Answers for collectors,
watchmakers, and buyers.
The Watch Seal is designed to be simple to use and strict under the hood. Here are the most common questions about how authentication, ownership, and verification work in our system.
General
What is The Watch Seal?
The Watch Seal is a blockchain-backed system that records detailed inspections performed by verified watchmakers. Each authentication creates an immutable profile linking a physical watch to a specific owner at a point in time.
Which items can be authenticated?
The system is optimized for high-value wristwatches, but can be extended to other valuables that benefit from serialised inspection data, photos, and an immutable ownership trail.
For watch owners
What can I see in my owner vault?
When you log in as an owner, you see all watches that have been authenticated in your name: brand, model, serials, inspection dates, condition notes, and photos. You cannot edit the technical data, but you can manage status (for example, release a watch you have sold).
What does “releasing” a watch mean?
Releasing a watch means you no longer claim ownership in The Watch Seal system. The watch is removed from your active list, but the historical link between you and the item remains in our internal archive and blockchain trail. After release, the watch can only be reassigned through a new authentication by a verified watchmaker.
Can I change technical details after authentication?
No. To protect the integrity of the record, owners cannot modify serials, materials, photos, or inspection notes. Any changes require a new inspection performed by a certified authenticator, which creates a fresh profile linked to the previous one.
For watchmakers & authenticators
How do I become an approved authenticator?
You apply through our authenticator onboarding flow with personal details, ID documents, professional credentials, references, and (if applicable) business information. An admin manually reviews your application and may conduct a phone interview before granting access.
Can I see all watches in the system?
No. Authenticators cannot browse a global list of released watches. You only access a watch record when its QR code, NFC tag, or unique ID is provided, which keeps the system private and resistant to data mining.
How are re-authentications handled?
When a watch is presented for resale, you confirm that it has been released by the previous owner, perform a new inspection, capture fresh photos, and attach it to the new owner. The system writes a new block to the chain and links it to the historical lineage.
Verification codes & viewers
What does a viewer code allow someone to see?
A viewer code unlocks read-only access to a single watch profile: technical details, photos, and authentication status. The owner’s name, address, and ID are never exposed through viewer access.
How long is a verification code valid?
Viewer codes are designed to be short-lived. By default, they expire 24 hours after first use, after which the watch is no longer visible to that viewer account.
Blockchain & royalties
What exactly is stored on the blockchain?
Each event (initial authentication or re-authentication) writes a block containing a unique watch reference, hashed technical data, the authenticator ID, owner IDs, timestamps, and links to previous events. High-resolution images can be stored off-chain, with only their hashes or secure URLs recorded on-chain.
How do royalties work for authentications?
Each successful authentication or transfer can generate a small token-based royalty. The percentage split between authenticator, owner, and platform is defined by internal rules. Balances are tracked in your account and can be held or redeemed according to the token model we apply.