Contributor Program
Contribute Photography
Archiva is building the definitive visual record of vintage watches. Every reference page deserves real photography — not stock images, not renders, not AI-generated approximations. If you own or have access to a vintage timepiece, your photographs can become part of the permanent archive.
Why Your Photography Matters
Vintage watch information is fragmented and at risk. Dial variations, case hallmarks, and movement signatures that distinguish one reference from another often exist only in the memories of aging collectors and watchmakers — or in auction catalogs that are difficult to access. Every high-quality photograph contributed to Archiva helps preserve this knowledge in a structured, publicly accessible form.
Contributors are credited by name on every reference page their photography appears on, with a permanent “Contributed by” attribution badge. Your work becomes part of the archival record.
What to Photograph
Four angles per reference. Not every submission needs all four — but the more complete the set, the more useful it is to the archive.
Front / Dial
Straight-on, parallel to the dial. The full case and lugs should be visible with the crown at 3 o'clock. Capture dial text, indices, and hands clearly.
Profile / Side
Show the case thickness, crystal dome or flat profile, crown shape, and case edge finishing. A slight angle (roughly 30°) works best.
Case Back
Full case back showing engravings, hallmarks, serial numbers, and any maker's marks. If the back is plain, photograph it anyway for completeness.
Movement (if accessible)
Only if the case back can be safely opened. Show the full movement with caliber markings, jewel count, and any Cartier or manufacturer signatures visible.
Quality Standards
We review every submission for archival quality. These standards ensure consistency across the entire reference database.
- Resolution
- Minimum 2000px on the longest edge. Higher is always better — we can downsize, but we can't upscale.
- Lighting
- Diffused natural light or a lightbox. Avoid direct flash, which washes out dial details and creates harsh reflections on crystals and polished cases.
- Background
- Neutral, uncluttered. A plain white, cream, or dark surface works best. The watch should be the sole focus.
- Focus
- Tack-sharp on the dial and case. If your camera supports it, use a small aperture (f/8–f/11) to keep the full watch in focus.
- Format
- JPEG or TIFF preferred. RAW files accepted for exceptional submissions. No heavy filters or post-processing — we want to see the watch as it is.
How to Submit
Email your photographs to contribute@archiva.watch with the following information:
- Subject line
- Photo Submission — [Brand] [Model] Ref. [Number]
- Watch details
- Brand, model name, reference number (if known), and approximate production year. If you're unsure of the reference number, include any case back markings or serial numbers and we'll help identify it.
- Photographs
- Attach image files directly or share via a file transfer service (Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer). Please do not compress images before sending.
- Your name
- As you'd like it to appear in the contributor credit on the reference page.
Attribution & Usage Rights
By submitting photography, you grant Archiva a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display your images on the Archiva platform in connection with the relevant reference pages. You retain full ownership of your photographs and may use, license, or publish them anywhere else.
Every published image is credited to you by name with a visible “Contributed by” badge on the reference page. We do not remove contributor credits. If you wish to have your images removed from Archiva at any time, email us and we will take them down promptly.
We will never sell, sublicense, or use contributor images for purposes outside of the Archiva reference database without your explicit written permission.
Review Process
We review every submission within 5 business days. You'll receive a confirmation email when your images have been accepted and published, or feedback if adjustments are needed (usually lighting or focus). We may lightly crop or color-correct images for consistency across the archive, but we won't alter the watch itself or misrepresent its condition.
Priority is given to references that currently lack photography, rare variants, and watches with notable provenance. If you have access to an uncommon reference, we especially want to hear from you.
Ready to Contribute?
Every photograph helps build a more complete archive. Whether you own one watch or a hundred, your contribution matters.
Email Your Submission