a WIS in the philippines....

[sushisummo]

Originally Posted by Zed Homme

That's all dependent on where you live I guess. Arround here, no need to worry being stuck up at gunpoint in one's own home. In my Utah house, I have several safes. One very hidden (where true valuables go) and a few in plain sight. The big one is bolted into the foundation so there is no way thieves will make off with it. The important one is small and behind a fake wood panel. Truthfully, my biggest concern is fire. Honestly your post makes me happy I reside in places where home invasion is not so sophisticated, must be hell being a WIS in the philippines....

X2

On top of that I have camera system in my house, alarm and my set of Guns ready just in case anyone break in.........

[janice&fred]

Originally Posted by Zed Homme

Honestly your post makes me happy I reside in places where home invasion is not so sophisticated, must be hell being a WIS in the philippines....

actually i was speaking with the USA in mind. here in the philippines bank safety deposit boxes are plentiful and very economical so no need for us to keep watches at home unless we are wearing them on our wrist. we are also spoiled, as crime rates are rather low here, and practically every private gated community here has armed guards patrolling

fred

cebu city

[R1@160@alltimes]

Originally Posted by janice&fred

most of the time a home safe is just asking for trouble and a convenient centralized place to house all your valuables so the thief can make an easy hit.
also, ANY kind of home safe is hazardous unless EVERYONE in the home is able to unlock and open it under duress. i would hate to think that while we are away for the weekend an armed robber is pointing a gun at remaining family members demanding they open a safe that they dont have the combination for...
my opinion is better to devise and construct a decent hiding compartment in an area of the house (not master bedroom) that can fit a small waterproof pouch of valuables you like to keep in the house, and have a bank safety box for the rest.

fred

x2

Better off in a sock draw

[Zed Homme]

The trouble for me is what do I put in a rental?

[theloxmyth]

Amsec and Gardall make very good units.

Consider keeping a desiccant (drying agent) in it to maintain reduced moisture levels.

Also, clean and lube your, uh, watches before storing them.

On the same hand, Sentry makes a same size less expensive unit, available at Sam's Clubs, which incorporates fire resistance.

$350.00-$650.00, and up!

Clickable Links, just for yunz, n'at!

[Dom]

I can recommend the Amsec CSC3018. Heavy enough that nobody just walks out with it and a decent fire rating... BTW my locksmith even suggested bolting anything below 750lbs. But I guess it is all relative. Better option is jewelers mutual insurance. Also protects your watches when you wear them.

[fc3s2k]

Sentry, semi fireproof and small enough to hide anywhere in your house, my watches resides is a watch case and inside my sentry safe. so far so good

[Sose]

I guess I should've mentioned that the safe, for me, is just a deterrent. Im not real worried about a home invasion for several reason but I am not covering the sun with my hand; I know anything's possible. Using the safe as a deterrent or a "speed-bump" since it'd take him/her some time to either open or carry it, should be good enough for me.

I live alone, so thankfully, I'm the only one that needs to know how to open it and where it is. My plan is go get a small safe (small enough to fit 20 watches and a couple of handguns) and hide it in my closet. I'm having some closet people install new closets on my place and I'll ask them to "cover" it up.

The problem with fireproof safes, based on another gun theme forum I visit, is that they are meant to keep some level of moisture and humidity in order to maintain it's "fireproofivity". :)

Dom and Thelox, I'll take a look at the models you recommend. Cheers!

Anyone else actually have a safe they are currently using for this? Any issues with the stored items after being in there for a while?

[Ebruner]

I own several Amsec safes and have been very pleased. I have them bolted down, door contacts and tilt/contacts installed and connected to my alarm system. NOT cheep, but you get what you pay for.

-Eddie

[BASSETHOUNDS]

We have a standard poor quality safe build into the wall , placed where we are sure that burglars will find it and remove it from the wall without doing too much damage around it . That way they can take it home and open it in all tranquility ... they will be very disappointed with what they find in it.

[Sose]

Originally Posted by BASSETHOUNDS

We have a standard poor quality safe build into the wall , placed where we are sure that burglars will find it and remove it from the wall without doing too much damage around it . That way they can take it home and open it in all tranquility ... they will be very disappointed with what they find in it.

Red herring!!

[joeychitwood]

I have a 1.3 cubic foot First Alert one-hour-fireproof combination safe in which I keep valuables. (As I recall, it was around $300.) A pro could quickly pick the lock, and a couple of strong petty thieves could walk away with it, but it does prevent someone from rummaging through drawers and stealing a watch, passport, gun or ring. We frequently have many guests in the house as well as a regular cleaning person, and I don't have to worry about something "walking away" from the house.

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I have a 1.3 cubic foot First Alert one-hour-fireproof combination safe in which I keep valuables. (As I recall, it was around $300.) A pro could quickly pick the lock, and a couple of strong petty thieves could walk away with it, but it does prevent someone from rummaging through drawers and stealing a watch, passport, gun or ring. We frequently have many guests in the house as well as a regular cleaning person, and I don't have to worry about something "walking away" from the house.

Agreed, but this philosophy creates a catch 22. No "petty thief" will waste their time trying to get into your safe, especially if they can make off with your PC, TV, etc etc. However by placing your valuables in a safe, youre announcing to all where your valuables are... As I mentioned earlier, I have several safes in one of my homes including a decoy like Bassethounds.

Originally Posted by janice&fred

actually i was speaking with the USA in mind. here in the philippines bank safety deposit boxes are plentiful and very economical so no need for us to keep watches at home unless we are wearing them on our wrist. we are also spoiled, as crime rates are rather low here, and practically every private gated community here has armed guards patrolling

fred

cebu city

Bank deposit boxes are a PITA as they are not always accessible. I also dont want to run back and forth to the bank whenever I get changed. It does make sense though if you have a large collection (over 50 watches). The US is a very safe country (not quite like Western Europe) but home invasions as you describe them are extremely rare, and tend to happen in "certain" parts of town. Maybe its Hollywood's fault plus the media's coverage of our wild west gun culture....


I guess I will ask here as this thread is appropriate. My SO and I will be moving to a southern city (in the US) for her job. I need to keep my NYC place for my job, but do intend to spend time with her down there. We will most likely rent a furnished house as apts are scarce and in the bad part of town. I need a little safe for our valuables, but if someone does break in, I need to be sure they cant walk out with it. I guess hiding it is the best solution but could really use some insight on this...

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by Zed Homme

Agreed, but this philosophy creates a catch 22. No "petty thief" will waste their time trying to get into your safe, especially if they can make off with your PC, TV, etc etc. However by placing your valuables in a safe, youre announcing to all where your valuables are... As I mentioned earlier, I have several safes in one of my homes including a decoy like Bassethounds.



Bank deposit boxes are a PITA as they are not always accessible. I also dont want to run back and forth to the bank whenever I get changed. It does make sense though if you have a large collection (over 50 watches). The US is a very safe country (not quite like Western Europe) but home invasions as you describe them are extremely rare, and tend to happen in "certain" parts of town. Maybe its Hollywood's fault plus the media's coverage of our wild west gun culture....


I guess I will ask here as this thread is appropriate. My SO and I will be moving to a southern city (in the US) for her job. I need to keep my NYC place for my job, but do intend to spend time with her down there. We will most likely rent a furnished house as apts are scarce and in the bad part of town. I need a little safe for our valuables, but if someone does break in, I need to be sure they cant walk out with it. I guess hiding it is the best solution but could really use some insight on this...

I'm in a similar situation... Home and house is in Houston, but work in Fort Worth and have an apartment in Grand Prairie. I have my safe in the apartment, hidden, and bolted down to the floor. Yeah, I'll probably lose my deposit for drilling holes in the floor, but better that than lose my valuables.

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I have a 1.3 cubic foot First Alert one-hour-fireproof combination safe in which I keep valuables. (As I recall, it was around $300.) A pro could quickly pick the lock, and a couple of strong petty thieves could walk away with it, but it does prevent someone from rummaging through drawers and stealing a watch, passport, gun or ring. We frequently have many guests in the house as well as a regular cleaning person, and I don't have to worry about something "walking away" from the house.

I have one of these in a closet, but I normally spread my valuables out in hiding spots around the house. Old timers around here will remember the story about how I once hid my watch collection in the snake tank and I came home to find my Daytona covered in decomposed rat goo. I got tired of this method though, so I just bought a Liberty safe the size of a refrigerator yesterday.

[Esexx]

I think this question would be best answered by Safetrends. Safetrends?

Just keep in mind, if handguns are stored in the safe it cannot be airtight. The item would sweat and rust.

Good luck!

[Sose]

Originally Posted by Esexx

I think this question would be best answered by Safetrends. Safetrends?

Just keep in mind, if handguns are stored in the safe it cannot be airtight. The item would sweat and rust.

Good luck!

Agree, but he was banned.

Would the same happen to watches if the safe were to be airtight?

[sakuraba]

I would just include the watches in your home insurance.

IMHO a determined thief will just run off with your safe. If you are gone 8 hours a day for work, they have 8 hours to jack your safe.

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

I would just include the watches in your home insurance.

IMHO a determined thief will just run off with your safe. If you are gone 8 hours a day for work, they have 8 hours to jack your safe.

Good point Jib!

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by Esexx

I think this question would be best answered by Safetrends. Safetrends?

Just keep in mind, if handguns are stored in the safe it cannot be airtight. The item would sweat and rust.

Good luck!

I think theloxmyth is more than qualified and has already answered. I have a Sentry Safe that I keep all my watches and pens and important documents in. As long as it's bolted down, no worries.

MSW3517_a.jpeg

[sakuraba]

Originally Posted by 2th DR

I have a Sentry Safe that I keep all my watches and pens and important documents in.

That must be one HUGE Sentry Safe!

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

That must be one HUGE Sentry Safe!

[Prince]

Originally Posted by Esexx

I think this question would be best answered by Safetrends. Safetrends?...

That ain't gonna happen!

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by Prince

That ain't gonna happen!

[joeychitwood]

I think the chances of someone removing a safe from your house are slim. Much more possible is a house guest, visitor or acquaintance of one of the kids sneaking into your bedroom (ostensibly to use the restroom, as the others are in use already) and pocketing a watch, ring or pendant. Such was the case with a friend of mine, who noticed a ring was missing after a July Fourth party at her house.

A safe will prevent such an occurrence and will deter about 95% of petty crooks.