The governing rule
No maker, retailer, advertiser or commercial partner can pay for inclusion, a higher provenance tier, removal of a caveat or a favourable conclusion. Evidence may change the record; pressure does not.
This statement will be updated before any such commercial activity begins.
Maker cooperation
Makers are encouraged to provide technical clarification, workshop access, current specifications, press materials, image permissions and factual corrections. Cooperation gives the publication better evidence, not editorial control.
- A maker may review factual details before publication where practical.
- A maker may not approve the verdict, tier or editorial framing.
- Refusal to cooperate is not treated as evidence of poor quality or bad faith.
- Direct claims remain labelled as maker-supplied until independently checked where possible.
Press loans and review watches
A loaned watch remains the property of the lender and must be returned under the agreed terms. Any article substantially informed by a press loan will disclose who supplied it and the approximate loan period. The lender does not receive copy approval.
Long-term loans create a stronger conflict and will either be declined or disclosed prominently. A watch supplied permanently without payment is treated as a gift, not a loan.
Gifts, hospitality and travel
Low-value press materials or ordinary refreshments do not purchase coverage. Significant gifts will be declined, returned, donated or disclosed. Travel, accommodation or hospitality funded by a maker or event organiser will be disclosed in the resulting coverage.
Advertising and sponsorship
Any future advertisement, sponsored feature or paid partnership will be visually and verbally labelled so it cannot be mistaken for independent editorial work. Sponsors will not receive influence over unrelated maker records, comparison results or tier definitions.
Affiliate links
Any future link that can generate a commission will be identified near the link or within the article. Commission arrangements will not determine a maker's tier or whether criticism is included. Where a non-affiliate official source is more useful, it remains the preferred citation.
Personal interests and conflicts
Ownership of a watch, a close personal relationship, paid consultancy, employment, investment or other material interest connected to a subject will be disclosed when relevant. A serious conflict may require another contributor or no coverage at all.
Corrections and right of reply
Makers and readers may submit evidence through the corrections process. Material factual changes are recorded in the public corrections log. Disagreement with a judgement is considered, but a correction requires evidence that the published factual record is incomplete or wrong.
Questions about a disclosure
Questions about a relationship, loan or commercial arrangement can be sent to [email protected].