Product classification
HS code for Mechanical watches: 9102.29
Wrist-watches, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with other than automatic winding.
Classification of mechanical watches under HS 9102.29
Mechanical watches with manual winding are classified under HS code 910229. This classification is found in Chapter 91, which covers clocks, watches, and their parts. Heading 9102 applies to wrist-watches, pocket-watches, and other watches, including stop-watches, other than those of heading 9101. Heading 9101 is reserved for watches with cases made of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal. Subheading 910229 specifically identifies wrist-watches that are not automatic winding and are not electrically operated. This distinguishes them from modern quartz watches and self-winding mechanical watches. The classification is determined by the case material (base metal, plastic, etc.), the type of movement (mechanical), and the winding method (manual). These watches are characterized by a mechanical movement that requires the user to turn the crown to tighten the mainspring. The accuracy and value of these items often vary significantly, but the HS classification remains consistent based on these technical specifications.
- Covers
- Manual-wind wrist-watches
- Mechanical stop-watches (wrist-worn)
- Hand-wound mechanical chronographs
- Mechanical dress watches with base metal cases
- 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 is with automatic watches, which fall under 910221. Another common error involves watches with precious metal cases (e.g., solid gold or silver), which must be classified under heading 9101, specifically 910129 for manual mechanical versions. Quartz watches, which are electrically operated, are classified under 910211 to 910219 depending on the display type.
Top exporters and importers of HS 910229 (the code used for mechanical watches), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 910229 (the code used for mechanical 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 mechanical 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 mechanical watches
Brazil classifies mechanical 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 mechanical watches
What is the HS code for Mechanical watches?
The HS code for Mechanical watches is 910229 (Wrist-watches; whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with other than automatic winding). The HS code for manual-wind mechanical wrist-watches with base metal cases is 910229.
How do I classify Mechanical watches for customs?
Mechanical 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.
Is a watch with a gold-plated case classified here?
Yes, gold-plated (metal clad with precious metal) cases are typically classified under 9101, but if the plating is very thin and does not meet the definition of 'clad,' it remains in 9102.
Which countries are the top exporters of mechanical watches (HS 910229)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 910229 (the code used for mechanical 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 mechanical watches (HS 910229)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 910229 (the code used for mechanical 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 Mechanical watches the same in all countries?
The base HS code 910229 for Mechanical 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 mechanical watches in Brazil?
In Brazil, mechanical watches (HS 910229) is classified under NCM 9102.29.00.