Romain Gauthier Watch Repair & Service

Romain Gauthier is an independent manufacture in Le Sentier, Switzerland, in the Vallée de Joux. The brand states that all servicing and repairs must be carried out exclusively by Manufacture Romain Gauthier in Switzerland, so there is no factory-authorized bench work in the United States. US owners send the watch back to the manufacture, either directly or through one of the brand's authorized retailers. The brand's US subsidiary, Romain Gauthier Inc. (Salon Romain Gauthier) in Miami, is the brand's point of contact for clients and retailers in the region, but the site does not describe it as a service center.

Romain Gauthier factory service

• Warranty: two years from the date of purchase. It applies only if the watch was bought from an authorized Romain Gauthier retailer and the retailer stamped, signed and dated the warranty. Manufacturing defects are repaired free of charge during the warranty period. Damage from accidents, improper or careless handling, normal wear and tear, or ageing is excluded.
• Warranty condition: the brand states that "all servicing and repairs must be carried out exclusively by Manufacture Romain Gauthier in Switzerland," or the warranty becomes void.
• Recommended interval: the brand recommends sending the watch back to the manufacture for service at least once every three years.
• Where the work is done: at the manufacture in Le Sentier. The brand states that the same watchmaker who assembled and regulated the watch carries out its servicing.
• How to request service: send the watch back to Manufacture Romain Gauthier, or ask your nearest authorized Romain Gauthier retailer to arrange it. Pack the watch securely. For watches on a leather strap, send the watch without the strap.
• What a service includes (as stated by the brand): the movement is removed from the case and fully disassembled; each component is inspected and cleaned and fresh lubricant is applied; hands are polished; sapphire crystals are removed and cleaned; the strap is refurbished or replaced if needed and the buckle repolished; after reassembly the watch goes through the same full test series as a new watch, including timing and adjustment, winding mechanism checks and water-resistance tests. Gaskets are replaced when necessary.
• Shipping method, who pays shipping, turnaround and prices: not stated on the brand's site.
• Contact: Manufacture Romain Gauthier, Rue du Canal, 1347 Le Sentier, Switzerland; +41 21 845 54 54; contact@romaingauthier.com. The brand also offers a "Register your timepiece" form, which it describes as the most secure way to ensure traceability and as a route to personalized care for the watch over time.

Romain Gauthier at a US retailer

The brand names no US service center. US authorized retailers act as intake points: the brand says your nearest authorized retailer can help you send the watch back to the manufacture. Because the warranty is void if anyone other than Manufacture Romain Gauthier services or repairs the watch, an independent watchmaker should not open a Romain Gauthier movement while the watch is under warranty, and the brand gives no provision for third-party work afterward either. The brand builds its own in-house movements, so independent parts supply is not something the brand's site offers. Use a US retailer or the Miami subsidiary to arrange the return to Switzerland, and expect the work itself to be done in Le Sentier.

Before you ship, ask

• Will the work be done at your bench, or sent to the brand? If it is sent on, does the quote add a fee on top of the brand's charge?
• Are you authorized by Romain Gauthier, or will service here void the warranty?
• Will you arrange the return to Manufacture Romain Gauthier in Switzerland, and who insures the watch in transit each way?
• Should the leather strap stay with me, as the brand asks, and will you confirm what is in the box before it ships?
• Will the manufacture send a quote before work starts, and how is it relayed to me?

Providers on this page were researched against our Standard at the time they were listed and are rechecked periodically. Details can change between checks, so confirm terms, pricing and turnaround directly with the provider before sending your watch.

Sources: Maintenance and servicing, Warranty and user manual, Find us, Contact us, Register your timepiece