Wrist Assured: Why Insuring Your Watches Matters More Than Ever

Insuring luxury timepieces at current market value has moved from prudent to essential. No, it is not 2020 again. The new 39% tariffs on Swiss watches are reshaping the landscape in real time. With manufacturers curbing U.S. allocations and retailers absorbing higher costs, retail prices have started to climb and more collectors are turning to the secondary market to secure the pieces they want. The net effect is clear: rising values, tighter availability, and greater urgency to make sure coverage keeps pace.

What tariffs mean for your policy

Market values are moving quickly.
Importing just got more expensive, which pushes demand toward U.S. inventory. Fewer new pieces at authorized dealers means more competition for a smaller pool of watches. Prices in the secondary market have already begun to reflect that squeeze. If your policy still lists the original retail price or a years-old appraisal, it may not replace your watch at today’s cost.

Replacement is getting harder.
As demand pivots to pre-owned, sourcing a like-kind, like-quality example becomes more complex, especially for coveted references. Even strong AD relationships may not guarantee access when allocations shrink. Accurate valuation and proper coverage give you the best chance of being made whole if a loss occurs.

Why the insurer matters

Expert, real-time valuation.
European Watch Company operates daily in the secondary market, pricing watches against live data and actual trading ranges. That same expertise informs insurance valuations, accounting for brand, reference, condition, metal, movement, and collector demand. The goal is simple: coverage that reflects what replacement truly costs today.

End-to-end replacement support.
If the unexpected happens, valuation is only half the job. In a supply-constrained market, access matters. EWC’s team can assist with sourcing like-kind replacements through deep relationships and broad inventory visibility. No waitlist required, no AD relationship necessary.

What to do now

The long-term impact of tariffs remains uncertain. In the near term, every collector should review listed values and ask a simple question: If a loss occurred tomorrow, how would this watch be valued and replaced? During periods of volatility, an insurer that understands this market is invaluable. Chubb’s Valuable Articles Policy allows coverage at current market value and includes up to 150% of the scheduled amount, up to the policy limit. That “appreciation protection” can make the difference between partial and full replacement when values move.

If you want your collection reviewed for current market value coverage against loss, theft, and damage, email insurance@europeanwatch.com to begin the process.

Curious how industry leaders view the tariff shift? This recent piece features commentary from CEO Joshua Ganjei and other watch experts on what these changes mean for collectors and the market at large.