|
|
|  |
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS( FAQ )
 |
|
- How is KREMKE pronounced?
We pronounce it (Krem-kee). However, the name originates from Berlin, Germany and is correctly pronounced (Krem-keh). Either way is correct.
- How would you compare your watches to those of other manufacturers?
Ian Kremke personally designs each watch to meet the strictest of standards in both design and manufacture. Each watch must be unique in design and utilise the latest in technology and most stringent manufacturing methods and quality control.
We produce instruments that meet and exceed the quality of most watches that are priced many times more than ours. This value for dollar is only possible due to our Factory Direct model, selling directly to you through our Online Store, eliminating all excess costs that are usually passed on to customers such as retail mark-ups, agent fees, marketing budgets etc. Just high quality instruments, straight from the drawing board to your wrist. Just how it should be.
- Tell me about KREMKE Watch Co.?
Kremke Watch Co. was born from a seed of possibility.
This seed of possibility was planted in 2007 when an Australian Industrial Designer was forced to do a little bit of soul searching, after selling up his shares in a Design and Manufacturing firm that he co-founded in 2003.
The seed started sprouting when this fledgling watch designer, Ian Kremke, had a crazy idea.
This crazy idea was to be the first Australian designer to launch an international watch company, specialising in world-class mechanical tool watches, sold exclusively via an online store.
Watches that were designed to be unique and purposeful instruments designed with cachet and distinct aesthetics that could become classics in their own right amongst the world scene.
This crazy idea manifested into the reality it is today.
After a very successful launch of his flagship diver's watch on a prominent watch forum Ian's new company was firmly planted in the watch world and on it's way to becoming a successful venture, with a healthy following from international watch enthusiasts who look for uniqueness, value for money and exclusivity
Kremke Watch Co.´s "Mission Statement" is as follows:
Our aim is to be the premier watch company in the niche market of mechanical tool watches.
Customer service and listening to our customer’s requirements will always be our highest priority.
We endeavor to keep our finger on the pulse, through active participation on our Official Kremke Watch Co. Forum, working together with enthusiasts worldwide to design real instruments for the needs of real people.
It is with this commitment, that we shall produce new, innovative and exciting projects for years to come.
Combined with astute design and the latest in technology and manufacturing methods, we endeavour to produce superlative timepieces for the weekend warrior to the consummate professional.
- Where are these Timepieces made?
In our quest to produce the best quality timepieces possible, we have commissioned the highly acclaimed watch case manufactory, Fricker GMBH & CO.KG.
Fricker is based in Pforzheim Germany and their quality is second to none.
As the majority of the components and assembly is performed in Germany, our timepieces are designated as "Made in Germany".
Our watches are essentially designed in Australia, Made in Germany, and beat with a Swiss Made movement. We see it as a perfect synthesis of Aussie design and European know-how.
- Are your movements “SWISS MADE”?
All Kremke watches house genuine Swiss Made movements by the world-renowned movement manufactory, ETA SA in Switzerland.
Only the best will do. No compromise, no inferior clones, just genuine Swiss Made precision mechanical movements.
- Where is KREMKE Watch Co. located?
KREMKE Watch Co. is proudly located in Melbourne, Australia.
- How can I contact you?
Please go to our "Contact Us" page and send us an email or you can phone us on +613 9530 4876 (Due to the international time differences, please try and call within the business hours of 9am to 5pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday to Friday (GMT +10 hrs, Melbourne Australia)). This will connect you to a Kremke customer service agent who will attempt to promptly answer your questions. You will most likely be greeted by the founder himself .
- What is Ian Kremke’s background?
Ian was born in Perth, Western Australia and currently resides in Melbourne, Australia. He is a qualified Industrial Designer with an incurable passion for watches. Ian’s interest in all things mechanical started early in his life as a young child, whilst lurking around the backyard garage, in which his father was building a home-built aircraft. Fascinated by his father's aircraft and the assortment of classic vehicles his father owned, Ian started a life long interest in all things mechanical. Namely, watches and cars. His professional background is in Industrial Design as well as 6 years experience as co-founder of a Design and Manufacturing firm.
He is now committed to building his dream business, doing what he loves best, designing watches.
His other interests include performance cars, motor sports, gym and all aspects of design.
- Do you ever have sales or offer discounts?
We have a strict no-discount policy. This policy is in place to ensure that you, the customer, gets the best price every time you visit our online store, through our commitment to offer you the best value through our factory direct system.
The other benefit is that your investment retains a higher value should you want to sell it on the used market.
Likewise, we do not offer any sales on our products as we have worked hard to offer you the very best value for money through our factory direct model.
- Can I become a retailer of KREMKE watches?
For business opportunities, please email Ian Kremke at
- Any job vacancies?
We're always looking for good people. Please, first email Ian at
to check for positions vacant. Thanks for your interest.
|
 |
|
- How can I order KREMKE watches online? What payment methods available? What if I do not own a credit card?
See our “Buying Process” section.
- I do not want to send my credit card information over the Internet. How else can I order a KREMKE watch?
Although all KREMKE web order forms are securely encrypted by SSL, we offer customers the alternative of other payment methods. Please refer to “Buying Process”.
- Where can I see your watches in person?
KREMKE watches are sold exclusively through our official online store so that we can offer you the factory direct price. No middlemen, no agents, no salesmen, no unnecessary mark-ups!
Our three (3) day evaluation period allows you to view the timepiece at your own leisure in the comfort of your own home without any pushy salesman looking over your shoulder. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, you have the above-mentioned three days to return it to us in it’s original condition and we will refund your money. See “Warranty and Service”.
- Where can I buy a KREMKE watch?
The only place to buy one of our timepieces is from our Online Store. Feel free to navigate our Collection and use our simple online store facility. See “Buying Process”.
- Do I have to pay sales tax?
INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS
Any purchases from other countries where goods leave Australia are exempt from the Australian GST. In some cases, however, other duties and/or taxes may apply specific to the country of import. The purchaser is liable for these charges and will be charged by the courier on delivery. Such additional charges are not refundable to the purchaser in the event of exchanges or refunds to KREMKE Watch Co.
It is prudent to check with your local customs office, what duties are applicable to your region or state.
Kremke Watch Co. will provide a “Watch Value Breakdown Sheet” with every international shipment to facilitate a speedy customs clearance.
AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS
Purchases delivered within Australia will be subject to the Australian GST (Goods and Services Tax).
All prices displayed on our website are displayed in US dollars and are excluding GST.
All Australian residents should email Ian Kremke to issue a GST invoice based on daily exchange rates from XE.com.See “Buying Process”.
- What is the shipping cost? And how long does it take to receive an order?
All prices listed on this website are inclusive of shipping worldwide, fully insured.
All items valued over US$500 will be shipped via FedEx and usually take 3-4 working days to arrive at international locations. All items under US$500 will be shipped via Australia Post and usually take 7-10 working days to arrive at international locations.
Provided that the watch is in stock, we do our best to make sure that all orders placed (and verified) at KREMKE Watch Co. before 5:00PM EST (GMT +10hrs) are shipped the next working day via FedEx or Australia Post.
You will be supplied with a tracking number upon shipment of your order.
For your security, all orders are shipped signature required. Please be sure that an adult who is authorized to sign for your package will be available at the designated shipping address
For Paypal purchases, as per Paypal requirements, we can only ship your order to the confirmed address on your paypal account.
Please note: We cannot be responsible for additional costs, such as customs, duties, VAT, taxes, etc. Please contact your local customs office for an estimate before ordering. Please note that we must declare the full value that you paid for your watch on the shipment.
- When is a signature required for delivery?
Orders valued at over US$200.00 automatically require a signature at the time of delivery. FedEx will not pay us for lost or stolen deliveries if a signature is not required. Sorry, requests to not require signatures cannot be fulfilled.
- What is your cancellation policy?
Customers who enter an order online and cancel before the order is shipped will not be charged. If the order has been shipped and the customer refuses delivery, we will refund the total amount of the merchandise once we have recovered the goods in brand new condition. The shipping charge will not be refunded.
- What is your return / Exchange policy?
All timepieces purchased from Kremke Watch Co. (except special order* items) may be returned in their original, unused condition for a full refund of the purchase price (minus our actual shipping costs) within three (3) days from date of receipt. All original factory tape, plastic protectors and stickers must be intact and never removed. All shipping and handling costs in connection with returns are the responsibility of the customer. If you would like to return a watch please contact us for the mailing address and Return Authorisation Form (R.A.F.).
Please make sure to inspect your watch as soon as you receive it. Before wearing or removing any tags or factory tape, check over the watch to see that it is in perfect working order, with no blemishes. All our watches are 100% brand new and should keep accurate time. Once the watch is worn or sized (and even if it is unworn but the plastics/tags have been removed) we cannot accept a return of the watch. If, after wearing or sizing your watch, you notice that there is a mechanical problem, we will do our best to repair it under our two (2) year limited warranty. We will not replace or refund a watch once it has been worn (or the plastics/tags have been removed). We will not accept the return of any watch that has been worn or sized under the premise that it was received that way. It is the buyer's responsibility to inspect the watch upon receipt to ensure that it is in perfect working order, before wearing.
Please note:
All returns must have a pre-assigned Return Authorization No. (RA#) from Kremke Watch Co. Please contact us prior to your return for your Return Authorisation Form (R.A.F.). All products must be returned in their original unworn condition (with the bracelet, strap or clasp never sized) including packaging, manuals, protective tape/plastics & hanging tags fully intact and never removed from the watch.
All returns and exchanges are subject to an inspection by the Returns Department to ensure that the watch is unworn, still with its original tags, plastics, box and manual, before we can process your refund or exchange order.
The order must be returned within three (3) days from the date of delivery
Returns will be credited in full, minus the actual shipping cost.
Returns must be shipped via prepaid traceable delivery (for e.g. UPS or FedEx).
Insurance is on the onus of the sender.
Please note:
Some couriers do not insure watches valued above a certain amount. Please check with your chosen freight company or contact Kremke Watch Co for help.
The tracking number for your return must be emailed to us upon shipment.
*If your watch is a special order, you will be notified before it is shipped out.
Note: Kremke Watch Co. is not liable to refund any international taxes or duties on exported goods.
- Can I have different billing and shipping addresses?
Kremke Watch Co. recommends that billing and shipping addresses are identical whenever possible. Every address and phone number submitted to Kremke Watch Co. will be verified. We offer the option of shipping to different shipping and billing addresses, however, you must first contact customer service at info@kremkewatches.com to place an order if your shipping address is different from your billing address.
Please comply with our ordering policy, so that there is no delay in processing your order.
- What credit cards do you accept?
PayPal supports a large number of credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diner's Club and EnRoute. Depending on your processor, Payflow Pro also supports level 2 and level 3 Purchasing Cards (P-Cards). Check cards or debit cards with either a Visa or MasterCard logo are supported and treated just like a credit card.
Card types that are currently not compatible with PayPal Merchant Services are:
Procurement and private label credit cards (such as a department store credit card).
Debit cards requiring a numeric password and pin-pad for entry.
Please make sure that your billing information submitted to Kremke Watch Co. corresponds to the address where your credit card statements are received. This address should also be the same address that your credit card company has on file. If you are not sure of your correct billing address, please contact your credit card company for details. Inaccurate billing and identity information submitted to Kremke Watch Co. will delay the shipment of your order.
- Can I pay by check?
- Do you accept international orders?
Kremke Watch Co. is pleased to accept orders from outside of Australia.
Please feel confident in your transaction through our Paypal facility.
We also accept wire transfers as payment. Please contact us via email or phone to place an order paid for by wire transfer. You will then be supplied with the proper instructions once we receive and confirm your order.
Please be aware that all taxes and duties are your responsibility and must be paid by you to your local customs office upon the arrival of your timepiece.
We ask that you comply with these requirements so that we can quickly ship your order. Any missing information will prohibit or delay the delivery of your order. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our customer service department at
- Can I purchase KREMKE watches at any retail stores?
Kremke Watches are available exclusively through our online store and are not available at any retail outlets.
- How do I know my personal information is secure and private?
Safeguarding your financial and personal information is one of our most important priorities. That’s why we automatically encrypt all sensitive information sent between your computer and our servers.
Your computer:
When registering or logging in to our site, we verify that your internet browser is running Secure Sockets Layer 3.0 (SSL) or higher.
In transit:
Information is protected by SSL with an encryption key length of 128 bits (the highest level commercially available).
PayPal servers:
Your personal information is stored on our servers and heavily guarded, both physically and electronically. To further shield your credit card and bank numbers, we do not directly connect our firewall-protected servers to the Internet.
|
 |
|
- Where do I get the operating instructions for my KREMKE watch?
You can download a PDF version of the operating instructions and warranty information for any model from our website under the “Buying Process > Manuals” section. You can see it here.
- What if I need service, warranty repair or regular maintenance?
All KREMKE models offered on this web site are covered by a two (2) year limited warranty, which means that in the unlikely case that your watch needs warranty repair within 2 years from the date of purchase, your watch will be repaired for free. If you are an Australian based customer, we have an Australian service centre in Melbourne, Victoria. We request that repairs for our non-Australian based customers be handled by our Authorised service centre in Pforzheim, Germany. This guarantees fast and trouble free service to our customers. You can rest assured that your watch is being taken care of by the people who put it together and know it best .
If your watch requires a service, warranty repair or regular maintenance, please contact us at
.
- What are the service intervals for KREMKE watches?
Like any mechanical device, a watch needs to be serviced regularly in order to insure a trouble free operation. Obviously, we cannot indicate the intervals for such work, given that it depends entirely on the model, climate and the care taken by the watch's owner. As a general rule, it is between 4 and 5 years, depending on the use of the watch.
Please contact us at
for a professional evaluation of your timepiece
- What is the warranty offered by KREMKE on all your watches?
All KREMKE watches come with an International 2 year limited warranty from the date of purchase. Warranties are limited and do contain certain exclusions. Please examine your warranty closely.
- Do I get papers with my watch?
Yes, you get an International Warranty Card with your details and the watches details (serial no. and specifications etc) plus Instruction and Warranty booklet.
|
 |
|
- What does Water Resistant and Water Proof mean and what do the different ratings mean?
All Kremke watches are designated “Water Resistant”. (Government guidelines prohibit manufacturers from labelling their watches “Waterproof”).
Please download the following PDF file for a detailed explanation of the different ratings.
Water Resistance.pdf
- What is an Automatic watch or self-winding watch and how do they work?
An automatic or self-winding watch is a mechanical watch, whose mainspring is wound automatically by the natural motion of the wearer's arm, to make it unnecessary to manually wind the watch. Most mechanical watches sold today are self-winding.
Essentially, the movement of the wrist and body causes the rotor, a metal weight attached to a winding mechanism, to pivot freely on its staff in the centre of the movement. The rotor rotates back and forth in a circular motion at the slightest action of the wrist. The rotor's movement winds the mainspring, a flat coiled spring that powers mechanical watches.
All of our movements also allow manual winding via the crown to allow setting of time.
For instructions on how our timepieces work you can refer to our Manuals section here.
- How much motion does an automatic need to work properly?
A person's normal arm and wrist motion will keep an automatic watch properly wound. However, it is advisable to first wind the watch via the crown to fully charge the movement in order to get its full power reserve potential.
Instructions are found in our manuals section here.
- How long will an automatic watch keep running whilst off the wrist?
A fully wound automatic movement will typically keep running from 36 to 48 hours, depending on which calibre movement your watch has.Please refer to the relevant timepiece specifications on the product pages.
- How accurate are they?
Mechanical watches, although a miracle in engineering and design, are not as accurate as their cheaper quartz electronic counterparts.
However, an automatic which runs slow by 30 seconds per day would translate to an accuracy of 99.965%.
Typically, a normal automatic is accurate to within +20/-5 seconds a day out of the box and depending on the quality.
We use top grade Swiss movements that are adjusted in five positions with an average rate of +/-4 seconds/day, with a maximum daily variation of +/-15 seconds/day.
Bear in mind that typically a movement will require a break–in period of 4-6 weeks in which will cause the accuracy to increase .
- Do I need a watch winder?
For people who do not wear their automatic watch every day, watch winders are available to store automatic watches and keep them wound. This is particularly advantageous if the watch has complex complications, like perpetual calendars or moon phases. A watch winder is a device that can hold one or more watches and moves them in circular patterns to approximate the human motion that otherwise keeps the self-winding mechanism working. A mechanical watch should be kept wound and running as much as possible to prevent its lubricants from congealing over time, which diminishes accuracy. A full service (which involves disassembly, cleaning and re-lubrication) should be performed at least every five years to keep the movement as accurate as possible.
We feel that with regular wear and care, your watch does not require a watch winder. It is more of a convenience than necessity for customers that don’t like or don’t have the time to wind and adjust the time or have movements with complex complications.
- What is PVD?
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is a variety of vacuum deposition and is a general term used to describe any of a variety of methods to deposit thin films by the condensation of a vaporized form of the material onto various surfaces (e.g., onto tools or jewelry). The coating method involves purely physical processes such as high temperature vacuum evaporation or plasma sputter bombardment rather than involving a chemical reaction at the surface to be coated as in chemical vapor deposition.
PVD coatings are often used to produce anything from black implant-grade, autoclavable body jewelry and timepieces to Formula 1 racing parts.
- Does PVD scratch easily?
PVD coatings are sometimes harder and more corrosion resistant than the underlying metal. Most coatings have high temperature and good impact strength, excellent abrasion resistance and are so durable that protective topcoats are almost never necessary.
PVD coatings with a hardness of 1000-4000HV can be deposited with this technique, approximately 5x the hardness of high speed steel.
In conclusion, the PVD surface is generally more scratch resistant than a standard steel surface, though it is still possible to expose the underlying material (in this case stainless steel) if the surface receives a decent impact or is rubbed against an abrasive surface.
Some say it adds character, but if this bothers you, we generally offer a stainless steel version of each timepiece.
|
 |
|
- What are Tool Watches?
Watch enthusiasts refer to certain types of watches as "Tool Watches". This term was coined by watch enthusiasts to describe watches with a utilitarian purpose and/or aesthetic. These watches are generally purposeful instruments which have inherent design features that are functional and relevant to the chosen activity or category it was designed for .
- What does “W.I.S.” mean?
Watch enthusiasts commonly refer to themselves and / or others as WIS.
WIS is an acronym for “Watch Idiot Savant”.
- Is there a forum for KREMKE watch enthusiasts?
Sure. Please visit our Official Kremke Watch Co. Forum at http://forums.watchuseek.com/forumdisplay.php and see what everyone has to say about our superlative timepieces.
|
If you should have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at
|
| |
|