Pocket Watch Display Case

My aunt gave me 4 pocket watches that belonged to my great-grandfather. They had been tucked away in a box for a while, but seemed a shame to keep out of view. While not necessarily of monetary value, they provide a link to our ancestors. We needed a way to display them and not let them become forgotten items in stored in a drawer.

The requirements for the display were pretty simple. The case should hold the 4 pocket watches, keep them clean, and be capable of hanging on the wall. I wanted to keep the joinery and build simple.

Here are the materials I used:

+ 1" x 6" Mahogany

+ 1" x 3" Maple

+ Acrylic

+ 3/4" x 1" Brass Hinges (National Hardware N211-326)

+ 3/4" Brass Cup Hooks (National Hardware N119-644)

The back used mahogany, the rest of the case was from maple to give a nice contrast. Originally, I planned to use walnut for the back, but decided to go with mahogany since it was easier to get. If I made this again, I would go with walnut for a darker look. I used a clear finish on all pieces. The case size is 15" x 7" and 2.5" deep. I added maple "wings" to the sides to conceal the frame joints, box to lid joint, and the acrylic groove. Instead of putting the hinges on the top of the box, I routed slots to partially conceal them. After making the box, I trimmed each side to provide clearance to swing the lid and sides open.

Now we have a nice display case to show the watches and encourage sharing family stories and memories!

Enjoy the build video below.