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When your watch breaks, you have three main options: send it back to the watchmaker, to its U.S. headquarters, or to your local watch repairman. Here's what you can expect from each.
To Switzerland!
The utmost care will be taken if your watch is dispatched all the way back to Geneva. Expect to be away from your watch for at least two months, maybe more, but know that it’s getting treated better than you ever will.
To the U.S. outpost!
One of the main benefits of having your watch repaired at a brand’s U. S. headquarters is that, in the eyes of many collectors, repairs done there (versus a local dealer) are less likely to affect the value. If your watch is still under warranty, repair is completely free. Otherwise, you’ll be treated to an estimate charge, a service charge, and a shipping charge. Plus the cost of any repairs. And your watch will still be gone for two to three weeks.
To the shop!
Your local repairman will often get your watch back to you in less than a week. As long as you’re working with an authorized dealer, you can expect the same level of care and retention of value you would get by shipping it directly to the maker. Go to an unlicensed dealer, however, and you’re putting your watch—and its value—in God’s hands.
