Terms of Service

Last updated: September 17, 2026

These Terms of Service govern your use of this website and any purchase you make from us. By using this site or placing an order, you agree to them.

1. Who we are

Gears and Gates, LLC, doing business as Christopher Michael Timepieces, a Texas limited liability company.

Mailing address: 5900 Balcones Dr # 19992, Austin, TX 78731, United States
Email: chris@christophermichaeltimepieces.com · Phone: 512-635-1236

In these Terms, "we," "us," and "our" refer to Gears and Gates, LLC.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into a binding contract to purchase from us. We ship within the United States only, and only to an authorized FedEx Hold-At Location.

3. No brand affiliation

Christopher Michael Timepieces is an independent dealer in pre-owned timepieces. We are not an authorized dealer for, and we are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Rolex, OMEGA, TAG Heuer, IWC, Breitling, Bell & Ross, Cartier, Panerai, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Hublot, Grand Seiko, Longines, Ulysse Nardin, or any other manufacturer.

All brand names, model names, reference numbers, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used on this site solely to identify and describe the pre-owned watches we offer for sale. Nothing on this site should be read as a statement by any manufacturer.

Because we are not an authorized dealer, watches purchased from us may not carry a valid manufacturer's warranty, and a manufacturer may decline warranty service. Where a watch has remaining factory coverage we say so in its listing, but we cannot guarantee any manufacturer will honor it.

4. Pre-owned goods, sold as described

Except where a listing states otherwise, all watches are pre-owned and sold as-is, subject to our guarantee of authenticity, our 14-day return policy, and any warranty specifically stated in the listing.

We describe condition in good faith and in detail, including a numeric condition rating, and we photograph each watch extensively. Condition assessment of a used mechanical object involves judgment, and reasonable people can disagree at the margins. Photographs are of the actual watch offered, but screen calibration affects how color and finish appear.

Service history. Unless a listing states a documented service date, we do not know when a watch was last serviced. A pre-owned mechanical watch may require service at any time, and service is a normal cost of ownership at the buyer's expense.

Timing and accuracy. We test mechanical watches for basic movement function before shipment, including timing measurement on a timing instrument. This is a functional check, not a chronometric certification. Any rates we publish are measured in specific positions at a specific moment and will vary with wind state, position, temperature, magnetism, and wear. We do not warrant that a watch will hold any particular rate.

Water resistance — please read carefully. We do not pressure-test the watches we sell, and we make no representation whatsoever that any watch is water resistant. Any depth or ATM rating shown in a listing is the manufacturer's original published specification for that reference when it was new. It is descriptive information about the model, not a statement about the condition of the specific pre-owned watch you are buying.

Water resistance depends on gaskets, crown and pusher seals, the case back seal, and the crystal gasket. All of these are consumable parts that harden, shrink, and fail with age, heat, and use, and none of them can be assessed by looking at a watch. A watch that left the factory rated to 300 meters may not be resistant to a splash today.

We strongly recommend that you have any watch purchased from us independently pressure-tested by a qualified watchmaker, and resealed if needed, before exposing it to water of any kind — swimming, diving, showering, washing your hands, or any other water activity. This is inexpensive, takes very little time, and is the only way to know where a specific watch actually stands. Water damage is among the most expensive kinds of damage a mechanical watch can suffer, and it is not covered by our return policy or by any warranty we offer.

5. Caring for your timepiece

A pre-owned mechanical watch is a precision instrument with hundreds of moving parts, and most of the damage we see in this market is avoidable. The following is general guidance offered in good faith to help you protect your purchase. It is not a warranty, and following it does not extend any warranty; when in doubt, consult a qualified watchmaker.

Do:

  • Have the watch pressure-tested by a watchmaker before any contact with water, and re-tested annually or after any service that opens the case.
  • Screw down a screw-down crown fully before wearing, and never operate the crown, pushers, or bezel while the watch is wet or submerged.
  • Rinse the watch with fresh water and dry it after exposure to salt water, chlorine, sweat, sunscreen, or soap — assuming it has been confirmed water resistant.
  • Wind a manual watch gently and stop at the first resistance. Never force it.
  • Keep the watch away from strong magnets: speaker magnets, magnetic phone mounts and cases, tablet covers, laptop lids, handbag clasps, and induction cooktops. Magnetization is the most common cause of sudden timekeeping problems and is usually corrected easily by a watchmaker.
  • Store the watch in a dry place at stable room temperature, out of direct sunlight, ideally in its box or a soft pouch away from other watches and jewelry.
  • Clean the case and bracelet with a soft dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth. A soft toothbrush with mild soapy water works on a confirmed water-resistant steel bracelet.
  • Have a mechanical watch serviced at the interval the manufacturer recommends, generally every 4 to 7 years, or sooner if timekeeping, power reserve, or winding feel changes.
  • Remove the watch before showering, before contact sports and racquet sports, and before golf — repeated impact and vibration are hard on a movement.
  • Keep boxes, papers, spare links, and original parts. They matter significantly for future value.

Do not:

  • Do not assume a pre-owned watch is water resistant because its dial or listing states a depth rating. Have it tested.
  • Do not wear the watch in a hot tub, sauna, or steam room. Heat degrades gaskets and expands the case, and steam penetrates where water will not.
  • Do not set the date between roughly 8:00 PM and 4:00 AM on most watches with a date complication — the date change mechanism is engaged during this window and forcing it can break teeth or bend levers. Advance the hands past noon first to establish AM or PM.
  • Do not use a chronograph's pushers underwater, and do not run a chronograph continuously for extended periods.
  • Do not drop the watch or subject it to sharp impacts, including setting it down hard on a stone or tile surface. Change straps over a soft towel.
  • Do not open the case back yourself, and do not use pin-and-collar or spring-bar tools on a bracelet without experience — scratched lugs and lost collars are expensive mistakes.
  • Do not use ultrasonic cleaners, solvents, alcohol, acetone, polishing compounds, or abrasive cloths on a watch, and never on a leather strap.
  • Do not expose the watch to perfume, insect repellent, or hairspray. Apply those before putting the watch on.
  • Do not let a watch sit fully unwound for very long periods; lubricants settle and congeal. Wind it or run it occasionally if you are storing it long term.
  • Do not have a watch polished casually. Polishing removes metal, softens factory bevels, and permanently reduces the value of a collectible watch. Live with light marks instead.
  • Do not attempt a battery change, gasket replacement, or regulation yourself on a valuable watch.
  • Do not travel with a watch in checked luggage. Wear it or carry it on.

Every watch we sell is inspected and, if mechanical, tested for basic movement function before it ships. Once it is in your hands, its condition depends on how it is worn and maintained. Damage caused by wear, water, impact, magnetism, or third-party work after pickup is not covered by our return policy.

6. Consignment

Some watches are offered on consignment on behalf of their owners and are marked as such. We hold and ship consignment pieces ourselves, fully insured, and they carry the same authenticity guarantee and the same 14-day return as our own inventory.

7. Listings, pricing, and availability

Our inventory consists of individual pieces, generally one of each. Availability is not guaranteed until your order is accepted and payment clears; where two orders arrive for the same watch, the first order to clear payment is filled and the other is refunded in full.

Listings may occasionally contain a typographical error, an incorrect reference, or a pricing error. We reserve the right to correct errors and to cancel and fully refund any order placed at an incorrect price or against an incorrect description, including after an order is confirmed. We will always contact you rather than silently change something.

Prices are in US dollars and may change without notice.

8. Payment

We accept the card and wallet payment methods shown at checkout. For higher-value purchases we also accept bank wire transfer and Zelle — many buyers prefer this, since a $15,000 charge exceeds most card limits. Contact us before ordering and we will provide payment instructions. Orders paid by wire or Zelle ship only after funds have cleared and settled.

Placing an order is an offer to buy, which we accept by dispatching the watch. We may decline or cancel any order, and we may require identity or address verification before shipping — this is routine for high-value goods and protects both of us. We may cancel and refund an order where payment cannot be verified or where we reasonably suspect fraud.

9. Sales tax

Texas residents are subject to Texas state and local sales tax. Tax is calculated automatically at checkout using the destination ZIP code, so the amount reflects the correct combined state, city, county, transit, and special-district rate for your address. Orders shipping outside Texas are not charged Texas sales tax; where we are required to collect tax in another jurisdiction, it will be shown at checkout.

10. Shipping and risk of loss

Shipping is governed by our Shipping Policy. All shipments go by insured FedEx Priority Overnight to an authorized FedEx Hold-At Location, for in-person pickup with government-issued photo identification. Shipments are fully insured by us in transit. Risk of loss passes to you when you take possession of the package at the FedEx location, or on your refusal or failure to collect a package that FedEx has made available for pickup.

11. Returns

Returns and refunds are governed by our Refund and Return Policy, which forms part of these Terms. That policy provides a 14-day return for any reason, and a six-month trade-up credit under which we apply your original purchase price less 10% as a credit toward another timepiece from our inventory, subject to the condition requirements stated there. Trade-up credit is not redeemable for cash, is not transferable, and does not apply to consignment pieces. On a change-of-mind return or a trade-up, the buyer is responsible for the cost of insured FedEx Priority Overnight shipping to the FedEx Hold-At Location we designate.

12. Sell and trade submissions

If you submit information about a watch you wish to sell or trade, you confirm that you own it free of liens and have the right to sell it. Any valuation or offer we give is an estimate based on the information you provide, is not binding, and is subject to physical inspection and authentication. We may decline any watch for any reason.

13. Intellectual property

The photographs, written descriptions, condition reports, and layout on this site are our original work and are protected by copyright. You may not copy, reproduce, or reuse our photographs or listing copy — including on other marketplaces or in resale listings — without our written permission.

14. Acceptable use

You agree not to use this site to transmit malicious code, to attempt unauthorized access, to collect data by automated means without permission, to interfere with its operation, or for any unlawful purpose.

15. Third-party services

This site runs on Shopify and uses third-party services for hosting, payment processing, and shipping. Your use of those services is subject to their own terms and privacy practices. We are not responsible for third-party services or for content on any site we link to.

16. Disclaimers

Except for the guarantees expressly stated in these Terms and in our Refund and Return Policy, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all other warranties, express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. This site is provided "as is" and we do not warrant that it will be uninterrupted or error-free. Nothing in these Terms limits any right you have under applicable law that cannot be limited by agreement.

17. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability arising out of any purchase or your use of this site will not exceed the amount you paid for the item at issue. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, lost value, or loss of use.

18. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims arising out of your breach of these Terms or your unlawful use of this site.

19. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules.

Any dispute arising out of these Terms or any purchase will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, in Texas or by videoconference, rather than in court, except that either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court. You and we each waive any right to a jury trial and any right to participate in a class, collective, or representative action. Arbitration is on an individual basis only. If any part of this section is found unenforceable, the remainder continues to apply.

20. Severability, assignment, entire agreement

If any provision of these Terms is unenforceable, the rest remain in effect. You may not assign these Terms; we may assign them in connection with a sale of the business. These Terms, together with our Shipping Policy, Refund and Return Policy, Privacy Policy, and Accessibility Statement, are the entire agreement between us regarding your use of this site and your purchases.

21. Changes

We may update these Terms. The version in effect when you place an order governs that order. We will update the "Last updated" date above when we make changes.