I called in here last year with my watch. I'd received it as a gift however it was far too big for…read moreme and I needed to take it somewhere reputable to have some links removed. Watchmaker was recommended to me. I left my watch in and took my ticket. I had the watch repaired whilst I went off for lunch (around an hour) - When I went back it was ready to collect, and only cost £9 - speedy service from this little independent business, and well recommended. They also replace batteries, do engraving, and repair jewellery.

Went into this tiny shop on the off chance that I could get my watch repaired. So glad I did. Abe…read moreis the loveliest, friendly man. He had my watch fixed within minutes. Charged me very little. I would recommend this shop for fast reliable service.

This simply named, simply set-up shop is little more than a 'hole in the wall' down in Smithfield…read moremarket, North Belfast. In fact it's almost more of a 'walk-in cupboard in the wall' but we're not talking masses of stock, what we're dealing in is watch repairs! I went in on the off chance they could change the battery in an old watch of mine and I was in and out of there in less than 5 mins at a mere cost of £3, battery included. No idea what the standard of their watch repairs are up to or if you'd be wise entrusting an antique or more collectable watch with them but they certainly seem to know their watches. Pros: Cheap Cons: Out of the way.

I think I was only allowed into McNeillys because I was wearing a suit and looked completely non…read morethreatening. It is not that this shop is prejudice it is just that the jewellery in McNeillys is so expensive. This is a traditional Jewellers in every sense of the word, the door has a buzzer and you can do most of your browsing from the street. I would estimate that they have sold thousands of engagement rings over the years. This is the type of shop that an old romantic would go to get his nearest an engagement ring. I am purely basing this on how traditional the shop is, as I suppose it would have a little bit more meaning than getting a ring from a high street jeweller. McNeillys is all in all an excellent jewellers with friendly staff, I would say that the deal in big mainly deal in the big one off purchases but I as yet, fingers crossed one day, have not purchased from McNeillys.

Always makes me a bit nervous when I have to be 'buzzed' into a shop though when I spotted some of…read morethe price tags in here I could see why they were so security conscious. Being in full on 'browsing' mode the very pleasant assistant left us to it and indicted she'd be on hand if we wanted to see anything up close (ie. unlock the huge display cabinets). The shop was well set up, well light and all the jewellery looked pretty impressive in here. The only downside was that some of the prices were obscured so I was never really sure if I was looking at some mere trinket or the crown jewels. I suppose that's my ignorance in the jewellery field coming into play. For anyone serious about top end jewellery I would definitely recommend this shop with its classy stock and approach. They also do valuations and repairs so do consider it especially if you have a broken heirloom languishing in a drawer. Pros: Top quality jewellery. Cons: Definitely at the pricey end of the market.

The following conversation ensued between my sister and I over lunch yesterday…read more.. Lynne: Eh, what was that watch shop called off High Street? Sister: Watchcraft you mean? Lynne: Aye, that's it [pauses] Sister: You do know why it's called that, don't you? This is the only reason I remember it. Lynne: Hmm...no? Sister: Duh Lynne, it's a play on words...like witchcraft:? Watchcraft? Lynne: Ahhh!! [looks at sister in astonishment]. Gosh, she never fails to surprise me. I had no clue as to the name of the shop, and that pun went way over my head, yet my little sister who thought Ward Park and Castle Park were the same thing (which they're not) spotted both. Wow. It was actually my sister's suggestion to go see this little watch shop, and I happily complied. She'd been in with my mum before, and informed they had a lovely collection of watches, jewellery and novelty clocks. When we popped in yesterday, there was a little old lady with her zimmer frame and another lady with her buggy, and due to the size of the shop (ie. fairly compact), there wasn't a whole lot of room left for my sister and I. However, we had just enough time to take a quick look round at the various watches (cheap), jewellery (equally as cheap, and coming in all sorts of forms - brooches, necklaces, rings), and those cute novel clocks (they're like little figurines, in the form of golf bags, pianos, boats etc). Catchy name, a lot of good stock, and a watch-fixing service...yep, it's a goodie.

Watchcraft is another of Bangor's hidden treasures. It is an old fashioned jewellers/ clock and…read morewatch repair shop situated in the town centre. If you are looking for something a little bit different I would call into witchcraft and see what they have to offer. They have a mix of unique jewellery, watches and accessories. Watchcraft managed to fix a watch of mine that another of Bangor's jewellers said was unfixable. The difference is at Watchcraft the seem to be trying to save you a few quid rather than trying to get you to purchase a brand new watch. As well as being old fashioned in what they sell they still believe in old fashioned customer service which is a breath of fresh air.

Castle Jewellers are a quite small local business on West Street in Carrick and they have been in…read morebusiness for many years. Small is often an advantage because they do offer an individual service that you don't get in the big named high street outlets. There is always something that is a bit different to what you see elsewhere. Small does mean there is not the range of choice available, but it is amazing how often I find just what I am looking for. These days it is always worth while to haggle a bit; why pay full price when there might be a bit of leeway? Repair work is also available; watch batteries replaced, safety chains fitted, etc

Contemporary jewellery design stocking designer watches such as D&G, Ted Baker, Storm, Converse,…read morePulsar, Lorus, Rotary & Breil to name but a few. The designer jewellery brands include Hot Diamonds, Kitty's Jewels, White Ice, Sphere of Life, Tales from the Earth. In addition, Indigo has a great range of giftware available including its very own-branded Indigo candles, more than words figurines, cross pens, cuff links & glass photo frames. Engraving & jewellery repairs are also available on the premises. Unwanted gold & silver purchased on site too.

Good auld Joseph Rea, eh?…read more I'd bet that there's not a soul in Belfast who hasn't heard of or bought something from Joseph Rea's. They have a reputation for being able to undercut the bigger chains on prices and for that reason, have a very loyal customer base. I like it because it still has the mentality of a family-run business, and the service is great. The staff are well trained and can give you advice based on what you want, not what they want you to want!

They have two shops in the city centre. There's one in Ann Street and one in Castle Lane. I've…read morealways used the Castle Lane shop. The great thing about places like this is that they're a local, independent jewellers, which means they're much more realistic about prices and get a lot of trade from word-of-mouth and repeat customers. And because it's a long established family jewellers they very much built a reputation entrenched in older values and ideals - their attitude when they started off (at a time when Belfast was a more cash-strapped place) was obviously that if they provided a personal customer service, gave a good price and a decent discount for, say, wedding rings, then your friends and family would come to see them when they were looking for similar items. It worked, too. There are people who won't go to any other jewellers, at least until they've checked out Joseph Rea first. They have a wide selection of all kinds of jewellery, carry out repairs on watches and jewellery, and also buy scrap gold that's no good to you anymore.