Product classification
HS code for Luxury pocket watches: 9101.91
Pocket-watches and other watches, including stop-watches, (excluding wrist-watches), with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal, electrically operated.
Classification of luxury pocket watches under HS 9101.91
Luxury pocket watches that are electrically operated fall under HS code 9101.91. This classification applies to timepieces designed to be carried in a pocket or worn as a pendant, rather than on the wrist. The two defining characteristics for this code are the case material and the movement type. The case must be made of precious metal (such as gold, silver, or platinum) or metal clad with precious metal. The movement must be electrically operated, which typically refers to quartz movements powered by a battery, a solar cell, or an induction system. While traditional luxury watches are often mechanical, many high-end jewelry watches and modern pocket watches utilize quartz movements for accuracy and slimness. Under the General Rules of Interpretation, the material of the case is the primary determinant for placing the item in heading 9101 rather than 9102. The subheading .91 specifically identifies the electronic nature of the timekeeping mechanism. This code also includes stop-watches that meet the same material and movement criteria.
- Covers
- Quartz pocket watches with gold cases
- Battery-operated silver pendant watches
- Electric luxury stop-watches in precious metal
- Solar-powered pocket watches with platinum cases
- Electronic jewelry watches (non-wrist) in precious metal
- Also under 9101.91
- Tiffany & Co. quartz pocket watch (gold)
- Cartier 'Pasha' desk clock (silver-gilt, electric)
- various bespoke precious metal electric pocket watches
Codes often confused with 9101.91
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 9101.99, which is for mechanical (non-electric) pocket watches with precious metal cases. Another error is using 9102.91, which covers electrically operated pocket watches with cases made of base metal (like steel or brass). Importers must also ensure the item is not a wrist-watch, as those are classified under 9101.11 through 9101.29. If the watch is made of base metal plated with a thin layer of gold (not meeting the definition of "clad"), it belongs in 9102.
Top exporters and importers of HS 910191 (the code used for luxury pocket watches), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 910191 (the code used for luxury pocket watches) in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 16% 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 910191, not only luxury pocket watches.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Switzerland $14M 38% of world exports
- 2 Singapore $5.4M 15% of world exports
- 3 Australia $3.8M 10% of world exports
World total: $36M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $7.6M 16% of world imports
- 2 Switzerland $6.1M 13% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $6.0M 13% of world imports
World total: $48M 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 luxury pocket watches
Brazil classifies luxury pocket watches under NCM 9101.91.00: HS 9101.91 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about luxury pocket watches
What is the HS code for Luxury pocket watches?
The HS code for Luxury pocket watches is 910191 (Pocket-watches and other watches, including stop-watches; (excluding wrist-watches), with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal, electrically operated). The HS code for electrically operated pocket watches with a case of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal is 9101.91.
How do I classify Luxury pocket watches for customs?
Luxury pocket watches is classified under HS code 910191 — Pocket-watches and other watches, including stop-watches; (excluding wrist-watches), with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal, electrically operated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include gold-plated pocket watches?
Only if the plating is "clad with precious metal" (a thick layer bonded to the base). Simple electroplating usually results in classification under heading 9102.
Which countries are the top exporters of luxury pocket watches (HS 910191)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 910191 (the code used for luxury pocket watches) in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($14M, 38% of world exports), Singapore ($5.4M) and Australia ($3.8M). World exports came to about $36M, 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 luxury pocket watches (HS 910191)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 910191 (the code used for luxury pocket watches) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($7.6M, 16% of world imports), Switzerland ($6.1M) and Singapore ($6.0M). World imports came to about $48M, 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 Luxury pocket watches the same in all countries?
The base HS code 910191 for Luxury pocket 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 luxury pocket watches in Brazil?
In Brazil, luxury pocket watches (HS 910191) is classified under NCM 9101.91.00.