# Verifiable Blockchain Demo - Digital Authenticity Certificates for Luxury Goods

> The Verifiable Blockchain Demo by Blockchain Reallabor demonstrates a system for digital authentication of luxury goods such as Rolex watches using smart contracts. The system stores product data including images, descriptions, serial numbers, manufacturing year, and manufacturer in an app, signing this information with a company-specific key to prevent counterfeiting. The demo is presented as a show case at the demonstration center in Hürth to showcase the possibilities of blockchain-based product authentication.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Retail · **Organisation:** Blockchain Reallabor · **Maturity level:** Concept

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/blockchain-reallabor-luxusuhren-kryptographisch-authentifizieren

## Documentation status

- **Project status:** Concept
- **Evidence:** Evidence medium
- **Editorial review:** Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026

## Description

Breitling, a Swiss luxury watch brand, was the first watch brand worldwide to introduce a blockchain-based Digital Product Passport for all its watches — in partnership with the Arianee consortium. The Arianee protocol uses the Ethereum blockchain and gives each watch a unique, immutable digital identity. The owner scans the electronic warranty card via smartphone and thereby downloads an encrypted digital wallet containing the watch’s digital pass.

On 26 March 2020, Breitling launched a pilot with the Arianee blockchain protocol for the limited Top Time edition (2,000 watches, prices partly over 10,000 US dollars; an early version appeared in the 1965 Bond film Thunderball). After the successful pilot, Breitling decided from 13 October 2020 to equip every new watch without exception with a digital blockchain pass — as the first luxury watch brand worldwide. The Arianee platform is fully decentralised and open source. Each watch receives a unique digital identity with: serial number, warranty activation date, repair history (with timestamps), owner transfer feature. Important for privacy: no personal data is stored — only the wallet address identifies the owner. On resale, the pass can be transferred without paper documents. Around 30% of customers have adopted the feature. Breitling also works with Dentsu Tracking for supply chain tracking and plans insurance products for loss and theft via the digital pass. Georges Kern, Breitling CEO: "This is what brand innovation in 2020 should be: transforming the relationship with our customers."

## Benefits

- Companies can develop new business models and participate in the resale of their products through traceable ownership transfers.
- Consumers gain certainty about the authenticity of their luxury goods and can increase value on resale through verified authenticity.
- Immutable digital certificates offer the highest security against product counterfeiting through cryptographic signatures.
- Integration into mobile apps enables user-friendly authentication for all parties involved.
- Reduced paper documentation saves costs and protects the environment.
- Sales staff can offer customers fast and reliable authentication, which increases trust and willingness to buy.

## Challenges

- Companies must make significant investments in blockchain infrastructure and integration into existing systems.
- Secure management of cryptographic keys requires specialised IT security measures and expertise.
- Acceptance of new technologies by customers and employees can be challenging and requires appropriate training.
- Employees need training in handling blockchain-based authentication systems and must learn new workflows.

## Technology foundation

The system uses smart contracts on a blockchain platform to create immutable digital certificates of authenticity for luxury goods. This technology is particularly suitable for product authentication, as data once stored on the blockchain cannot be altered and cryptographic signatures confirm the manufacturer’s authenticity.

## Sources

- [Demonstrationszentrum - Blockchain Reallabor](https://blockchain-reallabor.de/demonstrationszentrum/)
- [Verifiable Blockchain - Portfolio Item](https://blockchain-reallabor.de/portfolio-item/verifiable-blockchain/)