Watch Warranty Coverage – What You Need To Know

The last thing you want to happen when you buy a watch is for it to break down after purchase. Especially if you’re reliant on your watch for telling the time (without appearing rude to others by looking down at your phone), you do want it to operate as it should.  But what do you do if it does stop working? In some cases, your repair needs will be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. But in other cases, you might not be covered at all.  To learn more, here’s what you need to know about basic watch warranty coverage.

What Is Included With Watch Warranty Coverage?

A watch warranty covers you against any defects in your timepiece. This includes defects in the components used, such as the hands and dial of the watch. It also covers you against mistakes made by the manufacturers when creating the product.  

In short, if the manufacturer is to blame, in any way, for the watch being faulty, you will be covered by the warranty. 

If your watch is still under warranty, your best course of action is to send it to the authorized service center recommended by the manufacturer. This will be at no cost to you as the service center will fix your watch free of charge. You shouldn’t have to worry about delivery costs either, as the manufacturers will normally be responsible for these. 

However, you will need to prove your warranty rights. The manufacturer will ask for evidence of your purchase, such as the original receipt and the watch model number. Some watch companies, such as Breitling and Rolex, provide their customers with a warranty card after purchase, so if you get one of these, keep hold of it!

If you do lose your proof of purchase, the manufacturer might already have your details. Many manufacturers advise their customers to go through an online registration process after they have made their purchase. If this is an option for you, remember to visit the web address they provide to you. Registering only takes a few minutes so it won’t take you long to complete, and you will have some peace of mind that they have knowledge of your warranty. 

Fashion watch brands, like a Kenneth Cole watch for example, you contact their customer service to start the process.

What Is Not Included With Watch Warranty Coverage?

Watch warranties cover you against manufacturer defects, i.e. anything that isn’t your fault after buying it. They don’t cover you for anything that happens to the watch after it has been sold to you. So, if you accidentally drop it in the street, submerge it in water when doing the dishes, or damage it in some other way, you are unlikely to be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. 

Under most warranties, the external components of a watch are not covered either. Such components can include the crystal, band, case, clasp, and battery. You also won’t be covered for regular servicing costs, i.e. the recommended checkups your manufacturers advise to keep your watch in good health. 

It’s also important to note that, if you take your watch to a third party to be repaired, your warranty will become void. This is why you should send your watch to an authorized service center when it’s under warranty, as the manufacturer won’t repair your watch if you have relied on an unauthorized facility. 

To learn more about your warranty, check on the details provided to you by your watch manufacturer. They will have a list of circumstances that detail whether you will be covered or not, so check with them if your watch needs repair. You should also read the small print on the warranty before making a purchase so you are fully informed about what will or won’t be covered. 

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Typical Watch Warranty Coverage Lengths

Most watch manufacturers issue a 2 year limited liability warranty. There are of course expections to that for example Bulova has a 3 year warranty and Casio has a 1 year warranty.  All the warranty lengths begin at the date of purchase and run the stated length from that date.

What Happens When The Warranty Runs Out?

Some companies offer extended warranties so it’s worth checking with them before your existing warranty runs out. As most warranties only last for two years, it is worth extending it if you can, especially if the watch is of particular value to you. 

If you decide not to extend your warranty or if there is no option to do so, you can take your watch to your local repair store. Experienced store owners will have the ability to fix a variety of common watch problems, including stem and crown repair, crystal repair and replacement, and band repair. They can also deal with other tasks, such as battery replacement, band resizing, and cleaning. 

How Do I Make a Claim Against My Watch Warranty Coverage?

For almost all watch manufacturers the only way to make a warranty to claim is via an authorized service center. These are the shops that the manufacturer has deemed certified to perform work on their products.

A trained technician will inspect your timepiece and determine if their is a viable claim. This is most commonly issues related to manufacturer defects and craftsmenship. If the issues qualify, then any repair work will be done free of charge. Some warranties state that they do not have to perform a repair and they can replace your watch with a model of the same value.

What is Required From You…

If you think your issue is covered then you need to prove you are still under warranty. You will need to provide any information that your manufacturer is asking for.

This can include all or some of the following:

• Warranty card, signed by an authorized sales agent
• Original receipt showing the date of purchase, model number, and price
• Original box and packaging

Can a Watches Warranty Be Transferred?

This depends on the watch brand. Some watch brands state that a warranty can be transfered, while others state they can’t. This is an important destinction to make if you are purchasing a timepiece second hand.

Watch Warranty Coverage – Conclusion

If your watch suffers a fault, contact the manufacturer, If you aren’t to blame for the problem. If you unsure most manufacturers now-a-days have their watch warranty coverage on their website. In some cases, your warranty will cover you, and your watch will be repaired free of charge. However, if your watch isn’t under warranty or if you damage it yourself, you can get your watch repaired by a local repair store. In such instances, you will have to pay for the repairs yourself. If you’re looking for a repair store near me, check for details on our website.