Watchlords

I get my watch, put it in a display case and wear it. The box, I put the box in storage, I rarely see the box again.
I’m going through my entire collection. I’m deciding what to keep and what to get rid of.
I’m putting original straps and extra links in the watch box they belong to and taking a picture with the watch in the box. I figure, if something happens to me, it will be easier for someone to figure this all out with pictures a quick descriptions.
My problem is Zodiac watch boxes. In the past, I noticed that the rubber on the Zodiac boxes is sticky when I dig them out of storage. I wiped them down as best I could with some cleaning agent, put the watch in and sent it on its way to its new home.
Well, I haven’t touched the Zodiac Calame box for about 10 years, I pull it out of storage and this thing is so sticky and gooey. What does Zodiac use to make their boxes do this? I don’t have this issue on anything but the Zodiac boxes, it’s like the rubber deteriorates into goo.
Anyone else here have that issue with their old Zodiac boxes? How do you stop it from happening? How do you clean it to not be sticky?
My stuff is stored in a closet in my home, nothing else has this happen to it.

I have a few sticky Zodiac boxes. They were stored humidity controlled. No idea how to avoid it or clean it. Wrap them in cling wrap or a zip lock.

That chewing-gum based rubber is the same material utilized in the Invicta canteen divers wartch strap. It’s biodegradable - through a process that automatically begins within 5 years…

I had the same thing happen I’m glad to hear it wasn’t just me. Stored in a bedroom closet with my other watch boxes

Selling a Zodiac watch is going to suck. Especially for they buyer when he opens it and grabs the box. I would absolutely freak if I opened a watch and the box stuck to my hand, my imagination would run wild. I’ll have to tell my brother to make a note of the Zodiac box degrading and being sticky to warn a buyer.

I wiped it down with rubbing alcohol, it worked for a bit, but was still gummy.
Maybe I won’t put a note in for my brother to warn others. It would be my last set up of him after I’m dead. I can just imagine his face when the box sticks to his hands.

Put them in the freezer when new. They'll be fine and will keep well for many, many years. Once gooey though they're beyond saving.

Honestly, if I was trying to sell a modern Zodie, the last thing I'd be worried about is the box. I'm stuck with the the Super Sea Wolf in neon green, which turned out to be the gheyist wartche since the Red Sea "Let's Roger the Midshipmen." I got it for 25 percent off retail, and still overpaid a fucking grand for it. So, unless David Sedaris is looking for a Swiss SW330 based watch with below par finishing, bracelet, and timekeeping, I'm pretty much fucking jammed over here.