Frequently asked questions
1. Are all watches authentic?
Yes. Every watch offered by FRED's Watches is carefully examined to assess its authenticity before being offered for sale. We pay close attention to the movement, dial, case and reference-specific characteristics. Any known deviations from the original configuration are disclosed in the individual listing.
2. What condition are your watches in?
We specialize in pre-owned watches, each with its own history and signs of wear. Every watch is individually inspected, and its condition is described in the product listing. We provide detailed photographs and disclose relevant imperfections so that you can make an informed decision before purchasing.
3. Have your watches been serviced?
Every watch is inspected by an expert watchmaker with 20+ years of experience according to a standardized process. If work is required, we perform a fresh service before offering the watch for sale, and this is stated in the individual listing. Every watch we sell is running well and is expected to require no service in the near future. If you have questions about a particular watch's service history or current performance, please contact us before purchasing.
4. Do your watches come with their original box and papers?
This depends on the individual watch. Some are offered as full sets, while others come with selected accessories or the watch alone. The exact scope of delivery, including any original box, papers, certificates or other accessories, is stated in the respective product listing.
5. Do you offer a warranty?
Yes. We offer a 12-month warranty on the movement of every watch we sell. This warranty is valid worldwide. Water resistance is specifically excluded from our warranty.
6. Can I return a watch if I change my mind?
For eligible purchases made by consumers at a distance, statutory withdrawal rights generally apply. Under the applicable conditions, you have 14 days from receiving the watch to exercise your right of withdrawal. The applicable withdrawal instructions explain how to notify us and return the watch. Please consult our Terms and Conditions for the full details and any applicable exceptions.
7. How is shipping handled?
Express worldwide shipping with full insurance is always included in the listed price on our website. There are no additional shipping or insurance charges for this service.
We handle every shipment with speed and care. As soon as payment is received, we prepare your watch for dispatch, in most cases on the same day. Delivery times depend on the destination and the shipping carrier. We work with a variety of carriers, including DHL Express, UPS, FedEx, Ferrari, and Malca-Amit.
8. Do you offer direct checkout and which payment methods are accepted?
Currently, we do not offer a direct checkout and require you to contact us in order to purchase the watch from the website. Under every listing, you have the option to contact us via email or WhatsApp. We value the direct contact with the collectors that we are working with and therefore want to give you the best service possible.
We normally accept wire transfer to our German business account after having issued a standard invoice. In select cases, we can also offer you payment via credit card (Visa, Mastercard & American Express). Please contact us before purchase so that we can arrange the payment together.
9. Can I negotiate the price or make an offer?
We consider reasonable offers on selected watches. If you are interested in a particular piece, you can contact us with your offer or use the offer option where available. Every watch is individually sourced and assessed, and any offer is subject to our confirmation.
10. Can I sell or trade in my watch with FRED's Watches?
Yes. We welcome trade-ins, although a direct sale is always preferred. When considering a trade-in, we must account for our margin on the watch we receive. For this reason, we generally cannot accept watches at their full current market value.
Please provide the brand, model, reference number, condition, available accessories and photographs where possible so that we can assess the watch and make an offer. You can use the Sell & request form and tell us about the watch you want to trade against.
11. Can I request a specific watch that is not currently listed?
If you are looking for a particular watch that is not currently available, please contact us with the brand, model, reference number and any preferred specifications. We can discuss your requirements and let you know if we can help source the watch. Any sourcing arrangement and associated terms will be confirmed individually.
12. Chrono24 listings and prices
Our watches are not only listed here on our website, but also on Chrono24 and other platforms over the internet. In order for you to get the best price possible, we recommend you purchase from us directly on our website, as all of the other platforms charge a commission fee.
We are a business that has been operating for over three years now and have only served happy customers so far. You can have a look at the reviews we publish on our website that were pulled from the different platforms that we operate on. These are real customer reviews from people who have purchased from us before.