Repair Services
For generations, Grand Central Watch has specialized in luxury watch repair, vintage restoration, authentication, and ongoing timepiece care. Our team services a wide range of modern, vintage, and heirloom watches from our workshop inside Grand Central Terminal.
To begin, submit a repair request with information about your watch and the service needed. You may then bring the timepiece to our Grand Central Terminal location or arrange to mail it to us. Once received, the watch will be physically evaluated, and our team will provide service recommendations and an estimate before any repair work begins.
REPAIR SERVICES
How the Repair Process Works
Submit a Repair Request
Tell us about your watch, the issue you are experiencing, and the service you are seeking. Photographs may be included to help our team review the request.
Bring or Mail Your Watch
Visit our Grand Central Terminal location or follow the instructions provided by our team for securely mailing your timepiece to us.
Physical Evaluation
Once received, the watch is examined by our team. A final diagnosis and estimate cannot be provided from photographs alone.
Review Your Estimate
We provide recommended service, estimated pricing, and an expected timeframe. No repair work begins without your authorization.
Service, Testing & Return
After the authorized work is completed, the watch is tested and inspected before pickup or return shipping is arranged.
Evaluation Fees
An evaluation fee of $45–$275 may apply if a repair estimate is declined. The amount depends on the type of watch, service requested, and complexity of the evaluation. Any applicable fee will be communicated with the estimate.
Expected Turnaround
Most services require approximately 1–9 weeks, depending on service requirements, parts availability, movement complexity, and required testing. A more specific timeframe will be provided with the estimate whenever possible.
Our Services
Vintage Restoration
Careful service and restoration for vintage, antique, and heirloom timepieces.
Modern Watch Repair
Complete service for luxury mechanical, automatic, chronograph, and quartz watches.
Battery Replacement
Quick-turnaround battery replacement for quartz timepieces.
Watch Appraisal
Authentication, identifying details, documentation, and written certification.
Bands & Straps
Watch straps, bracelet sizing, fitting, installation, and custom strap options.
Mail-In Service
Repair support for clients who are unable to visit our Grand Central Terminal location.
Vintage Restoration
Grand Central Watch specializes in the service and restoration of vintage timepieces. In business for nearly 75 years, we have procured an extensive inventory of long-discontinued original watch parts.
We have revived thousands of heirloom pieces, helping preserve their longevity and their place in family history for years to come.
We also offer a keepsake Heritage Book to accompany select heirloom restorations. These custom books may include photographs of the watch throughout the restoration process, details on the history of the timepiece, and the family history of ownership.
Vintage restoration begins at $995 and up.
Modern Watch Repair
Grand Central Watch has a team of master watchmakers operating in a state-of-the-art workshop equipped with the technology necessary to properly service luxury timepieces.
We are prepared to assist with a wide range of watch service needs. Below are common services and starting prices. Final pricing is provided after physical evaluation.
Starting prices are provided as general guidance and do not represent a final estimate. Required parts, movement condition, case construction, complications, prior repair work, and restoration requirements may affect the final cost.
What Is a Complete Movement Service?
A complete movement service generally includes disassembly, cleaning, inspection, lubrication, reassembly, regulation, replacement of approved worn components when necessary, and final performance testing. The exact work performed depends on the construction and condition of the timepiece.
Cosmetic Restoration & Originality
Case refinishing, bracelet refinishing, dial work, hand restoration, and replacement of visible components are discussed separately and performed only with client authorization. For vintage watches, preserving original finishes and components may be recommended.
Additional Services
Battery Replacement
Grand Central Watch offers quick-turnaround battery service for quartz watches. Battery replacement services start at $15. Please note that battery replacement alone does not restore or guarantee water resistance.
Watch Appraisal
A comprehensive watch appraisal is a valuable service for any collector. Required by most major insurance companies, it also helps confirm that your watch is authentic. Our appraisal services include a thorough inspection of the watch, documentation of relevant identifying information, and a Counterfeit Buster scan. You will receive written certification of our findings. Appraisal services start at $125.
Bands & Straps
We stock an extensive selection of watch straps in a variety of colors, materials, and dimensions. If we do not have exactly what you need, we also offer custom straps crafted to your specifications.
Jewelry Repair
Grand Central Watch also offers full-service jewelry repair, including bracelet, necklace, and ring sizing, chain soldering, clasp replacement, precious stone resetting, and pearl restringing.
Please contact us at centralwatchrepair@gmail.com or 212-685-1689 for further information.
Brands We Service
Below are many of the watch brands we service. Please note that we do not currently service smart watches.
Audemars Piguet
Baume & Mercier
Breguet
Breitling
Buccellati
Bulgari
Bulova
Cartier
Chopard
Chronoswiss
Croton
Dunhill
Ebel
Elgin
Hamilton
Hermès
Heuer
Illinois
IWC
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Montblanc
Omega
Panerai
Patek Philippe
Piaget
Pierce
Roger Dubuis
Rolex
Seiko
TAG Heuer
Tourneau
Tudor
Tutima
Vacheron Constantin
Van Cleef & Arpels
Waldan Watches
Waltham
Wittnauer
Zodiac
Some modern, highly specialized, or proprietary models may require factory service. Our team will evaluate your timepiece and advise you on the best available service options.
If you do not see your brand listed, that does not necessarily mean we cannot help.
Submit a repair request and our team will review your timepiece.
Mail-In Service
Grand Central Watch offers mail-in service for clients who are unable to visit us in person. New customers may begin by submitting an online repair request, while returning customers who are already familiar with our mail-in process may download and include our printable repair form.
New to Our Mail-In Service?
Submit an online repair request with information about your watch and the service needed. Our team will review your request and provide the appropriate mailing instructions and next steps.
Returning Customer?
Already familiar with our mail-in process? Download and print our repair form, complete it, and include it with your watch when mailing your timepiece to Grand Central Watch. You do not need to submit the online request separately.
Before You Send Your Watch
New mail-in customers should wait until they receive instructions from our team before shipping their timepiece. Returning customers using the printable repair form may follow the established mailing process.
Unless specifically requested, please do not include original presentation boxes, warranty cards, papers, or unrelated accessories.
Helpful Information to Include
- Watch brand and model, if known
- Reference or serial number, if available
- A clear description of the issue
- Recent damage or known service history
- Your full name and contact information
- A copy of the completed repair form, when applicable
Understand Our Warranty
Warranty coverage depends on the type and extent of service authorized. The details below are intended to help distinguish complete service from limited or maintenance-only work.
Complete Service
Complete movement services performed by Grand Central Watch include a 24-month limited service warranty covering the work performed and parts installed by our workshop.
Partial Repairs
Partial repairs address only the specific work authorized by the client. Because the complete movement has not been serviced, partial repairs do not include a warranty covering the overall operation or continued running of the watch.
Battery & Water Resistance
Battery replacement alone does not restore or guarantee water resistance. Water resistance depends on the condition of the case, crown, crystal, gaskets, and other components. Testing or additional service may be recommended.
Warranty Exclusions
Warranty coverage does not extend to accidental damage, impact, moisture intrusion, misuse, magnetization, normal wear, external components, or work performed by another repair provider after our service.
If Your Watch Needs Another Look
Although uncommon, repair comebacks do happen. Watches are complex instruments, and a timepiece may occasionally require a follow-up adjustment after it returns to regular wear. A comeback does not necessarily indicate a serious problem; sometimes the watch simply needs to be inspected and adjusted again.
If your watch develops a concern that may relate to service performed by Grand Central Watch during the applicable warranty period, please contact us. We will be happy to take another look, review the prior repair, and determine whether the concern falls within warranty coverage.
Please include your previous invoice or repair number if available, along with a description of what the watch is doing. To protect potential warranty coverage, please do not have another repair provider open, alter, or work on the watch before we inspect it.
Final warranty coverage is determined by the authorized service and will be outlined in the applicable service documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you provide a final estimate from photographs?
Photographs can help our team conduct an initial review, but a final diagnosis and estimate require physical evaluation of the timepiece.
Does submitting the form authorize repair work?
No. Submitting the repair request begins the intake process. Repair work does not begin until the watch has been evaluated and the estimate has been approved.
How much is the evaluation fee?
An evaluation fee of $45–$275 may apply if an estimate is declined. The amount depends on the watch, requested service, and complexity of the evaluation.
How long will my repair take?
Most services require approximately 1–9 weeks. Timing depends on service requirements, parts availability, movement complexity, restoration needs, and testing.
Do you offer while-you-wait service?
Some batteries, strap installations, bracelet sizing, and minor adjustments may be completed quickly, depending on the watch and workshop availability. More involved work requires evaluation and intake.
Can you source discontinued vintage parts?
Grand Central Watch maintains an extensive inventory of vintage and discontinued components. Availability varies by watch and cannot be guaranteed until the timepiece has been evaluated.
Do you service every model from the brands listed?
Not necessarily. Some proprietary, highly specialized, or modern models may require factory service. Our team will advise you after reviewing the watch.
Will my watch remain water-resistant?
Water resistance must be evaluated and tested separately. Battery replacement or limited repair alone does not guarantee water resistance.
What should I do if my watch has an issue after service?
Please contact us before taking the watch to another repair provider. We will be happy to review the prior service and inspect the watch again. Include your previous invoice or repair number if available and describe the issue you are experiencing.
Should I send the original box and papers?
Generally, no. Please do not include original presentation boxes, papers, or unrelated accessories unless our team specifically requests them.
Ready to Have Your Watch Evaluated?
Submit a repair request to tell us about your timepiece. Our team will review the information and provide the next steps for bringing or mailing the watch to our Grand Central Terminal workshop.
Start a Repair Request