Product classification
HS code for Hand-wound watches: 9102.29
Wrist-watches, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with other than automatic winding.
Classification of hand-wound watches under HS 9102.29
Hand-wound watches are classified under HS code 9102.29 because they are wrist-watches that utilize a mechanical movement without an automatic winding mechanism or a battery-powered quartz system. Heading 9102 covers wrist-watches, pocket-watches, and other watches with cases of base metal or materials other than precious metals. Subheading 9102.29 specifically captures mechanical watches that require manual winding of the crown to tension the mainspring. This classification is distinct from automatic watches, which use a weighted rotor to wind the spring through the wearer's physical motion. The classification process involves verifying the movement type and the case material. If the watch case is made of or plated with precious metal, it would move to heading 9101. However, for standard steel, titanium, or brass watches with manual mechanical movements, 9102.29 is the correct designation. This code is essential for trade statistics to differentiate between traditional mechanical horology and modern electronic or self-winding movements, reflecting the specific craftsmanship involved in manual-wind timepieces.
- Covers
- Manual-wind mechanical wrist-watches
- Hand-wound chronographs with base metal cases
- Vintage-style manual winding dress watches
- Mechanical field watches without automatic rotors
- Skeletonized hand-wound mechanical watches
- Also under 9102.29
- Nomos Glashütte Tangente (manual)
- Junghans Max Bill Hand-wound
- Stowa Marine Original (manual)
- Sinn 556 (manual-wind variant)
Codes often confused with 9102.29
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 9102.21, which is reserved for automatic (self-winding) watches. Importers often fail to distinguish between the two types of mechanical movements. Another common error is using 9102.11, which is for quartz (battery-operated) watches. Furthermore, if the watch case is made of gold or silver, it must be classified under 9101.29, regardless of the movement type. Misclassifying a manual watch as a quartz watch can lead to issues with valuation and duty rates, as mechanical movements often carry higher intrinsic value.
Top exporters and importers of HS 910229 (the code used for hand-wound watches), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 910229 (the code used for hand-wound watches) in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 57% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 910229, not only hand-wound watches.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Switzerland $1.2B 57% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $147M 6.7% of world exports
- 3 Singapore $140M 6.4% of world exports
World total: $2.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $309M 14% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $205M 9.1% of world imports
- 3 Japan $203M 9.1% of world imports
World total: $2.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for hand-wound watches
Brazil classifies hand-wound watches under NCM 9102.29.00: HS 9102.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about hand-wound watches
What is the HS code for Hand-wound watches?
The HS code for Hand-wound watches is 910229 (Wrist-watches; whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with other than automatic winding).
How do I classify Hand-wound watches for customs?
Hand-wound watches is classified under HS code 910229 — Wrist-watches; whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with other than automatic winding. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for manual mechanical watches?
The HS code for hand-wound (manual) mechanical wrist-watches with base metal cases is 9102.29. This excludes automatic and quartz models.
Does 9102.29 include watches made of solid gold?
No, watches with cases made of precious metal (like solid gold or silver) are classified under heading 9101. Specifically, a manual-wind gold watch would fall under 9101.29.
Which countries are the top exporters of hand-wound watches (HS 910229)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 910229 (the code used for hand-wound watches) in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($1.2B, 57% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($147M) and Singapore ($140M). World exports came to about $2.2B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of hand-wound watches (HS 910229)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 910229 (the code used for hand-wound watches) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($309M, 14% of world imports), Hong Kong ($205M) and Japan ($203M). World imports came to about $2.2B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Is the HS code for Hand-wound watches the same in all countries?
The base HS code 910229 for Hand-wound watches is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for hand-wound watches in Brazil?
In Brazil, hand-wound watches (HS 910229) is classified under NCM 9102.29.00.