WatchPro is pleased to announce that nominations are now officially open for the 2026 WatchPro US Awards.
Taking place at a prestigious venue in New York on 9 September, the WatchPro US Awards, in partnership with headline sponsor eBay, will once again bring together the American watch industry’s leading retailers, brands and executives for an evening celebrating excellence across the sector.
The leading watch awards remain uniquely industry-led, with retailers voting for the brands they most admire, and brands voting for the retailers that have demonstrated exceptional partnership, performance and innovation over the past year.
This year’s expanded programme places greater emphasis on the businesses and individuals shaping the future of watch retail, marketing, design, customer experience and brand innovation.
Retail Awards
- Best Marketing Collaboration – celebrating retailers delivering impactful partnerships and campaigns with watch brands.
- Best In-Store Presentation – recognizing exceptional physical presentation and luxury retail environments.
- Omnichannel Watch Retailer of the Year – awarded to retailers successfully integrating ecommerce and physical retail experiences.
- Best Customer Service – honoring retailers delivering outstanding customer experience and aftersales support.
- Retail Team of the Year – recognizing high-performing retail teams demonstrating expertise, collaboration and service excellence.
- Best New or Refurbished Store by a Retailer – celebrating exceptional new retail concepts and store refurbishments.
- Multi-Generational Watch Retailer of the Year – recognizing family-owned retailers successfully continuing a long-standing legacy.
- Multiple Watch Retailer of the Year – awarded to retailers operating more than 10 locations demonstrating excellence across the business.
- Pre-Owned Watch Retailer of the Year – celebrating expertise, authentication and customer trust within certified pre-owned watches.
- Vintage Watch Retailer of the Year – recognizing specialist retailers with exceptional knowledge and curation in vintage timepieces.
- Best Watch Marketplace – awarded to the most innovative and user-friendly platform for buying, selling and discovering watches.
- Rising Star of the Year – celebrating emerging talent making an early impact within the watch industry.
Brand Awards
- Operational Excellence – recognizing brands delivering exceptional reliability, communication and operational support to retail partners.
- Best Training & Retail Support – awarded to brands providing outstanding education and tools for retail teams.
- Best Marketing Support – celebrating brands delivering impactful marketing resources and retailer collaboration.
- Watch Launch of the Year – recognizing the watch launch that achieved exceptional market impact and sell-through performance.
- Innovation Award – awarded to watches pushing boundaries in design, mechanics, materials or value proposition.
- Best Independent Watch – recognizing exceptional craftsmanship and originality from independent watchmakers.
- Collaboration or Partnership of the Year – celebrating standout collaborations between brands, retailers or creative partners.
- Marketing Campaign of the Year – awarded to campaigns that successfully built awareness, engagement and demand.
- American Watch Brand of the Year – recognizing standout performance and innovation from US-based brands.
- Affordable Luxury Watch Brand of the Year – celebrating excellence in the accessible luxury segment between $2,000–$6,000.
- Jewelry Watch Brand of the Year – recognizing brands successfully combining watchmaking and jewelry design.
- Volume Watch Brand of the Year – awarded to brands demonstrating strong commercial performance and broad consumer appeal.
- Prestige Watch Brand of the Year – recognizing standout brands within the $6,000–$15,000 category.
- Luxury Watch Brand of the Year – celebrating excellence in luxury watchmaking, craftsmanship, branding and retail success.
- Event or Activation of the Year – recognizing the most engaging and impactful watch industry event or activation.
Industry Awards
The Industry Awards recognise the individuals and organizations helping shape the direction of the wider watch sector.
- Industry Tastemaker – celebrating influential figures driving culture, conversation and direction within the watch industry.
- Outstanding Contribution – recognizing individuals or organizations that have made a significant long-term contribution to the US watch industry.
How to Enter
Nominations are now open and close at midnight on 19 June 2026.
Following the nomination process, the WatchPro editorial team will create shortlists across all categories before a panel of industry judges reviews the finalists and selects the winners to be announced on the night.
The judging panel will be revealed in the coming months.
For sponsorship opportunities surrounding the awards, please contact Andrew Wingrove at Andrew.Wingrove@itp.com or Richelle Rimmer at Richelle.Rimmer@itp.com.
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