Watches inflation, 1986–2026
Prices are 73.87% higher than in 1986, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prices are 73.87% higher than in 1986, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for watches are 73.87% higher in 2026 versus 1986 (a $14.77 difference in value).
Between 1986 and 2026, Watches experienced an average inflation rate of 1.39% per year. In other words, watches costing $20 in the year 1986 would cost $34.77 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.81% during this same period, inflation for watches was lower.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Watches, over time, for $20 beginning in 1986. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $20.00 | - |
| 1987 | $20.48 | 2.39% |
| 1988 | $21.21 | 3.58% |
| 1989 | $21.76 | 2.59% |
| 1990 | $22.03 | 1.23% |
| 1991 | $22.98 | 4.32% |
| 1992 | $23.22 | 1.03% |
| 1993 | $23.76 | 2.32% |
| 1994 | $24.90 | 4.83% |
| 1995 | $25.81 | 3.65% |
| 1996 | $25.95 | 0.55% |
| 1997 | $25.33 | -2.39% |
| 1998 | $24.71 | -2.47% |
| 1999 | $24.45 | -1.03% |
| 2000 | $24.43 | -0.10% |
| 2001 | $24.03 | -1.65% |
| 2002 | $23.14 | -3.70% |
| 2003 | $22.51 | -2.70% |
| 2004 | $23.00 | 2.17% |
| 2005 | $23.04 | 0.19% |
| 2006 | $23.35 | 1.35% |
| 2007 | $23.35 | -0.02% |
| 2008 | $23.34 | -0.03% |
| 2009 | $23.32 | -0.07% |
| 2010 | $23.00 | -1.39% |
| 2011 | $23.33 | 1.46% |
| 2012 | $23.66 | 1.41% |
| 2013 | $24.31 | 2.75% |
| 2014 | $24.44 | 0.52% |
| 2015 | $24.64 | 0.81% |
| 2016 | $25.91 | 5.16% |
| 2017 | $27.14 | 4.75% |
| 2018 | $27.65 | 1.90% |
| 2019 | $27.76 | 0.38% |
| 2020 | $28.68 | 3.33% |
| 2021 | $29.93 | 4.35% |
| 2022 | $30.48 | 1.85% |
| 2023 | $30.70 | 0.72% |
| 2024 | $31.63 | 3.04% |
| 2025 | $32.55 | 2.91% |
| 2026 | $34.77 | 6.82%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Watches:
| Year | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 102.392 | 106.058 | 108.808 | 110.142 | 114.900 | 116.083 | 118.775 | 124.508 | 129.050 | 129.758 | 126.658 | 123.533 | 122.267 | 122.150 | 120.133 | 115.683 | 112.558 | 115.000 | 115.217 | 116.767 | 116.743 | 116.707 | 116.623 | 114.997 | 116.671 | 118.312 | 121.569 | 122.202 | 123.188 | 129.550 | 135.698 | 138.271 | 138.794 | 143.414 | 149.648 | 152.410 | 153.505 | 158.168 | 162.774 | 173.872 |