Terms of Service for FindWatch™ / FindWatch.com

1. Nature of Service

FindWatch™ is a search engine and aggregation tool for horological enthusiasts. We provide a platform to search, identify, and locate timepieces across the web. FindWatch™ is not a marketplace, auction house, or authorized dealer. We do not sell watches directly, nor do we handle payments or shipping for any items found via our service.

2. Authenticity & Non-Endorsement Disclaimer

• No Verification: FindWatch™ does not physically inspect or verify the authenticity, provenance, or condition of any watches displayed.
• Third-Party Content: All metadata and images are indexed from third-party sources. Appearance on our platform does not constitute an endorsement or a guarantee of legitimacy.
• Due Diligence: We strongly recommend that users perform their own due diligence or consult a certified horologist before purchasing high-value items from any third party.

3. User-Uploaded Content & Visual Search

• Image License: By uploading an image for visual search, you grant FindWatch™ a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, analyze, and use the image to improve our search algorithms.
• Search Accuracy: Our AI-driven identification is for informational purposes only. Results may be affected by photo quality, lighting, or aftermarket modifications.
• Ownership: You warrant that you own the rights to any photo you upload.

4. Privacy & Metadata (GPS Data)

• Temporary images only: Automatic deletion: Uploaded images are used for the lookup, then automatically deleted within 5 minutes.
• Automatic Stripping: To protect your security, our systems are designed to automatically remove GPS location coordinates (EXIF data) from uploaded images immediately upon ingestion.
• Storage: We do not store or share your precise geographical data found in photo metadata.
• Session Analytics: We use Microsoft Clarity in cookieless mode and Google Analytics 4 (with IP anonymization and page-view tracking only) to understand how visitors interact with the site. Microsoft and Google process data on our behalf — see Microsoft's privacy statement and Google's privacy policy. All first-time visitors see a consent banner, and neither Clarity nor Google Analytics is loaded unless explicitly accepted. All visitors can also opt out at any time: (1) click the Manage Privacy Preferences link in the site footer to disable (or re-enable) analytics on this device — your preference is saved locally in your browser. (2) California residents (and residents of other US states with similar rights) can use the Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information link in the site footer for a one-click opt-out of any sale or sharing of personal information. (3) Enable your browser's Do Not Track (DNT) or Global Privacy Control (GPC) setting — typically found under Privacy & Security in Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Brave/Firefox mobile (Safari and iOS Safari no longer expose a DNT toggle but apply equivalent tracking protection automatically). When a GPC signal is detected we treat it as a silent opt-out, no banner is shown, and neither Clarity nor Google Analytics will load. Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), as well as similar laws in Colorado, Connecticut, Texas, and Virginia, we honor GPC as a valid request to opt out of any "sale" or "sharing" of personal information. (4) Use a content blocker such as uBlock Origin, AdGuard, Brave Shields, Ghostery, or Privacy Badger, which block the clarity.ms and googletagmanager.com domains by default.

5. Prohibited Use & Anti-Scraping

• No Automated Access: Use of bots, spiders, or scrapers to harvest data from FindWatch™ for competing databases is strictly prohibited.
• Rate Limiting: We reserve the right to block IP addresses that exceed reasonable search frequencies or attempt to circumvent security features.
• No Reverse Engineering: Users may not attempt to decompile or reverse engineer our proprietary visual identification algorithms.

6. Notice to Professional Sellers

• Authenticity Guarantee: Sellers listing inventory directly must warrant that all items are 100% authentic. The sale of "superclones" or replicas results in a permanent ban.
• Inventory Accuracy: Sellers must maintain accurate pricing and "Sold" status.
• Indemnity: Sellers are responsible for the legality and copyright of the images they provide.

7. Dispute Resolution

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms of Service or your use of FindWatch.com shall be resolved as follows:

• Direct Resolution: Before initiating any formal proceeding, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute informally by contacting the other party at info@findwatch.org.
• Arbitration: If a dispute is not resolved informally within 30 days, it shall be finally settled under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) by one or more arbitrators appointed in accordance with the said Rules. The place of arbitration shall be Colorado, United States. The language of the arbitration shall be English. The award of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
• Class Action Waiver: You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action. If for any reason a claim proceeds in court rather than in arbitration, each party waives any right to a jury trial.
• Reporting Fraud & Takedown Requests: Users may report fraudulent listings or behavior to info@findwatch.org. We reserve the right to blacklist anyone who violates our community standards. For takedown requests email: info@findwatch.org.

8. Intellectual Property (DMCA)

If you believe your copyright or trademark is being infringed upon, please send a formal Notice to our Designated Agent:

• Email: info@findwatch.org
• Subject: DMCA Takedown Request
• Required Info: Original work URL, infringing FindWatch.com URL, and a statement of good faith belief.

9. Contact Us

• General: info@findwatch.org
• Partnerships: info@findwatch.org