Just About Watches
Purpose and Scope
These guidelines set out what Just About Watches publishes, how we handle member submissions, and the standards our editorial team applies when editing and preparing copy for the magazine and website. We exist to celebrate horology honestly, to educate and entertain our community, and to raise awareness and funds for brain tumour and cancer research. Everything we publish should reflect that purpose: curious, knowledgeable, humane, and trustworthy.
1. Our editorial mission and values
Just About Watches is a community-founded magazine: rigorous but approachable, expert without being elitist, and generous in spirit. We prize accuracy, provenance, and transparency; we prize human voice more. We want writing that makes a reader feel seen — whether that’s a long, immersive feature that takes you by the hand into a watchmaker’s world, or a short, sharp piece that helps someone buy with confidence. We insist on kindness, respect and evidence. We will not publish content that is abusive, defamatory, exploitative, or that undermines the safety or dignity of individuals or groups.
2. What we publish (content types)
We publish, commission and curate a mixture of material. Typical categories include:
- Features & long-form essays — deep dives, maker profiles, historical narratives.
- Reviews & evaluations — hands-on reviews, comparatives, and technical teardowns.
- Technical explainers — movements, materials, restoration techniques.
- Interviews & conversations — with makers, collectors and industry figures.
- Opinion & criticism — clearly labelled and argument-led.
- News, auctions & fundraising listings — announcements, charity auction lots, community sales (with provenance).
- Community contributions — member stories, collecting diaries, short dispatches.
Each category has different expectations for length, sourcing and editorial input (see Submission Guidelines).
3. Authorship, originality & ownership
- Original work only. Submissions must be the original work of the named author and must not infringe third-party rights. Plagiarism—whether from another publication, a book, or online content—is a categorical no.
- Copyright remains with the author unless a different arrangement is agreed in writing. By submitting, authors grant Just About Watches a non-exclusive, worldwide licence to publish, distribute and archive the piece (and to create short excerpts for promotion). We will always credit the author prominently.
- Images and media: authors must have the right to submit images (or provide proof of permission). For any item listed for auction or sale, authors must disclose provenance and provide documentary evidence where available.
4. Our AI policy — (clear, non-negotiable)
We do not publish AI-written or AI-generated articles. All submitted prose must be written by a human. The magazine’s editorial stance is simple: we champion human storytelling and human judgement. To be explicit:
- No submission that is wholly or substantially written by generative AI will be accepted.
- Authors must declare on submission that their piece is their own original writing and that they have not used AI to generate or substantially revise the prose. A sample declaration is at the end of this document.
- Permitted, limited AI use: staff editors (under the authority of the Editor-in-Chief) may use AI tools only for discrete, transparent tasks such as initial research prompts, formatting assistance, or generating suggested metadata — and only when that use is logged and disclosed to the Editor-in-Chief. Such assistance must not result in published text presented as human-written without explicit mention.
- Enforcement: submissions may be spot-checked. If a piece is found to be AI-generated (or the declaration is false) it will be rejected or removed, and the author may be barred from future publication. We reserve the right to require a signed statement affirming originality.
(Yes — the Editor may use tools behind the scenes for efficiency; editorial oversight and full disclosure remain non-negotiable. Our readers deserve honest authorship.)
5. Submission guidelines & technical requirements
To help us publish quickly and accurately, please follow these basic rules:
- File format: Submit text as .docx or .rtf with images supplied separately as high-resolution .jpg or .png.
- Word counts (guideline): features 2,500–6,000; long features 6,000+ (by prior arrangement); reviews 800–1,500; technical explainers 1,200–3,000; community pieces 300–1,200. These are guides — editors will advise.
- Images: supply originals where possible (minimum 2,000 pixels on longest edge). Include captions, photographer credit and confirmation of rights (e.g., “Image: author’s own / courtesy of X / rights cleared”). For watches, include at least one clear shot of the movement/serial where possible.
- Provenance statement: for items of material interest—consigned watches, auction lots, donations—provide a short provenance/history and any service records. This is essential for auction/fundraising listings.
- Style: British English by default. Use the house style notes below.
- Declaration: include a signed line confirming originality, ownership of images, and that no disallowed AI assistance was used (see sample declaration).
6. How we edit submitted articles — process and levels of edit
Our editing respects author voice. We work at three broad levels:
- Light copy-edit: grammar, punctuation, spelling, minor stylistic adjustments to fit house style. Author review is optional but encouraged.
- Substantive edit: structural edits, clarifying sections, reordering for clarity, adding subheads. For substantive changes we will consult authors and send a revised version for approval.
- Heavy rewrite / ghost edit: only with the author’s express consent. We will not substantially rewrite a piece without agreement; where we propose large rewrites we will explain the editorial rationale.
Fact-checking is part of the edit: dates, quotations, specifications, provenance claims and any medical/financial assertions will be checked. If factual errors are discovered post-publication, see Corrections & Retractions (section 13).
7. House style highlights (short & useful)
- Spelling & grammar: British English.
- Time: use lower-case times, e.g. 3pm, 10:30am. (Kev likes this.)
- Tone: conversational, informed, witty where appropriate, never corrosive. Keep humour natural and human. Avoid forced or overwrought metaphors; prefer clear, vivid comparisons over purple prose. (Don’t use phrases like “fever dream.”)
- Paragraphs: for long-form features, we welcome immersive paragraphs that breathe; for web readability, use subheads and break longer sections into digestible parts.
- References: for long pieces, place references, citations and source notes at the very end of the article. Short pieces may link inline but should include a short source list where relevant.
- Images & captions: captions are sentences, not fragments, and include photographer credit.
If in doubt, the editor will recommend a stylistic approach that suits the piece and the platform.
8. Sourcing, attribution & fact-checking
- Claims of fact must be sourced. For historical or technical assertions, cite primary sources where possible (archives, maker records, original patents, service paperwork). For market claims, link to auction results or established price databases.
- Anonymous sources: we avoid anonymous sourcing except in rare, justified circumstances and with editorial sign-off.
- Quotations: provide verbatim transcriptions and, where possible, audio/video proof for interview quotes. Editors may request recordings.
9. Images, rights and metadata
- Always include the name of the rights holder and explicit permission to publish images. If you do not own the image, secure written permission.
- If a photo shows identifiable people, include a model release. For close-ups of watches showing service marks, serial numbers or signatures, consider privacy and security (do not publish personal contact details).
- We retain the right to request alternative images or to refuse publication of images that raise copyright or safety concerns.
10. Provenance, authenticity & auction/fundraising items
Because we operate in a space where trust matters — and often raise money for charity — provenance and authenticity are non-negotiable for any item promoted for sale or auction. We will request supporting documentation (service records, certificates, previous auction entries, seller history). If the evidence is incomplete, we will clearly flag that in the listing. Editors may decline to publish auction items that lack sufficient provenance or that appear suspicious.
11. Conflicts of interest, sponsored content & transparency
- Disclosure: authors and contributors must disclose any material connection to subjects they write about (ownership of a watch, paid relationships with brands, affiliate links, commission, gifts).
- Sponsored content: clearly labelled and kept distinct from editorial content. We will not publish undisclosed advertorials.
- Reviewer independence: reviewers must disclose if a maker supplied a loaner watch, or if they have received payment or incentives. Editorial independence is essential — sponsorship never dictates a review’s conclusion.
12. Legal & ethical checks
We will not publish material that is unlawfully defamatory, that breaches a person’s privacy, or that reveals protected medical or financial data without consent. Editorial will refer potentially sensitive or litigious items to legal counsel. Authors should avoid giving medical, legal, or financial advice; if such commentary is essential, it must be signed off by an appropriate professional and accompanied by a clear disclaimer.
13. Corrections, clarifications & retractions
We aim for accuracy. If an error is identified:
- Minor factual errors will be corrected online with a note at the bottom of the article showing what changed and when.
- Serious errors (that materially misrepresent facts or persons) may result in a prominent correction or retraction and an apology.
- Process: the subject of the piece and the author will be notified where appropriate. Corrections are transparent and dated.
14. Community moderation & comments
Our community is a place for polite, informed discussion. We will remove comments that are abusive, racist, spammy, or that reveal private information. Repeat offenders may be suspended. We encourage constructive debate and will highlight exemplary community contributions where appropriate.
15. Payment, commissioning & rights (overview)
- Commissioned pieces: payment terms will be agreed in writing in advance (rate, rights, deadlines).
- Unsolicited submissions: generally unpaid unless accepted and commissioned. If you want to pitch for paid work, contact editorial.
- Rights: authors retain copyright. We ask for a non-exclusive licence to publish and to promote. Different terms apply for exclusive features or commissioned investigations — these will be negotiated.
16. Accessibility, diversity & inclusive language
We are committed to an inclusive magazine. Use accessible language where possible, provide alt text for images, and avoid language that marginalises. Think about diverse makers, collectors and perspectives — our pages should feel open to everyone who loves watches.
17. Editorial independence & charitable mission
Our editorial independence is paramount; we will not let commercial considerations dilute accuracy or integrity. That said, fundraising and charity auctions are central to who we are. Where editorial and charity intersect, we keep provenance, transparency and independent verification at the heart of the process.
18. Appeals and dispute resolution
If a submission is rejected or substantially edited and you disagree with the decision, contact the Editor-in-Chief with a concise statement of appeal. We will review and respond in good faith. Persistent disputes may be mediated by an independent reviewer at the request of either party.
19. Practical submission checklist (copy this on every submission)
- Title & brief summary (2–3 sentences)
- Full text (.docx/.rtf) with author bio (50–80 words)
- Contact details & preferred byline
- High-res images + captions + rights info
- Provenance/service notes for watches where relevant
- Declaration signed: originality, image rights, no AI writing used (sample below)
Sample author declaration (paste into email or submission form):
I confirm that this submission is my original work, written by me (no generative AI was used to produce the prose), that I hold (or have permission to use) all image rights supplied, and that I have disclosed any relevant conflicts of interest or financial connections. I grant Just About Watches a non-exclusive licence to publish this material.
— [Author name] — [date]
20. Final notes & contact
We’re building something that matters: excellent writing, shared knowledge, and a tangible contribution for causes that help real people. If you have questions about suitability, commissioning, or the AI rule, email the editorial team at [support@justaboutwatches.com] (replace with your real contact). For urgent legal or provenance concerns, mark your submission “LEGAL/PROVENANCE: please review.”
