A Rolex Submariner, a Patek Philippe Nautilus, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, a Birkin by Hermès, a Chanel Timeless, ... You're not just selling watches, Cartier jewelry or leather goods, you're dealing in treasures. And between the moment a piece leaves your vault and the moment it reaches your customer, there's a gap. An abyss of risk where theft, loss or breakage can wipe out the value of a luxury car in a matter of seconds.
If you rely on the basic insurance of a classic Carrier to ship a valuable watch, you're not playing Russian roulette. You've already lost.
In 2024, according to watch industry data, over 1,200 luxury watches were reported lost or stolen while in transit in France. Of these claims, less than 15% were properly compensated by standard carriers, with the remainder encountering exclusion clauses. The average loss: €28,000 per claim not covered.
Whether you're a new entrepreneur, a seasoned seller accustomed to high-end watch sales platforms (such as Chrono24 or WeWatches), or have been established for many years: stop taking foolish risks. If you issue the shipping label (are the originator of the shipment), you bear the transport risk until the goods are handed over to your customer. But if you sell on platforms (such as Vestiaire Collective), then the platform is responsible for the correctness of the delivery received: don't hesitate to check the conditions of sale or contact customer service if in doubt.
This guide is not a list of options. It's your security protocol. We'll dissect the threats specific to your business and reveal the only viable solutions to ensure that every shipment is as secure as your vault.
Le Champ de Mines: Risks specific to the shipment of luxury goods
Understanding the enemy is the first step to victory. In your profession, the enemy has three faces.
1. Theft: You Are a Priority Target
Let's be clear: your parcels are targets. Internal theft networks at logistics platforms are a reality. A simple scan can reveal a shipper known for his luxury goods. A poorly prepared, overly identifiable parcel is an "invitation to crime": keeping your parcel discreet is the first step towards security.
2. The legal "nothingness" of conventional carriers
This is the most brutal trap. Read the general terms and conditions of sale of standard carriers (even the best-known ones). In 99% of cases, you'll find atotal contractual exclusion clausefor jewelry, objets d'art and fine watches. Paying them an "Ad Valorem" insurance policy for a watch is often pointless: in the event of a claim, they will invoke their own rules and refuse compensation.
3. Total Financial Loss
Even if a Carrier agrees (miraculously) to cover your shipment, compensation is often capped at a "derisory" amount (a few thousand euros at best), or worse, calculated on the basis of a discount or with a deductible that reduces your financial compensation.
The Only Viable Solutions: Armor and Armored Convoy
In the face of these threats, there are only two professional strategies for protecting the shipment of a Hublot watch or luxury leather goods. Forget everything else.
Strategy 1: Specialized Ad Valorem insurance (Invisible Armor)
This approach totally decouples insurance from transport. You choose a reliable express Carrier for its logistics (ChronopostDHL, UPS, FedEx, etc.), and take out an insurance policy with a specialist who does just that: insure valuables.
Decoupled specialty insurance: example with Claisy
Among the French players in high-value Ad Valorem insurance, Claisy offers a model adapted to the regular flows of SMEs and professional merchants:
- AdaptedLimit : up to €100,000/shipping (covers ~95% of secondary market transactions)
- Net financial compensation: sales value, without deductible
- Wide coverage: watches, jewelry, luxury leather goods accepted
- Flexible model: unit subscription or monthly package
Assumed limits: For exceptional pieces >100K€ or shipments requiring a physical escort, solutions like Malca-Amit remain indispensable.
Strategy 2: The Premium Carrier (Armored Convoy)
For the most exceptional parts or the most demanding customers, there are transport services that are themselves mobile fortresses.
Reference Players : Malca-Amit, Ferrari Group...
- End-to-end security: These companies don't just transport, they secure. Their services include armored vehicles, security guards, real-time tracking under high surveillance, and hand-delivery procedures worthy of a bank transaction.
- Integrated and Adapted Insurance: Their business model is based on transporting valuables. Their insurance is designed for this purpose, with Limits and coverage to match the stakes.
- The Cost of Absolute Serenity: This level of service costs considerably more than a conventional express shipment, but for a single six-figure part, it is often non-negotiable.
Comparison of Ad Valorem solutions for the luxury sector
Conclusion
For a watch dealer or a second-hand luxury goods depot, shipping is not just a matter of logistics, it's a high-security operation. The only professional approach is either to use specialized insurance like Claisy, which covers the real value of your pieces without fail (up to €100,000), or to mandate a premium transport service for the most exceptional goods. Anything else is a dangerous gamble your company can't afford to lose.
If you would like to insure your stock, please contact our partner Appia Art or us.
Appendices
Luxury Leather Goods Specifications
Increased risk :
- Depreciation in value due to scratching/deformation
- Lack of serial number (outside Hermès) complicates authentication
- Often heavy (Birkin ~1kg) = high transport costs
Insurance points of vigilance :
- ✅ Claisy accepts: Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior...
- ⚠️ Requirement to lodge a complaint in the event of theft/loss
- 🚫 Refusal of custom/modified parts without prior expert appraisal
Protocol in the event of a dispute: Your parcel is lost/stolen
First24h (CRITICAL):
1. Declare immediately to the Carrier (legal deadline 48h)
2. If Claisy insured: open a file via the dashboard & complete your dispute file
3. Do NOT make any claims to your customer before insurance validation
Average compensation period :
- Claisy : 48-72h (if complete)
- Malca-Amit: 30-45 days
- Standard Carrier : 60-90 days (if accepted)