Salazar Mark - The Portuguese Punch

The Salazar Mark on Watches: History, Meaning and Value of the Portuguese Import Mark

On some vintage watches made of steel, you may notice an apparently unusual mark on the case. Closer inspection reveals that it is a punch mark. This naturally raises a question: why would a steel watch bear such a mark? One explanation lies in Portugal’s historical import practices.

At first, particularly for someone unfamiliar with vintage watches, the mark might look like a defect or an alteration made after production. That is not always the case: although unusual on steel cases, some marks tell a much more interesting story. Here we explain the background to the so-called Salazar mark on watches.

The watch was most likely imported into Portugal sometime between approximately 1938 and 1985. The mark on its case may be a Portuguese import stamp, providing useful evidence about the watch’s history and provenance, as seen on vintage watches imported into Portugal during the Salazar-mark period.

One of the best-known marks from this period is the so-called “Salazar Mark”. This Portuguese mark was required on precious-metal goods and, in some cases, on steel watches imported into Portugal. It is central to the history of Portuguese import marks on vintage watches.

António de Oliveira Salazar (1889-1970)

Who was Salazar?

António de Oliveira Salazar (1889–1970), a graduate in law and political economy, is remembered as an influential economist and the founder of the Estado Novo, a dictatorial regime inspired by Italian fascism.

From the early twentieth century, Portugal experienced profound political instability. After the Republic was proclaimed in 1910, the country faced repeated internal struggles, conflicts and coups. These tensions culminated in 1926 with the establishment of a military dictatorship led by General Carmona.

António de Oliveira Salazar (1889-1970)

The rise to power and import policies

• • Salasar Mark1
  • Salasar Mark2
  • “Salazar Mark”

“Salazar Mark”

The “SALAZAR” import mark

In 1938, a law came into force requiring a punch mark to indicate that import taxes had been paid.

For watches, the Salazar mark was generally applied to the upper left lug so that tax inspectors could easily identify it during checks. It can also be found near the crown or elsewhere on the side of the case.

António de Oliveira Salazar (1889-1970)

The Salazar mark on watches: meaning, history and significance for collectors

On gold watches, the mark was often applied to the back of the case, leaving the appearance of the front of the watch unchanged.

This type of Portuguese mark on steel watches is now highly sought after by collectors. Vintage watches bearing a Salazar mark are considered particularly interesting because they retain tangible evidence of their commercial and geographical history.

This type of Portuguese mark on steel watches is now highly sought after by collectors, including those seeking a clear explanation of Portuguese import marks. Vintage watches bearing a Salazar mark are particularly interesting because they retain tangible evidence of their commercial and geographical history.

Authentication and provenance are fundamental in the vintage-watch market. For this reason, rare vintage watches bearing a Salazar mark are often valued by collectors and specialists.

Use of the “Salazar Mark” ended in 1985, when Portugal began adapting to European regulations, gradually making the import-mark system obsolete.

“Salazar Mark”

The "Salazar Mark"

In 1938, a law came into force requiring the application of a hallmark to identify the payment of import taxes.

For watches, it was generally placed on the upper left lug, so that it could be easily identified by tax inspectors during inspections, but it could also be found near the crown or, more generally, on the side of the case.

For gold watches, however, the hallmark was applied to the back of the case, thus avoiding the front of the watch. Use of the "Salazar Mark" ended in 1985.