Watch storage temperature

[Tridor]

I'd like to store my watches in my gun safe, the temperature of which is kept at about 50°F ... similarly, humidity in the safe is kept at around 50°F. Are such conditions OK for watch storage, or should they be kept in better conditioned space?

[cdmorenot]

That should be alright. I’d throw a large pack of silica in there just in case. That’s what I do … watches, docs and other metal objects. I’m sure the temp in there is closer to 60.

These watches are hermetic. I really don’t think any other special care is required.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Why would you keep the humidity in your gun safe at 50%? That’s guitar territory, or orchids. I wouldn’t worry about watches at 50%, I’d worry about the other contents of the safe.

[Eagles4133]

If paper items are keeping ok your safe, then anything else you put in there should be ok as well. personally lower the humidity for anything is better, well I guess except for certain wooden items like another posted commented (guitar).

[rmwill]

I keep my watches in the crisper drawer of my refrigerator.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Tridor

I'd like to store my watches in my gun safe, the temperature of which is kept at about 50°F ... similarly, humidity in the safe is kept at around 50°F. Are such conditions OK for watch storage, or should they be kept in better conditioned space?

How long do you plan to store them in there?

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by rmwill

I keep my watches in the crisper drawer of my refrigerator.

Isn't that among the places thieves will look first?

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Isn't that among the places thieves will look first?

Absolutely, When I rob a place, I always stop by for a snack of vegie sticks first!

To OP, think I'd want less humidity just in case of a loose seal in case, but otherwise at least with Rolex and metal band I'm not too fussy about storage conditions.

[DJ2020]

I keep mine at 98.6F, Humidity relative to atmospheric conditions at the moment.

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by rmwill

I keep my watches in the crisper drawer of my refrigerator.

Nothing better than strapping on a nice, crisp, chilly watch in the morning!

[brandrea]

I actually thought the original question was a good one.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Tridor

I'd like to store my watches in my gun safe, the temperature of which is kept at about 50°F ... similarly, humidity in the safe is kept at around 50°F. Are such conditions OK for watch storage, or should they be kept in better conditioned space?

Your watch is unlikely to recognize temperature to any great degree.

[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Nothing better than strapping on a nice, crisp, chilly watch in the morning!

True

[EEpro]

Watch doesn't care.

50% is too high humidity for the other things. Get a golden rod or low wattage light bulb to bump temp a few degrees and lower the RH. My garage is about 55F when it's 20-30 outside and RH is 30-40% inside the box.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tools

Your watch is unlikely to recognize temperature to any great degree.

Larry, to play off the OP … (disregarding the humidity factor), at what temperature would you say it’s too cold to store watches longer term?

Thank you,

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Larry, to play off the OP … (disregarding the humidity factor), at what temperature would you say it’s too cold to store watches longer term?

Thank you,

Just my guess but it would be where the synthetic lubricants begin to breakdown/fail.

https://anderol.com/news/how-to-dete...o%20230%C2%B0C.

Lubricants by Ofrei

https://www.ofrei.com/page246.html

Moebius 9102 Synt-HP 750 Synthetic Watch Oil 2ml

Temperature range: -35°C to +100°C

https://www.esslinger.com/moebius-91...watch-oil-2ml/

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Just my guess but it would be where the synthetic lubricants begin to breakdown/fail.

https://anderol.com/news/how-to-dete...o%20230%C2%B0C.

Lubricants by Ofrei

https://www.ofrei.com/page246.html

Moebius 9102 Synt-HP 750 Synthetic Watch Oil 2ml

Temperature range: -35°C to +100°C

https://www.esslinger.com/moebius-91...watch-oil-2ml/

That’s one heckuva range if I’m reading that right

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s one heckuva range if I’m reading that right

Yes it is which is why I asked how long they would be stored but the OP has not responded. The shelf life of the last lubricant is 6 years, so the question is likely moot anyway.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Yes it is which is why I asked how long they would be stored but the OP has not responded. The shelf life of the last lubricant is 6 years, so the question is likely moot anyway.

Makes sense to me now Brian

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[tifosi]

Originally Posted by alphadweller

True

New meaning to "icing" out one's wrist!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Larry, to play off the OP … (disregarding the humidity factor), at what temperature would you say it’s too cold to store watches longer term?

Thank you,

As Brian mentioned, the lubricants can operate at a very wide temperature range now days, unlike earlier fossil based lubricants.

The metal doesn't care, it just expands or contracts a bit.

Back in the earlier days you could order your Explorer with "cold weather" lubricants allowing temps as low as -10F.

As far as humidity, a watch lives at whatever the average humidity is around it, and in most US states, that is above 50%. Probably not practical to try and control humidity for a watch, although too dry could affect early tritium lume.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tools

As Brian mentioned, the lubricants can operate at a very wide temperature range now days, unlike earlier fossil based lubricants.



The metal doesn't care, it just expands or contracts a bit.



Back in the earlier days you could order your Explorer with "cold weather" lubricants allowing temps as low as -10F.



As far as humidity, a watch lives at whatever the average humidity is around it, and in most US states, that is above 50%. Probably not practical to try and control humidity for a watch, although too dry could affect early tritium lume.

Excellent information Larry. Thank you

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[Norbert]

I keep mine in a hermetically sealed, argon gas filled, temperature regulated, lead lined storage case, doesn't everybody?

[77T]

My watches like room temperatures.
So does the armory inside, too.

My safe has a heater/dryer and a lot of silica.


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[Tridor]

Well, now that I'm back, let me say a few things. First, as to gun storage, a 50% humidity level is generally considered to be ideal. Second, as to the title of this thread, I've read some articles from Christies and others addressing the issue of mechanical watch storage and attendant temperatures. Also, I've spoken to some watchmakers who think it's a legitimate concern. Given that my Rolexes would live in the safe in rotation, I wanted to get your feedback on the issue.