Collectors keep records the same way: a binder of papers, a folder of photos, a spreadsheet of purchase prices that has not been updated since 2019. WatchRadar keeps that record in one place on your iPhone: every watch identified to a likely reference, with an estimated value range, photos, receipts and service history, ready to share with an insurer, an estate or a future buyer.
Watch Box — estimated collection value across brands.
What a collector actually needs
Three things, for most collectors: a clear record of what each piece is (reference, photos, and what an analysis found), a current value estimate (for insurance riders, estate planning, and the inevitable "is this still worth what I paid"), and provenance retention (so the box, papers, service receipts and original retailer details do not disappear over twenty years). WatchRadar keeps all three in one place tied to the watch. It gives you estimates and analysis records, not proof or appraisals; for those, a watchmaker and a professional appraiser still matter.
How the Watch Box works
Per watch: the suggested reference, any dial or caseback text the scan read, the verdict from the guided scan, an estimated value range, provenance attachments (box / papers / service receipts / original retailer card), and an optional shareable Analysis Report.
Across the collection: an estimated total value, a per-brand breakdown, and each watch’s service history and past reports in one private archive.
Privacy: the box is private. Nothing is published unless you create a shareable Analysis Report, which has a public verification page; provenance stays in the box unless you choose to attach it. The analysis runs on WatchRadar’s servers, so scan photos are uploaded to be analysed, but uploading them does not make them public.
Insurance and estate planning
Specialist watch insurers often ask for a current appraisal before a rider pays out at replacement value, and many want it refreshed every few years. WatchRadar is not an appraisal. What it gives you is a per-watch record with photos, the suggested reference, an estimated value range and the dated dossier, which you can hand to an appraiser or insurer as supporting documentation. Whether an insurer accepts it is their call. For a high-value piece, expect to need a professional appraisal, and a watchmaker who can open the case, because WatchRadar can’t see inside it.
Service tracking
Each watch in the box has a service log. Receipts and service-centre stamps are photographed and attached, and you can set a next-service reminder. Recommended intervals vary by brand and movement, so use the maker’s guidance. When you sell, the full service history is already in one place, ready to share with the buyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add watches I bought decades ago?
Yes, and it is a good place to start. Photograph each existing piece in the guided angles (three to start, five for stronger evidence), run the scan, and attach whatever provenance you have (papers, receipts, service stamps). The dossier captures the watch as it is today. Older receipts and warranty cards photograph cleanly.
Does WatchRadar value pieces correctly across regions and currencies?
The value is an estimated secondary-market range built from typical prices for the reference, not a live or local quote. Prices differ between regions (tax, grey-market supply, local demand), so the range is a general guide. For region-specific pieces or rare limited editions, treat it as a rough guide and check recent local sales. It is context, not a professional appraisal.
What happens to my data if I stop using the app?
Your box stays in your account until you delete it. Individual dossiers and Analysis Reports can be saved as PDFs whenever you like. Deleting your account from Settings (Delete Account & Data) permanently removes your scan history, collection and Analysis Reports; to take down a single report instead, email us its WRC-id. The privacy policy at /privacy/ has the full retention details.
Can someone else check a piece I own without the app?
They can check the record. Each shareable Analysis Report has a public verification page: a buyer or appraiser scans the QR code and sees the watch identification, verdict, evidence summary and date, with no app needed. It shows what the analysis found; it is not a legal certificate of authenticity. WatchRadar can’t see inside the case, so for a high-value piece expect them to want a watchmaker’s inspection too.
Is the Watch Box useful for collections under ten pieces?
Even for a single high-value piece, the dossier-plus-report workflow has value at insurance time and resale time. The brand-specific guides at /authenticate/ describe the tells worth checking on each maker. Once one piece is in, adding the rest of the box is the same short photo session per watch.
