Valigetta 4 by Scatola del Tempo

Scatola del Tempo, the pioneers and inventors of the watch winder as we know it today, actually began by producing watch cases. When talking about Scatola del Tempo’s products, the word ‘cases’ seems more fitting than ‘boxes’. There seems to be something decidedly ‘clunky’ and ‘rigid’ about the word box that simply doesn’t fit with the product I have sat in front of me, but let us come back to that later on!

With ecological awareness, Scatola del Tempo source all their materials for production within a 50km radius of their manufacture in Como, Italy – also justifying their statement of ‘100% Made in Italy’.

Among others within the Scatola line up, the Valigetta range is available in various configurations to suit 4, 8, 16 and 32 pieces with a pared down palette of different calfskin leathers for inside and out. This includes Black, Chocolate, Chestnut and finally a Bi-Colour which has a chocolate exterior with a chestnut interior.

Today I will be taking a detailed look at the Valigetta 4 in Chocolate.

Once unboxed the first thing you notice is just how soft the calfskin is, every part of the case, inside and out is covered including the cushions, no corners cut here – everything, no clumsy hinges – even that is leather! The top and bottom of the case has a padding that further enhances the soft feel while holding. Opening up you are presented with shaped and considered pockets for your treasured timepieces, constructed from the base upwards in three stages, each component is carefully covered and padded in the calfskin. Designed to accommodate large cased watches, up to 52mm as stated (although the sample here would take 55mm) including winding crown. The depth of the pockets is significant – which would certainly allow for some seriously thick leather straps without causing any issue.

The level of craftsmanship on display with the Valigetta is staggering – all the corners have been worked in perfectly, no seems or joins to be seen, the edges have had the leather carefully moulded around them giving perfect, clean lines. On the underside of the case lid, there are 4 raised circular pads – undeniably Scatola del Tempo in design (and feel) that serve to protect the watch crystals and prevent any movement during transit.