Know-how according to Vacheron Constantin
People who possess a Vacheron Constantin watch sometimes have questions about their watch, its use, maintenance, etc. And since each question merits our attention, we invite you to consult a selection of our most frequently asked questions.
Authenticity
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How can I confirm the authenticity of my watch?
Only a meticulously detailed analysis of your watch by one of our specialized watchmakers at our manufacture in Geneva can confirm whether your watch is authentic or not. A Certificate of Authenticity may be requested at this time. However, you can also visit one of our exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutiques or one of our authorized retailers to receive sound advice.
Locate a Vacheron Constantin Boutique
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How do I obtain a Certificate of authenticity, and how much does it cost?
You can entrust your watch to one of our exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutiques or one of our authorized retailers, and they will send it to our Manufacture in Geneva. Likewise, we invite you to contact our Concierge Service, which will provide you with all the information you’ll need and calmly assist you with this process. This certificate includes a technical and aesthetic description of the characteristics of your watch and indicates its year of manufacture. This document will be issued only after a physical examination of your watch by experts from our Heritage Department.
Contact your Concierge Service
Maintenance
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How do I synchronize or adjust my watch?
Your Vacheron Constantin watch has been designed to provide you with years of exceptional timekeeping performance. To synchronize your watch, we strongly recommend that you refer to the user manual provided with each model. In addition, a “Function Adjustment” service is offered free of charge in our exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutiques. For calendar watches with correctors, we recommend that you avoid performing manual adjustments using the correctors between 9 pm and 3 am, to avoid pushing too hard on the internal components and damaging the mechanism. By systematically adjusting the watch at 6 pm, you can make all the calendar corrections without risk before setting the correct time.
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What do I do if my watch runs slow or fast?
Should this happen, we invite you to visit an exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutique or a Service Center to perform a diagnosis. 2 options are available: - If the watch runs fast, this might indicate that it was exposed to a magnetic field. In this case, you just need to visit an exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutique to have the watch demagnetized and the time reset. - If this operation doesn't fix the problem, your watch may need adjusting or additional service.
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My watch isn't working; what should I do?
We recommend that you first consult the user manual for your watch. If your watch is wound but still doesn't work, we recommend that you visit an exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutique or consult the “Repair your Vacheron Constantin Watch” section.
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Why should I have regular maintenance performed on my watch?
Your Vacheron Constantin watch is a rare and precious timepiece. It thus contains mechanical components that require regular cleaning and lubrication, which should be performed every 3 to 5 years for manual or automatic mechanical watches, and 6 to 7 years for quartz models. This is to prevent premature wear and ensure its long-term operation. It's thus important to provide it with the best care possible. Incidentally, our watchmakers apply less than a gram of lubricant to the entire movement.
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How should I care for my watch?
Vacheron Constantin watches require regular maintenance to ensure proper operation. This includes cleaning and adjustment, restoring proper relubrication, which minimizes the wear of components subject to friction and preserves the longevity of the mechanism. We thus recommend that a “Full Service” be performed every 3 to 5 years for manual and automatic mechanical watches and every 6 to 7 years for quartz models. Please keep in mind that the more complications and components a watch has, the greater the need to have frequent maintenance performed on it by our master watchmakers.
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How do I replace the battery in my watch?
To replace the battery, we invite you to visit one of our exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutiques or one of our authorized retailers. This service is offered at our Vacheron Constantin Boutiques.
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Condensation has formed under the glass of my watch. Is this normal?
If you notice condensation under the glass, we invite you to take your watch to one of our exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutiques or an authorized Vacheron Constantin Service Center as soon as possible. In fact, any humidity present can deteriorate the internal components of the watch.
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Is it necessary to regularly check the water resistance of my watch?
We recommend regular checks (every 1-2 years), at an exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutique or an authorized Retailer in order to prevent water or humidity from infiltrating and damaging your watch. A water-resistance test is offered free of charge at Vacheron Constantin Boutiques equipped with a watch service center. Please note that a watch’s water resistance cannot be guaranteed indefinitely:
-Water-resistance joints are subject to natural aging and are altered by variations in temperature and contact with certain commonly used products (cosmetics, solvents), which modify their original characteristics.
-Antique watches designed to be water resistant, by virtue of their age, natural wear from being worn, and various successive polishes, may have permanently lost certain properties essential to guaranteeing water resistance. It is thus important to wear them accordingly.
-In order to protect the internal components from potential infiltration, it is essential that the crown and push-pieces always be pressed up against the case, notably after setting the time or watch functions.
-For models designed with a crown and push-piece(s) that can be screwed, the specific water-resistant features only apply when they are firmly screwed down to the case.
-Striking timepieces, such as “minute repeater” models, by virtue of their design, are not water resistant.
-Water resistance is not guaranteed in the event that the crown or push-pieces are used underwater.
Aesthetics
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Can I have my watch engraved?
An engraving is certainly possible on most models provided that the there is sufficient space available on the case back. This service is provided when purchasing a new watch at one of our exclusive Boutiques or one of our authorized retailers. You can also talk to one of our Customer Service representatives for more information.
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Can I change the color of my dial?
A quote will be provided by one of our service centers after analyzing your request and determining whether the dial desired is compatible with your watch model.
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How do I change my leather strap?
It is always possible to change a leather strap. Depending on the color desired, we can offer you a strap from our collection or design you a custom strap.
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How long will my leather strap last?
Leather is a natural and delicate material. In order to preserve its beauty and longevity, we recommend that contact with water and other products such as solvents, oils and cosmetics be avoided. Perspiration and direct and prolonged exposure to intense light can also negatively affect the aesthetic uniformity and durability of the leather. We recommend replacing a leather strap every 2 to 3 years depending on how frequently it is worn. However, you should change it as soon as the first signs of wear appear. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to request assistance at a Boutique.
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Can I adjust the length of my metal bracelet?
We offer extension links for the vast majority of our models. To add or remove links, we invite you to visit one of our exclusive Boutiques or one of our authorized retailers.
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One of the links on by watch bracelet is damaged. Can I get it replaced?
To change a link, we invite you to visit one of our exclusive Vacheron Constantin Boutiques or one of our authorized retailers.
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How do I change or clean my watch strap or bracelet?
To change or clean your watch strap/bracelet, we invite you to visit one of our exclusive Boutiques, Service Centers, or authorized retailers.
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Is it possible to replace the buckle/clasp on my watch?
It is certainly possible to replace your buckle/clasp. To do this, we invite you to visit one of our exclusive Boutiques, Service Centers, or authorized retailers.
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Is it possible to have my watch polished?
Yes. To have your bracelet or watch polished, we invite you to visit one of our exclusive Boutiques, Service Centers, or authorized retailers.
Service
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How do you adjust a high complication watch?
For watches such as the perpetual calendar models, the functions can be adjusted at our Boutiques. This operation is essential if the watch has been stopped for some time and the calendar data is out of date.
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Does my Vacheron Constantin watch come with a warranty?
Absolutely. Watches are covered by a warranty (2 years) starting from the purchase date.
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Are the services and repairs performed on my Vacheron Constantin watch covered by warranty?
Absolutely. Repairs and full servicing of your Vacheron Constantin watch performed at our Service Centers or authorized Boutiques are covered by a 2-year warranty starting from the date the work was performed. This includes all the services performed and components replaced.
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How can I contact you?
Our Concierge Service is available 24/7 on our website. Of course, you can also contact us through our exclusive Boutiques or authorized retailers.
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Can I make an appointment to visit one of your Boutiques?
This is an excellent idea, and we recommend that you make an appointment if you wish to examine a specific timepiece. To do this, feel free to contact the Boutique directly or our Concierge Service.
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When should I have my Vacheron Constantin watch serviced?
This obviously depends on the way in which you use your watch on a daily basis. However, we would strongly recommend that your entrust your watch to an authorized Service Center every 3 to 4 years for complication models, every 4 to 5 years for mechanical models (automatic or manual), and every 6 to 7 years for quartz models.
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Where can I have my watch repaired?
Only work performed in one of our authorized Service Centers is covered by our warranty. To have your watch repaired, we thus invite you to contact your exclusive Boutique, Service Center or authorized retailer. And if you wish, our Concierge Service can assist you with this process. For further information, please go to the “Repair your watch” section.
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What happens when I entrust you with my watch for servicing?
To familiarize yourself with the service process, please consult the “Full Service” section.
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How much do services cost?
To see the rates for all our services, please consult the “Services and Prices” section.
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How long does it normally take to get a quote?
If the servicing is to be performed locally, within 3 days. If the servicing has to be performed in Geneva– particularly for vintage watches or grand complications– the time will be determined by the Service Center.
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How long does servicing normally take?
Since each service is personalized and separate, you will be informed in writing of the repair time required for your watch once it has been physically examined. The watches from our collections are repaired within 4 weeks’ time. For other watches, you will be notified of the repair time by your Service Center.
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Can I check the status of my After-Sales service?
To find out the status of your repair, please contact the Boutique or authorized retailer where you registered your watch.
Our concierge is available to answer any questions or provide personalized advice