Pelican watch case

[josephvman]

Mods, feel free to move this if there's a better place for this thread.

I needed a case to store my collection, which was scattered across a couple of safes, drawers, nightstands, etc, and wanted something secure and portable, not simply a display case of some sort. I found a good article on the Worn and Wound website about using a Pelican laptop case (specifically the 1470) to store watches. The author made a nice 12 watch case with additional storage for straps/tools, but I needed just a bit more room.

I ordered the case from Amazon, which was amazingly cheap at $126 including overnight shipping, and it looked like it would work great. I wasn't really sure how I would map out the interior, which has perforated squares that are easily cut out to whatever shape you need, but I decided to make an Excel spreadsheet of the grid that I counted out in the foam (42 blocks wide, 29 high) by formatting the cells into squares. I set the printer to print it on one page, and then worked on mapping out my plan after printing a half-dozen of them. The Worn & Wound author stated that he found that 4 x 7 blocks was the proper size for holding watches, so that's what I used for my mapping. I decided on five column of three watches for a total of 15, which is where I'd like to keep my collection maxed out (at least of watches that are worthy of keeping in a case!).

I haven't started the tedious process of cutting the foam, but at least I've got a map of what I need to do. Here is a pic of the blank grid for the Pelican 1470 case, and one with my 15-watch configuration highlighted in case anyone else wants to use it. I've got the grid on an Excel file that I can email to anyone who wants it.

I'll post some pics as soon as I get it finished!

[andromeda160]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=is_pg_1...qid=1473894784

Invicta makes a 8 watch case for 1/2 the price with slots already installed. Not to knock the pelican, but it seems like much more work.

[josephvman]

I saw that, and I'm all for less work for less money, but I didn't need an 8 watch case! I don't mind paying a little more for someone else to do the work, but I didn't see anything in a Pelican case that was pre-cut in the size I needed. Trust me, I'm not the guy who would rather do it himself for the satisfaction!

In any case, here's the case with some watches in it. I plan on ordering some black watch pillows from Amazon so the watches fit better. I made the mistake of cutting down the inserts by half and I should have only taken off 1/4 so they'd fit tighter. It probably took a half-hour to lay it out, and maybe an hour to cut it, and I'm satisfied with the results.

Originally Posted by andromeda160

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=is_pg_1...qid=1473894784

Invicta makes a 8 watch case for 1/2 the price with slots already installed. Not to knock the pelican, but it seems like much more work.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=is_pg_1...qid=1473894784

Invicta makes a 8 watch case for 1/2 the price with slots already installed. Not to knock the pelican, but it seems like much more work.

Invicta got sued over those cases.

I'm not sure how it turned out, but you can bet they don't have the quality of the real deal.

https://kwimberly.files.wordpress.co...-complaint.pdf

[cop414]

This place sells pre cut inserts with foam pillows, would save a lot of time laying out the grid.
You can purchase just the foam without the case.
It doesn't look like they'd make a large enough insert for your collection though, good problem to have I guess!
Great looking collection!

http://www.nalpak.com/Pelican-1400-10-Watch-Foam

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Invicta got sued over those cases.

I'm not sure how it turned out, but you can bet they don't have the quality of the real deal.

https://kwimberly.files.wordpress.co...-complaint.pdf

The quality on the invictas is superb, the only problem is it has INVICTA going across the front. Doesn't surprise me they got sued, they are awfully similar. I don't have one, but they looked and felt just as strong and durable as any pelican I've seen.



Case looks great though, should keep your babies safe.

[Big Jay]

Originally Posted by andromeda160

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=is_pg_1...qid=1473894784

Invicta makes a 8 watch case for 1/2 the price with slots already installed. Not to knock the pelican, but it seems like much more work.

I may get blasted for this but I just can't see myself putting a Rolex in an Invicta case. Yeah I know, it's just a printed on name but still. I'd rather have a plain Pelican (top notch gear, IMO) or something that says Rolex.

I have the 1040 micro with some electronics packing foam I cut to transport my Sub around.

[daveathall]

I'll be honest here, there must be nigh on a hundred thousand pounds or more of watches there, I wouldn't be cutting up pieces of foam to make the watches fit in a camera type box. I would be spending a decent amount of money to display them. If I had to travel I wouldn't take that many with me. You have one of the most stunning collections of watches I have seen, I'm quite jealous tbh and could never afford such a set. There's gotta be nicer ways to store them though.

[TheRolexKingofLV]

I did the same thing. I bought the pillows on eBay though, because they fit better than the foam pieces that were removed. Great travel case!