HowTo – Request information about your watch for free, straight from their archive

Do you own a watch for which you lost or never had the papers? Did you know that a lot of brands actually provide a service where you can request information about your watch using a so called “Archive Extract”? And some of them love their heritage so much that they even provide this for free, yes really.

The first time I did this myself was with Longines. After providing the serial number of the watch movement and case they provided me with all kind of details about the watch (materials, movement etc.) and  the exact year and date that it was delivered to a specific dealer and country where it was eventually sold. I was quite amazed that they provided this service for free, and have become quite a fan of the brand because of it.

Below is a table for all the brands that I know that offer this service, the method how to acquire it, the cost associated with it and additional comments. Please let me know if you have any additions to this list, I will try to update it as often as I can.

 

BrandMethodPriceComments
Audemars PiguetContact form on website250 CHF
Breguethttps://www.breguet.com/en/services/antique-timepieces535 Euro
BreitlingRequest through dealerUnknown>1980
CartierContact form on websiteFree
CertinaContact form on websiteFree
GlycineE-mail: heritage@glycine-watch.chFree>1950 due to a flood that destroyed part of the archive
International Watch Co (IWC)Request through dealer350 Euro
Jaeger LeCoultrehttps://secure.www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/us/en/secure/my-jaeger-lecoultre/extract-archives.html260 CHF
Longineshttps://www.longines.com/certificate-of-authenticityFree
MontblancRequest through dealerNot free, but cost unknown
Omegahttps://www.omegawatches.com/customer-service/extract-of-the-archives120 CHFPre-2000
Patek Philippehttps://www.patek.com/en/retail-service/extract-from-the-archives150 CHF
Piagethttps://www.piaget.com/services/vintage-watchNot free, but cost unknownInsurance certificate
TAG Heuer / HeuerRequest through dealerOnly combined with maintenance
TissotRequest through dealerNot free, but cost unknown
Ulysse NardinContact form on websiteFree
Vacheron Constantinhttp://www.vacheron-constantin.com/en2/services/obtaining-documents/service-archives.htmlPaid but price unknown
Zenithhttp://www.zenith-watches.com/en_en/registers-extract60 CHF

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