Frequently Asked Questions

At Reference in Time, authenticity is our highest priority. Every timepiece we offer undergoes a thorough inspection and authentication process by experienced watch professionals before being made available for sale.

When servicing is required, our in-house watchmakers use genuine manufacturer parts whenever available, helping preserve the watch’s original integrity, performance, and long-term value.

All product photography is taken in-house and features the actual watch being offered for sale. The photographs accurately represent the watch’s condition, accessories, and accompanying documentation.

Our goal is to provide complete transparency and confidence in every purchase.

We believe complete transparency is essential when purchasing a luxury timepiece online. All product photographs are taken in-house and accurately represent the exact watch currently available for purchase.

If you would like additional photographs, videos, condition details, or any other information about a specific timepiece, our specialists are happy to assist. You can reach us at (347) 878-5655, (212) 278-8821, or sales@referenceintime.com.

For a more personalized experience, we also offer private FaceTime appointments through Calendly, allowing you to view and inspect a watch remotely with one of our specialists. We can provide a detailed look at the watch and answer any questions you may have in real time.

If you prefer to examine a watch in person, we welcome you to schedule a private showroom appointment through Calendly.

Please note: our showroom is strictly by appointment only. Walk-ins may be accommodated at our discretion and are subject to availability.

We strive to provide the most competitive pricing and strongest trade-in values upfront. Our pricing is carefully evaluated based on current market conditions, availability, and the condition of each timepiece.

Because we offer our best pricing from the beginning, all listed prices and trade-in offers are firm.

Yes. We are happy to purchase timepieces outright or accept them as trade-ins toward another watch in our inventory. Our team of experts will carefully evaluate your watch and provide a fair, market-based offer that takes into account its condition, completeness, and whether it includes the original box and papers.

To begin the process, please visit our Sell/Trade In page or contact us directly at (347) 878-5655, (212) 278-8821, or sales@referenceintime.com.

To receive an offer for your watch, please visit our Sell/Trade In page and provide the watch reference number, condition, and whether the original box and papers are included. Detailed photos of the watch, including the case, dial, bracelet, clasp, and any accessories, are also helpful and allow us to provide a more accurate evaluation.

Once we receive the necessary information, our team will review the watch and provide a market-based offer based on its model, condition, completeness, and current market demand.

You can submit your information through our Sell/Trade In page, contact us directly at (347) 878-5655, (212) 278-8821, or sales@referenceintime.com, or schedule a private appointment through our appointment calendar. We offer appointments in person at our New York City showroom or remotely through FaceTime.

We believe in straightforward pricing and make our strongest offer upfront, so the offer we provide is firm.

All orders are fully insured and shipped securely via FedEx Priority Overnight or Standard Overnight for United States orders. All international orders are shipped via FedEx International Priority.

Shipping is free on orders of $500 or more delivered within the continental United States; orders under $500 ship for $99. Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada is $125, and to Hong Kong $249.

Once payment has been received and verified, our team will contact you to verify your shipping information and confirm that an authorized recipient will be available to sign for the package upon delivery.

Orders paid for and fully confirmed by 5:00 PM Eastern Time are typically shipped the same business day for next-business-day delivery, subject to carrier availability and unforeseen delays.

Please note:

• We do not ship on Fridays, weekends, or major holidays.
• We currently ship to customers located in the United States, Canada, and Hong Kong.
• All deliveries require an adult signature upon receipt.

For complete details regarding returns and exchanges, please review our full policy.

If your watch is covered by an active manufacturer warranty, that warranty remains valid and is subject to the original manufacturer's terms and conditions.

In addition, Reference in Time provides a one-year limited warranty on eligible watches purchased from us. Our warranty covers mechanical defects resulting from normal use but does not cover cosmetic wear or damage, including scratches, dents, chips, or damage caused by accidents, misuse, improper handling, water exposure due to misuse, unauthorized repairs, or modifications.

If you experience a mechanical issue that may be covered under our warranty, please contact our service team. We will be happy to assist you with the next steps.

We stand behind the authenticity, accuracy, and quality of every timepiece we sell. For orders shipped within the United States and Canada, returns are accepted within 5 days of the confirmed delivery date.

A full refund is issued if the watch has a verified functional or mechanical defect that was not disclosed prior to purchase, if the item received differs from the item purchased, or if the watch or its condition differs noticeably from the description and photographs provided at the time of purchase.

All other returns — such as a change of preference — are eligible for a partial refund: a 5% transaction fee is deducted to cover non-refundable payment processing costs, and a restocking fee of up to 50% applies if the watch or any included items (manufacturer box and packaging, warranty cards and papers, original stickers, protective films, tags, and accessories) are not returned in the same condition as received.

Every returned item is inspected upon arrival, and the final refund amount reflects the condition and completeness of the return. Returns and refunds may be denied, or the refund amount reduced, at our discretion if the returned watch shows signs of wear, damage, alteration, tampering, misuse, or any condition that was not present prior to shipment, or if any original packaging, documentation, accessories, protective materials, or other included items are missing, damaged, or altered.

All returns must include the complete watch and all items originally included with the order and must be returned in the same condition as received. We reserve the right to withhold or reduce a refund to account for any loss in value resulting from the customer's handling of the item beyond what is reasonably necessary to inspect and evaluate the watch.

Orders shipped to Hong Kong are final sale — returns, exchanges, and refunds are not accepted.

Complete details are in our Return & Exchange Policy.

We are not authorized dealers for any of the brands we list, but we guarantee the authenticity of all our watches.

Our showroom is in the heart of New York City's Diamond District — 22 W 48th Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10036 — two minutes from Rockefeller Center.

We are open Monday through Friday, 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM, by appointment. To visit, book through our appointment calendar or call (212) 278-8821.

Every transaction — buying, selling, or trading — can be handled in person at the showroom if you prefer.