The tariff math is worse than I could of imagined. If you were baffled at how some of these numbers were arrived at you are not alone.

Tariff math: apparently they took the trade deficit of goods only to the US (amount of goods imported from - goods exported to a particular country)/goods import then multiplied by .5. The calculation really has nothing to do with actual tariffs.

@nbg Informed Americans are well aware of the implications. Most car parts for example cross the border between the US and Mexico several times. That could probably be minimized somewhat but not eliminated completely. Thus parts could be subject to tariffs multiple times.

There is also no restriction on US companies raising prices for similar goods. The last time tariffs were levied on steel and aluminum the cost of washing machines, for example, went up by 10-15% no matter if they were manufactured using US steal or steel from overseas. There no reason to doubt that would happen again with just about everything.

Then you have the goods that simply can't be repatriated to the US. Mostly agricultural goods. Those prices are going to go up and stay up probably even if the tariffs are removed.

Ok.. but this doesn't make sense for orders under $800.. why not just ship them when de minimus is still in effect?

dvanderb wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 3:35 pm Ok.. but this doesn't make sense for orders under $800.. why not just ship them when de minimus is still in effect?

It isn't quite that simple. For whole watches, the tariff is broken into movement, case and strap/bracelet. CW manufactures its cases and bracelets in China where de minimus has been canceled (not sure who their strap vendor is but it could be China too). Straps and bracelets separately will no longer fall under de minimus. It gets pretty complicated pretty quickly. All of this has to be sorted before anything can leave CW.

rkovars wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 2:27 pmThen you have the goods that simply can't be repatriated to the US. Mostly agricultural goods. Those prices are going to go up and stay up probably even if the tariffs are removed.

This last pertains to my day job and those in that sector have been screaming it from the rooftops. You can't "onshore" shrimp that only grow off the coast of Ecuador or Vietnam in much the same way that you can't onshore a Swiss movement.

^^^ I thought “onshore” was an adjective pertaining to winds, facilities &c. What on earth does it mean as a verb?

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 4:03 pm ^^^ I thought “onshore” was an adjective pertaining to winds, facilities &c. What on earth does it mean as a verb?

As a verb it is the process of relocating a business or industry's operations within domestic borders.

@mikewastaken
Thank you. I guessed that that was the meaning. What a silly word! As a verb it has about as much charm and elegance as “to unfriend”, and hammers yet another nail into the coffin of eloquent English.

@Amor Vincit Omnia its reassuring to know that in a thread all about the imposition of tariffs and the potential for financial chaos, the thing that winds you up the most is the poor use of language.

Good to know there’s still some things we can rely on.

@iain

That’s because language is something I understand. Most of the content of this thread passes right over my head.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 4:22 pm @mikewastaken
Thank you. I guessed that that was the meaning. What a silly word! As a verb it has about as much charm and elegance as “to unfriend”, and hammers yet another nail into the coffin of eloquent English.

Right, I assume it came about simply as an antonym to offshoring, which OED dates first use to 1987. Do you prefer reshoring? They are more or less used interchangeably.

@mikewastaken

I feel little enthusiasm for any of them. However, language has always evolved and will continue to do so.

I imagine onshoring will embiggen the United States.
I expect embiggen isn't a real word either.

Apparently it is, invented by the Simpsons.

rkovars wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 3:59 pm

dvanderb wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 3:35 pm Ok.. but this doesn't make sense for orders under $800.. why not just ship them when de minimus is still in effect?

It isn't quite that simple. For whole watches, the tariff is broken into movement, case and strap/bracelet. CW manufactures its cases and bracelets in China where de minimus has been canceled (not sure who their strap vendor is but it could be China too). Straps and bracelets separately will no longer fall under de minimus. It gets pretty complicated pretty quickly. All of this has to be sorted before anything can leave CW.

But it's not cancelled until May 2.. so all they are doing is pushing even closer to that deadline.

April 8, 12:00 GMT

Below is an email that will be sent to the CW American database shortly.

Having taken the weekend to gather facts around the tariff issue, they decided to start shipping again to the US on Monday (April 7) morning so that as many people as possible who have ordered since Friday receive their watch at only the 10% level of additional tariff.

The website will automatically update the additional 21% on Wednesday April 9.



Dear American friend,

With the recent application of a total of 31% tariffs on Swiss watch imports into your country – 10% has already been applied, the balance of 21% is planned to be effective from Wednesday 9th April – the ultimate price you pay for your Christopher Ward watch will increase.

As a relatively small, independent watch brand we can’t afford to absorb this increase ourselves and, therefore, have no alternative but to pass the tariff costs onto our American customers.

The Swiss government is in discussions with its US equivalent to seek a reduction to this and has a very strong case, especially as far as luxury watches are concerned, as there is no American watch industry of scale to protect and it is inconceivable that we, and others, can replicate in the US the expertise and infrastructure that exists in Switzerland.

On this basis, it is hoped that the tariff level currently planned will either be reduced significantly or removed altogether at some point in the future. We will, of course, reflect any such changes immediately on our website which always itemises all additional taxes and tariffs prior to your purchase.

Until then, I still strongly contend Christopher Ward, even with the increased tariffs, are arguably, the best value premium watches in the world due to our unique x 3 cost model and fair margins philosophy. Our dedication to working hard to create watches of outstanding design and value, with no compromise on quality – as well as our industry-leading 60 Day Free Returns Guarantee - means that you buy a Christopher Ward in the knowledge that you will be wearing something unique and special on your wrist – whatever the tariff!

Best wishes,

Mike France
CEO & Co-founder

Does this mean if we order today we may only get charged the 10% tariff?

I have been so torn about getting the bracelet for my Trident Pro 300 or just keeping it as a "strap" watch.