Luxury watches are no longer just practical accessories. For many collectors, they’re true assets objects of craftsmanship, heritage, and significant financial value. And according to a recent study, in the last five years some luxury watches have emerged as a viable alternative investment to property, stocks and other traditional investment vehicles.
The report cites high end watches as an "attractive option" for investors seeking portfolio diversification, thanks to their low correlation with the stock market, which may make them a less risky investment.
But with that shift comes a new responsibility: protecting watch portfolios with the same care as any other valuable collection.
In this brief article, we’ll look at how collectors can safeguard their investments through careful storage, cataloguing, and specialist watch collection insurance.
Storing a watch collection
How you store your watch is probably one of the most important considerations. Collectors typically opt for a multi-pronged approach that balances accessibility with security. For example:
- Home safes - A purpose built safe is one of the most common solutions. A fire-resistant safe can also protect watches from accidental damage in the home as well as any important watch related documents.
- Safety deposit boxes - Some collectors prefer to keep rare or high value pieces in off-site safety deposit facilities. Specialist bank and private vaults are increasingly popular across London and other UK cities many offering climate controlled storage and high level security. Important: Check whether your safety box provider insures the actual contents of the safe if not, you may wish to consider safe deposit box insurance.
- Watch winders - If you own automatic watches, a winder can be a handy addition. It keeps the movement ticking over, helping the internal oils stay evenly spread and ensuring complications like perpetual calendars don’t lose track.
- Travel and display cases - For collectors who like to wear their watches regularly or show them off, padded travel rolls and display boxes are a must. They not only make it easier to transport your watches from home to work or to events, but they also give that extra layer of protection.
Cataloguing and monitoring
Storing your watches properly is just one side of good collection care keeping detailed records is just as equally important. A catalogue of your watch portfolio isn’t just useful for you; it’s invaluable if you ever need to prove ownership or make an insurance claim. For example:
- Record keeping – noting model numbers, storing receipts, and keeping up-to-date photos gives you a safety net if anything is ever lost or stolen.
- Digital tools – Apps and online platforms now let collectors track their portfolio in real time, even monitoring changing market values. For those who see watches as an investment, it’s a bit like checking your share portfolio.
- Condition logs – Keeping on top of service dates, noting any changes, and recording provenance or rarity all help preserve value and can make a big difference at resale or appraisal.
Insuring a multi watch collection, why home insurance may not be enough
Collectors typically may not rely on traditional home insurance to cover their watch portfolio. The reality is that many standard UK home contents policies have strict limits on jewellery and watches, often a single item cap or an overall valuables cap that’s typically nowhere near enough to cover the true worth of a luxury collection.
Read more here: Is jewellery covered by home insurance policies?
Why standalone watch insurance matters
A specialist watch insurance policy can be built around the unique risks collectors face. For example, at Assetsure, our watch insurance policies typically include:
- Worldwide All Risks cover – Your watch is protected against physical loss or damage anywhere in the world, on an “All Risks” basis, for up to 60 days abroad per trip. Important: Before you travel, it’s important to review your insurance policy carefully cover often comes with extra conditions when you're away from home, particularly around security.
- No excess to pay – If you make a successful watch insurance claim, you won’t have to cover the first part of the loss yourself.
- Cover for one watch or many – You can insure just a single piece or your entire collection.
- Flexible payment options – Pay the way that suits you, with all major credit and debit cards accepted, plus monthly direct debits.
- A 30 day money back guarantee – Our policies give you a full 30 days to review your cover and request a refund if you’re not completely satisfied (as long as you have not made a claim of course).
We offer policies designed specifically for single watch owners and collectors, with flexible limits that reflect the full value of a portfolio and the ability to update cover as new pieces are acquired or watch values change.
The role of security and maintenance
Under the policy terms and conditions of your watch insurance, usually you’ll be expected to take reasonable precautions in order to keep your policy valid.
While your obligations may vary among watch insurance providers, this could mean having approved locks, an at home safe, as well as storing watches responsibly when travelling.
Maintenance of your watch may be another factor. Regular servicing by an authorised watchmaker not only preserves the longevity of the watch but also may maintain its insurable value.
Important: Check with your watch insurance provider if you require any clarification on what your cover entails and your responsibilities under your policy.
Peace of mind
Protecting your watch portfolio requires a combination of practical measures - safes, catalogues, care and financial safeguards through specialist insurance.
For anyone building a serious watch collection, now may be the time to review how your watches are protected. From the safe you choose to the watch insurance policy you arrange, every decision contributes to the long term security of your portfolio.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general information only and should not be taken as financial or investment advice. For watch insurance, please note that policy terms, conditions, and exclusions will apply. Always check with your insurance provider that you have the most appropriate level of cover for your specific circumstances.
