What’s in the Bag: A Watch Collector’s Summer Survival Layout
When I pack my weekend bag for a summer escape to a coast like Nice, my checklist follows a very strict, non-negotiable rhythm. Everyone naturally remembers the standard holiday baselines: a high-factor SPF, a sharp pair of polarised sunglasses and swim trunks. But if you live and breathe fine mechanics the us watch-nuts I do, your packing landscape requires an entirely different level of tactical preparation.
Summer is arguably the most beautiful yet chaotic season for a collector's rotation. Between the searing city heat, high humidity sea side environments, salt water, and pool chlorine, this is absolutely not the time to travel with fragile vintage references or older pieces that demand delicate handling.
Instead, my holiday strategy focuses entirely on rugged, colorful, highly water-resistant sports watches built to withstand real activity. Because warm weather causes your wrist to swell throughout the day, I swap out rigid steel metal bracelets for high-grade rubber straps or a comfy NATO strap. Our strategic partners at Delugs weave some of the finest, most comfortable custom straps in the industry, and they are practically mandatory for a proper hot-weather setup. At least, in my opinion.
I always travel light, restricting myself to two, maybe three timepieces max. One lives on the wrist, while the second slides directly into my handmade suede AIS Collective Pouch inside the tote. This thick, premium suede shield ensures that the case and bracelet remain completely scratch-safe while moving between destinations.
The Watch Equivalent to Your SPF
Spending a long morning at the beach club or on a boat means your watch inevitably collects a heavy film of sunscreen cream, dried sweat, sand, and abrasive saltwater crystals. All of these elements contribute to corrosion on your watch. Just like your skin demands daily SPF protection to survive the elements, your timepiece commands an intentional care routine to maintain its visual integrity and safeguard its material longevity. Sunscreen oils and dried salt crust hiding under a turning bezel or inside strap holes can also degrade sealing gaskets over time.
My post-beach ritual is fixed. Before we head out to a restaurant for dinner, my watch undergoes a brief, highly precise maintenance routine.
I use the ChronoPen for a quick yet vigorous clean. Developed and produced entirely in Zurich, the integrated ultra-soft brush tip allows the specially-engineered liquid to lift sun-baked grease and salt film with complete safety. A rapid rinse under fresh water, a swift wipe with our extra-