The 1916 Company Partners with Kevin O'Leary's WonderCare for Exclusive Watch Insurance Offering

Rhea-AI Summary

The 1916 Company has announced a strategic partnership with WonderCare, Kevin O'Leary's watch insurance platform powered by Chubb (NYSE:CB). This exclusive collaboration enables The 1916 Company's clients to instantly insure their luxury timepieces through Chubb's digital platform.

The partnership integrates WonderCare's insurance services directly into The 1916 Company's purchase experience, offering collectors competitive rates and a fully digital process for managing their watch insurance needs. The service provides coverage for replacement value rather than depreciated figures, addressing a critical gap in the luxury watch insurance market.

The collaboration brings together Kevin O'Leary's expertise as a watch collector and Chubb's position as the leading personal lines insurer for high-net-worth families in the U.S., offering clients a streamlined solution for protecting their valuable timepieces.

Positive

• Partnership with Chubb, the #1 personal lines insurer for high-net-worth families in the U.S.
• Integration of insurance services directly into the purchase process enhances customer experience
• Coverage based on replacement value rather than depreciated figures provides better protection for collectors
• Digital platform enables instant coverage and easy policy management

Negative

• None.

Insights

Insurance Industry Analyst

Chubb's luxury watch insurance partnership expands its high-net-worth client base while creating a seamless digital distribution channel.

This strategic partnership between Chubb, The 1916 Company, and Kevin O'Leary's WonderCare represents a calculated move to strengthen Chubb's position in the specialized high-value personal property insurance segment. The alliance leverages Chubb's digital integration platform, Chubb Studio, to embed insurance directly into the luxury watch purchase journey – a textbook example of the growing embedded insurance trend that's reshaping distribution models.

The partnership gives Chubb exclusive access to The 1916 Company's affluent clientele, described as the "leading destination for luxury watches and jewelry." This provides a targeted customer acquisition channel focused precisely on high-net-worth individuals who own insurable luxury assets. The arrangement creates a seamless digital pathway that eliminates traditional friction points in specialty insurance purchasing.

From a competitive perspective, this partnership reinforces Chubb's self-described position as "the number one personal lines insurer for high-net-worth families in the U.S." By securing this exclusive arrangement, Chubb effectively blocks competitors from accessing this specific distribution channel while creating a model that could be replicated across other luxury goods categories.

The solution addresses specific pain points in luxury watch insurance: ensuring items are insured for full replacement value rather than depreciated figures, providing digital policy management, and offering specialized expertise for valuations. This demonstrates Chubb's ability to develop highly targeted solutions for niche high-value markets – a capability that typically commands premium pricing and favorable loss ratios compared to mass-market insurance offerings.

Clients of The 1916 Company receive instant coverage through
Chubb from Mr. Wonderful's collector-focused insurance service.

PHILADELPHIA, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 1916 Company, the leading destination for luxury watches and jewelry, is proud to announce a strategic alliance and exclusive partnership with WonderCare, the innovative watch insurance platform founded by venture capitalist, watch collector, and star of ABC's Shark Tank, Kevin O'Leary. WonderCare is powered by Chubb Studio, the digital integration platform developed by Chubb, a world leader in insurance, which seamlessly integrates insurance protection within the customer journeys of its partners.

The partnership offers collectors and enthusiasts a streamlined solution to insure their luxury timepieces with coverage backed by Chubb, the number one personal lines insurer for high-net worth families in the U.S., providing peace of mind with unmatched confidence and ease.

The 1916 Company's core value system is rooted in supporting the needs of clients and collectors, offering products and services designed to enhance their watch and jewelry experience. Through this partnership, clients of The 1916 Company can quickly and easily access WonderCare's platform to insure their watches at the time of purchase.

"The thrill of acquiring a new timepiece should be seamlessly matched by the ease of insuring it," said Amy McNeece, Head of Digital Consumer for Personal Risk Services at Chubb. "We are pleased to collaborate with WonderCare and The 1916 Company to provide their clients with tailored coverage built into a digitally curated purchase experience."

Clients will benefit from competitive rates and a fully digital, efficient process, allowing them to receive quotes, activate coverage, add newly acquired timepieces to their policy, as well as remove pieces no longer in their collection, and update valuations. All of these actions can be done at the moment of purchase or later, from the comfort of their homes.

"WonderCare offers a simple and effective way to safeguard your watch collection," said John Shmerler, CEO of The 1916 Company. "As the luxury watch market continues to grow, the need for a tailored, easy-to-access insurance solution has never been more critical. We're excited to bring this valuable service to our clients, addressing the gap in the market, and ensuring that the process of protecting luxury timepieces is as smooth and seamless as possible."

Kevin O'Leary, Chairman of WonderCare, created the platform in response to the challenge of finding an insurance product that truly meets the needs of collectors. "I founded WonderCare to ensure that timepieces are accurately appraised and covered for their replacement value, not a depreciated figure," O'Leary explained, noting that many policies fail to cover an item's replacement value, which could exceed the retail price. "WonderCare offers a nuanced solution to this issue, providing a tech-enabled process that meets the needs of collectors. Through our partnership with The 1916 Company and Chubb's digital protection platform, we aim to equip collectors with the best tools and services to help protect – and truly enjoy – their collections. This relationship is a perfect match, combining my passion for the art of watchmaking and the excitement of collecting."

Shmerler added, "Kevin's profound love for watches and his understanding of the collector's mindset were key drivers for us to establish this partnership. He recently joined us at our Lounge in New York for a deeply personal conversation with George Mayer, our President of E-Commerce, International, and Pre-Owned Watches, to explore extraordinary pieces in his collection – from vintage to modern, priceless to attainable – including the most established houses and beloved independent brands, his signature red straps, and so much more."

As part of this partnership, The 1916 Company will refer clients to WonderCare's platform while maintaining its focus on providing exceptional service and expertise in the luxury watch space. Insurance services, including claims, policy adjustments, and support, will be managed directly by WonderCare and its licensed agents.

To learn more about The 1916 Company's exclusive WonderCare offering, visit www.the1916company.com/partnerships/wondercare, or get a personalized quote in minutes here.

Images available for download HERE.

ABOUT THE 1916 COMPANY
The 1916 Company is the world's leading destination and global community for collectible luxury watches and fine jewelry. Comprising more than 20 boutiques and Collector's Lounges in important watch markets worldwide, The 1916 Company brings together the legacies of WatchBox, Govberg Jewelers, Radcliffe Jewelers, and Hyde Park Jewelers to offer a curated selection of timepieces – both new and pre-owned – by the most respected watch brands, a dynamic media platform, and the support of trusted client advisors. The 1916 Company's vibrant community extends from coast to coast and around the world. www.the1916company.com

ABOUT WONDERCARE
WonderCare is a premium insurance platform built for watch collectors who demand protection as refined as their timepieces. Designed in partnership with Chubb, WonderCare offers seamless, high-limit coverage for luxury watches – whether acquired online, in-store, or through private dealers – ensuring every piece in one's collection is safeguarded with care and precision.

ABOUT CHUBB
Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. The company is defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb employs approximately 43,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

Insurance described is offered by WonderCare Insurance Services LLC (California license no. 6014216). Insurance offered through the Chubb Studio platform to customers of businesses and associations ("Digital Partners") by insurance agencies licensed in applicable jurisdictions. Insurance is underwritten and provided by ACE American Insurance Company or one of its U.S. based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. Chubb is the marketing name used to refer to subsidiaries of Chubb Limited providing insurance and related services. For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit our website at www.chubb.com. In the United States, insurance offered to customers of Digital Partners by Chubb Insurance Solutions Agency Inc. (Philadelphia, PA), and insurance provided by ACE American Insurance Company (Philadelphia, PA) and its U.S. based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. All products may not be available in all jurisdictions. All products may not be available in all states. This communication contains product summaries only. Coverage is subject to the language of the policies as actually issued. Surplus lines insurance sold only through licensed surplus lines producers. Chubb, 202 Halls Mill Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-1600.

PRESS CONTACTS

The 1916 Company, Caroline Kallman Joffe, caroline@the1916company.com, +1 717 951 2259
WonderCare, Nancy Cheung, ncheung@olearyventures.com

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SOURCE The 1916 Company

FAQ

What is the new partnership between The 1916 Company and Chubb (NYSE:CB)?

The 1916 Company has partnered with WonderCare, Kevin O'Leary's watch insurance platform, to offer exclusive watch insurance coverage backed by Chubb for luxury timepiece purchases.

How does the WonderCare insurance platform work with Chubb (NYSE:CB)?

WonderCare is powered by Chubb Studio, providing a digital platform where clients can get quotes, activate coverage, manage their insured pieces, and update valuations instantly.

What type of coverage does the Chubb-backed WonderCare insurance offer?

The insurance offers replacement value coverage rather than depreciated value, ensuring timepieces are accurately appraised and fully protected for their current market value.

Who can access the WonderCare insurance through The 1916 Company?

The insurance offering is exclusively available to The 1916 Company's clients at the time of purchase or later through their digital platform.

How can customers get a quote for Chubb watch insurance through WonderCare?

Customers can get personalized quotes in minutes through The 1916 Company's partnership page at www.the1916company.com/partnerships/wondercare.