Tariffs and Turbulence: Why 2026 Is a Good Year to Buy Watches in Britain
If you follow the watch press, you'll have seen a year of whiplash headlines about American tariffs on Swiss watches. The short version, per Crown & Caliber's timeline: a 39% tariff landed on Swiss imports in August 2025, was negotiated down to 15% that November, replaced by a flat 10% in February 2026, and — when that measure expired on 24 July 2026 — settled at a new 12.5% rate. Swiss watch exports to the US, which had surged 150% in April 2025 as dealers rushed stock across the Atlantic, fell 14.8% in the first half of 2026. For British buyers, this transatlantic drama carries a quietly useful message.
What tariffs did to watch prices
Tariffs on finished Swiss watches feed straight into US retail prices, and brands largely passed the costs on during 2025–26. The pre-owned market followed: American dealers now carry an import cost baked into replacement stock, which supports higher secondary prices in the States. None of this applies to watches changing hands within the UK — a pre-owned Omega or Breitling sitting in Birmingham carries no new tariff burden whatsoever.
The UK advantage, spelled out
Three consequences follow for anyone buying here. First, UK pre-owned prices look internationally competitive: the same reference can cost meaningfully more once US import economics are involved, which is partly why overseas buyers increasingly shop British dealers. Second, already-imported vintage stock is insulated — a 1960s Seamaster that has lived in England for decades is untouched by trade policy. Third, sterling pricing is transparent: what you see on a UK dealer's listing is what you pay, with no customs surprises on delivery.
A word on where this goes next
Trade policy in 2026 has proven changeable, and nobody should buy a watch as a tariff play. But the structural point stands: the pre-owned market inside a single country is the calmest place to be when cross-border costs are volatile. It's one more reason the European pre-owned market has matured so quickly — and why our own watch collection, every piece authenticated and priced in pounds, has found buyers well beyond Britain.
From Our Collection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current US tariff on Swiss watches?
As of late July 2026, Swiss watches entering the United States carry a 12.5% duty, which replaced a temporary flat 10% rate on 24 July 2026 after a year that also saw rates of 39% and 15%.
Do US tariffs affect watch prices in the UK?
Not directly. Watches bought and sold within the UK carry no US tariff cost, which is why British pre-owned prices have remained comparatively attractive during the trade turbulence.
Is it cheaper to buy a pre-owned Swiss watch in the UK than the US in 2026?
Often, yes — US prices for new and replacement pre-owned stock now reflect import duties, while UK domestic stock does not. Exchange rates and individual watch condition still matter, so compare like for like.