Service card

A service card is the document issued by a manufacturer or authorised service centre after a watch has been serviced, often recording the serial number, the date, and a warranty on the work.

It's evidence of a genuine, documented service, which supports value and gives a buyer confidence that the watch has been maintained properly. It isn't the same as the original warranty card from the first sale.

Keep service cards with the watch's records and describe them accurately. A buyer should know whether they're getting original papers, service papers, or both.

What a service card adds when you sell

A recent, documented service tells the buyer one big cost is already paid, which supports your price and shortens the questions. Say who did it: a brand service and a service by an independent watchmaker are both real work, but buyers weigh them differently.

What to check

The serial on the card should match the watch, and the date should fit what the seller tells you. Some cards list the work done; if this one doesn't, the service invoice often does. The article on whether to service a watch before selling looks at when a service pays for itself.