Frequently Asked Questions

We gladly accept the following forms of payments for all U.S. orders:

• Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
• Bank wire transfer (Phone orders only)
• Certified check (Requires up to 10 days of processing)
• Personal check (Requires up to 10 days of processing)
• Money order
• PayPal (Please Note: The maximum amount allowed for a single PayPal account holder transaction is $10,000. If you do not have a PayPal account, a maximum of $4,000 USD is allowed for a one-time, single transaction. The shipping address must be a PayPal confirmed address.)

Items shipped within New York State only are charged with a sales tax 8.625%. Sales tax is not applicable on orders shipped anywhere outside of New York State.

We gladly accept these forms of payments for International orders:

• Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
• Bank wire transfer

All items shipped to any address outside the United States are considered final sales and cannot be returned. Please note that we must declare the amount that you paid for your watch on the invoice included with the shipment. We are unable to declare the item as a gift, when shipping.

We want you to be completely happy with your order. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, we will gladly accept your return within 30 days from the date you received it.

Returned merchandise must include the manufacturer packaging, manuals and warranty cards along with all other paperwork. Returned merchandise must be in the same condition as when it was received. Used or worn merchandise cannot be returned unless it is defective.

Please note; a shipping and handling fee to return an item is as follows: $19.95 will be deducted for any 2nd Day delivery orders, and $29.95 for any overnight orders. If you selected Free Ground, no shipping and handling fees will be deducted from your refund. American Express and Discover Card orders are subject to a 3% restocking fee.

On the front of your shipping box, please note the RMA (Return Merchandize Authorization) number. If you do not have an RMA number, please contact one of our Service Representatives via email or call us at 866-ASHFORD (866-274-3673). Our dedicated team will be happy to assist you.

If you are requesting a repair, please enclose the Repair Form inside the shipping box.

Please note: All items shipped to any address outside the United States are considered a final sale and cannot be returned.
For more information, please refer to our Return Policy page.

Please contact one of our Service Representatives via email or call us at 866-ASHFORD (866-274-3673). Our dedicated service team will be happy to assist you.

Ashford watches are direct from the manufacturers with original packaging, manuals, warranty cards and serial number identification. Every watch carried by Ashford is a 100% verified new, unworn, original and authentic watch.

Yes, all our watches are covered by our two-year extensive Ashford Warranty.

Ashford is the authorized reseller of many brands, and the non-authorized reseller to several others.  Whether the watches are authorized or non-authorized, every watch from Ashford is guaranteed to be:

• Protected by our two year warranty
• 100% Genuine and Authentic with manufacturer’s serial number
• Shipped in its original box with its original packing and owner’s guide

The warranty coverage is in effect for two years from the date of purchase on all brand name watches unless otherwise specified.

The Ashford warranty covers the watch movement and battery replacement. It also covers defects in material and/or workmanship.

The Ashford warranty does not cover the watch case, bracelet, straps, crown/stem, crystal/glass, or finishes and polishing.

Damage arising from use that exceeds the manufacturer's specifications for water resistance is not covered. The warranty does not cover damage caused by wear and tear, and/or accidental or intentional misuse or abuse. Improper repair or warranty service performed by someone other than Ashford will void this warranty.

If your watch needs repair, the Ashford Repair Center employs a team of skilled, highly qualified and experienced professional watch makers. We are happy to offer expedited repair services are provided within the warranty period.

Yes, all of our watches come in the original manufacturer's packaging, complete with official paperwork.

Does the watch come with paperwork?

Yes, all Ashford watches come with the original manufacturer's manual and warranty card.

Yes, all our watches are authentic and bear original serial numbers verifying their authenticity.

As Ashford has grown, we have developed the capacity to purchase large quantities of inventory at excellent prices. Our buyers are luxury experts, and have a passion for finding you the best pieces at the best prices. It is our pleasure to pass the savings back to our customers, and provide you the best service with in-stock, ready to ship luxury products.

For warranty services contact Ashford Customer Support toll-free at: 866-ASHFORD (866-274-3673) or via email.

Shipping & shipping insurance costs for warranty returns to Ashford must be covered by the customer. All watches should be sent by prepaid insured traceable mail courier. The tracking number for your return must be emailed to us upon shipment.

All warranty returns must have a Return Merchandise Authorization Number (RMA). Please contact us prior to returning your order for the RMA#. This number must be boldly displayed on the outside of the box. A watch returned without an RMA# will be refused. In order to process your repair you must include our repair form.

Simply call our customer service number at 866-ASHFORD (866-274-3673) and speak to one of our authorized watch experts to request a replacement inspection, or contact us via e-mail.

The following are descriptions of the three movement types:

• Quartz Watches
  Watches that have quartz movements are a relatively new development in watch history. Quartz crystals have a unique property in that when they are compressed or bent, they conduct a constant voltage, or pulse, on their surface. This constant voltage can be used to power quartz watches with exact precision. Rather than a wound spring (mechanical movement), quartz watches rely on a battery for their energy. The battery sends electrical energy to the tiny quartz crystal, which in turn creates a pulse at regular, constant levels. Because the pulse (also called an impulse) is extremely constant, quartz movements ensure precision timekeeping, accurate down to hundredths of a second. To convert the impulse into a steady power that can move the watch hands at regular intervals, the impulse is simply passed through a stepping motor that converts the electrical energy of the impulse into mechanical energy that is needed to run the watch. Since the early 1970's, quartz watches have become very popular, for both manufacturer and consumers, due to the fact that quartz watches are less expensive than mechanical movement watches and can be easily manufactured in large volumes.
• Mechanical Movements
  If a watch is said to have mechanical movement, this means that the watch has a device for keeping time, which uses the energy from a wound spring, and keeps time through the highly regulated release of that energy through a set of gears and an escapement. This device must be wound periodically, ensuring that the wound spring is continually loaded to power the watch. It differs from the typical quartz watch in that it uses purely mechanical components to keep time. A normal mechanical watch can run for about 40 hours on one full winding of the mainspring, and a few designs that can last up to 8 or 10 days are also available. The general design of mechanical movement watches have not changed notably in the past fifty years. But, the development of greater technology and modern materials has changed the way mechanical movement watches are manufactured.
• Automatic Movements
  Watches that are powered by automatic movements operate similar to a watch with mechanical movements, except that the winding of the spring occurs automatically, every time the wearer moves his or her arm. A rotor that turns in response to motion winds the watch's mainspring, supplying the needed energy to power the watch. The obvious benefit of an automatic movement is that there is never a need to replace a battery or to wind the watch. Keeping this in mind, it is necessary to occasionally "tune up" an automatic watch to ensure timekeeping is precise.

A chronograph is a watch that has a stopwatch function. Typically, the top pusher will start and stop the chronograph. The bottom pusher will reset it. The chronograph generally cannot reset in the running state. Special Fly back models allow the chronograph to be reset at any time.

The movement of a chronometer has passed a series of accurate time keeping tests, and is certified as a superior timekeeper. Many watch makers will put their movements through this test to illustrate their accuracy. The dial will typically have the word "Chronometer" or "Chronometre" on the dial.

To become a chronometer, the watch movement must pass 15 days of severe tests. The accuracy of the movement is checked in 5 different positions at varied temperatures. This simulates conditions under which the watch might be worn. The watch must average between +6 and -4 seconds per day in order to earn the certification.

If a watch is described simply as a "chrono", it is generally safe to assume it is a chronograph.

This depends on the age of the watch and the types of functions (e.g., stopwatch, chronograph applications, alarms, second hand, etc.). Expect to replace your watch battery every two to five years.

A watch crystal is a transparent cover which protects the watch dial.

A watch marked as water resistant without a depth indication is designed to withstand accidental splashes of water only. Do not submerge such a watch. Higher levels of water resistance are indicated by increasingly higher acceptable depths, usually indicated in meters.
There are a variety of ways to make a watch water resistant. All such watches use rubber gaskets or "O" rings to seal the case back. A watch with a back that screws onto the case provides a higher degree of water resistance. Some crowns (the "winding stem") actually screw into the case to further increase water resistance.