Yikes an $1100 watch gone to waste, I would be gutted if it where mine, although I would of wrapped it up in several layers of bubble wrap, boxed it and sealed it with the up-most of care, I would of then worried, slept less and perspired more until I got notification that it had arrived safely at its intended destination - I would then repeat this process for the duration of the watches return journey
Just a thought, could it be possible his wife or some other third party posted it on his behalf and he is unaware that it was wrapped so poorly? I can just imagine asking my own wife and her saying "oh that old thing, I just chucked it in an envelope"
Would it be possible to make a claim against the postal services for the damage?
You could offer to endorse the claim by stating the watch was damaged in transit, he may appreciate the gesture if nothing else.