Tissot makes a great watch, but like all watches from time to time you may need a repair. You can take a Tissot to a local watch repair or jeweler, but that work could potentially void your watches warranty. In the article below I will discuss where to get a Tissot fixed, warranty information, and how the Tissot watch repair near me works.
Tissot Watch Repair Near Me
If you are in need of a “Tissot watch repair near me”, view the map below for your best options…
Taking your timepiece to a watch repair shop or jeweler is a great way to get work done. The downside however is these are considered unauthorized repairs.
Unauthorized Tissot Watch Repair Shops
Any watch repair or jeweler will be happy to take a look at in issue with your Tissot timepiece. They likely have the tools and expertise to complete your work as well. However according to the Tissot warranty this is considered an unauthorized repair. The risks of an unauthorized repair is that is will void your warranty. The only way to maintain your warranty is to use an authorized service center.
Why would anyone go to a watch shop or jeweler then for watch repairs?
Convenience. Local repair places mean you can deal with a person directly and get your watch back much quicker for most work. You may also not be overly concerned if you warranty is lapsed any way.
When you deal with an authorized service center, you don’t talk to a pro technician directly and you will likely be without your watch for 2 to 5 weeks.
How Long is The Warranty on My Tissot?
Tissot watches come with a two year limited liability warranty. the warranty starts on the date you purchase your timepiece. It covers manufacturer defects and craftsmanship only. It does not cover wear and tear. Parts like the battery, strap, band, and crystal are not covered unless it is proven to be defective.
The warranty specifically calls out what constitutes authorized work and unauthorized work. It says that anyone other then an authorized Tissot technician who performs any work on the watch will void the warranty. That means if you do any work or your local watch repair shop does any work the warranty is voided.
Making a claim on the warranty can only be done by an authorized service center. To make a claim you need an original receipt showing the date, thepurchase price, and the model number of the timepiece. You can find the Tissot warranty here.
Claiming a Warranty at A Tissot Boutique
If you don’t want to mail in yur watch you could visit a Tissot boutique. They will not perform the repair work on premise though. Instead they will manage the repair on your behalf and work as go between with the authorized service center.
Tissot Battery Replacement
If your watch has a battery eventually it will require a replacement. Batteries should be replaced every one to three years. If your timepiece is losing time that could be an indication that your battery needs replacement. You should never leave a dead battery in your watch because it can leak and cause damage to the internal components.
On many of these watches a battery is pretty easy to change. It can be done with a case holder, mini screw driver, tweezers, and a case knife. Just remember that id you change the battery yourself it technically is an unauthorized repair and could void your warranty. Tissot actually specifically recommends that you let them change the battery for you. In addition to changing the battery they will check to make sure everything else is functioning as intended.
For battery size conversion on different battery manufacturers, click here.
If you own a water resistant Tissot it is more important to let a pro do your battery swap. After they change the battery they will run a test to make sure the case is sealed correctly.
Crystal Replacement on a Tissot
The crystal is the piece of clear material that resides over the watch face to protect the dial and hands. Some people refer to it as the watch glass. Crystals can;t get scratched, cracked, or even shatter. The type of damage is usually the result of the material the crystal is made from.
While Tissot’s use a variety of materials for crystals it’s a good bet on a high end luxury watch it is made of sapphire. Sapphire doesn’t scratch very easy, but it will shatter. Replacing a sapphire crystal is expensive. If you have a mid grade Tissot, you may have a crystal made from mineral glass, which is cheaper to replace.
For any work on the crystal I recommend taking your watch to a pro technican or an authorized service center.
Replacing the Band or Strap
Band or strap replacement is a routine repair for a Tissot. many of these utilize a pinning mechanism. The pin can be popped out with the use of a spring pen.
People replace bands and straps for different reasons. Sometimes to change up style and other time because the previous one needs to be replaced. There are a veriety of 3rd party vendors that make bands and straps that fit Tissot’s. The type of material you choose will dictate how expensive the replacement is.
Resizing a Watch
Resizing the band or strap is one of the most commonly requested repairs. Having your watch fit correctly is important so that it stays secure on your wrist and doesn’t bang into anything and cause damage.
A resizing service takes about 20 to 30 minutes. If you take your Tissot back to where you bought it, they might resize it for free as a courtesy.
Straps made of leather, rubber, and fabric can be resized by punching new holes, Eventually though you run out of material to work with and the only option is a replacement. Metal bands however you can add or remove links as needed to get the best custom fit.
If you want to resize a metal watch band on your own, often you can just use a spring pen to pop out the links.
Crown and Stem Repair
The crown is the part of your watch that allows you to change the date and time. It’s the knob or knobs that stick out of the side of the case. Inside the crown there is a pin called the stem that connects the crown to the movement.
Replacing a crown is not very difficult especially on a newer watch where the parts are still manufactured. The trouble is that many times when the crown takes damage, the stem is damaged as well. Stem damage is harder to work around especially on a vintage watch. In some cases the stem can get pushed in and even damage the internal movement. This complicates a repair significantly.
Movement Repairs and Overhaul
The movement is all of the internal components that make the watch work. There are thousands of parts in some Tissot’s. The complexity of the repair is impacted by the age of the watch and type of of movement. Tissot’s feature either a quartz, mechanical, or automatic movement.
Any work done on the movement should be completed by a professional. To help reduce the amount of repairs you need on the movement you should tae your watch in for routine servicing according to Tissot’s schedule.
Mailing in Your Tissot to a Customer Service Center
If there are no Tissot stores near you and you want an authorized service center, you must mail in your timepiece.
A service center can do any type of work you need. They do basic fixes like resizing to complete movement overhauls on a vintage Tissot. Dealling with an authorized service center will mean your work is guaranteed for 12 months after your receive the watch back. Also if your issue is covered under the warranty the work will not cost you anything.
For repairs outside of your warranty they will send you a repair cost estimate. Should you decide not to have the work performed they will mail you back your watch.
For a warranty claim you need an original receipt showing the purchase date, price of the watch, and the model number.
To find an authorized Tissot service center go to this site.
Tips Before Sending In Your Timepiece
Here is some general guidance before you send a watch in to an authorized service center…
- Write on an index car the specific issue(s) that you are having with the watch.
- Write an estimated value of the watch on the index card.
- Include your name, address, phone number, and email address on the index card.
- Insure the package for the value of the timepiece.
- Use bubble wrap to protect the watch in the package.
- Follow all the directions on company website.
Can you Fix an Tissot Watch Yourself?
You can fix certain problems with these watches yourself. If you aren’t familiar with working on a watch though I recommend sticking to cleaning, band replacement ,and battery replacement only. If you are going to do that you should be aware that you could void your warranty and possibly cause damage to your watch.
Other Resources
For additional assistance with Tissot watch repairs, you can check the following sites…
Tissot Watch Repair Near Me
Tissot is an old school watch maker with a long standing tradition of making great Swiss timepieces. While a jeweler or watch repair shop would be happy to do repair work on one for you, you need to consider how that impacts your warranty. If you have a vintage Tissot I would 100% recommend seeking only an authorized service center. This is what I have learned from the Tissot watch repair near me.
