Your watch is a valuable possession, so its proper fine tuning, restoration, or repair is critical. WatchRepair.net takes watch repair very seriously and believes only a qualified watchmaker should be entrusted to work on the precise, delicate movement inside your watch.

Yet, the Internet has many online repair services, necessitating some special considerations for customers.

Step One: How do you evaluate who is expertly qualified and who is not?

Thanks to the American Watchmakers – Clockmakers Institute (AWCI), consumers now have a simplified way to find a qualified watchmaker. In cooperation with some of the leading premium Swiss watch brands (Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Panerai, Cartier, etc.), AWCI has created a new series of certifications with the highest and most stringent standards for watchmakers.

CW21 is the new certification category for a watchmaker with the highest level of skills in the watch industry. With this formal certification standard in place, there are now approximately 150 fully certified CW21 watchmakers in the United States. The CW21 certification denotes a qualified watchmaker with the superior skills and knowledge to service, repair and restore your quality timepiece.

Step Two: What three important questions should you ask any watch repair business up front?

• Does the person who will perform the service, restoration or repair on my Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Panerai, Cartier, etc., possess the CW – 21 certification?
• Do they use only genuine parts?
• Most importantly, are they willing to attest to both as “yes” in writing?

If the answer is “no,” to any of the questions, find a better watchmaker.