According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for watches are 62.44% higher in 2026 versus 1987 (a $12.49 difference in value).
Between 1987 and 2026:Watches experienced an average inflation rate of 1.25% per year. In other words, watches costing $20 in the year 1987 would cost $32.49 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.72% during this same period, inflation for watches was lower.
In the year 1987: Pricing changed by 2.39%, which is above the average yearly change for watches during the 1987-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1987 (3.66%), inflation for watches was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Watches, over time, for $20 beginning in 1987. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | $20.00 | 2.39% |
| 1988 | $20.72 | 3.58% |
| 1989 | $21.25 | 2.59% |
| 1990 | $21.51 | 1.23% |
| 1991 | $22.44 | 4.32% |
| 1992 | $22.67 | 1.03% |
| 1993 | $23.20 | 2.32% |
| 1994 | $24.32 | 4.83% |
| 1995 | $25.21 | 3.65% |
| 1996 | $25.35 | 0.55% |
| 1997 | $24.74 | -2.39% |
| 1998 | $24.13 | -2.47% |
| 1999 | $23.88 | -1.03% |
| 2000 | $23.86 | -0.10% |
| 2001 | $23.47 | -1.65% |
| 2002 | $22.60 | -3.70% |
| 2003 | $21.99 | -2.70% |
| 2004 | $22.46 | 2.17% |
| 2005 | $22.51 | 0.19% |
| 2006 | $22.81 | 1.35% |
| 2007 | $22.80 | -0.02% |
| 2008 | $22.80 | -0.03% |
| 2009 | $22.78 | -0.07% |
| 2010 | $22.46 | -1.39% |
| 2011 | $22.79 | 1.46% |
| 2012 | $23.11 | 1.41% |
| 2013 | $23.75 | 2.75% |
| 2014 | $23.87 | 0.52% |
| 2015 | $24.06 | 0.81% |
| 2016 | $25.30 | 5.16% |
| 2017 | $26.51 | 4.75% |
| 2018 | $27.01 | 1.90% |
| 2019 | $27.11 | 0.38% |
| 2020 | $28.01 | 3.33% |
| 2021 | $29.23 | 4.35% |
| 2022 | $29.77 | 1.85% |
| 2023 | $29.98 | 0.72% |
| 2024 | $30.89 | 3.04% |
| 2025 | $31.70 | 2.62% |
| 2026 | $32.49 | 2.47%* |
* 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 | 162.316 | 166.320 |