FAQ’S – WRISTORIAN Créations Originales

Refined Versatility. Precision Engineering. Masterful Craftsmanship.

WRISTORIAN Créations Originales represents our in-house atelier line of contemporary timepieces inspired by the precision, proportion, and aesthetic discipline of mid-century Patek Philippe.

Created within WRISTORIAN’s own atelier, each Créations Originales timepiece unites classical geometry with contemporary engineering to achieve a rare balance of refinement, resilience, and proportion.

It encompasses nine distinct families, each interpreting heritage through a specific functional and stylistic lens:

The Nine Families

ÉMINENCE — Prestige / Flagship Dress. Meaning: High status, distinction (ay-mee-nons). The pinnacle of WRISTORIAN Créations Originales, ÉMINENCE embodies formal precision, grand complications and sartorial elegance.
ÉPOQUE — Elegant Heritage Dress. Meaning: A distinct era in history (ay-pock). ÉPOQUE reinterprets the grace of historic references through modern craftsmanship and wearability, celebrating the refinement of mid-century design.
MÉRIDIEN — GMT / Dual Time. Meaning: Midday line, longitude (may-rid-ee-ahn). MÉRIDIEN serves the traveler; designed for clarity across time zones, it reflects the geometry of global movement within a disciplined aesthetic.
ÉQUATEUR — World Time. Meaning: Equator, global span (ay-kwa-toor). ÉQUATEUR celebrates the cosmopolitan spirit of world-time—mechanically sophisticated yet visually composed.
CÉLESTE — Pilot / Aviation. Meaning: Heavenly, celestial (say-lest). CÉLESTE honors aviation’s romantic age: clean numerals, luminous contrast, and tactile symmetry for uncompromised legibility.
PRÉCISION — Sport Chronograph. Meaning: Accuracy, exactness (pray-see-zyon). PRÉCISION channels the discipline of sport timing with measured restraint—engineered for accuracy.
EXPLORÉ — Field / Military Tool. Meaning: Explored, discovered (ex-plor-ay). EXPLORÉ revisits utilitarian field instruments built for endurance and legibility—rugged yet refined for contemporary civility.
SUBMERGÉ — Diver. Meaning: Submerged, underwater (soob-mehr-zhay). SUBMERGÉ embodies maritime strength and composure—rotating bezel, luminous dial, and secure depth rating.
ΛVΛTΛS (AVATAS) — Avant-Garde / Experimental. Meaning: Manifestation, embodiment (ah-vah-tahs). ΛVΛTΛS is the atelier’s most experimental expression, exploring materials, and conceptual design.

Purpose and Ethos

Why WRISTORIAN Créations Originales?

Born from admiration and practicality, WRISTORIAN Créations Originales bridges the restraint of vintage horology with the ease of modern wear. It was conceived for those who appreciate proportion, heritage, and craftsmanship, yet seek a timepiece suited to contemporary life. Each creation honors tradition without imitation—designed with intention, technical discipline, and enduring restraint.

What distinguishes WRISTORIAN Créations Originales from vintage acquisitions?

WRISTORIAN Créations Originales translates vintage heritage into modern form—respecting tradition while embracing contemporary design, materials, and utility. Each piece continues the conversation between history and modern horology.

How does WRISTORIAN balance design héritage and modern utility?

Each design draws from historical geometry yet is engineered for daily wear. Héritage shapes the form; modern engineering ensures reliability.

How does WRISTORIAN interpret the relationship between tradition and innovation?

For WRISTORIAN, progress lies in refinement—honoring traditional principles while using modern materials and methods to perfect them.

Acquisition and Payment

How can I acquire a WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepiece?

Each timepiece is available directly through our website or by private arrangement with our concierge. For bespoke requests or upcoming releases, contact concierge@wristorian.com. Once confirmed, your timepiece is reserved exclusively in your name until delivery.

What payment methods are accepted?

Payments up to USD 2,500 may be made by secure card; higher amounts require bank wire transfer. All transactions are processed through encrypted systems.

Do you offer pre-orders or maintain a waiting list for new releases?

Sometimes. Select references may be available for limited pre-order. Once allocation closes, clients may join the waiting list, with priority given to WRISTORIAN Circle members and established collectors.

How long is the production and delivery cycle for limited or made-to-order pieces?

Lead times vary according to model complexity and production schedule. Most limited references require eight to twelve weeks from order confirmation to delivery.

What documentation accompanies each acquisition?

Each timepiece includes a certificate of authenticity, warranty card, and technical reference sheet, presented in WRISTORIAN packaging with serialized registration materials.

Are WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces available through other channels?

Sometimes. Our timepieces are offered online through WRISTORIAN and, on occasion, through curated collaborations with distinguished vintage dealers.

Warranty and Returns

What warranty accompanies WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces?

Each timepiece carries a two-year limited warranty covering mechanical or manufacturing defects under normal wear. It excludes damage from misuse, impact, water exposure beyond the rating, or unauthorized service. Normal wear to straps, crystals, and coatings is not covered.

How are warranty claims handled?

For assistance, contact concierge@wristorian.com. We’ll arrange insured return shipping for evaluation and repair or replacement under warranty.

What is your return and refund policy?

Returns are accepted within three days if the timepiece is unworn and complete with original packaging. After verification, refunds are issued to the original payment method within five business days.

Are replacement parts available after warranty expiration?

Yes. Essential components remain available for post-warranty service through WRISTORIAN and its authorized partners.

Sales Tax, Duties and Customs

Is sales tax applied to domestic orders?

Yes. Applicable state and local taxes are calculated automatically at checkout for U.S. deliveries.

Do you ship internationally, and how are duties, VAT, and customs handled?

Yes. We ship to most countries; duties, VAT, and customs fees are determined by the destination and paid by the client.

Can you declare a reduced value to minimize customs fees?

No. All shipments are declared at full value to maintain insurance coverage and compliance.

Shipping and Insurance

What carriers are used for domestic and international delivery?

All deliveries are managed through trusted carriers such as FedEx Priority and UPS Express Worldwide, selected for security and tracking reliability.

Are shipments insured?

Yes. Every shipment is fully insured for its declared value from our atelier to the destination address. Coverage remains active until the client’s signed receipt.

How long will delivery take?

Domestic orders typically arrive within 2–3 business days after dispatch. International delivery requires 5–7 business days depending on customs processing.

How can I monitor the progress of my shipment?

A tracking number and courier link are provided immediately upon dispatch. WRISTORIAN’s concierge monitors all shipments in real time and remains available for updates.

Can delivery be arranged to a bonded facility or authorized representative?

Yes. Shipments may be directed to a bonded warehouse, fiduciary custodian, or authorized individual with prior written approval and verified identification.

Design, Manufacture and Materials

Where are WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces designed?

All designs originate within WRISTORIAN’s atelier, inspired by archival geometry and mid-century forms—occasionally reinterpreted with creative liberties, especially within the AVATAS family.

Where are WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces manufactured?

Components and assembly are sourced globally through specialized partners in Switzerland, Germany, and Asia, each selected for technical expertise. Final inspection and certification occur within WRISTORIAN’s atelier before release

How is quality control performed prior to delivery?

Independent, vetted quality control firms supervise testing for accuracy, water resistance, and finishing. Only pieces meeting WRISTORIAN’s standards proceed to final inspection and certification.

What movements do the timepieces use, and what is the difference between manual, automatic, quartz, and meca-quartz calibers?

WRISTORIAN employs each of these movements according to the intent of the design. Manual calibers require hand-winding, automatic calibers self-wind through wrist motion, quartz calibers provide battery-driven precision, and meca-quartz calibers combine quartz accuracy with a mechanical chronograph module.

Are Swiss movements superior to Asian movements?

This is an interesting and debatable topic. In the past, Swiss movements clearly set the benchmark and rightly earned their reputation for craftsmanship, finishing, and heritage—their higher cost reflecting that prestige. Yet whether this superiority still holds is increasingly debatable. Advances by leading Asian manufacturers, particularly in Japan and Hong Kong, have elevated movement quality to levels that rival, and in some cases surpass, Swiss production in reliability and precision. WRISTORIAN selects from both traditions according to each design’s intent and technical requirements.

Are WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces considered Swiss Made?

No. To qualify as Swiss Made, at least 60% of a timepiece’s production cost must be incurred in Switzerland, its movement must be Swiss, and final assembly and inspection must occur there. While we may occasionally utilize a Swiss calibre, assembly takes place under our atelier’s supervision outside Switzerland, designating those timepieces as Swiss Movement.

What materials, finishes, and numbering are used in WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces?

Most WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces feature 316L surgical-grade stainless steel cases. When plated, we apply IP-PVD finishing for enhanced durability and tonal depth. Crystals may be acrylic or sapphire, chosen according to each design’s vintage intent. Every reference carries engraved serial numbering and hand-finished dials crafted to precise archival proportion.

What plating methods are used, and why?

WRISTORIAN specifies PVD and DLC for plated references because they deliver the highest combination of durability, color stability, and technical integrity.

Gold plating applies a thin decorative layer that provides warmth and luster but tends to wear with use.
Gold-filled plating bonds a thicker layer of gold to the base metal for greater longevity, however it can limit precision finishing and develop uneven patina.
Ion Plating (IP) achieves fine color accuracy and surface texture but is comparatively thin.
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) forms a denser, harder coating with excellent resistance to wear and oxidation.
Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) offers the most advanced protection—an exceptionally hard, scratch-resistant surface with a deep graphite tone.

What finishing methods are used on cases?

WRISTORIAN employs a range of finishing techniques chosen to complement each design’s geometry and intended character. Traditional polished finishes emphasize light and reflection, enhancing formal or dress references. Brushed finishes create a soft directional grain that minimizes glare and conveys understated refinement. Bead-blasted surfaces offer a matte, tactile texture suited to tool or sport-oriented designs. Select models may combine multiple finishes to highlight case architecture and transitions, always executed to achieve visual balance and enduring proportion.

What finishing methods are used on dials?

Dial finishes are chosen to emphasize depth, symmetry, and light interaction. Sunburst and satin finishes highlight radial geometry and motion, while matte or bead-textured surfaces evoke vintage utility and reduce glare. Gloss and lacquered finishes offer a refined, mirror-like sheen for formal references. Applied markers, recessed subdials, and contrasting chapter rings enhance proportion and balance. Each dial is finished to convey restraint, legibility, and harmony within its reference family.

What are the key case specifications?

Case sizes are selected to suit each family—smaller for dress references, larger for sport and tool designs. Most cases measure between 38 mm and 40 mm, with water resistance typically rated 5 to 10 ATM. Each case is proportioned to balance presence, comfort, and visual coherence within its category.

What crystals are used?

Crystals are selected according to design intent and period character. Sapphire is used for modern durability and scratch resistance, while acrylic may be chosen for vintage-inspired references to preserve warmth and optical softness.

Curation and Documentation

What distinguishes WRISTORIAN Créations Originales from other independents?

Our designs stem from a scholarly study of proportion and archival geometry rather than stylistic experimentation, honoring a lineage rooted in mid-century precedent.

Do WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces share components with vintage pieces?

No. Each component is newly engineered, though inspired by vintage form and proportion.

Do you provide Certificates of Authenticity or ownership documentation?

Yes. Every timepiece is delivered with a signed Certificate of Authenticity and Warranty Card bearing serial and reference numbers.

How are references developed, and what guides the design process?

Design begins with archival research, followed by iterative technical drawings, prototype reviews, and proportion validation under WRISTORIAN’s atelier supervision.

Do you accept bespoke commissions or collaborative designs?

Maybe. Select commissions may be accepted subject to feasibility and atelier scheduling. Enquiries may be directed to concierge@wristorian.com.

Are personalization or engraving options are available?

No.

Do you offer limited colorways or evolving dial variations?

Yes. Every timepiece is produced in limited edition, and future evolutions may introduce new color variations as part of WRISTORIAN’s ongoing design exploration.

Wear, Care and Service Philosophy

Can WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces be worn daily?

Yes. All WRISTORIAN Créations Originales timepieces are engineered for daily wear, combining classical refinement with modern durability.

Are the timepieces water-resistant?

Yes. Each model’s resistance rating—typically 5 to 10 ATM—is stated in its documentation. Avoid immersion beyond the specified depth or operation of pushers underwater.

How should I clean and store my timepiece?

Wipe with a soft microfiber cloth, avoid chemicals and extremes, and store in a dry, padded case away from sunlight.

What should I know about strap and bracelet selection, sizing, and replacement?

Straps are offered in calf, alligator, or rubber depending on the reference family, while select models feature integrated or fitted metal bracelets. Quick-release fittings allow easy interchange. Each option is designed to complement the timepiece’s proportion, purpose, and intended character.

How frequently should a timepiece be serviced?

Mechanical models should be serviced every 3–5 years to maintain accuracy and lubrication integrity. Quartz models require less frequent maintenance, though batteries should be replaced approximately every two years to ensure optimal performance and prevent leakage.

If my warranty has expired, can WRISTORIAN still service my timepiece?

Yes. Post-warranty servicing is available directly through WRISTORIAN or our certified partners.

Where should I send a timepiece for service or repair?

Please contact concierge@wristorian.com to arrange insured transport and proper documentation before shipment.

Is the warranty affected if serviced by an independent watchmaker?

Yes. Work performed by unauthorized parties voids the WRISTORIAN warranty.

Philosophy and Horological Perspective

What defines Understanding Modern Timepiece Horology?

It is the study of how contemporary craftsmanship continues the traditions of proportion, precision, and permanence that define great mechanical timepieces.

What inspires the Créations Originales collection?

Each design is a dialogue between heritage geometry and present-day utility, inspired by archival Patek Philippe forms yet reinterpreted for modern life.

How does WRISTORIAN interpret contemporary craftsmanship and technology?

By applying technology only where it refines precision or longevity, never as an end in itself.

How do the principles of Héritage inform modern design?

Héritage provides the framework of restraint, geometry, and coherence. Each modern piece exists as a continuation, not a reinvention.

How does WRISTORIAN view the concept of perfection in modern craftsmanship?

Perfection is not flawlessness but harmony—the alignment of purpose, proportion, and execution.

Location and Contact

Where is WRISTORIAN based?

WRISTORIAN is headquartered in Florida with atelier operations and archival research partnerships in California, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong.

Does WRISTORIAN operate an atelier, and can clients schedule in-person or virtual consultations?

Our atelier operates exclusively online. Private discussions and advisory sessions may be arranged through telephone consultations by appointment. To inquire, please email concierge@wristorian.com or call 918-269-3033.

How can I contact your team for inquiries or private commissions?

Please email concierge@wristorian.com for assistance.

What is the response time for client correspondence?

All correspondence is answered within 24 hours on business days.

Our Commitment