Too precious about your watch? Wrap it in a protection film

If you’ve heard of a watch protection film, you’d know that there are some quarters in the collecting circle who detest it. Watches are for life, they say, with scratches and dinks bearing testament to one own’s journey with the timepiece. It is also the spirit of “wabi-sabi”, finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence, they add.

Then there are those who like to keep things pristine, just because they prefer it that way, or they want to maintain the investment or resale value of their luxury timepieces.

If you’ve never known that there is such a thing, watch protection films are a relatively recent solution born out of the same mindset that sees owners babying the paintwork on a supercar or applying screen protectors to a phone. In essence, they are ultra-thin transparent films applied to vulnerable areas of a watch — case flanks, lugs, clasp and bracelet — to shield against hairline scratches, scuffs and everyday knocks that inevitably come with regular wear.

The idea, however, has never been universally embraced. Early iterations often yellowed over time, lifted at the edges, trapped dust, or left behind stubborn glue residue when removed. For many, these drawbacks defeated the very purpose of owning a finely finished timepiece.

This is precisely the gap Watchskins Singapore is addressing with its newly launched Ultra film. Designed specifically for the most popular high-end watches, it uses premium 3M TPU material with advanced self-healing properties — a first in the category — to deliver protection that is virtually invisible once installed. It is also made to be crystal-clear so that visibility and aesthetic appeal are not compromised.

Minor surface marks are purported to disappear with heat over time, allowing the watch to retain a clean, unblemished appearance whether it is worn daily or stored as part of a long-term collection. The results can last four years or more, according to the company, but its longevity really depends on usage.

Each film is custom measured and laser-cut in Singapore using US-engineered technology with micron-level accuracy, resulting in up to 99 per cent edge-to-edge coverage on protected surfaces. The edges are smooth and safe, eliminating the sharpness or lifting that has long plagued traditional films, while removal leaves no glue residue behind.

Application is carried out by trained specialists in a controlled environment, ensuring the film follows the exact contours of each watch model without interfering with comfort, bezel function, or bracelet articulation. Each installation comes with complimentary services valued at $100, including professional steam cleaning, precision timekeeping checks and water resistance testing. There is also a one-year warranty.

Watchskins’ pre-made films cater to heavyweights like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille, among others. Prices start at $248 for several Rolex Daytona references, and go up to $568 for certain Audemars Piguet Royal Oak models. In addition, it makes custom-fit films for other brands and models. If your new year’s resolution is to take better care of your watch collection, this is something you can look into beyond scheduling long-overdue servicing appointments, replacing storage boxes, and buying that watch winder.