HAVE A QUESTION?

Original components are preserved whenever possible, but I will not describe a watch as completely original unless I have good reason to believe that is true. Every watch I acquire is used, which means I am also at the mercy of every owner, watchmaker, and repair decision that came before me. Decades of ownership and servicing can mean replaced crystals, crowns, stems, mainsprings, gaskets, hands, dials, or other service parts. I will research each watch as carefully as I can, disclose any known replacements or uncertainties, and avoid making claims I cannot support. In the end, the photographs are part of the record too — I want you to be able to look closely and judge the watch for yourself.

I do not repaint dials or machine-polish cases simply to make a vintage watch look newer. Wear, patina, scratches, and age are part of the history of the piece. Restoration here is about preserving the watch and returning it to honest use, not erasing where it has been.

Photographed purely and sold honestly. The goal is to show each watch as it actually appears — including wear, patina, scratches, imperfections, and details that matter. If there is something you want to inspect more closely before buying, ask and I can provide additional photographs.

Absolutely. If you want to see the movement, caseback, crown, clasp, dial under magnification, timing results, or any other specific detail, contact me before purchasing.

Most eligible purchases may be returned within the stated return window. Final-sale items will always be clearly marked. For the complete details, including gift and holiday returns, please see the Returns Policy.

U.S. orders are shipped tracked and fully insured. Higher-value orders require a signature, and tracking is sent as soon as the watch is on the way.

The Found Dial remains responsible for the shipment until it is delivered according to the carrier’s tracking. Full shipping terms are available in the Terms & Conditions.

Not at this time. The Found Dial currently ships within the United States only.

Payment methods available through checkout are accepted. All purchases are completed through the website rather than through private or off-site payment arrangements.

Generally, no. If a watch is open to offers or has special pricing terms, the product page will say so.

Yes. Enter the gift date during checkout so it is saved with the order and any applicable gift return window can be honored. See the Returns Policy for details.

Contact me as quickly as possible. If the watch has not shipped, I will do my best to help, but changes or cancellations are not guaranteed once fulfillment has begun. Full order terms are in the Terms & Conditions.

Yes. I am always interested in seeing mechanical watches, collections, parts lots, and unusual pieces. Working or non-working is fine. Send photographs and as much information as you have.

Yes. Clear photographs of the dial, caseback, any markings between the lugs, and the movement if it can be safely accessed are the most useful. I cannot always identify a watch from photographs alone, but I am happy to help point you in the right direction.

Not as a general repair service. The restoration work shown on The Found Dial is primarily performed on watches I source for the collection. I am always happy to talk watches, though, and may be able to point you toward the right resource.

The Found Dial is based in Tennessee, but the hunt happens everywhere. Watches are sourced from antique stores, flea markets, estate sales, auctions, and collections across the country.

Absolutely—please send it. I am always looking for more information about the watches I find, research, and restore. If you spot a correction, know something I missed, have additional historical context, or even have a personal story connected to a particular model or watch, I would genuinely like to hear it. The Reference Room is meant to get better as more of the story is uncovered.