Methodology and data limitations

1. Scope and analytical layers

The database starts with reference identity: brand, family, exact reference or configuration, case, movement and other attributes that can be tied to a source. It then distinguishes:

• Correctness: whether a claimed configuration is supported for that reference.
• Evidence: what source supports the recorded fact and when it was observed.
• Market: separately sourced price or transaction observations.
• Condition: visible characteristics of an individual specimen, never attributes of the reference as a whole.

2. Source hierarchy

Reference facts are prioritised from official manufacturer product pages, catalogues, manuals, archives and press material. Explicitly licensed structured sources may also be used where their licence permits the intended use. A source must identify the reference or variant precisely enough to avoid merging materially different watches.

Blogs, forums, dealer listings and auction catalogues are not treated as primary proof of a canonical reference identity. External links are supplied for traceability; the linked publisher remains responsible for its own content.

Licensed API and collaboration sources are disclosed separately in Data sources and collaborations. Their data remains attributed and subject to source-specific usage restrictions.

3. Canonical records

References are deduplicated by brand and exact reference. Optional fields remain empty when reliable support is absent. Existing verified, non-default information is preserved when records are enriched. Each record may include an observation date, source type and verification status.

Absence is not a negative finding. A missing calibre, dimension, price or other field means that References.watch has not yet recorded sufficiently reliable support for it; it does not mean the watch lacks that attribute.

4. Verification status

• Verified: the key identity claim is directly supported by a suitable primary or licensed source.
• Partially verified: some material fields are supported but one or more remain unresolved.
• Unverified or review required: the record must not be treated as settled.

Status concerns the database claim, not the authenticity of any physical watch offered under that reference.

5. Market observations and monetary values

Monetary evidence is classified before comparison. Retail price, asking price, bid, hammer price and buyer's total are different measures and are not silently combined. Currency, date, jurisdiction, taxes, buyer's premium, condition, completeness and configuration can materially affect comparability.

When a calculated range or confidence indicator is shown, it is an analytical summary of the cited observations, not a guaranteed sale price, formal valuation or financial advice. Sparse or heterogeneous evidence should produce lower confidence or no estimate.

6. Condition Atlas and photo assessment

The Condition Atlas is a brand-neutral vocabulary for visible condition. The beta photo tool compares submitted images with that vocabulary and may abstain when evidence is weak. It does not inspect the watch physically or its movement.

It cannot authenticate a watch or establish ownership, originality, reference correctness, provenance, hidden damage, water resistance, service history or market value.

7. Known limitations

• Manufacturer pages change and discontinued references may have limited surviving documentation.
• One reference can cover several configurations, while visually similar watches can carry different references.
• Translations, regional catalogues and naming conventions may differ.
• The database is selective and evolving; it is not a complete catalogue of every watch ever made.
• Automated extraction and visual assessment can fail and are subject to human review.

Before purchasing, selling, insuring, servicing or representing a watch, obtain the original documentation and advice from an appropriately qualified independent professional.

8. Corrections and evidence submissions

Corrections are welcome when they include the exact brand and reference, the disputed field, a source URL or document citation and a short explanation. Do not send confidential information or photographs you are not entitled to share.