Insurance, Luxury Assets & Collectibles
Steve Bass is the COO of WAX Collect. With deep expertise in insurance, luxury assets, and collectibles, Steve brings a strategic and operational lens to how modern collectors protect and grow their portfolios. His writing focuses on the intersection of risk management and the collector lifestyle.
In the 1920s, collectors were defined by accumulation. To be a "serious" collector of coins or rare books was to build a monument to completeness, a physical catalog of every mint mark or first edition in a series. But the modern landscape h
In the world of blue-chip collectibles, we often talk about provenance, complication, or condition. But there is a quieter, more visual force that dictates the hierarchy of value: the physics of color.
Collecting is an exercise in dopamine. It begins with the hunt, the late-night forum lurking for a "full set" 5513 Submariner or the adrenaline-fueled bidding war for a rare Birkin 35 in Togo leather. For years, the thrill is centered entire
In the high-stakes world of luxury assets, the narrative is usually dominated by the "hammer price." We talk about the record-breaking Patek Philippe, the skyrocketing valuations of Hermès Birkins, or the blue-chip stability of a 1950s spor
Spend five minutes on a public auction site or a pricing aggregator, and you’ll see the "official" version of the collectibles market: realized prices, historical charts, and volume metrics. It’s clean, it’s logical, and increasingly, it’s
In the traditional logic of the marketplace, once a luxury asset leaves the boutique, the manufacturer loses its seat at the table. The secondary market, the wild west of auction houses, gray market dealers, and peer-to-peer exchanges. Is sup
**For the better part of the last decade, collecting was a sequence of backlit screens.** You hunted on eBay, navigated the volatility of private Discord servers, and took your chances on fuzzy Instagram photos. Digital marketplaces democra
At WAX, we've pinpointed the new benchmark: the Under-60-Second Instant Bind . According to our recent technical documentation and mission-critical press releases, this isn't just a marketing metric; it is a structural overhaul of how luxury assets a
Keeping Luxury Watches Safe: A Modern Collector's Guide
For decades, the collecting world was governed by silos. You were a "watch guy," a "card person," or a "numismatist." These categories functioned like secular religions, each with its own liturgy of reference numbers, grading scales, and insular term
Every serious collector has their system.
In the world of luxury collectibles, few items have experienced a resurgence quite like vintage Chanel handbags from the 1990s. These iconic pieces are not just nostalgic relics; they are now highly sought-after investments, commanding prices that re
In the realm of luxury collectibles, success hinges not just on acquiring the right pieces, but also on avoiding the costly mistakes that can erode their value.
In the world of Pokémon card collecting, the allure of holographic Charizards and first-edition Pikachus often eclipses the finer nuances that separate seasoned…
In the vibrant world of collectibles, few categories spark as much debate as Pokémon and sports cards.
In the world of luxury collectibles, few items command the same reverence as guitars once played by music legends.
When it comes to collectible watches, Rolex has long been the crown jewel, attracting everyone from seasoned investors to eager newcomers.
In the world of sports collectibles, few things capture attention like a unique rookie card.
Collectibles are more diverse than ever. Think rare sneakers, vintage comic books, sports memorabilia. With such values, relying on homeowners coverage is risky.
Homeowners policies often impose high deductibles and calculate payouts on an actual cash value basis. Specialized collectibles policies offer agreed value and no-deductible options.
Context and market size - The global art market achieved US$57.5 billion in sales in 2024. Galleries, auction houses, museums and specialty dealers play a pivotal role in this industry and face significant exposures when handling high‑value works.
Easy-to-use platform to manage and protect your valuables. Insure your watches, jewelry, art, handbags, classic cars and more.
Easy-to-use platform to manage and protect your valuables. Insure your watches, jewelry, art, handbags, classic cars and more.
For many, collecting is a way to connect with the past, to relive cherished memories. It's this interplay between personal history and identity that makes collecting deeply personal.
On 19 October 2025, in a striking daylight operation at the Louvre Museum in Paris, thieves executed a heist so swift it lasted just about seven minutes, and made off…
Jonathan's fascination with watches began in his early twenties when he inherited his grandfather's vintage Omega Seamaster. That watch connected him to his roots.
The Nostalgia Factor Meets Hard Data
The contemporary art market is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by digital innovation that is reshaping how collectors approach their investments.
In the world of high-end collectibles, where every nuance counts, hip-hop mogul Drake’s latest creation, a custom Ice Box pendant. Has sparked both admiration and debate. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the piece is undeniably a masterpiec
When a Frank Lloyd Wright “Double Pedestal Lamp” sold for $7.5 million at Sotheby’s Modern Evening Auction on May 15, 2025, it was more than a record-breaking transaction, it was a spotlight on the high-stakes world of luxury collectibles. Designed fo
In the world of collectibles, every so often, a piece emerges that redefines the landscape.
In the world of sports memorabilia, few things carry more weight than a signature. A moment frozen in ink. A mark of authenticity. A link between myth and memory.
The trophies awarded to race winners at Silverstone weren’t forged in metal or crystal, they were made entirely from Lego. Over 2,700 bricks per piece. Hand-assembled.
Easy-to-use platform to manage and protect your valuables. Insure your watches, jewelry, art, handbags, classic cars and more.
This isn’t just about Jordan, or basketball, or the 1986-87 Fleer set. This is about how elite sports memorabilia is solidifying its place in the upper echelon of…
Easy-to-use platform to manage and protect your valuables. Insure your watches, jewelry, art, handbags, classic cars and more.
Easy-to-use platform to manage and protect your valuables. Insure your watches, jewelry, art, handbags, classic cars and more.
Easy-to-use platform to manage and protect your valuables. Insure your watches, jewelry, art, handbags, classic cars and more.
A vinyl toy just redefined what it means to be collectible. On June 8, 2025, a Labubu figure from Pop Mart’s The Monsters series sold for a staggering $150,000 at a…
In an age of algorithmic hype and market churn, The Dalmore has delivered something resolutely analog: a whisky that took over half a century to get here, and only…
When Marvel’s merc with a mouth teams up with DC’s brooding detective, it’s more than just comic book catnip, it’s a collector’s event that bends the rules of IP,…