BEFORE IT REACHES THE CATALOGUE
Every watch gets our attention first.
RESEARCH & AUTHENTICITY
Know the Watch
Finding the watch is only the beginning.
Once a watch comes to Fabsuisse, we spend time getting to know exactly what we have in front of us. References, serial numbers, hallmarks, movements, case construction and period details are examined and researched where applicable, with particular attention given to anything unusual or inconsistent.
Authenticity is fundamental to what we do. Vintage watches can have complicated histories. Parts are replaced during servicing, dials may have been restored, straps and buckles change, and watches can acquire modifications over decades of ownership. When we identify a later replacement, restoration or customization, our goal is simple: understand it and disclose it.
Not everything can always be known with certainty. Records for older watches can be incomplete, obscure references may be poorly documented, and sometimes even extensive research leaves questions unanswered. When that happens, we'd rather say so than turn an assumption into a fact.
MECHANICAL CONDITION
OUR WATCHMAKERS
Mechanical condition is considered separately from cosmetic condition. We work with an independent watchmaker who has been part of our process for years and understands the particular needs of vintage watches.
Depending on the individual watch, that may mean inspection and testing, regulation or adjustment, or a more extensive service when needed. Quartz watches are tested and always receive a fresh battery. The work performed varies from watch to watch, and significant service information is included with the individual listing when known.
We don't believe every vintage watch needs to be made to look new before it can be enjoyed. In fact, we'd often prefer that it wasn't.
A softened edge, an aged dial, scratches from decades of wear or a bracelet that shows its years can all be part of the history of a watch. Our approach is not to erase those things, but to understand what we're looking at, address what needs attention, and preserve the character that made us interested in the watch in the first place.
The goal isn't perfection. It's knowing what we're offering and presenting it as honestly as we can.