Watch Repair
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Watch Repair
March 2006
I am looking for a watch repair in the East Bay. I have a family
heirloom watch that needs to have the face cleaned. Can anyone
recommend a good place to go? Thanks.
anon
Try Bill's Trading Post (jewelry store in Elmwood neighborhood of
Berkeley). They sell watches and do watch/jewelry repair.
Sept 2005
We are buying a pair of watches for my in-laws' 50th wedding
anniversary and we'd like to engrave the back of each. Is there
a place that does this in the East Bay?
dennisandjennie
LIve Oak Jewelers on Solano Avenue in Berkeley fixes watches adn
clocks. I'm thinking they may do engraving too. Worth a phone
call. It's a small family run business. They are extremeley nice
people and the prices are reasonable.
anon
Re Live Oak Jewelers: a few years ago I asked them to engrave
the back of a watch and it was very unprofessionally done, just
etched in freehand. So I have learned my lesson: to request to
see the type face that will be used, so that I can see what to
expect when the job is done.
jennifer
Many many years ago, I received a nice watch as a graduation
gift. It came from Morrisons Jewelers and was beautifully
engraved on the back. They're now in Orinda, but it's the same
family business, and I'm sure they'd do a wonderful job. Store
is at 35 Moraga Way almost directly across the street from the
Orinda Theater. Phone is (925)253-9227. You can check them out
at http://www.morrisonsjewelry.com/
Aug 2004
Can anyone recommend a jewelery store/jeweler in the Berkeley
area who can take links out of an expensive watch/watchband. I
am concerned about the band (or watch/watch face) being scratched
or injured when being worked on.
Thank you.
Fussy watch owner
Doug Green on the Colusa Circle in Kensington 510-527-4489.
Soreya
Oaks Jewelers on Solano (between Ensenada and Colusa) is your
place. $5 to add or remove. I've entrusted my mom's Rolex and
my Swiss Army chronograph to them without fear (and without any
damage). It's an old family business and I highly recommend
them.
April 2003
I have an eight year old movado watch which was $1200. at that time. Its
screw outside isn't working and I took it to a shop on Solano to get it
fixed. The shop owner wants $250. or $300. to fix it. Does anyone know a
good place where they fix watches for a better price?
I have used the jeweler on Solano (near Starbucks, probably the
one that you referred to in your post) for several years for help
with my watches. I've thought that they were great, and
reasonable, although mine are not expensive watches.
I've also sent watches to The Watch Doctor, watchdr.com, and have
had good experiences with them.
carren
I don't know where you went on Solana, but the Oaks Jewelers on
Solano fixed my Movado for $40. My husband had taken it into the
city and had been given a quote of $150-$200. I took my Movado
to the Oaks several times as it didn't stop working all at once.
They cleaned the movements several times for free and when it
finally died replaced the movement for $40. It has been keeping
perfect time ever since. I find the jewelers at the Oaks very
honest and their prices are wonderful. If that is who quoted you
the price of
$250 then I would bet that it's a fair price. Good luck.
kristi
About ten years ago I was puttering
through the hills on my way to
Santa Cruz and stopped at one
of the small towns for lunch.
I had my 1907 Waltham with me,
broken. I'd had quotes of $50
to $100 to fix it and saw a
small shop. The guy said to leave
it and go have lunch. I came back
and asked for the estimate, he said
that it was fixed. I was a bit taken
back, but asked how much. He said
''nothing, you were missing a screw,
and I just put it in....'' I MADE
him take $5 as he refused to take
more. He is second of three generations
of watch specialists. Not sure of
Mike's phone number, but you can
find him at watch-watch.com
jon
I owned a Movado watch for years, and I now own an Ebel.
(someone at the downtown berkeley Y now has my Movado!). JD
Watchworks in San Francisco has replaced batteries, watchbands
and done general cleaning for both my Movado and my Ebel
watches. The owner is Jules, I think, and his rates are very
reasonable. I don't have a phone number but he is located on
Post Street (200 Post?) in the Union Square area.
Andrea
Jan 2003
I am looking for a reliable and reasonable watch repair person
in the Berkeley area. The previous recommendations on the
website are from 1999 and several of the places have closed.
Thanks for the help!
Seth
I highly recommend Oaks Jewelers on Solano in Berkeley.
It is a family run business that has been around for decades and
they are great with watches.
-Gen
For minor repairs, I recently discovered a watch repair place
right in the Longs Drug Store on San Pablo near Moeser (El
Cerrito). I don't know how complex a repair you need, or how
complex a repair they do, but they were very quick and
reasonably priced.
R.K.
Aug 1999
I have a couple watches that need a good cleaning and "tune-up." Does
anyone have a watchmaker to recommend in the environs of Berkeley,
Oakland or Walnut Creek? Thanks.
Wendy
re watch repair: I like the man who has his shop in the interior of the Rite
Aid at 51st and Broadway in Oakland. He's not part of Rite Aid, as far as I
can tell. Just rents from them. This is NOT the key shop that's in the
entry/lobby of the store. Inside, near cameras, at the front.
Linda
I suggest trying Lee Frank's Jewelers on Shattuck @ Alston Way. We bought my
watches there so figured they may as well maintain them. They always check
the watch when the battery is changed, and so far (7+ years) the watches
haven't needed cleaning. Maybe electronic watches are lower maintenance.
Fran
I heartily recommend V.G. White at El Cerrito Plaza. He just relocated to
the side of the mall facing Brighton St., the border of Albany. It's around
the corner from Chubby's. I've been using him for cleaning of my diamond
ring since he created the setting for it about 18 years ago. I've been
back to him through the years and he's just a really nice guy. He is very
reasonable albeit, not cheap. He does excellent work, will give you a fair
estimate on the work needed, will let you know if the work is not
necessary, and completes the work in the time estimated. The only drawback
is that he smokes and the shop reeks of cigarette smoke. So if you don't
mind it while you're in there I think he's worth it.
Margo
Vortman Jewelry and Watch Repair is great. 2432 Telegraph Avenue (near
Mario's La Fiesta, as I recall) 848-9048.
Dawn
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