If you are asking what size watch box you need, the answer is not a number, it is a measurement you can take in two minutes. Fit the watch to the pillow you intend to use, close the strap around it, and measure that assembly. That is the object your box has to hold.
The measurement that decides it
Lug to lug, with the watch on the pillow. Case diameter is the number watch brands advertise, but the lugs stick out past the case on both sides, and they are what touches the cavity wall. Measure from lug tip to lug tip, then measure the loaded pillow across its widest and at its tallest point, usually the crown or the crystal. Those three numbers give you the cavity.
Which presentation are you quoting?
| Presentation | The number that decides the internal footprint |
|---|---|
| Single watch box | The loaded pillow, plus clearance for the lid to close without pressing the crystal |
| Two or three watch box | Cavity width times the count, plus the divider caliper between each cavity |
| Watch and strap set | The main cavity plus a second compartment sized on the coiled or folded spare strap |
| Travel roll | The rolled diameter and the rolled length, not a flat footprint |
| Shipper around a presentation box | The external size of the presentation box, which includes board and wrap |
Why the outside is bigger than you expect
Rigid boxes are built over greyboard and wrapped in printed paper, so every axis gains twice the board caliper plus the wrap, and on a two piece box the lid adds a further layer over the base. Greyboard for rigid work is commonly specified somewhere between about 1.5 mm and 3 mm. That is why a 60 mm cavity does not produce a 60 mm box, and why you should always confirm on the quote whether a stated dimension is internal or external. The full method is on our watch box size guide.
Common mistakes
- Sizing the cavity on the watch instead of the pillow, so the pillow does not fit.
- Forgetting the crown, which protrudes and marks the cavity wall over time.
- Forgetting the lid clearance on a padded lid, which sits lower than a plain one.
- Sizing a multi watch box by multiplying the single cavity without adding the dividers.
What to send us
The loaded pillow dimensions, the lug to lug span, the watch count per box, and whether you want a padded lid or a foil stamped finish. Minimum order is 100 boxes, from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes, confirmed on your written quote, with the die, the plates, design support, US shipping and a digital proof included. We produce in West Chicago in the US and in Guangzhou in China. Turnaround is quoted per product in three lanes: rush (expedited production plus air freight), standard (air) and cost saver (sea), from about 7 business days in production plus 2 to 5 days for delivery, and specialty imported rigid work can run up to about 12 weeks. To order the box, see watch boxes.
Take the pillow measurement and the lug to lug span, then send them with your quantity. Request a quote and we will confirm the cavity and the external size.
