A Strategic Collaboration Enhancing Risk Mitigation Services in the Secondary Watch Market
In a move that reflects the growing need for specialized risk management solutions within the luxury watch sector, European Watch Company (EWC) has formalized a partnership with Chubb, a global insurance provider with extensive expertise in protecting high-value personal assets. The collaboration introduces an integrated insurance solution aimed at clients purchasing timepieces through EWC, offering streamlined access to coverage tailored for the secondary luxury watch market.
The new service is underpinned by Chubb Studio, Chubb’s proprietary digital integration platform, which enables EWC clients to obtain watch-specific insurance directly through the company. The offering addresses longstanding limitations within general insurance products, particularly homeowners’ or contents policies, where luxury watches and jewellery are often underinsured or excluded altogether.
Market Context: Rising Demand and Risk Exposure in Secondary Watch Sales
The partnership is situated within a broader trend of increased consumer demand for high-value pre-owned timepieces. The global secondary watch market has grown considerably over the last decade, with values for certain models appreciating rapidly, particularly in the case of brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet.
As values increase, so too does the need for risk-mitigation services at the point of sale. Theft, damage, and loss remain significant concerns for both private clients and commercial stakeholders such as dealers, auction houses, and insurers.
Standard personal insurance coverage typically places arbitrary caps on jewellery and watch claims, often based on outdated valuation methods or strict appraisal requirements. This creates a gap in risk management that is now being addressed through specialist partnerships such as this one.
Policy Design: Key Features and Structural Differences
The insurance solution offered via EWC and underwritten by Chubb is structured to reflect the operational realities of the luxury watch sector. Notable policy features include:
- Worldwide coverage, including protection against loss, theft, accidental damage, and unexplained disappearance, subject to policy territory limits.
- No deductible, a departure from many general contents policies.
- Market-based valuation, with annual reviews tied to secondary market trends.
- Claims payable up to 150% of the insured value, under certain circumstances, to account for market volatility.
- Flexible claim settlement options, allowing for repair, replacement, or cash settlement depending on client preference.
Appraisals are not required for items under $100,000 in value, which streamlines access to insurance for clients purchasing mid- to high-range timepieces.
Security protocols—such as the use of safes or monitored alarm systems—may qualify policyholders for premium discounts on larger collections, which introduces an opportunity for further integration with existing security services offered by retailers or watch vault providers.
Operational Impact for the Watch and Jewellery Trade
For B2B stakeholders—including retailers, appraisers, and risk consultants—this partnership signals a growing expectation for value-added services in the high-end watch market. Integrated insurance offerings may become a competitive differentiator among watch retailers who cater to clientele with substantial collections or who purchase as alternative asset investors.
From a logistics standpoint, the integration of Chubb Studio allows for a digital onboarding process that eliminates traditional pain points, such as delayed appraisals or lengthy underwriting requirements. This streamlining could prove valuable for businesses looking to enhance customer experience or reduce time-to-close during high-value transactions.
Furthermore, the policy’s reliance on market-based valuations rather than fixed-value or receipt-based models reflects a more responsive approach to pricing risk in a market where values are fluid and driven by secondary sales data. For appraisers, this shift may influence how valuations are conducted and presented to insurers or collectors going forward.
Strategic Takeaways for Industry Professionals
The collaboration between EWC and Chubb underscores several broader trends in the luxury goods and risk services sectors:
- Digital integration of ancillary services (such as insurance) at the point of sale is becoming more common, particularly in high-value retail.
- Market-driven valuation models are gaining traction, offering greater accuracy and alignment with real-time asset performance.
- Risk management is being repositioned as a value layer, rather than a post-sale concern, particularly in sectors where asset appreciation is notable.
- Retailers are increasingly expected to act as access points to third-party services, including insurance, logistics, and financial tools.
For retailers, insurers, and service providers operating within the fine watch and jewellery market, this partnership offers a model for how integrated, specialized services can enhance customer experience, reduce friction, and ultimately add resilience to the transaction ecosystem.
