Terms & Conditions

1. General Overview

Welcome to WatchVault, we are glad to have you here!

By accessing our platform and purchasing timepieces, or by submitting items (for marketplace listings or direct buy/sell), you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. WatchVault operates exclusively as marketplace and direct buyer/seller for luxury horological assets.

All users must be between 18 and 80 years, and possess full legal capacity to access binding contracts on the WatchVault platform.

2. Marketplace Terms

WatchVault operates under a dual-transaction model: Marketplace (where WatchVault acts as the escrow and authentication intermediary between privates and/or verified dealers, for both buying and selling) and WatchVault Operations (where WatchVault acts as the direct buyer/seller of the timepieces).

• 48 hour Negotiation & Buy window: All formal negotiation offers and direct purchase offers must be accepted within 48 hours of issuance. If a deal is not confirmed by the receiving party within this 48 hour window, the offer automatically expires and becomes void.
• 48 hour Payment window: Upon formal confirmation of a deal, buyer is required to transfer full payment — following instructions on their WatchVault Dashboard — to our escrow service. Failure to transfer the funds within the 48 hour window entitles the seller to cancel the transaction immediately without penalty.
• 48 hour Dispatch window: Upon formal confirmation of a deal, and following WatchVault confirmation of receiving the buyer funds, the seller — whether a private user, a dealer or WatchVault — is strictly required to ship the timepiece within 48 hours. Failure to dispatch the item within 48 hours entitles the counterparty to cancel the transaction immediately without penalty and will compromise the seller reputation on the platform.
• 48 hour Buyer Inspection window: For marketplace transactions, WatchVault does NOT conduct physical authentication and laboratory verification on behalf of the buyer. WatchVault only does so when the buyer selects the optional WatchVault Verified service. In both cases, the buyer has a strict 48 hour window to inspect and confirm the transaction in their WatchVault Dashboard, after which the transaction will automatically close and the payment will be forwarded to the seller.
• Unverified transactions & Due Diligence: Absolute authenticity is guaranteed by the platform exclusively when the buyer selects the optional WatchVault Verified service (which is available for all timepieces on WatchVault website). WatchVault strongly recommend obtaining a professional inspection prior to finalizing the deal.

3. Authenticity Standards

While WatchVault rigorously screens sellers and curates platform inventory to maintain the best standards in the entire industry, standard marketplace listings are not guaranteed as 100% authentic by default. Buyers and sellers must always operate with caution.

• Counterfeit liability & penalty charges: If buyer — or WatchVault — inspection reveals that a watch is counterfeit, stolen or contains non-authentic/aftermarket components, the transaction is immediately halted and all authentication costs, returns and administrative penalty fees (up to 20.000€ per watch) are charged directly back to the seller. WatchVault reserves the right to press legal charges and report seller identity records to law enforcement authorities and worldwide watch registries.
• WatchVault Operations and WatchVault Verified transactions: WatchVault subjects every incoming timepiece to physical laboratory testing, movement inspection, serial verification and material analysis by WatchVault watchmakers upon arrival. If any of these conditions deviate from the seller original submission details, WatchVault reserves the right to re-quote or reject the acquisition/transaction.

4. Logistics & Transport

All transactions must use WatchVault approved logistics protocols, to ensure the best experience for customers and our coverage in case of issues/disputes. Shipments must be insured 100% of the agreed transaction value once physical handover to the designated courier or armored vehicle occurs and a formal carrier tracking scan/receipt is generated. Shipping methods are assigned based on transaction type and value:

• Over 75.000€ (High-Value & WatchVault Operations): any marketplace transaction valued over 75.000€ and all WatchVault Operations Buy/Sell must be transported and insured via specialized armored security vehicles with secure logistics.
• Under 75.000€ (Standard transactions): All other transactions must be dispatched via high-speed, priority express couriers (Ex. XXX) paired with comprehensive 100% full-value transit insurance provided by specialized insurance partners (Ex. XXX).
• Customs and cross-border shipping: Shipments between European Union member states are free from customs duties or additional import taxes. However, cross-border transit between different EU countries may require extra delivery time for logistics handling.

To learn more about WatchVault logistics protocols, check out WatchVault Shipping Guidelines.

5. Escrow & Payment

To maintain platform security and satisfy Anti-Money Laundering (AML) directives, all users must complete identity verification prior to executing transactions:

• Private accounts: Standard account registration requires basic contact verification. Private buyers and sellers using cryptocurrencies or doing high-value transactions must complete identity verification (with valid Government ID) prior to listing or payout.
• Professional accounts: Commercial dealers must complete a simplified verification by submitting Company Register Extract, a valid EU VAT Number and identification for Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO Declaration for Owners holding 25%+ equity). Additional documentation is requested only if automated registry validation cannot confirm active business status.
• Accepted payment methods: WatchVault processes transactions strictly via the following authorized channels:
  1. Credit & debit cards: Visa, Mastercard and American Express,
  2. Bank wire transfers: Standard SEPA Wire Transfer and SEPA Instant Credit Transfer,
  3. Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC).
• Cryptocurrencies fluctuations: For transactions completed using cryptocurrency (BTC, USDT, or USDC), any approved refund, dispute compensation or order cancellation payout shall be calculated and issued strictly in the corresponding cryptocurrency token amount originally received into escrow, excluding non-refundable network transaction fees. WatchVault assumes no liability for fiat currency valuation changes or market volatility occurring between the initial escrow deposit and the release of funds. Refunds are executed based on the exact token quantity received, regardless of fluctuations in Euro (Ex. an escrow deposit of 1.1 BTC, 30.000 USDT or 55.000 USDC will be refunded in that exact token amount).

Payment release for completed transactions or WatchVault Operations are executed exclusively via SEPA Transfers — Instant or Standard — or WatchVault Crypto Wallet. The account holder name must strictly match the verified legal identity or registered corporate entity on the WatchVault account. Third-party payouts are strictly prohibited.

6. Seller Acknowledgments

By submitting a timepiece for marketplace listing or direct buy on WatchVault, the seller explicitly warrants and declares that:

• 100% authenticity: The seller warrants that the timepiece in its entirety — including movement, case, dial, bezel, hands, crystals, bracelet/strap and accompanying documentation/boxes — is 100% authentic and original, containing no counterfeit components, unstated aftermarket replica parts or unauthorized modifications.
• Clear ownership: The seller is the legal owner of the timepiece (or an authorized corporate representative) with full legal authority to transfer ownership to the buyer or WatchVault.
• Free of encumbrances: The timepiece is free and clear of all legal claims, security interests, liens, financial pledges, financing agreements or third-party rights.
• Legitimate origin: The item has not been reported lost or stolen, is not the subject of any active police investigation or insurance fraud claim, and is free of any claim by law enforcement or worldwide watch registries.
• Accurate representation and Condition Grading: All details provided — including serial numbers, reference numbers, service history, box/paper availability, mechanical condition reports and uploaded pictures (note that the use of stock photography is strictly prohibited) — are truthful and accurate, and depict the actual watch being sold. To be sure that the timepiece listed is compliant to our grading tiers, refer to WatchVault Condition Grading guide, to avoid delays and disputes during the Buyer Inspection window.
• Indemnification: The seller agrees to fully indemnify and hold harmless WatchVault and the buyer against any financial loss, legal costs or damages arising from a breach of any of these ownership or authenticity warranties or any other third-party ownership claims.

7. Order Cancellations & Returns

Order cancellations: Prior to dispatch, a transaction may only be canceled by mutual agreement or as a result of a breach of fulfillment terms. If the seller fails to dispatch the timepiece within the mandatory 48 hour Dispatch window following payment confirmation, the buyer reserves the right to cancel the transaction immediately for a full escrow refund.

Professional and WatchVault sales returns: Purchases made directly from professional dealers (B2C) or WatchVault Operations include a statutory 14 day right of withdrawal for private buyers under consumer law. Timepieces must be returned in the same conditions as they were sold, and fully complete with all original collateral to qualify for a complete refund. Return shipping costs under the statutory right of withdrawal remain the responsibility of the buyer. WatchVault reserves the right to deduct an appropriate amount from the refund for any diminished value resulting from handling or missing items.

Private sales returns: Statutory 14 day return rights do not apply to private (C2C) or professionals (B2B) transactions. C2C and B2B sales are final once delivered, subject exclusively to dispute claims raised during the mandatory 48 hour Buyer Inspection window.

8. Liability Limitations

• Platform availability & technical disruptions: WatchVault strives for continuous platform availability but accepts no liability for temporary service interruptions, server downtime, software glitches or delayed notifications resulting from technical issues outside our direct operational control.
• Market volatility & valuation shifts: WatchVault is not liable for financial loss, lost profits or reduced resale margins resulting from luxury watch market price fluctuations, valuation updates or shifts in horological market demand during or after a transaction.
• Force majeure & courier delays: WatchVault is not liable for transaction delays, shipping disruptions or losses resulting from events beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, regional logistics strikes, border security inspections or severe transport interruptions covered by courier force majeure clauses.
• Cap on liability: To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, WatchVault total aggregate financial liability for any claim arising out of or related to a platform transaction shall not exceed the total platform commission or service fee actually retained by WatchVault for that specific transaction. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for willful misconduct or gross negligence.

9. Commissions, Fees & Charges

• Listing & subscription fees:
  Private sellers are subject to a one-time-payment of 10€ per published listing,
  Professional dealers are charged via a monthly subscription of 25€/month for unlimited active listings.
• Marketplace commissions: WatchVault charges a seller commission on completed transactions capped at 1% — representing the lowest fee structure in the watch industry. Commissions are automatically deducted from the seller escrow payout upon settlement. For a full breakdown of WatchVault tiered rates, check out WatchVault Fee Rates.
• WatchVault Verified service fees: For buyers choosing the optional physical laboratory inspection and authentication service, fixed tiers apply based on the timepiece value:
  Under 25.000€ = 500€,
  25.000€ to 75.000€ = 800€,
  Over 75.000€ = 1.500€, includes specialized armored transport logistics.
• Fee deductions & non-refundability: Platform fees, subscriptions and verification charges are fully earned by WatchVault upon service performance or transaction settlement are non-refundable. Marketplace commissions are non-refundable once the 48 hour Buyer Inspection window expires or physical lab testing has commenced, unless an authorized return is triggered due to a seller fault.
• Tax & DAC7 Compliance: WatchVault complies with EU DAC7 reporting requirements and will report annual seller gross revenue to relevant tax authorities as mandated by EU law.

10. Intellectual Property

• WatchVault proprietary rights: All software, algorithms, visual design, database structures, logos, trademarks and copy content created by WatchVault are the exclusive intellectual property of WatchVault and protected under EU copyright and trademark laws.
• User media license grant: By uploading listing pictures (verification documentation excluded) to the platform, sellers grant WatchVault a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to display, reproduce, modify and distribute such media for platform operations, marketing, social media and historical sales archives.
• Originality & copyright warranties: Sellers explicitly warrant that all uploaded pictures and media represent original photographs of the exact item in their possession and do not infringe on any third-party copyrights, stock photography rights or intellectual property.
• Third-party trademarks & brand independence: WatchVault is an independent platform and is not affiliated, endorsed by or associated with any luxury watch manufacturer or brand. All brand names, logos, model designations and registered trademarks displayed on the platform belong exclusively to their respective rights holders and are referenced strictly for item identification and descriptive purposes.