FAQs

Prices are firm. Rather than inflating a price in anticipation of negotiation, WRISTORIAN studies relevant market evidence and the specific timepiece’s rarity, originality, condition, provenance, service history and accompaniments to establish a fair and defensible price.

You may begin through the applicable timepiece page or by emailing our concierge. We will confirm availability, the total amount due, the approved delivery address and bank-wire instructions in writing. A transaction is completed only after WRISTORIAN has accepted it and funds have cleared.

WRISTORIAN accepts bank wire only, in U.S. dollars. The client is responsible for originating-bank, intermediary-bank, currency-conversion and similar charges so that WRISTORIAN receives the full invoiced amount.

Unless WRISTORIAN agrees otherwise in writing, payment is due within three business days. A timepiece is not released until the wire has been received, verified and fully cleared.

No. WRISTORIAN is a digital-only business and does not offer public showroom visits, in-person viewings or routine in-person collection. We provide detailed photography, written descriptions and private consultation so that a client can evaluate a timepiece remotely.

A hold or deposit arrangement may be considered individually. It is effective only when its amount, duration, payment schedule, cancellation treatment and other terms have been confirmed by WRISTORIAN in writing. No standard forty-eight-hour reservation or automatic deposit right applies.

The timepiece and its listed accompaniments undergo final verification and photographic documentation before secure packing. Orders are typically prepared within two business days after cleared payment and completion of any required verification. Tracking is sent when the shipping label is created, although the carrier’s first scan may appear later.

All timepiece sales are final. WRISTORIAN does not accept returns or exchanges based on preference, fit, buyer’s remorse, changed circumstances or a change of mind. A timely claim may be reviewed only when the timepiece materially differs from the published description, an accompaniment expressly listed as included is missing, or the timepiece or parcel was damaged or apparently tampered with during insured transit. See our Returns & Refunds Policy.

Notice must be emailed to WRISTORIAN within twenty-four hours after the carrier records delivery. Describe the concern, identify the transaction and include clear photographs or video and any other reasonably requested documentation. Reporting a concern begins our review; it does not automatically create a right to return or refund.

Preserve the timepiece, parcel, inner and outer packaging, security materials and every listed accompaniment exactly as received. Do not wear, size, open, service, adjust, alter or otherwise modify the timepiece. Protective coverings must remain intact, and any strap described as new or unworn must remain unfitted, unbent, unbuckled and uncreased, without pin-buckle marks.

No. A return requires WRISTORIAN’s prior written authorization and must follow the provided packing, insurance, carrier and routing instructions. An unauthorized or self-directed shipment may be refused and remains at the client’s risk.

Unless WRISTORIAN agrees otherwise in writing or applicable law requires otherwise, the client is responsible for authorized return shipping, full insurance, customs duties, taxes, brokerage charges, bank fees and related costs.

After review and, when applicable, inspection of an authorized return, WRISTORIAN may provide an appropriate correction, a reasonably available replacement, a partial refund or a full refund. The remedy depends on the facts and applicable law. Diminution in condition, missing contents and unrecoverable third-party or governmental charges may reduce an otherwise approved refund.

No. WRISTORIAN’s Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity is not limited by the twenty-four-hour delivery-claim period.

No. Unless WRISTORIAN expressly agrees otherwise in writing for a specific transaction, there is no separate mechanical or timekeeping warranty. Vintage timepieces are not guaranteed for a particular rate, accuracy, amplitude, power reserve, water resistance or future mechanical performance. A condition present at delivery may be reviewed within twenty-four hours only if it materially contradicts an express statement in the published listing.

WRISTORIAN collects sales or use tax when required by law. The amount is determined by the approved delivery address and the applicable state and local tax rules. Any claimed exemption must be documented and accepted before the transaction is completed.

The recipient is responsible for import duties, VAT, taxes, brokerage charges, customs assessments and other governmental or carrier-imposed charges. These amounts are not included in the separately quoted international shipping charge unless WRISTORIAN expressly states otherwise in writing.

No. WRISTORIAN prepares customs and export documentation accurately and declares the transaction and shipment consistently with legal and insurance requirements. We will not understate value or mischaracterize a commercial shipment.

Not always. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), together with applicable export, import and destination-country laws, may restrict or prevent international shipment of straps, boxes or other accompaniments made from protected or exotic materials. These rules may apply even when the watch itself can be shipped. WRISTORIAN may remove a restricted item when lawful and agreed in writing, propose another compliant arrangement or decline the shipment.

Yes. WRISTORIAN provides complimentary, fully insured shipping within the United States to a reviewed and approved address. Tracking and an adult signature are required, and a shipment will not be intentionally released for unattended delivery.

WRISTORIAN welcomes international acquisitions. Insured international shipping is arranged individually after the destination, insurance availability, customs requirements and any material restrictions have been reviewed. Our Concierge will confirm the shipping charge and coordinate the transaction directly with you. The recipient remains responsible for duties, VAT, taxes, brokerage and related assessments.

Orders are typically prepared within two business days after cleared payment and required verification. Domestic deliveries are normally scheduled for Tuesday through Friday. WRISTORIAN does not knowingly dispatch a domestic shipment that is expected to sit with a carrier over a weekend. Carrier, weather, security, customs and other circumstances outside our control may affect timing.

Tracking is provided when the shipping label is created. A period without movement does not necessarily mean the parcel has not been tendered; the carrier’s first physical scan may occur later.

WRISTORIAN ships only to a reviewed and approved address. Post office boxes, freight forwarders, hotels and other nonstandard destinations are not accepted unless WRISTORIAN approves the arrangement in writing before shipment. A request to change the address after payment may require additional verification and may delay or prevent dispatch.

Possibly, but the arrangement must be disclosed, reviewed and approved in writing before shipment. Identity, authority, insurance, carrier and destination requirements may apply. Approval is not automatic.

Inspect the parcel before acceptance when possible. Photograph apparent damage or tampering, ask the driver to note it and refuse delivery if the carrier permits and the circumstances warrant. After acceptance, open the parcel carefully, confirm the timepiece and listed accompaniments, preserve all packaging and report damage, tampering, a missing listed item or a material descriptive discrepancy within twenty-four hours after carrier-recorded delivery.

Please contact WRISTORIAN immediately and preserve all relevant records and packaging. We will coordinate with the carrier and insurer and may require the recipient’s cooperation, documentation or statement. Any return, replacement or refund is determined after review under our Shipping & Delivery Policy and Returns & Refunds Policy; it is not automatic merely because a report has been made.

Yes. We purchase select vintage Patek Philippe timepieces and occasionally other fine watches that suit our collection. Each is considered individually for authenticity, originality, condition, provenance, service history, marketability and value. An offer becomes binding only through a written agreement and completion of the required inspection and verification.

Please begin by completing our Offer Your Watch form. Provide the requested description, ownership and service history, accompaniments and clear photographs of the dial, case, case back, hallmarks and reference and serial information, together with the movement if it can be photographed safely. If the timepiece appears suitable, WRISTORIAN will contact you regarding the next step. Please do not ship a timepiece until we have provided written authorization and instructions.

Selected consignments are considered individually. When a timepiece is accepted, ownership, asking price, commission, insurance, custody, expenses, withdrawal rights and settlement terms are established in a written consignment agreement before presentation to collectors.

Yes, selectively. A proposed trade is inspected and valued independently, and any trade allowance is confirmed in writing before it is applied to a new acquisition. Acceptance depends on authenticity, condition, provenance, marketability and suitability for the WRISTORIAN collection.

WRISTORIAN specializes in vintage Patek Philippe because its history offers an unusually deep record of design, craft, technical development and private stewardship. That concentration remains the foundation of our scholarship, but it is not a boundary around the collection. We also offer other fine timepieces and horologically important watches beyond the familiar icons when their design, mechanics or historical context merit serious consideration.

Our approach is research-led and digital-only. We examine the individual object, disclose what can reasonably be established, distinguish evidence from inference and place the timepiece in its historical and market context. The goal is informed stewardship, not salesmanship.

“Quietly Extraordinary” reflects excellence expressed through proportion, craft and restraint. “Unequivocally Authentic” expresses our commitment to careful examination, candid disclosure and a Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity. “Respectfully Serviced” means that when mechanical work is appropriate, preservation and limited intervention take priority over unnecessary cosmetic or component replacement.

Timepieces may come from private collections, estates, auctions, trades and trusted market participants. Each candidate is assessed for authenticity, originality, condition, provenance, service history, legal and ethical concerns, market context and suitability for the collection.

We describe the specific timepiece rather than forcing it into a simplistic universal grade. Relevant observations may include case definition and evidence of polishing, dial and hand condition, movement condition, replaced or refinished components, wear, functionality, service information and the presence or absence of original accompaniments. Known or reasonably suspected restoration is disclosed.

No. Authenticity and complete component originality are related but distinctly different questions. A genuine vintage timepiece may contain a correct service replacement or another later component. WRISTORIAN describes known or reasonably identifiable replacements, refinishing and restoration in the listing, while the Lifetime Guarantee addresses the authenticity of the timepiece as represented.

Yes. We consider focused requests from collectors and search through established relationships, auctions and appropriate market channels. Availability, timing, condition and price cannot be guaranteed, and any candidate remains subject to our normal evaluation.

No. WRISTORIAN is independent and is not affiliated with, authorized by or sponsored by Patek Philippe SA or its subsidiaries.

Often, yes, when its condition and complication are suited to the intended use. Vintage watches should be protected from moisture, impact, strong magnetic fields, temperature extremes and vigorous activity. Age, construction and prior service history matter, so the appropriate level of use varies by timepiece. Our Understanding Vintage Timepieces White Paper examines these practical ownership considerations in greater depth.

Never assume that it is. WRISTORIAN does not guarantee water resistance unless a specific written statement says otherwise, and even a favorable pressure test describes conditions only at the time of testing. Keep a vintage watch away from water, steam and high humidity unless it has been specifically evaluated for the intended exposure. Our Water Resistance in Vintage Watches White Paper explains the reasons for this conservative approach.

Follow the instructions appropriate to the exact movement and complication. Wind gently and stop when firm resistance is felt. Do not force the crown or correct calendar indications during the movement’s changeover period. When the correct procedure is uncertain, stop and obtain qualified guidance before proceeding.

No universal service claim is made. Each timepiece is evaluated, and service is undertaken when appropriate to its condition and intended presentation. Known service history and material work performed under WRISTORIAN’s stewardship are described when available. A recent service does not itself create a WRISTORIAN mechanical warranty or guarantee of future performance, although a separate warranty offered by the manufacturer, service provider or another third party remains governed by its own terms.

There is no single interval appropriate to every watch. Movement type, complication, prior work, lubrication, frequency of use, storage and observed performance all matter. A qualified watchmaker should inspect the timepiece when performance changes, after an impact or moisture exposure, or when its service history is unknown.

We can discuss the concern, review available history and, when appropriate, help identify a suitable independent specialist or manufacturer-service path. Any service scope, shipping arrangement, cost and responsibility must be agreed separately in writing.

We favor preservation. After each wear, we encourage gently wiping the watch with a clean, soft, dry microfiber or untreated jeweler’s cloth to remove perspiration, salts, skin oils, dust and surface residue before they accumulate on the case, crystal, bracelet or strap. Avoid impregnated polishing cloths and compounds that may remove metal or alter finishes.

Repeated or aggressive polishing can soften edges, alter proportions and diminish hallmarks. Existing polishing is assessed and disclosed when reasonably identifiable, and new cosmetic refinishing is avoided unless a specific, carefully considered intervention is justified and documented.

Authenticity and candor matter more than cosmetic perfection. Refinished dials, replacement components, renewed luminous material and other interventions can materially affect historical and market character. WRISTORIAN seeks well-preserved examples and discloses known or reasonably suspected restoration rather than treating age as a defect to be erased.

Available records and parts received with a timepiece are preserved and described as accompaniments when included in the sale. When WRISTORIAN commissions service, we request documentation and the return of replaced parts when reasonably possible, but the policies of manufacturers and watchmakers, as well as safety or legal requirements, may limit what can be returned.

WRISTORIAN generally classifies timepieces made before 1930 as Antique; those made from 1930 through 1989 as Vintage; those made from 1990 through 2004 as Neo-Vintage; and those made from 2005 to the present as Modern. These are editorial conventions, not judgments of quality, collectibility or suitability. The individual watch remains the unit of judgment.

Many collectors regard the middle decades of the twentieth century as a particularly important period for Patek Philippe because of its case-making, dial craft, movement finishing, proportion and technical innovation. Collectibility is not confined to one era, however. Reference, configuration, rarity, preservation, provenance and current demand all influence desirability.

Neither can be judged responsibly in isolation. Originality is often highly valued, especially in dials, cases and rare configurations, while condition determines how well the original qualities survive. The best assessment considers authenticity, preservation, restoration, wear and the expectations appropriate to that exact reference.

The dial carries much of a timepiece’s visual identity and often contains the most era-specific printing, finish, signatures and handwork. Refinishing can erase evidence that cannot be recreated. An original dial need not appear new to be desirable; honest aging may be part of its historical character.

Reliable provenance can strengthen confidence, scholarship and desirability, particularly when it connects the timepiece to documented ownership, original sale or meaningful history. Provenance must be supported by evidence. An engraving or personal inscription can be part of that biography and should not automatically be treated as a defect.

WRISTORIAN is based in Lighthouse Point, Florida, serves clients throughout the United States and works with international collectors when compliant shipping and insurance arrangements are available.

Email 📩concierge@wristorian.com. This is the primary public contact channel and helps us maintain an accurate written record of each inquiry.

Yes. Begin by email so we can understand the timepiece or question and assemble any relevant records. A private telephone or video consultation may then be arranged when useful.