What Watch Certificate™ does

Watch Certificate™ (operated by Tradee SAS) is a Paris-based B2B2C platform founded in 2017 that issues blockchain-anchored NFT digital passports for luxury watches. The platform combines a 53-point physical inspection methodology (executed by a network of certified partner watchmakers equipped with a proprietary Lightbox system) with independent expert validation and immutable on-chain registration of each watch's identity, ownership history, service records, and market value. The core technology stack includes a public-blockchain NFT implementation that scored 100/100 on the OpenGem Web3 audit, AI-assisted computer vision for physical-digital watch linkage, and modular platform capabilities spanning CRM, inventory, after-sales service, point-of-sale, and sales-network management (with Salesforce integration available).

The company serves the full watch industry ecosystem: luxury and independent watch manufactures (e.g., Laurent Ferrier, Bianchet, LORIGE, Beaubleu) deploy the platform in white-label mode to gain post-sale CRM visibility; retailers and certified horologers activate passports at point of sale; auction houses (Christie's, Antiquorum) use it for authentication and lot documentation; marketplaces (LePrix) embed it as a trust signal; and individual collectors purchase tiered certifications (€59 Simple to €439+ Black, with custom pricing above €50,000 watch value). Revenue is generated through a combination of monthly B2B subscriptions (volume-degressive, no onboarding fees), one-time per-passport activation fees, tiered consumer certification purchases, affiliate commissions on the co-developed Watch Cover insurance program (with Hiscox and CLEVER), and expert validation services. The platform operates across 32 countries with 42+ certified watchmaker partners, and the insurance product extends coverage to 190+ countries.

The business model is asset-light and platform-mediated, with a single $1.36M funding round raised in January 2022 suggesting capital-efficient growth. Strategic moats derive from a three-sided ecosystem (manufactures, watchmakers, insurers/auction houses), accumulating watch data across 150+ countries, blockchain-anchored switching costs, and regulatory positioning for the EU Digital Product Passport. Named enterprise customers are skewed toward independent and mid-market brands rather than top luxury conglomerates, leaving significant headroom in the addressable market.

Name

Watch Certificate™

Legal name

Tradee SAS

Website

https://watchcertificate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Watch Authentication and Digital Certification Software

NAICS

Offices of Notaries (54112)

SIC

Jewelry, Silverware & Plated Ware (3910)

akta.pro primary industry

Pre-owned, Vintage & Certified Pre-owned Watches (CRAKADAM)

Keywords

• Luxury watch certification
• Blockchain digital passport
• Watch authentication platform
• NFT watch provenance
• Horological inspection services

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. B2B Professional Subscription: Professional clients (manufactures, retailers, auction houses, marketplaces) pay a monthly subscription fee for access to the platform. The subscription includes all technology, CRM tools, and physical cards included in the box. Pricing is volume-based and tiered based on watch value and volume. No hidden fees; fully turnkey deployment.
2. Digital Passport (Passeport) Fees: A one-time payment per digital passport activated. Each watch passport is sold at a tiered price based on the watch's market value. The passport issuance includes physical cards and all services. For professionals, this is bundled with the subscription. For consumers, this is a direct one-time purchase.
3. Consumer Certification Tiers: Individual watch owners purchase watch passports directly at tiered prices: Simple Passport at €59, Steel certification (watches under €5,000) at €139, Gold certification (€5,000–€15,000) at €269, Black certification (€15,000–€50,000) at €439, and Red certification (watches over €50,000) at a custom price. Inspection by partner watchmaker and expert validation are included in the price.
4. Insurance Distribution (Watch Cover): Watch Certificate co-developed the Watch Cover insurance program with Hiscox and broker CLEVER for French residents. The company earns revenue through insurance distribution/prescription commissions when partner retailers refer customers to purchase insurance coverage.
5. Expert Validation Services: Independent expert horologists validate watch passport inspections submitted by partner watchmakers, providing an additional layer of certification. Expert validation is included in the consumer certification tier price.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Watch Certificate™ provides a white-label, blockchain-anchored digital watch passport platform that combines an NFT-based digital identity, a 53-point physical inspection performed by certified horologers using a proprietary Lightbox, and AI-assisted expert validation. The platform is sold as a monthly subscription plus per-passport fee to manufactures, retailers, auction houses, and marketplaces, with turnkey CRM, inventory, sales-network, after-sales, and point-of-sale modules. Consumers can also purchase tiered watch passports directly (€59 Simple to custom Red for €50,000+ watches), and access the co-developed Watch Cover insurance program with Hiscox and CLEVER.

Product overview

Watch Certificate™ is a unified platform offering a white-label digital watch passport system with tiered certification products (Passeport Simple, Steel, Gold, Black, Red) and modular platform capabilities including CRM, Inventory, Sales Network, After-Sales Service (SAV), and Point-of-Sale modules. The core product is the NFT blockchain-based digital passport that provides authentication, anti-counterfeiting, maintenance records, market valuation, and theft protection. Additional services include the Watch Cover insurance program developed with Hiscox and CLEVER. The platform targets the entire watch ecosystem: manufactures, retailers, watchmakers, auction houses, insurance brokers, second-hand dealers, and marketplaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Watch Certificate™ Digital Watch Passport Platform (B2B White-Label) A white-label, blockchain-anchored digital watch passport platform sold to watch manufactures, retailers, auction houses, marketplaces, and certified horologers on a monthly subscription basis (with no onboarding fees). It unifies watch data, warranty, ownership history, services, and centralized maintenance records on an NFT-based passport recorded on a public blockchain, with turnkey CRM, inventory, sales-network, after-sales (SAV), and point-of-sale modules plus Salesforce CRM integration. Pricing is volume-degressive and tiered by watch value.
• Watch Certificate™ Consumer Watch Passport (tiered: Simple, Steel, Gold, Black, Red) A direct-to-consumer one-time-purchase digital watch passport sold to individual watch owners and collectors at tiered prices based on the watch's market value. Each passport includes a 53-point physical inspection by a certified watchmaker using the proprietary Lightbox, at least 8 high-definition photos, independent expert validation, NFT registration on a public blockchain, ownership history, service records, market value attestation, automatic stolen-watch blacklist, and ownership transfer capability. QR-code activation after purchase.
• Watch Cover Insurance Program A comprehensive all-risk watch insurance product covering watches at home and when worn against damage, theft, and aggression (including robbery with aggression), co-developed with Hiscox (underwriter) and CLEVER (broker). It uses Watch Certificate's market value certification as the underwriting foundation and the platform's blacklist for theft claims. Coverage extends to 190+ countries and is distributed through partner retailer referrals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Watches without original box/papers typically sell 20% below market; with Watch Certificate certification, sellers can command full market value
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Christie'sflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristie's, the world-renowned luxury auction house, has renewed its collaboration with Watch Certificate as the preferred digital certification standard for watches sold at auction. Christie's leverages Watch Certificate for pre-sale authentication, digital lot documentation, and post-sale owner relationship management across their watch department globally.
• AntiquorumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAntiquorum, a leading auction house specializing in luxury watches headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is an ecosystem partner of Watch Certificate. Antiquorum uses Watch Certificate for watch authentication and certification across their auction operations.
• HiscoxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHiscox is the insurance underwriter for the Watch Cover program, a specialized all-risk watch insurance product co-developed by Watch Certificate and broker CLEVER. Watch Cover provides comprehensive coverage for watches against theft, robbery with aggression, and accidental damage worldwide in 190+ countries.
• CLEVERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCLEVER is the insurance broker that co-developed the Watch Cover insurance program with Watch Certificate and Hiscox, specifically designed for French residents. CLEVER distributes the insurance product and earns commissions through partner retailer referrals.
• LePrixcoreTechnology or IntegrationLePrix, the leading B2B marketplace for pre-owned luxury goods, partnered with Watch Certificate to introduce digital watch passports for the watches category on their platform. Each luxury watch listed on LePrix can carry a Watch Certificate digital passport as a trust signal and proof of authentication.
• BianchetcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerBianchet is a Swiss independent watch manufacture recognized for ultra-modern horological designs. They equip all their timepieces with Watch Certificate digital passports as a long-term strategic partnership, providing owners with an immutable authentication and service record from point of sale.
• Laurent FerriercoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLaurent Ferrier is a prestigious Swiss watch manufacture that has adopted Watch Certificate as its digital passport and authentication standard. The partnership exemplifies the integration of traditional horological craftsmanship with modern digital certification technology.
• Amplitude HKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmplitude HK is a premium watch atelier and service center based in Hong Kong, expanding the Watch Certificate partner network into Asia. They provide digital passport activation and watch inspection services for customers in Hong Kong and the broader Asian market.
• 24KaraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor24Kara is a watch specialist based in Vietnam, with locations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, expanding the Watch Certificate network into Southeast Asia. They provide watch authentication and digital passport services for customers in Vietnam.
• Trillium Watch ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrillium Watch Service is a premium watch atelier based in Toronto, Canada, providing Watch Certificate digital passport services to retailers, collectors, and watch enthusiasts in North America.
• LORIGEcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLORIGE is a Franco-Swiss watch manufacture that equips all their timepieces with Watch Certificate digital passports, strengthening traceability and service experience for their endurance-inspired watch creations.
• AIRAINcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAIRAIN is a renowned French watch manufacture specializing in high-precision timepieces. They have adopted Watch Certificate as the standard digital passport for their watches, combining artisanal tradition with digital innovation.
• LEBOIS & COminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLEBOIS & CO is a French watch manufacture known for elegant luxury timepieces, providing Watch Certificate digital passports to their customers.
• UtinamcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerUtinam is a French watch manufacture with a global presence, providing Watch Certificate digital passports for their exceptional timepieces worldwide.
• BeaubleucoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerBeaubleu has chosen Watch Certificate for their Ambassadeur Plus program, transforming watch purchases into ongoing luxury experiences with warranty extensions, service benefits, and digital watch management.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/watchcertificat
• Facebookfacebook.com/watchcertificate

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Watch Certificate™