Ellisse: Wooden and Plywood Watch Stands

The Ellisse series was born from a very common practical need: taking off your watch when sitting down at your desk without risking scratches against the worktop, and without the hassle of wrapping it around a soft watch-box cushion every single time. The goal of this workshop project is to combine open, visible storage with mechanical protection, allowing the bracelet or strap to hang naturally while keeping watch cases safely spaced apart.

Anatomy of the Design: The Elliptical Bridge and Valet Tray

The defining characteristic of the series is the arched bridge side profile, engineered to distribute weight evenly while providing ample clearance beneath the cases. The ground clearance is precisely calibrated to accommodate timepieces ranging from classic 36 mm dress watches to chunkier models over 45 mm in diameter (including dive watches and G-Shocks). This allows leather straps, steel bracelets, and NATO pass-throughs to drape open without putting undue strain on the clasp.

At the base, the lower tier features a fitted black faux-leather mat: a soft surface that deadens metallic clicks when setting an open watch down, doubling as an everyday carry (EDC) valet tray for rings, coins, or keys.

Ellisse Duo: Compact Desk Stand for Watches and Pens

Designed as an everyday benchtop or bedside station for anyone rotating two daily watches during the week:

Elevated dual display: Accommodates two watches on the upper bridge, keeping dials legible and within easy reach.
Integrated tool storage: Features calibrated vertical openings on the side for daily writing instruments or a stylus.
Compact footprint: Sized to sit neatly beside a laptop without encroaching on valuable desk space.
Precision joinery: The entire frame is laser-cut using finger joints, tuned to tenths-of-a-millimetre tolerances for rigid structural integrity without visible screws.
Open-pore natural finish: Treated with wood stains that highlight the natural grain while keeping the exposed joinery visible on the flanks, celebrating an honest, functional construction.
Dimensions: 25 cm × 12 cm × 10 cm

Ellisse Duo handcrafted wooden desk watch stand with integrated pen holders and black faux-leather valet base

Ellisse XII: 12-Piece Watch Display Station with Finger Joinery

Designed for broader rotations or to keep an entire collection visible outside closed storage cases:

Staggered layout: The two-tiered, offset tier architecture accommodates up to 12 watches, ensuring crowns, pushers, and lugs of adjacent pieces never make contact.
CNC machined frame: The entire frame is machined via CNC milling, routing out pockets and finger joints to tenths-of-a-millimetre tolerances to guarantee structural rigidity without visible screws.
Open-pore natural finish: Finished with stains that enhance the natural wood grain while leaving the mechanical joinery visible along the flanks, highlighting the honest construction of the piece.
Dimensions: 35 cm × 25 cm × 11 cm

Ellisse XII natural CNC-milled plywood multi-watch display stand with curved bridge support and black base insert

Variants and Finishes: Bare Wood Grain or Lacquered Surface

Designed for broader rotations or to keep an entire collection visible outside closed storage cases:

Staggered layout: The two-tiered, offset tier architecture accommodates up to 12 watches, ensuring crowns, pushers, and lugs of adjacent pieces never make contact.
CNC machined frame: The entire frame is machined via CNC milling, cutting precise pockets and joints to tenths-of-a-millimetre tolerances for rock-solid rigidity without exposed fasteners.
Seamless lacquered finish: The joints and end-grain connections are filled, faired, and hand-finished with a satin lacquer. The stand presents as a monolithic, continuous sculpture, creating a sharp backdrop that accentuates the brushed steel cases and dial details.
Dimensions: 35 cm × 25 cm × 10 cm

Ellisse XII red-lacquered wooden multi-watch stand holding wristwatches on an office desk

Bespoke Builds and Custom Configurations

The parametric nature of the CAD model allows the original dimensions to be adapted: the slot count can be reconfigured (e.g. 4, 6, or 8 watch slots), bridge spacing can be widened for oversized watch cases, and the base can incorporate dedicated CNC-milled trays for headphones, rings, or specific daily tools.

If you have a collection with specific sizing requirements or wish to design a custom station tailored to your desk setup, drop me a line. We can review the dimensions and develop it together at the bench.