Parts watch storage

[kd8tzc]

Now that I have worked on a few watches, I have started to develop some "spare" parts watches.  I'm just curious, how do you all store these?  Most I have put together as complete as possible, but others have some pieces not in them (I just haven't put them back in) and are in parts trays.  I'd like to do something with all these, but I'm not sure if I should reassemble them, or if there is a good way to just keep how they are and not forget a) what it is and what watch it goes to, b) parts safe from damage.

One watch I put in a small zip lock bag with a piece of watch paper that has written on it what that movement is missing and then I placed that in my wooden tool box.  This concerns me though as nothing is protecting it (no, it's not in  case of anything... just a loose movement).  The pieces that are loose (hands, dial, hour wheel, and a few other small things) are in a small parts bag so they won't get into the movement.

Anyhow, what do you all do?

[LittleWatchShop]

Well, what is have is not a "system" but some stuff is a little organized. I keep watches assembled for the moat part. Here are a couple of pics.

[GuyMontag]

Coin envelopes with the movement written on the outside in alphabetical order. If it's just parts they go in an old tin fuse container and then in the envelope. I will write on the outside of the envelope whatever part I "harvest". I tend to put the movement back together if I have to take out a part(s).

Edited May 9, 2023 by GuyMontag

[kd8tzc]

That's a great idea (and inexpensive) for the coin envelopes.

[spectre6000]

I use these for loose movements. I keep needing to remember to order more, as they come in handy for many watchmaking things.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/aluminium-pots-in-aluminium-box

For cased movements, I have a small cardboard box with a nice closure with a colorfully worded label.

[GuyMontag]

9 minutes ago, spectre6000 said:

I use these for loose movements. I keep needing to remember to order more, as they come in handy for many watchmaking things.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/aluminium-pots-in-aluminium-box

For cased movements, I have a small cardboard box with a nice closure with a colorfully worded label.

Those look pretty nifty, I like the glass tops so you can see what's inside. And they are surprisingly cheap!

[Neverenoughwatches]

On 5/9/2023 at 12:54 PM, kd8tzc said:

Now that I have worked on a few watches, I have started to develop some "spare" parts watches.  I'm just curious, how do you all store these?  Most I have put together as complete as possible, but others have some pieces not in them (I just haven't put them back in) and are in parts trays.  I'd like to do something with all these, but I'm not sure if I should reassemble them, or if there is a good way to just keep how they are and not forget a) what it is and what watch it goes to, b) parts safe from damage.

One watch I put in a small zip lock bag with a piece of watch paper that has written on it what that movement is missing and then I placed that in my wooden tool box.  This concerns me though as nothing is protecting it (no, it's not in  case of anything... just a loose movement).  The pieces that are loose (hands, dial, hour wheel, and a few other small things) are in a small parts bag so they won't get into the movement.

Anyhow, what do you all do?

Any watches i have that are beyond repair at the moment are stored fully assembled in mini zip lock bags and then placed in egg boxes. By being assembled they are protected attached to the calibre that they belong to also providing a premade up walkthrough if needed ( trust me you will forget the assembly order over time ). The zip lock bags offers a moisure barrier, the egg boxes gives further protection keeping them seperate  and are easily stacked. You could also chuck a silica gel sachet in the box if you felt like it.

On 5/9/2023 at 4:51 PM, kd8tzc said:

That's a great idea (and inexpensive) for the coin envelopes.

Keep in mind the environment in which you live. Here in the Uk people are struggling to keep their houses dry and warm due to ridiculous energy costs. In winter older housing structures can be cold and damp without constant heat. Plastic bags are a permanent moisure barrier, regular paper is hygroscopic. VCI paper is a good alternative with good anti moisture properties. 

[kd8tzc]

What sized zip lock bags are you using @Neverenoughwatches?  I thought about ordering some of those small baggies that used to be called "dime bags", but worried my wife may get the wrong idea of what I am doing.

[LittleWatchShop]

26 minutes ago, kd8tzc said:

small baggies

Get the kind that have the white "writable" surface on one side.

[spectre6000]

You can find tiny little bags that are the correct size for movements. I bought a large quantity a while ago, and have a lot still to go.