Support the American Watch Museum
Your contribution helps preserve American horological history, expand public education, and build a community around the craft.
Your support helps preserve watches, archives, tools, and historical materials that might otherwise be lost to time.
Donations help us create exhibits, resources, and programs that make watch history engaging and accessible.
Your generosity helps build events, conversations, and experiences that bring the watch community together.
- 501(c)(3)
- Tax-deductible
- Receipts
- Secure Payment
Make a Donation
Support preservation, education, and the future of American watch history.
Donate Watches or Collections
Your contribution helps preserve American horological history, expand public education, and build a community around the craft.
Send a few photos and a short description of the watch, collection, or materials you are considering donating.
Our team carefully reviews each submission to understand its significance, condition, and how it may support the museum’s collection and educational mission.
When appropriate, we will work with you to coordinate shipping, delivery, or drop-off in a way that is simple, secure, and convenient.
Once the donation is received, we provide acknowledgment and documentation for your records and follow up as needed.
Donate Watches
One watch or a large collection, your donation helps preserve pieces of history that deserve to be protected and shared. Every contribution helps us build a collection that educates, inspires, and honors the legacy of the wristwatch.
Donate Items
Watch history is preserved through more than watches alone. Memorabilia such as boxes, tools, advertisements, signage, photographs, and archival materials adds important context and helps bring the story of timekeeping to life.
Share Stories
Behind every watch is a story that is worth remembering. Family history, personal milestones, and collector knowledge all help bring these objects to life. Sharing your story helps preserve not just what the watch is, but what it has meant.
Legacy Giving
Legacy giving offers an opportunity to support the museum in a truly lasting and meaningful way. By planning a future gift, you help protect the history of the wristwatch and strengthen the foundation for what the museum can become.
JOIN THE FOUNDING CIRCLE
FOUNDING PARTNERS & BRAND SPONSORS
A select group of brand sponsors and Founding Partners will help bring the American Watch Museum to life through preservation, education, craftsmanship, and community.
We are currently shaping these opportunities and inviting early expressions of interest from brands and organizations that want to be part of the museum’s founding circle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The American Watch Museum is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and eligible donations may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. We recommend consulting your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
Yes. We welcome conversations about single watches, grouped donations, and large collections. If you are considering donating multiple items, please contact us with a brief overview and photos so we can discuss the best next steps.
Not at this time. This is something that we are looking into offering in the future, but as of now the museum does not provide formal appraisals for tax, insurance, or resale purposes. If an appraisal is needed, we recommend working with a qualified independent appraiser.
Monthly donations are recurring gifts that provide ongoing support for the museum’s mission. Once enrolled, your chosen amount is automatically contributed each month until you choose to update or cancel your donation.
We recommend packing the watch securely in a sturdy box with protective cushioning and shipping it fully insured with tracking and signature confirmation. For select donations, we may also coordinate delivery details directly with you.
Not every donated watch will be placed on public display. Some pieces may appear in exhibitions, while others may support research, education, study, or future programming. Each accepted donation contributes to the museum’s broader mission of preservation.
Yes. If you prefer to give anonymously, please let us know when making your donation or contacting us. We are happy to respect your privacy and recognition preferences.
We welcome a wide range of watch-related donations, including individual watches, full collections, vintage and modern timepieces, archival materials, tools, catalogs, advertisements, photographs, packaging, documents, and other memorabilia connected to horology. If an item helps preserve or tell the story of the wristwatch and its culture, it may be a meaningful fit for the museum.
