Frequently asked questions about our automatic watches.
Shipping to the US, duties, returns, warranty and the watches themselves.
Shipping & duties
Will I have to pay customs duties or import taxes?
No. Our prices include U.S. import duties and taxes. We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) with DHL Express and pay the duties ourselves, so there is nothing to pay at delivery.
How long does shipping to the US take?
Catalog watches arrive in 2–5 business days. Custom watches designed in the configurator are built to order: allow 9–12 days. Shipping is free, with DHL Express.
Where do you ship from?
Catalog watches ship from our Los Angeles workshop and arrive in 2–5 business days. Custom watches are built to order and arrive in 9–12 days.
Where are your workshops?
We have two: our new workshop in Los Angeles, California, and our original workshop in Lyon, France, where Modus started. Same tools, same checks and the same team answering your emails.
Can I track my order?
Yes. You get a DHL tracking number by email as soon as your watch ships.
Do you ship to P.O. boxes?
No. DHL Express delivers to street addresses only, in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
The watches
Are Modus watches Seiko watches?
No. They are Modus Horlogerie watches, designed by Modus Horlogerie and fitted with a genuine Seiko movement. Seiko makes the movement; Modus designs the case, dial, hands and bezel. That's what watch fans call a seiko mod. Modus is not affiliated with Seiko.
What is a seiko mod watch?
A watch built around a Seiko movement, with its own case, dial, hands and bezel. The Seiko NH35 is the go-to movement for it: reliable, easy to service, and any watchmaker can work on it.
Which movements do you use?
The Seiko NH35 automatic on most models, the Seiko NH34 automatic GMT on MERIDIAN and with the configurator's GMT option, the Seiko NH70 skeleton automatic on ORBIT, and the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz chronograph on INTERVAL and COSMOS. The exact movement is listed on every product page.
Can I design my own watch?
Yes, in our configurator: pick the model, dial, bezel, hands and strap, add a name or your logo to the dial and an engraving on the caseback. You see your custom watch live before you order, from $349.
Can I get a watch engraved?
Yes. Caseback engraving is an option in the configurator: a name, a date, a few words. It makes an engraved watch a personal gift.
Are the watches water resistant?
Every Modus watch is water resistant to 5 ATM: rain, splashes and hand washing are fine. They are not dive watches, so take it off before swimming or showering.
What are they made of?
316L stainless steel cases and anti-reflective sapphire crystal on every watch.
Returns & warranty
What is your return policy?
You have 30 days from delivery to send a watch back, custom watches included. Email us your order number and we send you a prepaid return label. Once the watch is back, unworn and in its box, we refund the full price within 14 days.
What does the 3-year warranty cover?
Any manufacturing defect affecting the movement, the water resistance or general operation, for three years from purchase. Knocks, misuse and normal wear of the strap or crystal aren't covered.
Who handles repairs?
Our own watchmaking team. Write to us with your order number: we diagnose the watch within 5 business days of receiving it, then repair or replace it at our expense under warranty.
Payment
Which payment methods do you accept?
Apple Pay, Shop Pay, PayPal and major cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Checkout is run by Shopify and secured with 3D Secure.
Are prices in US dollars?
Yes. Prices are in USD and already include duties and taxes. What you see is what you pay.
Is there a discount on a second watch?
Yes: 20% off the cheaper of two watches, from the catalog or the configurator. It applies automatically in your cart, no code needed. Configurator options and gift cards aren't discounted, and it doesn't stack with a discount code.
Still stuck?
Buying guide or write to us directly. We reply within 24–48 hours.
