Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can order online, or call us on 01522 560550. We also welcome personal visitors (by appointment only), or are happy to meet you by Skype.

  • Delivery time for watches without bespoke features is normally around two to three weeks. Bespoke watches can take several months. We will always try to deliver by a particular date, so please ask if you need your watch for a special event.

  • Every Harold Pinchbeck watch is assembled by hand in an English workshop. Unlike some other brands we don't import completed watches. Our Albion watch will include an English-made movement, and we use fine Swiss-made movements in our other watches. We use as many UK-made parts as possible, and have many made exclusively, as we like to support British manufacturing business.

  • Our quoted prices include 20% UK VAT, which is not chargeable on watches delivered to countries outside the UK; however, you may have to pay local import duty or other taxes. We recommend that you check before ordering, as we cannot accept any liability for such charges.

  • Automatic movements are mechanically driven, and kept wound by natural wrist movement, although they can also be wound manually. Automatics are accurate to within a few seconds per day. If not worn or moved the watch will stop after a day or two and will need resetting. The seconds hand has an attractive, smooth, 'sweeping' movement. Automatic movements should be serviced regularly, about every 3-5 years.

  • Our watches may be ordered and paid for direct from our website, or by telephone or email. For Bespoke watches we ask for a non-refundable deposit at the time of ordering, with the balance being payable immediately before delivery. We welcome payment by most debit or credit cards, or bank transfer.

  • We offer a 30 day 'no quibble' guarantee on watches without bespoke features. This enables you to buy a watch and try it on in the comfort of your own home without any risk. If, for any reason, you are less than satisfied, we will rectify the watch, exchange it or give you a full refund. Watches must be returned in new and unused condition and we will deduct from any refund or credit the delivery charge, and an appropriate amount in respect of any damage, wear and tear, engraving, and any non-standard/bespoke features.

    If your Pinchbeck watch fails to work, or to keep good time, because of manufacturing defect within five years of purchase from new, we will repair it free of charge upon receipt at our Lincoln address. Leather straps, being made from organic material, are guaranteed for one year.

    The warranty will become invalid if the watch is opened by anyone other than ourselves or our agents, including for battery replacement. The costs of delivery to our premises, and of return shipping and duties payable outside the UK, are not covered. Please email us before returning a watch from outside the UK. We cannot accept any responsibility for import tax or duty on items returned from outside the UK, and it is very important that any paperwork or labelling is clearly marked 'watch returned for repair and re-export'.

    Special terms apply to watches with bespoke features, as these are made to individual specification. The 30 day guarantee of satisfaction does not apply, and orders are accepted on this condition (they do, of course, carry our normal 5 year warranty). However, we will, of course, work to ensure your complete satisfaction in the unlikely event that you are not completely happy with your watch as delivered.

  • Yes, a number of options are available to personalise Harold Pinchbeck watches. Please ask for details.

  • Servicing of Pinchbeck quartz watches is optional, and there is no particular service interval. Battery replacement will be necessary approximately every two years (see below). We also offer full servicing and refurbishment of Pinchbeck quartz watches from £120: this includes cleaning/polishing the case, replacing the movement, battery, seals and gaskets and UK return postage. Replacement straps are available at extra cost.

  • Please take advantage of this service, as your warranty will become invalid if anyone else opens the watch. We make no charge for battery replacement, but there is a UK return postage charge of £10 (overseas at cost). Non-warranty battery replacement is subject to an additional charge of £15. Our normal turnaround time is 10-14 days.

  • We recommend that your automatic watch is serviced every 4 years. Servicing includes cleaning and regulating the movement, replacing minor parts (including seals and gaskets) as necessary, cleaning and polishing the case and UK return postage. We charge from £340 for a full service and will confirm the price following inspection of the watch.

    Replacement straps are available at extra cost (Tanner Bates straps cost from £155.00).

  • Wrap your watch well and send it via a signed-for, insured service such as Royal Mail Special Delivery. We can’t accept responsibility for loss or damage in transit. Please enclose a note with your name, email and postal address, telephone number and a short description of the work required. The address is:

    H Pinchbeck Ltd., Exchequergate Arch, Lincoln LN2 1PZ.

    For servicing and repairs you may pay by bank transfer or cheque. For battery replacement you may enclose cash in payment, a cheque or bank transfer (we don't accept telephone or card payments for battery replacement). We will return your watch by Royal Mail Special Delivery. At present this is a postal service only.

  • We appreciate that words and pictures alone don’t always convey the beautiful quality of a Harold Pinchbeck watch, or how it looks and feels on your wrist.

    Our 30 day ‘no quibble’ guarantee gives you the reassurance to buy a watch, and try it on in the comfort of your own home. If you’re not happy with it, for any reason, we will rectify the watch, exchange it, or give you a full refund.

    This returns policy applies to watches without bespoke features. The watch must be returned in new and unused condition in the original packaging, and we will deduct from any refund an appropriate amount in respect of any damage, wear and tear and personal engraving.

    Bespoke watches are made to individual specification, so this warranty does not apply to those models. Orders for these watches are accepted on this condition, although we will, of course, work to ensure your complete satisfaction in the unlikely event that you are not completely happy with your watch as delivered.

    Please contact us by email before returning any watch. Special instructions may apply to the return of watches from outside the UK, and we cannot accept responsibility for import tax or duty on returned items.

    All our watches are covered by our five year mechanical warranty.