Time After Time: Watch Cases

When it comes to travel, many of us have a mental or physical checklist of essentials: passport, keys, wallet, phone – and watch. For the keen horologist and frequent traveller, travelling with the right timepiece(s) is almost as important as having the right pair of shoes.

A watch is an indispensable accessory when you’re on the road; helping you catch a plane or train and switching to different time zones with ease. The first type of purpose-built ‘travel watch’ emerged in the 1950s during the advent of commercial flight, when the erstwhile Pan Am airways approached Rolex to produce a watch for its pilots specially designed to navigate long-haul travel and cross multiple time zones. GMT watches and timepieces designed specifically for travel have been a mainstay of watch design ever since, and you needn’t be a pilot to enjoy or collect them.

"Always travel with a watch case to keep your watch protected and clean." 

But these days the notion of a ‘travel watch’ has evolved to mean any timepiece you can’t bear to leave behind. Whether it’s bringing your prized Patek Philippe to wear at a formal dinner alongside your smartwatch to track your morning runs, the travel watch is a personal choice that ticks the right boxes of function and fashion.

Just as the travel watch has evolved, so too has the way we transport them. Globe-Trotter first introduced a Watch Case as a counterpart to its luxury jewellery case in the early 2000s. But it wasn’t until late 2020 that the watch case really came into its own with the release of the striking Centenary 12-Slot Watch Case. It was essentially an extension of the iconic Globe-Trotter suitcase, made from the same sturdy Vulcanised Fibreboard in an almost identical silhouette. With hand-crafted leather corners, rivets and brass locks, the watch cases effortlessly match our luggage, so make perfect additions to your collection.

The new Watch Case release is a smaller, more portable design that is nevertheless quintessentially Globe-Trotter. The latest releases are available in our classic Centenary and Deluxe colourways, and feature removable plush suede-style compartments to keep your treasured timepieces secure. A hand-crafted leather handle makes the case easily transportable on your next adventure, and each one can be personalised with your initials for an extra-special touch.

Panerai’s Travel Tips

• Always travel with a watch case to keep your watch protected and clean.

• A cleaning cloth is useful to keep your watch looking shiny and to remove any sun cream smudges you may have.

• Rubber and fabric straps are more suitable for beach and water holiday moments.

• If it’s been more than two years since you purchased or serviced your watch, have a watchmaker test the water resistance before jumping into that pool.

Panerai Recommends

You’ve got the case, now what to fill it with? Friend of Globe-Trotter, Italian watchmaker Panerai, recommends its favourite time-keeping travel companions.

PAM01033 – Luminor GMT – 44mm

‘The perfect travel companion. Thanks to the GMT function which allows you to read the local time and home time simultaneously. The central GMT hand moves at the same rate as the local time hour hand, carrying a complete revolution in 12 hours.’

PAM01661 - Luminor Marina Carbotech™- 44mm

‘Panerai redefines the style of the iconic Luminor Marina by combining original creativity with avant-garde materials. Remarkably tough but also surprisingly light, with a weight of only 96 grams, this watch is great for those who want to travel light. And don’t forget, it comes with a Sportech™ strap: a water-resistant rubber-like material.’

PAM00973 – Submersible – 42mm

‘Water-resistant up to 300 metres (30 bar) and fitted with a rotating bezel for calculating the duration of each dive, this professional diving watch will ensure you’re ready for any underwater experience. It also comes on a rubber strap – it’s a survival instrument for modern heroes.’

PAM01303 – Luminor Chronograph Luna Rossa – 44mm

‘Panerai’s advanced chronograph celebrates the audacity of the [Italian sailboat] Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team and allows enthusiasts to bring the sensation of racing against time to any activity, professional or personal, athletic, or otherwise. Ideal for those who yacht in the summer months.’

PAM01312 – Luminor Marina – 44mm

‘Our icon, it’s a style staple, perfect for dressing up on evening occasions. If you’ve got one you shouldn’t be anywhere without it.’

The new Watch Case collection is available online at globe-trotter.com and in the Globe-Trotter Flagship stores at Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, London, W1J 0QJ, UK and 5-2-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.