The secondary watch market is notoriously opaque, where "buy the dealer" is the guiding philosophy. TGS is the first third-party watch authentication and grading service of its kind.  Third party means we don’t buy watches, and we don’t sell watches. Because we are not invested in any way in the transaction of the watches we examine, we are able to impartially evaluate your timepiece. It is our belief at TGS that you cannot offer a true, unbiased opinion of a watch’s condition and authenticity if you are involved in any aspect of its transaction.

The TGS authentication and grading program is comprehensive and detailed. Our master watchmakers evaluate the watches’ movements, our graders will assess the condition and authenticity of every component, and our photographers will document the watch and annotate the photographs.  The entire process can take 5 business days, excluding shipping time.  If you elect to have us service your watch while it’s here, we will provide you with an additional time estimate.

If you are unsure about the details of your watch,  please feel free to email us your questions and a photo of the watch at info@timepiecegrading.com
We will be happy to help you with any information you might need. 

Yes. From the moment your watch leaves your hands, to the moment the package is returned to you, it will be fully insured for the value you determine when you sign up for our services. 

The experts at TGS examine nearly every single component of your watch in order to reach a conclusion as to the authenticity and condition of the watch.  Each component receives a score from 1-10.  Once the examination of the watch is complete, the scores are weighted (a scratch in the crystal, for example, would not be as detrimental to a watch’s condition score as a scratch on the dial) and one overall score for the watch is determined. 

We at TGS endeavor to do all we can to keep our grading standards consistent among our experts.  Each watch is examined by multiple technicians so that the opinions we offer are as uniform as possible. 

TGS has created two different ways to ensure and maintain the integrity of our grading.  First, once a watch is authenticated and graded, a sticker is placed across the back of your watch (and onto the bezel, when necessary) with a residue-free, tamper-proof seal that will ensure that the case back cannot be opened and/or the bezel cannot be removed without disrupting the seal. As long as that stickering is intact, TGS will stand by its authentication. Additionally, the watch will be delivered to you in a plastic watch box sealed with a tamper proof sticker.  If that sticker is undisturbed, TGS can stand by its evaluation of the watch’s condition.  If the watch box is opened for any reason, you can compare the watch with the photos of the watch to confirm no further wear and tear has occurred since the condition grade was assigned.

It would be our pleasure to help you evaluate your entire collection.  Please email us at info@timepiecegrading.com to discuss your submission and offer appropriate next steps. 

The master watchmakers and timepiece experts at TGS strive to provide the most accurate and detailed evaluation of each watch we receive.  If you disagree with any of the judgements we make, you can resubmit the watch for a second evaluation.  If the watch regrades at a higher number, the regrading is on us.  If it regrades at the same -- or lower -- grade, you are responsible for the cost of the evaluation. 

Absolutely.  We are first and foremost an authentication and grading company.  We also happen to work with some of the finest and most experienced watchmakers in the country.  We are happy to service your watch while it is here, but any additional services we offer -- from servicing your watch, to appraisals, to vaulting are optional.  

Watch servicing is available as an add on to our signature authentication and condition grading service.

Currently, we are only authenticating and grading the watches themselves.

As part of the authentication and grading process, we will take detailed photographs of your watch and annotate aspects where any points were lost so that you know exactly where and why your watch is receiving its given score. If, for any reason, we are unable to confirm the authenticity of your watch, it will be returned to you without TGS certification.