Top Watch Accessories for Every Collector

This NATO strap, available in a multitude of colors and patterns, features stainless steel hardware and incredible durability thanks to reinforced stitching.

Best NATO Strap: NATO straps, which first appeared as functional military watch straps in the 1970s, as well as similar single-pass nylon straps like the one on James Bond's wrist in the movie "Dr. No," are made of nylon and have an additional short piece of fabric that keeps the watch on the wrist if you lose a spring bar. Besides this convenient safety feature, NATO straps are also stylish and very comfortable. This version from Crown & Buckle is exceptional as it features high-quality 316L stainless steel hardware, smooth nylon construction, and reinforced stitching.

• Material: Nylon
• Size options: 19-22 mm

This classic leather strap from Colareb is made of high-quality Italian leather and features contrasting stitching.

Best Leather Strap: There's no more classic shoe for your watch than a quality leather strap. Leather is the quintessence of luxury, and it looks great on most watches - especially those with a more refined appearance. But not all leather products are the same. It's better to get a strap made of high-quality leather from a reputable brand, like our favorite Colareb. Made in Italy from fine pieno-fiore leather, this rustic-style strap features contrasting stitching.

• Type of leather: Pieno-fiore leather
• Width options: 22 mm

This well-crafted bracelet from Staib offers high perceived value and vintage style aesthetics.

Best Steel Bracelet: Although not everyone is a fan of mesh stainless steel bracelets, this style has been gaining popularity in recent years. Part of their popularity is due to Apple releasing mesh bracelets for the Apple Watch, but this style also has a long history in traditional watches, as evidenced by its use in recent vintage diver watches, such as the Omega Seamaster "No Time to Die" and Breitling Superocean Heritage. And when it comes to aftermarket straps, you can't go wrong with the German brand Staib. This example features impressive thickness and weight, masterful finishing, and a comfortable fit.

• Material: Stainless steel
• Size options: 22 mm

Made from durable reptile hide, this stylish option is a great choice for top-tier luxury dresses, with a price to match.

Best Alligator Strap: Leather is nice, but if you really want to adorn your watch with the most decadent strap possible, then alligator is the only choice. The durable reptile hide is considered the most formal strap material, and its signature scales are often found on high-end dress watches. Given its status, alligator straps come with a corresponding price, usually ranging between $200 and $300. This strap from Hodinkee boasts top-notch quality, beautiful grain, and not too much padding, allowing it to sit elegantly on the wrist.

• Material: Alligator hide
• Width options: 18 mm - 21 mm

This 6-piece box, perfect for watch collecting enthusiasts, will keep your watches safe and sound while looking great.

Best Small Watch Box: If your collection is more accessible in terms of price, there's no point in spending a lot of money on a fancy storage box. Sometimes all you need is a decent watch box that keeps out dust and looks good in your home. This example from Glenor fits the bill: it has space for six watches and a real glass display. Of course, you won't get genuine leather or carbon fiber, but what you do get is quite impressive for just over 40 bucks.

• Capacity: 6
• Exterior material: Stainless steel

With this waxed canvas roll from Barton, which stores your watches compactly, you no longer have to choose just 1 or 2 watches to take with you on a trip.

Best Watch Roll: If you collect watches, you know how difficult it can be to decide which watches to bring on vacation. But if you have a watch roll, you don't need to limit yourself to just what you can wear on your wrist. Watch rolls are a safe, simple, and compact way to travel with watches, allowing you to take your collection with you wherever you go. This waxed canvas bag from Barton is extra durable and waterproof, holds five watches, and looks great.

• Material: 12-knot waxed canvas and natural leather
• Capacity: 5 watches
• Dimensions: 12.5" x 10" (unrolled)

Keep your watches safe with this leather zippered case from Hodinkee with a suede lining to prevent scratches.

Best Watch Folio: While watch folios are undoubtedly the most classic and traditional way to travel with watches, they are not the most secure option. If you have watches that hold particular value, you may not want to trust their safety to a layer of canvas and a leather knot. For such pieces, a watch folio is more suitable. These cases, while not cheap, have a zipper, ample padding, and more secure watch fasteners. This mini-folio from Hodinkee safely holds two of your most valuable watches in its plush suede interior and is handmade in Italy from the highest quality leather.

• Materials: Leather exterior, suede interior
• Capacity: 2 watches
• Dimensions: 7" x 3.5" x 1.25"

For larger collections, opt for this beautiful box from Wolf, which holds 10 watches and numerous accessories.

Best Large Watch Box: It's best to store watches at home in a dedicated watch box. Ideally, a watch box should have a scratch- and dust-resistant interior, as well as a closing lid to keep dust and debris out. Ideally, of course, bonuses like an attractive appearance, a glass display, and space for accessories wouldn't hurt either. This box from WOLF, one of the leaders in watch storage, boasts all these features and more. Under the closing glass lid of the Windsor lies a buttery-smooth lining with space for 10 watches, as well as a pull-out drawer for straps and accessories.

• Capacity: 10 watches + straps and accessories
• Exterior material: Vegan leather

This device for a single watch from the best watch winder manufacturer looks phenomenal and allows you to fine-tune its capabilities.

Best Watch Winder: It's a perennial question among collectors: are watch winders really necessary? Regardless of which side you're on, it's hard to argue that watch winders are cool, whether they're truly needed or not. WOLF is far from the most synonymous brand when it comes to watch winders, and their Axis combines simplicity with retro rock-and-roll style, holding one watch. The slow rotation of the winder will keep your automatic watches running on days when you aren't wearing them while looking amazing.

• Power: AC, battery
• Settings: Rotation, direction, and power reserve
• Multiple sizes available? Yes

This microfiber cloth from Windup Watch Shop wipes away smudges and grime without leaving lint or marks.

Best Watch Cloth: Watches, like everything else, get dirty. And since you wear them on your wrist and sweat daily, they can sometimes get very dirty. A microfiber cleaning cloth is essential for keeping your watch in pristine condition as it wipes away stains and grime without leaving lint or marks. In principle, any microfiber cloth will do, but it's better to choose one designed for watches, like this affordable option from Worn & Wound's Windup Watch Shop.

• Material: Microfiber
• Size: 8.75" x 5.375"

This cream removes scratches on plastic crystals and doubles as a cleaning agent.

Best Scratch Remover: If you collect vintage watches, you're familiar with plexiglass crystals. Also known as acrylic or hesalite crystals, these plastic crystals were the industry standard, even on high-end watches, until around the 1970s-1980s when they were replaced by mineral and sapphire crystals. Some new watches are still equipped with plexiglass due to its "warm" feel and aesthetically pleasing optical distortions, but the downside of this material is that it scratches very easily. However, these scratches can be easily removed - unlike other materials - with a cheap tube of Polywatch.

• Compatibility with materials: Acrylic, hesalite, plastic

This demagnetizer will help keep your watches on time without requiring a trip to the repair shop.

Best Demagnetizer: Mechanical watch movements can be very finicky, and when something goes wrong, repairs often come at a high cost. But not all movement issues require a trip to the watch repair shop. If your watch suddenly starts running unusually fast, there's a good chance it got magnetized by a computer, speakers, microwave, or other electronic devices. Fortunately, demagnetizing the watch is quite simple with one of these inexpensive demagnetizing devices, saving you hundreds on repairs.

• Power: AC
• Duration: 5-10 seconds

Change straps effortlessly with this spring bar tool, which also features a link removal pusher.

Best Strap Changing Tool: The most essential tool in a watch collector's arsenal is the spring bar tool, as it is used for changing straps. This is a quality tool from a professional brand preferred by watchmakers and will become your watch's best friend. One side of the tool contains a forked end used to grab and remove spring bars from end links, allowing you to replace the bracelet or strap. The other side contains a pusher used to remove pins in bracelet links, allowing you to resize any bracelet using a pin and collar system to fit your wrist.

• Material: Steel
• Length: 5.5"

This 147-piece zippered case contains tools for changing straps, gaskets, batteries, spring bars, and more.

Best Repair Kit: If you're looking for what you can get for your money, then this tool kit from StrapsCo is for you. Inside the zippered case, you'll find small antimagnetic screwdrivers, pin pushers, a spring bar tool, and other devices for adjusting bracelets and removing straps. You'll also get tools for opening the watch case back to replace the gasket or battery, extra spring bars for emergencies, a hammer for snapping the case back into place, and tweezers to help you handle all those tiny watch parts.