Owning a luxury watch in Palm Beach is just the first step. Protecting and maintaining your investment requires a network of trusted local specialists. As experts in the field, we’ve compiled a guide to the essential services every local watch owner needs.

1. Authentication:

Before buying or selling on the secondary market, authentication is critical. While some retail jewelers offer this, you should seek out an independent, brand-certified watchmaker. For vintage pieces, in particular, you need an expert who can spot non-original parts (dials, hands, bezels) that can drastically affect value. Always ask for a written report and high-resolution photos of the movement.

2. Servicing:

A fine mechanical watch is a machine that needs regular maintenance (typically every 5-7 years).

• Authorized Dealers (ADs): For a modern watch still under warranty, using the brand’s official AD (e.g., Rolex, Patek Philippe) is the best choice to maintain its warranty and service history.
• Independent Certified Watchmakers: For out-of-warranty or vintage pieces, a local, certified master watchmaker can often provide faster, more personal service. Ensure they are CW21-certified and use genuine factory parts.

3. Insurance:

Your homeowner’s policy is not sufficient to cover a high-value watch. It likely has a low “sub-limit” (e.g., $2,500) for jewelry and is not “all-risk.” You need a separate “valuable articles” policy (also called a “floater”) from a high-net-worth insurer like Chubb, PURE, or AIG. This will cover you for loss, theft, and accidental damage worldwide, with no (or a low) deductible. This requires a recent appraisal.

Our Role in the Ecosystem

As a luxury collateral lender, we work within this ecosystem. Our in-house horologists and gemologists provide expert appraisals and authentication as part of our loan evaluation process. We also offer secure, fully-insured vault storage, which many clients use as a long-term solution, separate from our lending services.

Contact us if you need a confidential appraisal of your watch or wish to discuss accessing its equity.