Estimates:

 

Estimates are usually provided within 72 hours. This is to ensure a thorough examination of your watch so that we can make the appropriate recommendations.  Options are also supplied with the estimate when additional work is necessary beyond the original request.  There is a small $25 diagnostic fee for all mechanical and vintage timepieces.  This is part of our diagnostic process & the fee will be waived once authorized approval of work is completed.

 

 

Turnaround:

 

Our Battery Service Package is recommended for quartz watches that need a new battery and takes about 1 -3 business days. Turn around time for other standard repairs is usually 1 - 3 weeks; this can be longer depending on material availability.  Antique and Vintage timepieces may take 6 – 8 weeks or longer, due to limited parts and sometimes require fabrication depending on the nature of restoration required.

 

 

Warranty:

 

All watches serviced carry a full one year warranty on all parts and craftsmanship pertaining to the original repair. The basic quartz service package battery has a 3 year warranty.  All lab tested watches that have had their seals compromised due to tampering will not be covered under warranty.  Parts subject to normal wear & tear such as Case Exteriors, Spring Bars, Crystals, Bracelets, Straps, Clasps, Buckles and Crowns are not covered under warranty; neither is damage as a result of abuse, accident or misuse.  Sorry at this time we do not offer a refund policy.  All service and sales are final.

 

 

Scheduled Maintenance:

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Palmer & Co. Watch Studio suggests that watches be cleaned, oiled & serviced every three to five years.  This ensures that the components are properly lubricated and that the mechanism is free from moisture and debris. When a watch begins to run irregularly (gaining time, losing time, skipping or stopping) it’s a sign that the watch needs to be serviced by a professional watchmaker.  As the timepiece ages, the gears and wheels of a mechanical watch begins to dry having lost their protective lubricating oils.  Older water resistant watches are also in jeopardy due to their seals and gaskets becoming dried or worn. This allows moisture and debris to enter the case which could cause damage to the movement and other parts inside.

 

When a Quartz watch skips or stops, it is usually caused by a low or dead battery. However, quartz watches also have wheels, gears and sometimes gaskets if they are water resistant; along with electronic components that sometimes need replacing as well. This is why we do not recommend battery swaps.  Our technicians at Palmer & Co. Watch Studio do a complete inspection to make sure everything is in perfect running order.

 

 

Water Resistant:

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We do not recommend any antique or vintage watch near water of any kind. For modern watches that are water resistant in design, Palmer & Co. Watch Studio uses testing equipment in our lab to ensure reliability to the pressure to which the watch is rated for. We recommend having watches checked once a year. We do not guarantee water resistance on vintage watches or older watches that are not water resistant by design or watches that are not checked yearly. We also will not cover watches damaged by moisture due to the crown being left open because of misuse.

 

TYPES OF MOVEMENTS:

 

Manual Wind:

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This type of mechanical watch has a mainspring that is wound with a winding-crown.  Usually this is done daily and if possible at the same time to help make it routine.  Wind crown until crown becomes slightly tighter, do not engage in force winding which can damage the movement due to overzealous winding.

 

Automatic or Self Winding:

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An automatic watch is a type of mechanical movement that harnesses the energy produced by motion to wind the spring. This movement features an oscillating weight or rotor that spins when the watch is in motion, as when the wearer moves their arm. The mechanism transfers the energy from the spinning rotor to the mainspring of the winding system.  Automatic watches do have varying power reserves and will stop running if they are left still. This can be remedied by placing it in a watch winder which will keep the time piece running and alleviate having to reset the time.

 

Quartz: 

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This watch has a battery that works in combination with a quartz crystal. The battery passes an electric current through the crystal to keep it oscillating at over 32,000 vibrations per second which then drives a step motor that moves the watch hands at a constant rate to keep highly accurate time.

 

Kinetic:

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This type of watch harnesses the power of the human body in motion to keep it running in much the same way as an automatic or self winding movement.  Where it differs is in the fact that a kinetic movement can go into suspended animation when it’s inactive after 24 hours.  It can automatically reset itself to the correct time and date when it’s activated by a sudden and vigorous movement. A kinetic has this ability because it houses a storage capacitor that collects energy generated during active wear.  It can correctly reset itself even if it has been dormant for up to 4 years!  Even with the kinetic movement being so technologically advanced; these watches will still need to be serviced 3-5 years due to their storage capacitor wearing out.

 

Eco- Drive:

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These movements are powered by virtually any visible light source. Light passes through the crystal and a specially made dial until it hits the amorphous silicon solar cell. As the protons in the light hit the surface of the solar cell; electrons are then released which are then channeled into a lithium ion battery that acts as a storage cell.  An eco-driven watch can be fully charged in a few hours and run with no additional charge from 180 days to up to 4 years! Keep in mind that the same applies with these eco-drive movements as well.  Eventually they will still need to be serviced from time to time and have their storage cells replaced.

 

 

TYPES OF DAMAGE:

 

Shock:

All watches are precise measuring instruments and must be taken care of properly and with respect.  Avoid dropping the watch or subjecting it to undue shocks.  We do not recommend timepieces to be worn while participating in high impact activities. 

 

Magnetism:

Very strong magnetism may affect mechanical watches, causing them to run fast, too slow or even stop altogether. When a watch is affected by magnetism, it remains in the watch long after it has been removed from the source of magnetism. The only way to fix it is to have the watch demagnetized without delay by a skilled professional.

 

TYPES OF CRYSTALS:

 

Plastic / Mineral / Sapphire Crystals:
Due to the construction of the case, watches that originally came with plastic crystals cannot be retro-fitted with modern sapphire crystals. If we come into a situation that calls for a specific type of crystal that can no longer be found you will be advised.