Sources and methodology

Where the data comes from

Specifications are compiled from watch database records, including WatchBase, and from the manufacturers' own sites where we have them: Breitling (breitling.com) and Patek Philippe (patek.com). Each record is cross-checked across references and models, so a value that does not fit the rest of its model or family is flagged instead of published as fact.

For brands where the manufacturer does not publish its specifications to us, or leaves gaps, we use the product listings of two authorised retailers: Mayors and Watches of Switzerland, together with a small hand-checked sheet of references. These are retailers, not manufacturers, and they are never described as manufacturer or official sources. A value taken from a retailer shows the retailer’s name as its source on the watch page (for example, “as listed by Mayors, an authorised retailer”). Where two retailers disagree, we settle the value with the manufacturer’s own page or with two agreeing sources, and a reference with an unsettled disagreement is held back from the site. Prices and pre-owned listings are not published: from a pre-owned listing we use only facts that belong to the reference itself, never its photo, dial, bracelet, year or price.

WatchBase is a source of specifications and photographs on Watchnik, and a photograph taken from it is credited to WatchBase wherever it is shown.

The written descriptions on each page are our own words. We do not republish the wording of any source.

Manufacturer verification

Manufacturer verification is under way for the launch brands. Where a value has been verified against manufacturer information, it is marked as verified on the page.

For Breitling and Patek Philippe, specifications and photographs come from the official sites, breitling.com and patek.com. A value from or confirmed by the manufacturer shows “Verified by” and the brand on the watch page, and where the manufacturer and the database disagree, the manufacturer value is shown and the earlier one is kept in our records.

Missing and conflicting values

Missing values are shown as not yet recorded. We never estimate or fill a value from memory.

Where sources disagree, the conflict is flagged on the page instead of being resolved silently.

Nicknames

A nickname is published only when it belongs to one exact reference, has two independent sources on different websites, and has been checked by a person. We never apply a nickname to a whole family or model, and where a nickname belongs to one dial or bracelet version of a reference it is shown on that version only. Nicknames are collector terms, not official brand names.

Images

Image sources are credited where they are known. Official brand images are used under the brand's terms. Photographs taken from an authorised retailer's listing are credited to that retailer in the image details.

Corrections

Send corrections to [YOUR EMAIL]. Every correction is reviewed before any change is made.