Refund policy

Returns and refunds

1. Legal right of withdrawal (14 days)

If you are a consumer residing in the European Union, you have the right to withdraw from your purchase within 14 days from the day you (or a third party designated by you) receive the watch, without giving any reason.

To exercise this right, inform us of your decision within those 14 days by any unambiguous statement, for example by email to contact@nipponraretime.com, stating your order number. We will confirm receipt of your request by email. You must then send the watch back to us within 14 days of your notification.

2. Condition of returned items

As our watches are unique vintage pieces, the following conditions apply:

  • The watch must be returned unworn, unmodified and in the same condition as when you received it.
  • It must be returned complete: watch, original box or packaging, all links, accessories, papers, tags and any item included in the shipment.
  • The bracelet must not have been resized, the case must not have been opened, and the watch must not show any new scratches, marks, moisture or damage.
  • Serial numbers and identifying details recorded before shipping must match.
  • We recommend returning the watch with a tracked and insured carrier, in protective packaging. The item remains your responsibility until we receive it.

3. Refund

  • Once we receive and inspect the returned watch, we refund the price paid within 14 days using the same payment method as the original order.
  • Return shipping costs are at your expense, as permitted by EU and French consumer law.
  • If the watch is returned damaged, worn, incomplete or modified, or if its value has been diminished by handling beyond what is necessary to inspect it, we may deduct the corresponding amount from the refund in accordance with Article L.221-23 of the French Consumer Code.
  • If you refuse the parcel at delivery, or if it is returned to us, the original shipping costs and any return, customs or handling fees actually incurred will be deducted from the refund.

4. Customs duties and refused parcels (outside the EU)

For deliveries outside the European Union, import duties and taxes are payable by the recipient. If you refuse to pay these duties and the parcel is returned to us, or if the parcel is abandoned or destroyed by customs:

  • The refund will be reduced by the shipping costs, return shipping costs, customs fees and any other costs we have actually paid.
  • If the watch is not returned to us in its original condition (for example if it is seized, damaged or destroyed by customs), no full refund can be granted, to the extent permitted by law.
  • This clause does not limit your legal right of withdrawal or legal warranties; it only allocates the costs incurred by a refusal to pay import duties.

5. Loss of value

  • If a watch has been worn, damaged, opened, serviced or modified by the customer or a third party, the corresponding loss of value will be deducted from the refund (Article L.221-23 of the French Consumer Code).
  • To help us process your return quickly, please notify us by email before sending the watch and use a tracked shipping method.

6. Legal warranties

You benefit from the legal warranty of conformity (2 years) and the legal warranty against hidden defects, under French law.

  • For used goods, the presumption that the defect existed at delivery is 12 months; after that, you must prove it.
  • Normal wear, the need for servicing and the usual tolerances of vintage watches are not defects when they are described on the product page.
  • Consumables and batteries: batteries, straps and crystals are wear parts. If a quartz watch stops within 12 months of delivery because the battery is depleted, we replace the battery free of charge. Shipping costs to send the watch to us are at your expense. If a leaking battery damages the movement, it is covered.
  • Not covered: damage caused by misuse, impacts, water or unauthorised repairs.

Claims: contact@nipponraretime.com.

7. How to start a return

Email contact@nipponraretime.com with your order number and the reason for the return. We will reply by email with the return instructions (address and procedure). Please do not send any return before receiving our instructions.