Unlimitime is the independent certification standard for luxury watches. It establishes a shared, verifiable framework for assessing the authenticity, condition, provenance and value of timepieces, across the primary market, the grey market and the secondary market.
FAQ
Everything about the standard.
Answers, before the questions. Certification, the Registry, examiners and independence.
01 — What Unlimitime Is
The standard.
Authentication is a single-point assessment. It answers one question at a specific moment in time: is this watch genuine or not. Certification is broader, covering 99 criteria across 10 thematic blocks, including authenticity, physical condition, movement integrity, provenance, service history, rarity and chain of custody. It produces a permanent record that travels with the watch regardless of ownership changes.
Yes. Unlimitime operates independently of watch brands, sellers, dealers and marketplaces. It has no commercial relationship with any party involved in the sale of a watch it certifies.
02 — The Standard
99 criteria. 10 blocks.
The process follows four stages: submission with documentation, full physical examination of the watch against 99 criteria across 10 thematic blocks by one expert, independent review by a second expert, and once the examination is conclusive, a certified record is issued.
The 99 criteria are organised across 10 thematic blocks, each addressing a distinct dimension of the watch. They range from Identity and References (12 criteria) through Chain Integrity (8 criteria), covering physical condition, movement, provenance, documentation, service history, rarity, market context and custody.
Every certification is conducted by independent expert horologists selected for their professional standing in the industry, working with Unlimitime under a structured two-stage verification protocol. During the initial deployment phase, certifications are conducted by a single examiner.
The Unlimitime standard applies across the full spectrum of luxury horology, with no limitation by category, brand or price point.
For a Core certification with complete documentation, the process typically takes 5 to 10 business days from submission to certificate issuance. Signature and Ultra certifications, which involve deeper examination and additional documentation review, typically take 10 to 20 business days.
After certification, any new service performed on the watch can be added to the record by requesting a re-examination or a record update. The new service information is logged as a dated layer in the registry, preserving the complete history of the watch over time.
03 — For Whom
Collectors, dealers, institutions.
Certification provides a permanent, verified identity. Authenticity confirmed by independent expert horologists. Condition assessed against 99 criteria and documented at a specific point in time. A basis for insurance, resale and estate planning that is independent of the seller.
Dealers can submit watches for certification through the Unlimitime process to document inventory with independent records. Expert horologists can apply to conduct examinations within the Unlimitime protocol through the Expert Network.
Institutions receive a full condition assessment across 99 criteria, a photographic record produced at the time of examination, a provenance summary, a service history record, a market context assessment and a dynamic valuation score. Structured for actuarial scoring, collateral eligibility and audit requirements.
04 — The Registry & Value
Permanence and dynamic value.
The certification record is permanent. Once issued, it does not expire, cannot be altered, and remains accessible independently of any change in ownership, platform or marketplace.
The score has three components. Value reflects current market price signals, demand trends and comparable sales data. Rarity reflects production volume, reference status, edition characteristics. Integrity reflects the watch's authenticity, physical condition, service history and chain of custody. The three are aggregated into a single dynamic score, continuously updated.
The record is permanent but can be reviewed and adjusted to reflect the most accurate documented state of the watch. Every update is logged as a dated layer in the registry, not a replacement of the original assessment.
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