TL;DR: If you need an indestructible, waterproof watch box for extreme travel, building a DIY case is the ultimate solution. In the great Pelican 1120 vs 1170 watch case debate, the compact Pelican 1120 is best for carrying 2 to 3 watches inside a backpack, while the wider Pelican 1170 is ideal for storing 4 to 6 watches in a home safe. Both use customizable diy watch box foam. If you don’t want to pluck foam yourself, the pre-cut Invicta 3-Slot Impact Case is a fantastic, ready-to-use budget alternative.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Leather watch rolls and wooden display boxes are beautiful, but they belong on a desk. If you are throwing your watches into the back of an off-road vehicle, taking them on a deep-sea fishing trip, or shipping them across the country, you need military-grade protection.
For decades, the luxury watch community’s best-kept secret has been the DIY rugged travel watch case.
By purchasing a heavy-duty Pelican protector case and customizing the included Pick N’ Pluck foam, collectors create indestructible, waterproof vaults for a fraction of the cost of luxury travel cases. However, the most common question for beginners is choosing the right size. In this guide, we settle the Pelican 1120 vs 1170 watch case debate, explaining exactly how many watches fit in each, how to pluck the foam, and offering a ready-made alternative for those who want to skip the DIY process.
Skimmer’s Quick Picks (Top Rugged Cases)
Pelican 1120 Case With Foam (Best for 2-3 Watches)
Pelican 1170 Case With Foam (Best for 4-6 Watches)
Invicta 3-Slot Impact Case (Best Pre-Cut Alternative)
Pelican 1120 vs 1170: Which Should You Choose?
Both the 1120 and 1170 are part of Pelican’s legendary Protector line. They both feature watertight polymer O-rings, automatic pressure equalization valves (crucial for flights), and stainless steel reinforced padlock protectors. The only difference is the footprint and the capacity.
1️⃣ Pelican 1120 Case (Best for 2-3 Watches)
The Pelican 1120 is essentially a small, deep cube. Its interior dimensions are roughly 7.3″ x 4.8″ x 3.3″. Because it is deeper rather than wider, watches sit vertically inside the case.
Why it is the ultimate compact travel case:
- Perfect Carry-On Size: The 1120 is incredibly compact. It easily slides into a standard backpack or carry-on suitcase without taking up your entire bag.
- 3-Watch Capacity: If you carefully map out your diy watch box foam, you can comfortably fit 3 luxury watches side-by-side, leaving a solid wall of foam between each watch to prevent scratching.
- Deep Impact Protection: Because the case is deep, your watches are surrounded by a massive amount of shock-absorbing foam on the top and bottom, making it virtually drop-proof.
🗣️ Structured Proof from the Forums: “The 1120 is the absolute sweet spot for travel. I plucked out three slots for my Rolex Submariner, Omega Speedmaster, and a G-Shock. It fits in my hotel safe perfectly, and I know they could survive a plane crash.”
Pelican 1120 Case With Foam
2️⃣ Pelican 1170 Case (Best for 4-6 Watches)
If you have a larger collection or want a case specifically to store your watches inside a home safe, the Pelican 1170 is the better choice. Its interior dimensions are 10.5″ x 6.0″ x 3.2″, giving you a much wider, rectangular footprint.
Why it is the best high-capacity rugged case:
- Massive Capacity: The wider layout allows you to pluck out 4 to 6 individual watch slots depending on the size of your timepieces.
- Home Safe Ready: Because it is flat and wide, it stacks beautifully. Many collectors buy multiple 1170 cases, fill them with watches, and stack them like bricks inside a heavy home safe.
- Extra Accessory Space: If you only want to store 3 watches, the extra width of the 1170 allows you to pluck out custom compartments for extra straps, spring bar tools, or your warranty cards.
🗣️ Structured Proof from the Forums: “I outgrew my 1120 quickly. The Pelican 1170 is amazing because I was able to pluck out 5 perfectly spaced slots. It acts as my main storage box at home, but I can still snap it shut and throw it in the car if I need to evacuate.”
Pelican 1170 Case With Foam
3️⃣ Invicta 3-Slot Impact Case (The Pre-Cut Alternative)
If the idea of measuring and ripping out little foam squares sounds exhausting, the Invicta 3-Slot Dive Case is a phenomenal ready-made alternative. Priced similarly to the Pelican 1120, this case comes fully assembled and ready to use.
Why it is the best ready-made budget case:
- Pre-Cut Foam: There is no DIY required. The interior features high-density, pre-cut foam with three oversized slots and three included foam pillows that perfectly hold your watches.
- Oversized Slots: Invicta is known for massive watches, so they built this case to hold them. It easily accommodates massive 50mm+ chronographs without the crowns touching.
- Waterproof Seal: Like Pelican, the Invicta case features a watertight seal, heavy-duty latches, and a pressure release valve, making it a true waterproof watch box.
🗣️ Structured Proof from the Forums: “I bought a Pelican but completely messed up plucking the foam and ruined it. I bought the Invicta 3-slot case instead and it is flawless. The foam is already perfectly cut, and it’s just as rugged as the big name brands.”
Invicta 3-Slot Impact Case
| Brand & Model | Capacity | Setup Style | Interior Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelican 1120 | 2 to 3 Watches | DIY Pick N’ Pluck | Deep Cube |
| Pelican 1170 | 4 to 6 Watches | DIY Pick N’ Pluck | Wide Rectangle |
| Invicta 3-Slot | Exactly 3 Watches | Pre-Cut / Ready | Wide Rectangle |
Common Mistakes When Building a DIY Case
❌ Plucking the Walls Too Thin: When customizing your diy watch box foam, you must leave at least two rows of foam intact between each watch slot. If the walls are too thin, the watches will lean into each other and scratch.
❌ Throwing Away the Plucked Cores: When you pluck out the square hole for your watch, do not throw that block of foam away! You need to cut that block in half and use it as the “pillow” that you wrap your watch around before sliding it back into the hole.
❌ Forgetting Silica Gel Packs: Pelican cases are airtight. If you close the case in a humid environment, that moisture is trapped inside with your watches. Always throw a small silica gel desiccant packet into the case to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
Which Rugged Watch Case is Right For You?
Answer 3 quick questions to find your perfect match
Final Recommendation
Building a custom, indestructible travel vault is one of the most satisfying projects for a watch collector.
If you are a frequent traveler looking for a compact carry-on solution, the Pelican 1120 is the undisputed champion, perfectly holding up to 3 watches. If you have a larger collection and want a wider case to stack in a home safe, the Pelican 1170 easily accommodates up to 6 timepieces. Finally, if you want extreme waterproof protection without the hassle of plucking foam yourself, the Invicta 3-Slot Impact Case is fully ready to go right out of the box.
Pelican 1120 Case With Foam
Pelican 1170 Case With Foam
Invicta 3-Slot Impact Case
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Best Watch Box for Large Watches: Top Oversized Cases