According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for watches are 24.43% higher in 2025 versus 1996 (a $4.89 difference in value).
Between 1996 and 2025: Watches experienced an average inflation rate of 0.76% per year. In other words, watches costing $20 in the year 1996 would cost $24.89 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.48% during this same period, inflation for watches was lower.
In the year 1996: Pricing changed by 0.55%, which is below the average yearly change for watches during the 1996-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1996 (2.93%), inflation for watches was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Watches, over time, for $20 beginning in 1996. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | $20.00 | 0.55% |
| 1997 | $19.52 | -2.39% |
| 1998 | $19.04 | -2.47% |
| 1999 | $18.85 | -1.02% |
| 2000 | $18.83 | -0.09% |
| 2001 | $18.52 | -1.66% |
| 2002 | $17.83 | -3.70% |
| 2003 | $17.35 | -2.70% |
| 2004 | $17.72 | 2.17% |
| 2005 | $17.76 | 0.19% |
| 2006 | $18.00 | 1.35% |
| 2007 | $17.99 | -0.02% |
| 2008 | $17.99 | -0.03% |
| 2009 | $17.97 | -0.07% |
| 2010 | $17.72 | -1.39% |
| 2011 | $17.98 | 1.46% |
| 2012 | $18.24 | 1.41% |
| 2013 | $18.74 | 2.75% |
| 2014 | $18.83 | 0.52% |
| 2015 | $18.99 | 0.81% |
| 2016 | $19.97 | 5.16% |
| 2017 | $20.92 | 4.75% |
| 2018 | $21.31 | 1.90% |
| 2019 | $21.39 | 0.38% |
| 2020 | $22.10 | 3.33% |
| 2021 | $23.07 | 4.35% |
| 2022 | $23.49 | 1.85% |
| 2023 | $23.66 | 0.72% |
| 2024 | $24.38 | 3.04% |
| 2025 | $24.89 | 2.08%* |
* 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 |
| 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 | 143.414 | 149.648 | 152.410 | 153.505 | 158.168 | 161.465 |