Product classification
HS code for Precious metal mechanical watches: 9101.29
Wrist-watches, (not electrically operated), (not automatic winding), whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal.
Classification of precious metal mechanical watches under HS 9101.29
The classification of mechanical wrist-watches with precious metal cases under HS code 9101.29 depends on the exclusion of electrical components and the specific method of mechanical winding. Heading 9101 is the primary heading for watches with cases of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal. Within this heading, the nomenclature distinguishes between wrist-watches and other types of watches. Subheading 9101.29 serves as a residual category for wrist-watches that are not electrically operated and do not feature automatic winding. This implies that the watch movement is purely mechanical and requires manual winding by the user via the crown. If the watch were powered by a battery, it would be classified under 9101.11 or 9101.19. If the mechanical movement featured a rotor for automatic winding, it would be classified under 9101.21. Consequently, a manual-wind luxury watch made of 18k gold or solid platinum is strictly classified under 9101.29. This code also includes manual-wind chronographs and stop-watches designed for the wrist, provided the case material meets the precious metal requirement defined in the Chapter 71 notes.
- Covers
- Manual-wind gold wrist-watches
- Platinum-cased mechanical wrist chronographs (manual)
- Silver wrist-watches with manual mechanical movements
- Mechanical wrist stop-watches with precious metal cases
- Skeletonized manual-wind watches in precious metal
- Also under 9101.29
- Patek Philippe Calatrava (manual, gold)
- A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia (manual, platinum)
- Vacheron Constantin Patrimony (manual, rose gold)
- Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso (manual, gold)
Codes often confused with 9101.29
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is 9101.21, which is specifically for automatic (self-winding) watches. Another error is 9102.29, which covers manual-wind watches with base metal cases. Users often fail to distinguish between \"automatic\" and \"manual\" mechanical movements when selecting the subheading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 910129 (the code used for precious metal mechanical watches), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 910129 (the code used for precious metal mechanical watches) in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 49% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, 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 910129, not only precious metal mechanical watches.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Switzerland $1.8B 49% of world exports
- 2 Singapore $450M 13% of world exports
- 3 Hong Kong $293M 8.2% of world exports
World total: $3.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Switzerland $564M 16% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $452M 13% of world imports
- 3 Australia $302M 8.5% of world imports
World total: $3.6B 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 precious metal mechanical watches
Brazil classifies precious metal mechanical watches under NCM 9101.29.00: HS 9101.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about precious metal mechanical watches
What is the HS code for Precious metal mechanical watches?
The HS code for Precious metal mechanical watches is 910129 (Wrist-watches; (not electrically operated), (not automatic winding), whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal).
How do I classify Precious metal mechanical watches for customs?
Precious metal mechanical watches is classified under HS code 910129 — Wrist-watches; (not electrically operated), (not automatic winding), whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for a manual-wind platinum watch?
The HS code is 9101.29, provided it is a wrist-watch with a manual mechanical movement and a platinum case.
Does 9101.29 include automatic watches?
No, automatic-winding wrist-watches with precious metal cases are classified under HS code 9101.21.
Which countries are the top exporters of precious metal mechanical watches (HS 910129)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 910129 (the code used for precious metal mechanical watches) in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($1.8B, 49% of world exports), Singapore ($450M) and Hong Kong ($293M). World exports came to about $3.6B, 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 precious metal mechanical watches (HS 910129)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 910129 (the code used for precious metal mechanical watches) in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($564M, 16% of world imports), Hong Kong ($452M) and Australia ($302M). World imports came to about $3.6B, 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 Precious metal mechanical watches the same in all countries?
The base HS code 910129 for Precious metal 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 precious metal mechanical watches in Brazil?
In Brazil, precious metal mechanical watches (HS 910129) is classified under NCM 9101.29.00.