Support
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are these real, working watches?
Yes. Every kit uses a genuine mechanical or mecha-quartz movement, the same calibres used across the watchmaking industry, not display pieces or fake movements.
Do I need any watchmaking experience?
No. Our kits are designed so that anyone with patience can complete them. Take it at whatever pace suits you - there's no rush, and the movement isn't running while it's apart. If you need any help along the way we are always here to help.
Do I need a steady hand?
You need more patience than precision. The trickiest steps - seating the movement and setting the hands - are slow, deliberate motions rather than anything requiring fine motor skill, and the tool kit includes hand-setting tools designed to make this easier. If your hands shake, work slowly and take breaks; there's no time pressure.
What happens if I break a part during the build?
Small consumables (hands, spring bars) are inexpensive to reorder - contact us and we can help. A part you've broken yourself during assembly isn't something we can refund - but if a part arrived faulty or damaged, that's on us and your legal rights are unaffected, so get in touch.
I'm stuck on my build - is there help?
Yes - our Build Guides page has step-by-step video guides for the trickier steps, like attaching hands. Or contact us if you have a more personal problem.
What sizes are available?
It depends on the kit - some are offered in both 36mm and 40mm, others in one size only. The sizes available are shown on each kit's own page.
Can I design my own watch instead of buying a fixed kit?
Yes - use Custom Build to choose your movement, case & strap, dial, and hands individually. Each part is priced separately and the total updates as you build.
Why does my Custom Build preview look slightly different from the finished watch?
The Custom Build preview is a mockup - a beta feature we're still refining. It's built by layering real product photos of each part, so it gives you a genuine sense of the colours and combination, but it isn't a photograph of the finished, assembled watch. A few things can't be shown accurately yet: the crystal's date magnifier (cyclops) lens, exact reflections and depth, how the hands sit once fitted, and small alignment details. Your assembled watch uses the exact same parts, so expect it to look very close - just a touch more polished than the flat preview.
How long does shipping take?
Every order on the site right now is a pre-order. We dispatch from the UK within 75 days of you ordering, and courier transit to your address is on top of that. Shipping is charged per order by destination and weight - from £5 to the UK, from £13 to the EU & Ireland, from £13 plus import VAT and duties to Germany & Luxembourg, from £18 to the rest of Europe, from £16 plus import duties to the USA, from £18 to Canada, from £17 to Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, India, Thailand & Brazil, and from £19 everywhere else - and you'll see your exact figure at checkout as soon as you've chosen the delivery country, before you pay. Full details are on the Shipping page.
Is there a limit on how many I can order?
Pre-orders are limited to 3 of each watch per order - that's 3 of any one kit, or 3 of the same custom build - and 10 watches in total. You can mix different watches in one order. Tools are limited to 3 tool kits and 3 of any one tool per order. If you'd like more than that, email support@wristbuilt.com - we're happy to arrange bulk orders directly.
What's your return policy?
You have a legal right to cancel within 14 days of delivery for a full refund. Full details, including how it works once you've started a build, are on the Returns page.