WATCH CARE

Your watch is a high-precision instrument which requires specific care and attention. Please follow our advice and maintenance recommendations.

AFTER-SALES

SERVICE

The set prices apply to watches up to 10 years old.

After Sales Service is seen as one of the most important reasons to purchase high quality Swiss Made watches. At Alpina Watches we value a continued relationship with you, our customer. You may always contact us if you have any comments or questions. Your watch is guaranteed for a period of two years. Beyond, we also gladly service your watch for a minimal fee.

MAINTENANCE

INSTRUCTIONS & CARE


Ensuring proper use and care of your watch

  • Avoid violent impacts and knocks which could leave marks on your case and damage the internal mechanism of your watch.
  • Do not subject your watch to extreme temperatures (less than 0°C or greater than 60°C) or temperature changes.
  • Do not leave your watch near an electro-magnetic source, such as loudspeakers which could damage the mechanism of your watch.
  • Over time, a watch may lose its water-resistance as seals become worn or if it suffers an accidental impact. We recommend you take your watch to one of our service centres every 4 years to check its water-resistance and its general condition.
  • Simple crown: remember to put the crown back into the neutral position after changing the time in order to prevent moisture getting into the mechanism.
  • Screw-down crown: remember to screw down the crown after changing the time in order to prevent moisture getting into the mechanism.
  • Chronograph push buttons: do not activate the push buttons in water as water make get into the mechanism.
  • Smartwatch crown: The “crown” is not a crown in the literal sense, it is simply a push button and does not turn (and if turned may be damaged). Do not activate the push button in water as water may get into the mechanism.
  • In order to care for your timepiece, use a small toothbrush and soapy water to clean your metal straps and the water-resistant cases, then rinse carefully with clean water. Dry with a soft rag
  • As a precaution, do not change the date between 8pm and 4am, as there is a high risk of mechanical breakage.
AFTER-SALES

SERVICING YOUR WATCH


The balance wheel in an automatic Alpina Watches watch swings 28,800 times an hour and the gear train moves forward 691,200 times in 24 hours. In four years, this represents over one billion impulses. We advise you to bring your watch every 4 years to an official Alpina Watches Retailer where a trained watchmaker will meticulously inspect it before cleaning and lubricating the movement thoroughly. You may check the Retailer Locator on the website for a service center near you or contact the distributor for your country.

Full service

Servicing involves cleaning and lubricating the movement, As well as replacing any defective parts of the movement, a new battery and seals. We then carry out water-resistance testing according to our specifications. Finally, the case and strap are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath.

Not included in the servicing: Changing of the case, dial, strap.

Partial service

A partial service includes the localised cleaning and lubrication of one or more parts of the movement, as well as changing the seals. We then carry out water-resistance testing according to our specifications. Finally, the case and strap are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath.

Battery replacement

The battery service includes replacing the battery with a new one (depending on use, its lifespan can be between 6 months and 2 years) as well as changing the seals. We then carry out water-resistance testing according to our specifications. Finally, the case and strap are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath.
AFTER-SALES


SERVICING YOUR WATCH

Battery replacement for Smart Watch (except smart calibres with charger)

The battery service includes replacing the battery with a new one (depending on use, its lifespan can be between 6 months and 2 years) as well as changing the seals. The module update will be installed and we will then carry out water-resistance testing according to our specifications. Finally, the case and strap are cleaned in an ultrasonic bath.

Vintage Refurbishment

For watches over 10 years old (vintage), a quotation will be prepared based on a diagnosis and thorough investigations setting out the methods and possibilities of repair , as well as the timescales specific to this type of repair.The repair duration may extend up to 6 months. Additionally, the timeframe will depend on the availability of components in stock.

After-sales service prices

The set prices apply to watches up to 10 years old.
ADVICE

Shipping


We recommend that you package a watch for repair carefully and send it with a copy of the International Guarantee by registered and adequately insured mail. Shipping costs and customs clearance for watches sent to the Alpina Watches manufacture or repair service are the responsibility of the sender. Under no circumstances will Alpina Watches be liable for damage incurred when sending this piece to our manufacture or repair service.

IMPORTANT

RETURNS

Watches still under international warranty will be returned by registered mail and insured, unless otherwise specified, with the associated return costs being borne by Frédérique Constant or the local retailer. In the case of an out-of-warranty repair, the owner or local service centre will be charged for the return shipping costs and customs duties for watches returned to the owner or local service centre.

 

KEEP IN MIND

Repair time

40 working days from receipt of the quotation approved by the customer for simple mechanics and 60 working days for complications. For watches over 10 years old, the repair time will be indicated by our workshop after inspection of the watch.

COVERAGE

Estimates

Estimates are prepared for all repairs not covered by the international guarantee and must be approved before the procedure concerned. If an estimate is rejected, the customer will be invoiced for €25 / 30 CHF. If an estimate is accepted, it is free of charge.

 

 

VALUE

Cost of repairs

Fixed prices apply to watches up to 10 years old. For watches over 10 years old (vintage), a diagnosis and thorough investigation will be covered by an estimate setting out the methods of repair, as well as the timescales specific to this type of repair.

POWER

Battery replacement

Replacement of the battery is covered by the warranty for one year (provided that the conditions for benefiting from the international warranty are met). After this period, replacement will be invoiced.

 

 

Alpina Watches

Servicing

The servicing should be carried out every four years to ensure that the mechanism remains in good working order and lubricated.

 

PRICE LIST

ADVISED LABOR PRICE LIST: All prices in CHF (excluding VAT)
CALIBRES Battery change Partial service Movement change Full service
Quartz watches 40 CHF 145 CHF 130 -140 CHF* N/A
Connected watches 50 CHF 190-225 CHF* 130-175 CHF* N/A
Mechanical watches N/A 155 CHF 125 CHF 290 CHF
Simple automatic watches N/A 155-225 CHF* 145-190 CHF* 290-345 CHF*
Complicated automatic watches N/A 225 CHF 190 CHF 455 CHF
Manufacture movements N/A 225-310 CHF* 190-270 CHF* 455-600 CHF*
Tourbillon watches N/A N/A 310 CHF 1 235 CHF
Monolithic watches N/A N/A 250 CHF 495 CHF
Vintage watches ** On estimate On estimate On estimate On estimate
*Our calibers are classified by complication level. The price of the service is within the mentioned price range.
** Watches whose year of production exceeds 10 years or whose components are limited; The price depends on the availability of components and/or cases of force majeure (Pandemic, Covid, etc.).
Additional information
Quotation (excluding vintage watches) 30 CHF
Authentication certificate 85 CHF
Components On quotation if damaged or requested
RECOMMENDED PRICES: These indicative prices are public prices recommended by the headquarter. Service centers may vary the price by +/- 20%, depending on the country, the exchange rate and the local tax system.  FCSA reserves the right to modify the above prices at any time and without notice.
COMPONENTS: The components requested for the repair will be charged additionnally ( Partial service/ and Movement change). only full service will include with the labor the change of the gaskets, crown, hands, bottom case screws
DIAGNOSIS: The total cost of a service may vary according to the general condition of the watch and can only be determined after inspection by an FCSA watchmaker at our authorized service center. Before any intervention, an estimate will be submitted for approval.  In case of acceptance, the CHF 30 fee will not be applied.
SHIPPING AND PACKAGING : Retailers may charge a flat rate to cover their shipping costs.  
SERVICE WARRANTY: All watches repaired in our authorized service network are covered by a 12-month service warranty (only on the original observed defect).