I bought my first “real” watch in 2017. I was seduced by the idea that watches could have heartbeats and run automatically, propelled by my gait or a little shake of the wrist. I also loved the idea of buying something that held its value. Maybe I’d keep the watch and pass it down one day (inspired by those emotionally resonant yet highly smug Patek Philippe ads that say “You never actually own a Patek Philippe, you merely look after it for the next generation”). Or, if I decided to sell it, I knew that the watch would likely hold its value. 

The process of buying a luxury watch is different for everyone who enters the market, but most people spend time scouring the internet, reading up on the watch's history, looking at price trends, and trying to spot deals. You quickly learn to discern between good deals from reputable sellers and fake watches with prices that are too good to be true.

Is that a real case with a fake dial? Are these actual photos of the watch referenced? Has the dial been modified at all to increase its perceived value? There’s a reason why watches that come with their original boxes and papers sell for more money - people want to see the receipts. With high end goods, authenticity is everything.

The luxury watch market, characterized by its exclusivity, high-value transactions, and discerning clientele, demands a marketplace that can offer robust security, transparency, trust, and a seamless user experience. In short, there needs to be a watch marketplace where reputation acts as a signal for authenticity. Kind of like a StockX for watches that runs on River. 

NFCs meet NFTs

Currently, trust in the marketplace is based on physical papers, trusted sellers (usually with physical storefronts), and serial numbers that are inscribed on the back of each watch. With the combination of RFID technology and smart contracts, buyers could verify the authenticity of a watch before purchase with a digital paper trail of certification documents to ensure that the watch is what it claims to be. Buyers and sellers can then rate each other, establishing a trustworthy reputation system over time. 

With serial numbers encoded as NFTs verifiable through NFC tech, the way we validate and trade luxury watches could be revolutionized. Imagine a marketplace where owning a specific watch’s NFT grants you access to exclusive communities of watch enthusiasts, creating a space for trading, trend-spotting, and bonding over shared interests. In the fullness of time, this approach could eliminate the need for middlemen like Bob's Watches or Chrono24, creating a more efficient marketplace of trusted buyers and sellers while fostering a community of genuine watch enthusiasts who can trade, interact, and enjoy their passion with peace of mind.

Once the smart contracts are in place on River, you could build a Town that’s gated to only admit certain NFT-holding watch owners. Now you have a group chat where everyone is who they say they are and holds the watches they say they hold- verifiably. They can hang out and bond around their interests. That’s the kind of veracity, intimacy, and engagement we’d like to see on the internet. 

Why build it on River?

• On-Chain Provenance and Authenticity

  The River Protocol supports the creation of secure, end-to-end encrypted and programmable spaces that can be used to verify the provenance and authenticity of luxury watches. Smart contracts could track the history of each watch, from manufacturer to owner, ensuring transparency and trust. This means every transaction, ownership record, and verification detail can be securely recorded and easily accessed. You could also create smart contracts that can be used to automate payments, transfers of ownership, and even escrow services, ensuring that both parties fulfill their obligations before a transaction is completed. This would reduce the risk of fraud and increase transaction efficiency. Each watch’s journey—from manufacturer to various owners—could be transparently recorded. This ledger would provide potential buyers with detailed information about the watch’s history, including previous ownership, service records, and any modifications. 

• Built-in Reputation and Trust Systems 

  Building trust is paramount in the luxury watch market. River’s extendable reputation system could allow users to rate and review transactions, creating a transparent and reliable reputation score for sellers and buyers alike. This system would incentivize honesty and quality service, fostering a trustworthy marketplace environment. Marketplace operators could also define specific roles such as sellers, buyers, appraisers, and auditors, each with tailored access and capabilities. This flexibility ensures that all participants have the appropriate level of access and control, enhancing the overall user experience.

If this sounds like the kind of idea you'd like to build out, head to river.build and make it happen! We’re here if you need us. Watch this space.