Watch Technicians – Quality Watch and Jewelry Repair Services
(314) 513-8455

COMPREHENSIVE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Fix Time 1 LLC d/b/a Watch Technicians

1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refers to Fix Time 1 LLC d/b/a Watch Technicians, a Missouri limited liability company.

1.2 “Customer,” “you,” or “your” refers to any individual or entity submitting item(s) to the Company for service.

1.3 “Services” refers to any repair, maintenance, alteration, appraisal, or other work performed by the Company on Customer’s item(s).

1.4 “Item(s)” refers to any watch, jewelry, or other personal property submitted by Customer to the Company for Services.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

2.1 By submitting any Item(s) to the Company for Services, Customer expressly agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions in their entirety.

2.2 If Customer does not agree with any provision of these Terms and Conditions, Customer should not submit any Item(s) for Services.

2.3 These Terms and Conditions constitute a legally binding agreement between Customer and Company.

3. SERVICE AUTHORIZATION AND DISCLOSURE

3.1 Inspection and Estimate

Customer authorizes Company to inspect Item(s) submitted for Services and to provide an estimate for requested Services. Customer understands that:

  1. a) Estimates are approximations based on visible conditions;
  2. b) Additional issues may be discovered during the repair process;
  3. c) Company will attempt to contact Customer if additional Services are recommended or if the cost will exceed the estimate by more than 20%; and
  4. d) If Company cannot reach Customer after three (3) documented attempts, Customer authorizes Company to either proceed with necessary additional Services or to reassemble the Item(s) to the extent possible and terminate Services.

3.2 Pre-Existing Conditions

Customer acknowledges that:

  1. a) Item(s) submitted for Services may have pre-existing damage, defects, or wear that may not be apparent upon initial inspection;
  2. b) Company is not responsible for pre-existing conditions;
  3. c) Company may document pre-existing conditions, but the absence of such documentation does not create a presumption that the Item(s) were in perfect condition when submitted; and
  4. d) Customer has disclosed all known issues, repairs, modifications, or special circumstances regarding submitted Item(s).

4. SPECIFIC SERVICE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

4.1 Jewelry Repairs and Gemstone Risk Acknowledgment

Customer explicitly acknowledges and accepts the following:

  1. a) General Gemstone Risks: Any repair, resizing, or alteration to jewelry containing gemstones inherently risks gemstone damage or loss, regardless of the Company’s skill, care, or precautions;
  2. b) Setting Integrity: Prongs, channels, bezels, and other gemstone settings may have pre-existing wear, stress fractures, or metal fatigue not visible during inspection;
  3. c) Heat and Pressure Effects: Soldering, resizing, re-tipping prongs, or any process requiring heat or pressure may weaken existing settings or reveal pre-existing defects in settings;
  4. d) Microscopic Cracks: Gemstones may contain microscopic inclusions, fissures, or fractures that can expand when subjected to heat, pressure, or manipulation;
  5. e) Vintage and Previously Repaired Items: Older jewelry or previously repaired items have significantly higher risks during all repair processes; and
  6. f) Acceptance of Risk: By submitting jewelry with gemstones for any Service, Customer explicitly accepts these risks and agrees that gemstone damage or loss resulting from these inherent risks does not constitute negligence by the Company.

4.2 Ring Resizing Specific Acknowledgments

For ring resizing specifically, Customer acknowledges:

  1. a) Whole-Piece Stress: Resizing subjects the entire ring to stress and manipulation, not just the area being sized;
  2. b) Setting Impact: This stress may affect prongs, channels, pavé settings, and tension settings even in areas not directly involved in the sizing process;
  3. c) Post-Sizing Inspection: Company will inspect settings after resizing, but cannot guarantee all potential weaknesses will be detected;
  4. d) High-Risk Settings: Certain settings have particularly high risk during resizing, including:
  • Tension settings
  • Channel settings
  • Invisible settings
  • Pavé settings
  • Burnish/flush settings
  • Illusion settings
  • Micro-prong settings
  • Eternity bands
  1. e) Tiny Stone Risk: Stones smaller than 0.05 carats (“melee” stones) are particularly vulnerable to loss during repairs; and
  2. f) Express Assumption of Risk: Customer expressly assumes the risk of stone loss or damage when requesting resizing of rings with any gemstones, particularly those with the high-risk settings listed above.

4.3 Prong Re-tipping and Gemstone Setting Work

For prong repairs or gemstone setting work, Customer acknowledges:

  1. a) Adjacent Prong Risk: Work on one prong or section of a setting may reveal weaknesses in adjacent areas;
  2. b) Matching Limitations: New prongs or metal additions may not perfectly match the original in appearance or wear characteristics;
  3. c) Gemstone Handling: Removing and resetting gemstones creates additional risks of damage;
  4. d) Chip Visibility: Minor chips or fractures in gemstones may become visible only after cleaning or removing from settings; and
  5. e) Full Setting Recommendation: In many cases, complete replacement of a setting is safer than repairing individual components, and Customer’s decision to proceed with partial repair against recommendation constitutes assumption of additional risk.

4.4 Watch Repair Specific Acknowledgments

For watch repairs, Customer acknowledges:

  1. a) Water Resistance: Water resistance cannot be guaranteed even after water resistance service, pressure testing, or gasket replacement. Water resistance is a temporary condition that deteriorates over time and with normal use;
  2. b) Vintage Watch Limitations: Watches over 20 years old may have parts that are no longer manufactured, and repairs may require custom solutions, adaptations, or extensive restoration that cannot perfectly replicate original specifications;
  3. c) Movement Service Requirements: Mechanical watches require periodic complete service (typically every 3-5 years), and failure to maintain this schedule may result in increased wear, damage, or loss of accuracy;
  4. d) Hidden Damage: Damage from water intrusion, impact, or improper previous repair may not be apparent until a watch is disassembled;
  5. e) Cosmetic Changes: Polishing or refinishing may alter the original appearance, lines, or edges of a watch case or bracelet, and vintage watch collectors should specifically decline these services if original condition is paramount;
  6. f) Original Parts: For collectible watches, Customer must specifically request in writing that all original parts be returned, even if replaced, or Company may dispose of replaced parts; and
  7. g) Accuracy Limitations: Mechanical watches cannot achieve the accuracy of quartz timepieces, and accuracy within +/- 10 seconds per day for modern watches or +/- 30 seconds for vintage watches is considered within industry standards.

5. LIABILITY LIMITATIONS AND CLAIM PROCEDURES

5.1 Maximum Liability

The Company’s maximum liability for any loss, damage, or unsatisfactory service to Customer’s Item(s) is strictly limited to the lesser of:

  1. a) The actual documented value of the Item(s) at the time of submission for service; or
  2. b) Five hundred dollars ($500.00 USD) per item.

This limitation applies regardless of the cause of damage or loss, including alleged negligence, and is a material term of these Terms and Conditions.

5.2 Documented Value Requirement

To claim compensation for any Item valued at more than one hundred dollars ($100.00 USD):

  1. a) Customer must provide documented evidence of value (such as a purchase receipt, professional appraisal dated within two years, or insurance documentation) at the time the Item is submitted for service;
  2. b) Items submitted without such documentation will be presumed to have a maximum value of one hundred dollars ($100.00 USD) for liability purposes;
  3. c) Company may, at its sole discretion, request an independent appraisal of any Item that is the subject of a claim, with the cost of such appraisal shared equally by Company and Customer; and
  4. d) Documented value reflects the Item’s secondhand replacement value, not retail replacement value for new comparable items.

5.3 Consequential Damages Exclusion

Under no circumstances shall Company be liable for:

  1. a) Any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages;
  2. b) Sentimental value or emotional attachment to the Item(s);
  3. c) Loss of use or enjoyment;
  4. d) Business interruption or lost profits;
  5. e) Missed occasions or events due to delayed completion of Services; or
  6. f) Any other losses beyond the direct value of the Item(s) as limited in Section 5.1.

5.4 Stone and Component Loss Limitation

Company shall not be responsible for gemstone or component loss where:

  1. a) The loss occurs due to pre-existing conditions in the setting or mounting;
  2. b) The setting is of a high-risk nature as described in Section 4.2(d);
  3. c) The stone is a melee stone (under 0.05 carats);
  4. d) The Item is vintage (over 20 years old) or has been previously repaired;
  5. e) The Customer declined recommended complete setting replacement; or
  6. f) The loss occurred despite Company’s exercise of reasonable care and skill in performing the requested Services.

5.5 Time Limitation for Claims

Any claim for damage, loss, or unsatisfactory service must be:

  1. a) Made in writing within seven (7) calendar days after the Service is completed and the Item is returned to Customer;
  2. b) Accompanied by the original receipt for the Services;
  3. c) Accompanied by the original documentation of value if claiming value over $100.00; and
  4. d) Made by the original Customer who submitted the Item for Service.

Claims made after this period or without required documentation will be denied in their entirety. This time limitation is a material term of these Terms and Conditions.

5.6 Inspection Requirement

Customer must inspect all Items upon pickup and before leaving Company premises. For Items shipped to Customer, inspection must occur immediately upon receipt and before wearing or using the Item. Failure to promptly inspect constitutes acceptance of the Item in its returned condition.

5.7 Insurance Recommendation

Company strongly recommends that Customers maintain appropriate insurance for all valuable jewelry and watches. Company’s liability limitations are based on the assumption that Customers will insure valuable items independently.

6. SERVICE TIMING AND COMPLETION

6.1 Estimated Completion Times

All timeframes provided for service completion are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Factors that may affect completion time include:

  1. a) Parts availability and shipping delays;
  2. b) Complexity of discovered issues;
  3. c) Workload and existing service commitments;
  4. d) Required third-party specialized services; and
  5. e) Other factors beyond Company’s control.

6.2 Abandonment of Property

Items left for repair and not claimed within ninety (90) calendar days after notification of completion will be considered abandoned property. For abandoned property:

  1. a) Company will attempt to contact Customer at the provided contact information at least three (3) times;
  2. b) After ninety (90) days, Company reserves the right to sell or otherwise dispose of abandoned Items to recover repair costs, storage fees, and administrative expenses;
  3. c) Any excess proceeds beyond Company’s costs will be handled in accordance with Missouri law regarding abandoned property; and
  4. d) Customer waives all claims to Items not retrieved within the ninety (90) day period.

6.3 Storage Fees

Items not retrieved within thirty (30) days of service completion may be subject to storage fees of $1.00 per day. These fees must be paid in addition to service charges before release of the Item(s).

7. PAYMENT TERMS

7.1 Deposit Requirements

Company may require a deposit before beginning work. For Items with estimated service costs exceeding $300.00, a 50% deposit is typically required.

7.2 Final Payment

Full payment of all service charges, parts, storage fees (if applicable), and taxes is required before release of Item(s). Company accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for same-day pickup.

7.3 Price Adjustments

Customer acknowledges that final charges may differ from estimates if:

  1. a) Additional necessary services are discovered and approved;
  2. b) Parts costs have increased; or
  3. c) The complexity of the repair exceeds what was apparent during initial inspection.

7.4 Lien Rights

Company maintains a repairer’s lien on all Items submitted for service until payment is made in full, in accordance with Missouri law.

8. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

8.1 Heirloom, Antique, and Estate Items

For Items over 50 years old or of unusual design:

  1. a) Customer acknowledges heightened risk of complications during service;
  2. b) Metal may be brittle, weak, or contain unknown previous repairs;
  3. c) Gemstone settings may have accumulated decades of wear; and
  4. d) Original manufacturing techniques may differ from modern standards, affecting repairability.

8.2 Custom Work and Modifications

For custom design work or modifications to existing pieces:

  1. a) All custom designs require written approval of sketches or CAD renderings before work begins;
  2. b) Custom work deposits are non-refundable once materials are ordered or production begins;
  3. c) Minor variations between renderings and finished pieces are normal and expected; and
  4. d) Timeline estimates for custom work are subject to greater variability than standard repairs.

8.3 Customer-Supplied Materials

If Customer provides gemstones, metal, or other materials:

  1. a) Customer warrants that they legally own and have the right to use such materials;
  2. b) Company assumes no responsibility for quality, authenticity, or value of customer-supplied materials;
  3. c) Risk of damage to customer-supplied stones during setting is borne entirely by Customer; and
  4. d) Additional charges may apply if customer-supplied materials require extra preparation, testing, or modification.

9. LEGAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provisions.

9.2 Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms and Conditions or Services provided shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in [Your County], Missouri. Customer consents to the jurisdiction of such courts and waives any objection to the laying of venue in such courts.

9.3 Limitation Period

Any legal action against Company must be commenced within one (1) year from the date the Services were completed or should have been completed. Customer waives the right to commence any action or proceeding after this period.

9.4 Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its intent.

9.5 No Waiver

No failure or delay by Company in exercising any right under these Terms and Conditions shall operate as a waiver of that right.

9.6 Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between Customer and Company regarding the Services and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings, whether written or oral.

9.7 Modifications

These Terms and Conditions may be modified by Company at any time. The version in effect at the time Item(s) are submitted for service shall govern that transaction.

10. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By submitting Item(s) for repair or service, Customer acknowledges having read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions in their entirety. Customer further acknowledges that they have had the opportunity to ask questions about these Terms and Conditions and have had those questions answered to their satisfaction.

Last Updated: March 14, 2025