FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q): Which destinations do you ship to?

We will ship to most destinations served by Royal Mail Special Delivery, Airsure or, to some destinations, Royal Mail Signed For International.

Royal Mail Special Delivery/Recorded Delivery serves all UK destinations, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

The European Airsure/International Signed For destinations are: Andorra, Austria, Azores, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Canary Islands, Corsica, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madeira, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.  Far East:  Hong Kong; Malaysia; Singapore. North America: Canada and USA. Oceania: New Zealand. South America: Brazil.

We ship to Australia, Israel and Norway using Royal Mail International Signed For. If your country is not listed we cannot ship to it using Royal Mail because we cannot reliably obtain a signature on receipt.

Please use the MasterCard SecureCode or Verified by Visa facilities on the WorldPay payment system to ensure delivery.

We ALWAYS check for CNP fraud, and when discovered, will submit the fraudster's details to the appropriate authorities and anti-CNP fraud databases.

Q): What are your delivery charges?

In the UK, the recorded delivery and packing charge for sending watch straps is £2.75 and for watches the registered and tracked charge is £6.00. Overseas delivery charges vary depending on the destination.

Q): Are you a real shop?

Yes - we have been trading out of 26 Churchyard, Hitchin since 1999. Prior to that we had a shop in Letchworth Garden City. Our opening hours are 10am - 5-30pm, Monday - Saturday. We are closed on Sundays.

Q): Watches on your site have sizes shown in millimetres. Is this the diameter of the watch case or the face?

The watch case - excluding the crown ('winder')

Q): What does watch water resistance mean?

Leather straps will perish over time if immersed in water on a regular basis. For serious diving we recommend owning a watch designed to withstand high water pressure (e.g. having a helium valve system). In any event water resistance will decline over time and watches should be re-proofed by a qualified watch engineer every 2 - 3 years.

Q): If I buy a watch with a metal bracelet on-line - can you adjust the bracelet?

No. We strongly urge on-line customers to take their new watch to a competent jeweller or watch technician who has access to a SEIKO or STORM watch bracelet adjustment tool. There will be a small fee to pay for this service. Only the wearer can tell if the bracelet fits correctly. Owners of watch brands retailed by us requiring a bracelet adjustment can have the work done at our shop in Hitchin. Watches bought from us are adjusted free of charge. Watches not bought from us incur a £10 charge.

Q): How long does it take to receive an item bought on-line?

Watch straps may suddenly go out of stock - especially over a weekend. In this case, your strap order may take 3 - 5 days to deliver. As a guide if the order is received before 4pm, Monday to Friday, and the item is in stock, it is sent the same day by Royal Mail Special Delivery or Recorded Delivery to arrive the next working day in the UK. Deliveries overseas will take longer. Orders placed on Saturdays before 11am will be shipped that day to arrive on Monday in the UK. Items sent using Airsure/International Signed For to European destinations can take between 3 - 5 days; to the USA/Canada/Asia/South America/Australasia 5-7 days as a guide. Shipments to the USA are sometimes delayed because of poor weather conditions and/or security measures taken by US customs.

Q): How reliable are the delivery date forecasts shown?

We try to offer customers our best estimate when out-of-stock items can be delivered. Please call us prior to ordering in case you have a deadline. In stock items will be shipped the same working day. Items shown as "Delivery: 3 - 5 days" will be shipped in 3 - 5 days of receipt of order as stock may be in transit to us or may need ordering in. Some items have to be specially ordered in from Switzerland - we will advise by, email, txt or telephone if this is the case, and these items may take up to 14 days to deliver. Watch straps may suddenly go out of stock - especially over a weekend. In this case, your strap order may take longer to deliver.

Q): Can I have my parcel delivered at work?

Yes - but we will undertake some checks on the business address given. We do NOT deliver to hotels, PO Box numbers, or any address we have concerns about.

Q): Can I pay by cheque or bank transfer?

Yes - but only if your cheque is drawn in sterling on a UK bank. We will ship the goods 5 working days after receipt of your cheque. Bank transfer is only available to UK purchasers. Goods are shipped as soon as the transfer is received (assuming the item is in stock). Use the Bank Transfer option on the shopping cart page for our bank details.

Q): What brands of jewellery do you stock?

We sell over the counter the following well-known UK jewellery brands: Amanda Cox, Burkmar, Martick, De Mexico, On A String, Paula Bolton and Michael Peckitt's Very Colourful Jewellery.

Q): Who are the official UK service and repair agents for Mondaine and Victorinox Swiss Army watches and clocks in the UK?

Locker, Hull & Thornton Ltd., 1 Rearsby Business Park, Gaddesby Lane, REARSBY, LE7 4YH. Telephone: 01664 420003