The Solist, a unique luxury retailer, gifted me the Rapport London Hyde Park Leather Two Watch Zip Case and the Wolf 1834 Windsor Leather 10 Piece Watch Box. Are they worth it?
Aside from those with sentimental value, I’m not especially attached to most of my material possessions. The ones I am attached to? Mainly my watches. The only thing in my house that I love more than my watches is my dog. But she’s a living thing, so perhaps that comparison is flawed. My point is I like to keep my watches safe and secure in watch boxes and rolls.
Thankfully, The Solist sent me two timepiece storage solutions. The first is the Leather Windsor, a 10-piece watch box from Wolf 1834. The second is Rapport London’s Hyde Park, a two-piece Zip Case for traveling.
Today, I’m going to do a hands-on review of these two gifts. By the end of this, you’ll know whether or not these investments are for you.
As mentioned, these items were gifts. Let me tell you a bit about the gifter, The Solist. They’re a good option with a unique business model if you’re looking to invest in some finery.
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The Solist: Directly and Sustainably From Brands and Authorized Retailers
In all my years in the luxury world, I’ve seen every format of sales: retail, gray markets, auctions, you name it. The Solist is doing something quite innovative, and because of that, it has some pretty exceptional offerings.
Founded around 2016, this NY-based concierge retailer partners directly with brands and authorized retailers. They take products from past seasons, display items, and sell them on their website. This means the items have never left the brands or stores they’ve come from. The watches and accessories available on The Solist have come directly from their manufacturer.
They offer brands such as Bucherer, Chopard, Ferragamo, and more. You can find watches, men’s jewelry, and even fine EDC items like pens and sunglasses. You can shop based on brands, price, or even based on their very own edits. Their concierge service has the standard phone and email options, of course. But on top of that, you can do private consultations specific to watches, gifts, or jewelry. Oh, and you can WhatsApp them too.
Essentially, The Solist is helping luxury brands and retailers meet their sustainability goals. Instead of getting rid of excess inventory or displays, The Solist helps them find a new home. It’s a bit like a grey market retailer but way more official — a silver market, perhaps?
Wolf 1834 Windsor Leather 10 Piece Watch Box Review
As its name indicates, Wolf was founded in 1834 by a German silversmith named Philip Wolf. It’s still family-owned, with the current CEO being Simon Philip Wolf V, an apprentice to his father. Today, Wolf makes watch winders, jewelry boxes, and other accessories for finery. With a focus on premium construction and luxury, the brand boasts several patented technologies.
This Windsor Leather Box is made of vegan leather and features a silk lining. The main compartment is lockable. Before I go into detail, let’s look at some specs:
- Vegan leather with silk lining
- 10-watch capacity
- 12.5” x 9.5” x 4”
- 52mm maximum case capacity per cuff
Quality
Overall, I’d say that this watch box is excellent quality and a great value proposition. Sure, vegan leather is cheaper than animal leather. However, a box this size that’s built this well from such a prestigious brand would be 10 times the price if it were animal leather. And if you have ten watches, especially luxury watches, this isn’t the worst way to cut your losses.
Besides, it’s made of high-quality vegan leather with sophisticated pebbling throughout. It’s pretty durable, and ultimately, it’s more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The silk lining is smooth and good-looking and a smart choice. More on that in the function category.
Overall, everything looks excellent. No complaints here. The stitching is clean, and you can knock on the box to hear and feel how solid it is. The top hinge is strong, not wobbly, but easy to lift up and down. The bottom drawer got stuck a bit at first, but that eventually went away.
Style
The style is deceivingly clever, making it highly versatile. Undeniably, it looks like a stylish leather box. It’s simple, and there’s something special about it, but you can’t pinpoint it initially. Then you see the clean stitching and details like the flat edges. It makes it stand out from any other polygonic jewelry box.
Then, of course, there’s the orange lining. The brown leather is neutral and anchors that orange, making this box look natural in most interior design environments. Whether you have a modern or traditional sensibility, this box can sit on any desk or vanity.
The orange is the pop. Ladies might associate it with the unique Hermes hue. Men might find it reminiscent of hunter orange. Hunter orange is a common EDC color, making it a perfect watch backdrop. The lining is subtly lined itself, providing shimmer and dimensionality. Basically, this watch box looks good whether there are watches in it or not.
It’s elegant, practical-looking, and fancy but not fussy.
Function
The fact that you can lock the top compartment is definitely a functional highlight. Moreover, the subtle incline of each slot isn’t just more attractive but also allows for better viewing of the watches. Remember, though this box is for storage and security, you can definitely use it as a showcase, too.
I’m glad the lining is silk. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking. No matter how good your dive watch’s depth rating is, you want to keep timepieces away from moisture in general. Let this serve as your reminder not to wear your watches in the shower–just in case.
The flat edges are also a highlight. They make it less dangerous for clumsy people like me, who always bump into things. Moreover, they make the box less obtrusive overall.
Rapport London Hyde Park Smooth Leather Zip Case
Rapport London is known for their high-end watch boxes, rolls, and watch-related leather goods. With a history that goes back to 1898, Rapport is a go-to for watch and luxury buffs. Derek Rapport currently runs the family-owned company. The entire team is proud of their high-quality British craftsmanship.
The London Hyde Park Smooth Leather Zip Case comes as a two-watch case, also in navy gray, and as a four-watch case. I have the tan version as a two-watch case. Here are its specs:
- Leather with a suede lining
- Two-watch capacity
- 5.3″ x 3.5″ x 6.3″
- Likely a 53-54 maximum case capacity per cuff
Quality
This is Rapport London. In all my experience with this brand, the quality has always been undeniably high luxury. And that’s certainly the case with this item.
The leather is lush and has a deep, aromatic, almost tobacco-like scent. The matte surface is buttery, and the tan hue is deep and vivid. The stitching is strong and fine, which makes sense since the entire item is handcrafted. It’s really a piece of art.
Meanwhile, the zip and zipper are sturdy yet smooth; given the solid architecture of the box overall, there is no chance of it getting stuck. Finally, the soft but structured watch pillows and the lining are a strong yet delicate suede.
Style
This box balances pragmatic aesthetics with high luxury. It’s the type of accessory that says, “I’m chic without even trying.” Since it’s so well-built, it doesn’t feel “extra.” It just looks like you have discerning taste.
The gold-toned zipper is subtle but complements the matte leather.
It’s on the inside where it gets super regal. The royal blue suede is a classy background for your watches. Beneath the top is a gold embossing of the Rapport shield. It’s truly a watch case fit for a king.
Function
This zip case is pretty versatile. It’s perfect for traveling and also makes a fine at-home storage solution for a two-watch collection. Personally, unless I’m going somewhere for months, all I need to bring with me are two watches: a sports watch and a dress watch.
Sure, it’s attractive, but its hardshell construction is genuinely protective. Moreover, the suede inside is tough and textured enough to keep the watches in place in a moving vehicle. And yet, it’s soft enough not to scuff or hurt them.
You’ll get tons of use out of this box.
Conclusion: These Are Two of the Many Excellent Offerings at The Solist
The biggest takeaways from this?
The Solist is a unique luxury retailer with great partnerships, especially in the accessories realm. They’re doing their part to help brands meet their sustainability goals.
The Wolf 10-watch Box is a high-value piece of finery that’s stylish and practical. Finally, the Rapport Zip Case is high-luxury, stately, and perfect for travel.
Questions? Comments? Leave them for us below!
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