Some of the Cartier products we sell are sent to the manufacturer for repair.
One of the questions we often receive from customers is about
"the difference between manufacturer repairs and in-house repairs," so I will briefly explain.
Over 90% of the vintage watches we acquire are in an "unrepaired" state.
Some can be used as they are, while others cannot, so we determine the repair destination depending on the product.
Additionally, stores like ours that sell to end-users, unless they are selling "as-is" in the condition they were acquired,
will usually perform maintenance on the products before selling them.
The content of the maintenance may vary by store, but
in our case, we perform repairs until the watches are in a "condition suitable for daily use,"
so all acquired products are repaired before being sold.
Regarding the repairs, we fundamentally overhaul all products and service their movements.
For the exterior, if necessary, we may re-plate or polish to improve the appearance, or
sometimes we only clean it, prioritizing originality from that era.
First, when we perform repairs in-house,
if the watch "can continue to be maintained with overhauls in the future," we do not send it to the manufacturer for repair.
In such cases, we stock movement and exterior parts,
and repair and sell them using genuine parts, including crowns and screws.
On the other hand, when we request repairs from the manufacturer,
it's often because the movement is an old standard and cannot be repaired unless replaced, or
when there is significant damage to parts like the dial.
For mechanical movements, we usually have stock parts,
but for quartz models, if they are an old standard rather than a current one,
circuits and parts cannot be procured.
In such cases, an overhaul cannot fix them.
While we strive to take full responsibility for repairing all products we sell,
even if an old standard quartz movement works temporarily,
it is highly likely that it cannot be continuously repaired and used in the future.
In such cases, it's better to request a repair from the manufacturer at the time of sale and have the movement replaced with a new standard one.
This way, our in-house overhaul will be sufficient for maintenance unless something extraordinary happens.
Based on this thinking, we sell units that have undergone manufacturer repair.
Regarding the exterior, vintage Cartier models often have cracked dials,
so if the appearance is too poor, there's a belief that replacing it with a new part
allows the user to enjoy it more comfortably.
While we can't say which is better or worse,
the most important thing is that customers choose the product that suits them best,
and we hope that our commitment to after-sales service will provide peace of mind to our customers.
These are products scheduled for manufacturer repair.
We open each case back, inspect the interior, and check the movement.
This movement is already out of production, and parts are almost impossible to obtain.
Therefore, we will send it for manufacturer repair to replace the movement with a new one,
and all necessary parts will be replaced with new ones.
We carry out this work before listing products on our website for sale,
so we hope you understand the time and effort invested from the moment of acquisition.
This should also increase your affection for the watch after purchase.
Vintage watches are not only unique, one-of-a-kind items,
but also wonderful treasures that can be described as a "fateful encounter."
We hope you choose our store from among many options,
and cherish the watch you purchase for many years to come.
To ensure this, we strive to create the best possible environment,
so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!