9102.99.20 - Having no jewels or not over 7 jewels in the movement

This HTS category, 9102.99.20, encompasses wrist watches, pocket watches, and other types of watches, excluding those with precious metal casings or gold-plated/silver-plated casings (covered under 9101). Specifically, this subheading applies to watches where the movement contains no jewels or a maximum of seven jewels. The presence and number of jewels in a watch movement are a critical factor in its construction and performance, influencing friction reduction and the lifespan of its components.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings is straightforward, as the primary differentiator is the jewel count. If a watch movement has more than seven but not more than seventeen jewels, it would fall under the sibling category for watches with over 7 but not over 17 jewels. Similarly, watches with movements containing over seventeen jewels are classified under the 9102.99.80 subheading. This hierarchical structure allows for precise categorization based on the complexity and quality of the watch's internal mechanism.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS structure, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, the classification of a watch under 9102.99.20 is final based on its type (other than those in 9101) and the specific jewel count within its movement. Importers and exporters should carefully verify the number of jewels present in the movement of the watch to ensure correct classification and compliance with customs regulations.