Protect Your Legacy: WOLF

Where do you keep your watches and jewellery? Mine are mostly strewn around our house, hiding in boxes or drawers so they’re impossible to find when I need them, or lying out in plain sight where they would make easy pickings for an intruder. None of these pieces are particularly valuable (just in case any enterprising thieves are reading this) but still I’ve often considered investing in some appropriate storage that would keep them in one place and out of harm’s way.

As someone who only wants to have beautiful things in my home, the thought of a typical utilitarian safe lurking conspicuously in our bedroom or dressing area isn’t very appealing. For attractive safes or secure storage solutions, many style-conscious homeowners and interior designers turn to WOLF. Currently headquartered in California, the family-run British heritage brand has been producing handcrafted jewellery cases and watch boxes for over 185 years, focusing on premium design and craftsmanship to ensure its products don’t look out of place in high-end interiors.

WOLF’s philosophy is based on founder Philipp Wolf’s belief that: ‘It is logical to protect one’s possessions by storing and safeguarding them in a fine quality box.’ This vision informed the brand’s current motto of ‘Protecting Legacy’, which means creating storage for items that will be passed down through generations. Although some of the safes and winders WOLF manufactures cost more than most of us will spend on jewellery in our entire lives, there are also more affordable options for anyone simply in need of a good-looking box for a favourite watch or treasured necklace.

Today, Philip Wolf I’s great-great-grandson, Simon Wolf, is in charge of overseeing the development of storage solutions that aim to match the elegance and refinement of their precious contents. An outstanding example of the brand’s dedication to luxury and craftsmanship is its Churchill bespoke safe collection, which can be specified in a wide range of materials and finishes to match the user’s personal style. Versions developed by WOLF include a Macassar wood case enclosing a safe wrapped in black pebble-grained leather, and a country club-inspired safe covered in cognac-hued leather with panelled detailing. Security is assured thanks to nine bi-directional steel bolts operated using electronic keypads.

WOLF’s core range of safes, the Atlas Collection, also features pared-back styling and handcrafted components that enhance its premium look. The safes are made from heavy-duty steel to protect their contents from burglary and fire. Fire resistance is tested by heating them to 927ºC. They are also dropped from a height of 10m to ensure they can survive severe impacts. The steel is treated externally with a titanium or onyx finish that is complemented by chrome details. Internally, they can be specified with a variety of drawers for storage, as well as watch winders controlled via Bluetooth from a dedicated app.

Anyone fortunate enough to own a high-end automatic watch will know about the importance of storing these precision timepieces correctly. Watch winders simulate the gentle movement of the wrist in order to regularly activate the self-winding mechanism and ensure the watch keeps time when not in use. Most winders simply estimate the number of rotations needed per day, but WOLF is the only brand whose devices can be set to the optimal number of turns for each unique timepiece. It’s a focus on small details like these that make all the difference at the luxury end of the market.

WOLF also invests in developing technologies to help keep jewellery and watches in mint condition. One notable innovation is the patented LusterLoc™ technology, which neutralises the process of tarnishing caused by contact with air and protects jewellery for up to 35 years. All of WOLF’s safes, boxes and jewellery cases, including more affordable collections such as the Maria travel range, utilise this technologically advanced fabric lining to keep gold and silver glittering for longer.

The introduction of new technologies combined with its continued focus on beautiful design sets WOLF apart as an industry leader in its chosen speciality. Philip Wolf I would be proud of this legacy, and the way his family continues to help people protect their precious items in ‘a fine quality box’.

© Architonic