Swiss Time

Where Watchmakers Work

Watch Repairs

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING ANY MECHANICAL MODERN OR VINTAGE WATCHES FOR REPAIRS.

WE ARE ACCEPTING ALL BATTERY OPERATED WATCHES & CLOCKS AND HAVE LITTLE TO NO BACKLOG ON THESE REPAIRS.

We specialize in repairs of high quality Swiss watches but we also repair many brands of vintage and modern fashion watches. Timepieces we service include Patek Philippe, Rolex, Girard Perregaux, Omega, Longines, Tissot, Hamilton, and more.

We can verify that your watch still holds its water resistance using the most modern equipment. If your timepiece does not meet these standards, depending on its age and condition, we are generally able to provide you with an estimate for gasket replacement. It is important to remember that a watch’s water resistance cannot be permanently guaranteed. It may be affected by the aging of gaskets or by an accidental shock to one of the components  such as crown, pushers and crystal. We recommend that you have the water resistance of your timepiece checked periodically to verify that all gaskets are functioning as designed.

We choose to NOT service counterfeit watches. Not only is it against our policy; it is simply unethical.

In order for our repair department to make a proper diagnosis of your watch we will need to see your timepiece to determine its condition, the availability of parts (if any are needed), and to prepare a detailed repair estimate. If you live nearby, please visit us during business hours. If you are not local, you may ship your timepiece to us using the carrier of your choice.

Shipping your Timepiece

Please download and fill out our Repair Form, which will provide us with your contact information, a description of your timepiece, and a description of the issues it may be having. Please enclose this form with your watch in a proper shipping container. Please DO NOT send your timepiece to us in its original box, as our shop may not return the box to you.

WHEN MAILING YOUR WATCH, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PACK IT PROPERLY IN A STURDY BOX WITH SUFFICIENT PADDING AND INSURANCE.

Most importantly, please insure your watch for its full value using the carrier of your choice. We recommend either UPS (as we receive daily shipments) or the US Postal Service (requiring a signature upon receipt).

Please DO NOT send clocks.

Estimate Fee –

Please note currently we are NOT accepting any automatic or manual wind vintage watches for repair due to our current back long on repairs. We ARE accepting battery operated/quartz watches for repairs.

  • There is a $50 fee for estimating repairs to Rolex, Vacheron, and Patek timepieces – only if declined
  • There is a $25 fee to estimate repairs to all other mechanical watches – only if declined
  • There is a $25 fee for all mechanical clock repair estimates – only if declined.
  • NO ESTIMATE FEE FOR BATTERY OPERATED WATCHES OR CLOCKS.

The Estimate –

Please note we are not currently accepting any vintage automatic or manual watches for repairs due to our backlog on repairs.

We ARE accepting battery operated/quartz watches for repairs.

When your watch arrives at Swiss Time, our watchmaker will carefully examine the watch to create an estimate of all necessary services. A detailed cost and time estimate is then made, and we will contact you via phone or e-mail depending upon your preference. If during the estimate process it is noted that the repair is very simple or minimal in cost we will proceed with the repair and contact you to let you know it is ready.

If you choose to proceed with the repairs, your estimate fee will be applied toward the repair. If you choose not to proceed with the repairs, the watch will be returned to you using either UPS insured (adult signature required) or US postal service. Carriers and rates for the return shipping are:

  • USPS – $15 – no insurance, email status updates.
  • USPS – $30 – registered mail, fully insured, signature required.
  • UPS Ground – $40 – insured up to $1,500, adult signature required, email status updates.
  • UPS Ground – $60 – insured up to $4,000, adult signature required, email status updates.

Deposit

If you wish to proceed with the repairs, a deposit of approximately 40% of the estimate is required to begin. Deposits can be made in the following ways:

Mechanical Repair

Our watchmakers begin servicing mechanical timepieces by completely disassembling them. Every part is examined for damage and all parts are cleaned. Any parts which cannot be repaired are replaced with factory originals, if available; if unavailable, generic parts will be used. Please note that when repairing Rolex Watches, only genuine parts are used except in the models where parts have been discontinued by Rolex.

The exterior of the watch is cleaned and lightly polished with additional repairs made to the crystal and crown per the estimate provided. The watch is then reassembled, lubricated, regulated, and monitored for a five day test period to assure us that it is ready for return to you.

Water resistant cases are tested using our state of the art pressure, vacuum, and water testers to be certain that the case will not leak water. All high quality water-resistant watches are subjected to water-resistance tests prior to leaving our shop. It is important to note the tests do not guarantee water resistance for the future as gaskets can deteriorate over time. If your timepiece fails the tests we will provide you with options, if any are available, to return your watch to its original water rating.

Quartz Watches

The servicing of quartz watches is slightly different. Quartz watches are somewhat similar to a circuit board. There are several minor repairs which can be performed; however, occasionally the mechanism does need to be replaced. Mechanism typical life span is designed for 10 years. If a quartz watch is serviced, the estimate process is the same as described above. Depending on how you would like to proceed, repairs will be made using factory-specific parts or appropriate generic parts if factory parts are not available.

Quartz watch repairs are all subject to a 24 to 48 hour test period. Typical repairs range from simple on the spot battery changes, to bracelet shortening and/or replacement, crystal changes, gasket replacements, all the way up to mechanism replacements and replacement of case parts.

Warranty

We are proud to warranty our work. We offer a one-year warranty on the work done (two-years for a complete service on a Rolex watches where parts are still available from Rolex). In case of damage covered by this warranty, we will repair or replace any parts, as we see fit free of charge, and/or correct faulty work as discovered by our staff. This warranty neither covers normal wear and tear nor accidental damage or damage caused through negligence and/or abuse. This warranty shall be immediately considered void if the owner or a third party opens the watch. Additionally, our warranty does not cover parts which were not replaced, nor does it cover any case parts or issues caused by water damage.