According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for watches were 34.11% higher in 2020 versus 1988 (a $6.82 difference in value).
Between 1988 and 2020: Watches experienced an average inflation rate of 0.92% per year. In other words, watches costing $20 in the year 1988 would cost $26.82 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.46% during this same period, inflation for watches was lower.
In the year 1988: Pricing changed by 3.58%, which is above the average yearly change for watches during the 1988-2020 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1988 (4.08%), inflation for watches was lower.
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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 102.392 | 106.062 | 108.808 | 110.138 | 114.900 | 116.085 | 118.777 | 124.508 | 129.054 | 129.762 | 126.662 | 123.531 | 122.269 | 122.154 | 120.131 | 115.685 | 112.562 | 115.000 | 115.215 | 116.769 | 116.744 | 116.707 | 116.622 | 114.997 | 116.671 | 118.312 | 121.569 | 122.202 | 123.188 | 129.550 | 135.698 | 138.271 | 138.794 | 142.235 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Watches, over time, for $20 beginning in 1988. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | $20.00 | 3.58% |
| 1989 | $20.52 | 2.59% |
| 1990 | $20.77 | 1.22% |
| 1991 | $21.67 | 4.32% |
| 1992 | $21.89 | 1.03% |
| 1993 | $22.40 | 2.32% |
| 1994 | $23.48 | 4.82% |
| 1995 | $24.34 | 3.65% |
| 1996 | $24.47 | 0.55% |
| 1997 | $23.88 | -2.39% |
| 1998 | $23.29 | -2.47% |
| 1999 | $23.06 | -1.02% |
| 2000 | $23.03 | -0.09% |
| 2001 | $22.65 | -1.66% |
| 2002 | $21.81 | -3.70% |
| 2003 | $21.23 | -2.70% |
| 2004 | $21.69 | 2.17% |
| 2005 | $21.73 | 0.19% |
| 2006 | $22.02 | 1.35% |
| 2007 | $22.01 | -0.02% |
| 2008 | $22.01 | -0.03% |
| 2009 | $21.99 | -0.07% |
| 2010 | $21.69 | -1.39% |
| 2011 | $22.00 | 1.46% |
| 2012 | $22.31 | 1.41% |
| 2013 | $22.92 | 2.75% |
| 2014 | $23.04 | 0.52% |
| 2015 | $23.23 | 0.81% |
| 2016 | $24.43 | 5.16% |
| 2017 | $25.59 | 4.75% |
| 2018 | $26.07 | 1.90% |
| 2019 | $26.17 | 0.38% |
| 2020 | $26.82 | 2.48%* |