Laura Mcfarland
TL;DR — Good value, decent craftsmanship, affordable. Buy it if you're looking for a budget case.I consider myself a "pragmatic horologist" (and, no, there's no possible way you could make a joke about that). As such, I look for practical value, not only in the watches I've purchased but in how they are stored as well. Watches lying around atop a dresser or jumbled about in a drawer is just annoying and requires additional organization and cleaning, thereby defeating the purpose of time management. (See what I did there? 😉 ) I wasn't too impressed with watch cases in the budget end of the spectrum, and I couldn't justify spending for an expensive one.I had recently purchased the six-watch, single-row version of this case as a gift, and when it arrived, I was quite impressed, particularly for the price point. Shortly thereafter, I decided to purchase the ten-watch version in a 2x5 configuration for myself, and, for the money, I couldn't be happier.WHAT I LIKE:There is quite a bit to like about this case, from construction to functionality. — The box feels solid and fairly well-made. — The finish is well-done and arrived with no scratches or blemishes, at least that I could see. — The wood seems like a much better choice than the vinyl or faux leather you so often see with budget watch cases. — The latch on the front of the case closes securely and is not loose. — The glass window on the top is an excellent touch, particularly in this price range. — Some of my watches are in the 50mm range, especially when including crown and pushers, yet everything fits well and the lid closes securely. — The "pillows" are shaped to fit in the box and are a nice upgrade from soft miniature pillows I have sometimes seen in this price range. — The covering on the pillows is nice and soft and is not the burlap I have seen advertised with other cases. — The case includes a thin layer of felt on the bottom, which is nice for protecting whatever surface you may be setting it on.WHAT I DISLIKE: — The one hinge on the lid feels loose, even when fully opened. It doesn't seem to affect the usability at all, but it doesn't help to inspire confidence. — While the glossy finish on the case is excellent for what it is, I would have preferred a semi-gloss or matte finish. Not a real issue at all, just personal preference. — Another personal preference would be if the hardware was available in silver. — The color is red. Like, very red, depending on the light source. This doesn't affect the quality at all but is a little bit for my personal tastes. — While the felt on the bottom is a nice touch, mine was slightly off-center, with a small sliver cropping out on the one side. — The wood almost seems to be veneered as opposed to solid wood. I do not know this for a fact, and I haven't tried removing it to see if it's so. Perhaps it's the glossy finish which leads to this perception, I don't know. — The soft covering over the divider inside the case have some little gaps at the edges. It doesn't affect performance at all, just a nit-pick on quality control.Overall, I am very pleased with the case, its functionality, and its craftsmanship. If you're looking for a good value-for-money ratio in a practical, usable watch case, I'd highly recommend getting it. If necessary, I will update this review as I continue to use the case over time.
