I have had several high quality family time pieces cleaned and repaired by John Alabaster over the past 15 years. From complicated repairs to relatively simple ones - I trust no one else with my watches. These are family pieces including my grandfather's tank watch from World War 1 and my father's Heuer chron from World War II - worn while on a PT boat that sunk 2 Japanese destroyers. John Alabaster is all about listening the customer, respecting the history and craftmanship -and getting it right! 100% recommend - regularly - to friends and collegues with no hesitation - superb customer service and high quality work! read more

I took my Breitling watch there as the movement was losing time and the winder broke off. Fixed everything within about a month's time once the parts came in and polished it before returning, also fixed a loose clasp on the strap. Also had them fix a diamond that has come loose on the face of my Concord watch. As always, great service, honest business, and great prices, in my opinion. *****5 stars***** read more

Absolutely stellar work and had a quick turn around! Certainly seeing this man again for my repairs.

amazing service. i just got my '01 Omega Seamaster James Bond Golden Eye edition serviced because it stopped working after about 11 years of having it. and the value was exceptional for the high quality work they did. definitely saved a lot of money going through this family owned and operated business. i'll definitely be going here for any Swiss watch repairs that i'll need in the future. the team is very personable and friendly. read more

John Alabaster Watch & Clock Repair - Watch Repair Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

This is a small, local business with integrity that I have been going to for years. Every time I have been, every one is very kind, attentive, and helpful. They don't try to cheat or scam you, and I always appreciate the quick service and their expertise. Def recommend them for any repairs, including luxe watches. If you like thrifting for jewelry, they also have a fun collection that includes some designer items as well as other vintage pieces. read more

Brought in a timepiece for a regulation adjustment since it was consistently running 4-5s p/d slow based on daily measurements same time, same positions, same wind time. The shop was able to do a walk in on the spot so I'm providing 2 stars for that. However, after only one day, the watch lost 16 seconds and consistently -16s p/d thereafter for this $50 charge. This shop said they adjusted it to +1-2s p/d. I'll let you draw conclusions yourself. I opened the timepiece and was able to adjust to +4 to 5s p/d with a toothpick without issue. I will not return. read more

Was difficult to find the place. It's kind of congested in a small shopping area and by the main road. Unless you're usual, might be confused. Price wise okay, no issues read more

So glad I found these guys online, based on the excellent reviews. The crown and stem broke off of my Raymond Weil. Pleasantly surprised, they quoted me $50, but I would have to wait a couple weeks for the parts, which I was not complaining about! They called me back the next day to tell me they found a part and my watch was ready. Three weeks later and I swear that my watch keeps time better than it ever did before. Truly great service! read more

I dropped off my timepiece in February 2025 and was told the service would take about three months. That seemed reasonable -- until it turned into a drawn-out mess filled with false promises, poor communication, and even more damage to my watch. I called in March and got no answer at first. When I finally did get a response, I was told the watch hadn't even been worked on yet, but that it would be ready in a few more weeks. Then in June, I received a call saying the service was complete and the watch was ready for pickup. I drove an hour to pick it up -- only to find that the watch wasn't working at all. No apology, no explanation, nothing. Frustrated but trying to be patient, I waited again -- only to get another call two weeks later saying they couldn't fix it. So why did it take five months and multiple lies to come to that conclusion? To make matters worse, when I finally got the watch back, I discovered that the minute hand no longer adjusts smoothly, something that was never an issue before. So not only did they fail to repair it, they made it worse. This place is unprofessional, dishonest, and completely unreliable. If you value your time and your property, go somewhere else. I regret ever leaving my watch in their hands. And to be clear -- the owner will likely respond to this review by denying everything, but I have it all documented, and I will be pursuing legal action for the damage and deception. Conclusion: dishonest. Incompetent and a complete waste of months! read more

Always come here for my battery changes! Very honest and gets the work done . Very nice service

Inherited a watch from the 60s that was damaged and kept in its box for 40 years. It was so old that the leather band had started to disintegrate. They not only fixed my watch (replaced the balance), but also did typical maintenance like cleaning and replacing the crystal. Really happy with their work! read more

John Alabaster Watch & Clock Repair - 1960s Rolex 1803 Day Date - Watch Repair Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

This place is absolutely unreal and amazing!!!!!! I took in a Bell & Ross watch that at least 10 watch repair shops (i.e., extremely high end boutiques) wouldn't touch. I had a simple request to take out the crystal on the watch because some dust gathered behind it. No one wanted to touch it since Bell & Ross are quite complex watches. Michael took care of my request in 10 minutes. Unbelievable!!! I will never go anywhere else in the DMV for watch repair. read more

Have used John Alabaster for years. Always does the best work at low cost. Highly recommend them

I would give this shop 10 stars if I could! I brought in a vintage Rolex datejust to this shop because it was having issues with winding, and the crown wasn't screwing in properly. Mike and his team used genuine parts to fix the problem promptly, and everything is working perfectly now. Not only that, but they also performed a thorough cleaning of the timepiece and it shines beautifully now. They also were able to replace all of the gaskets - now my timepiece from 1987 is water resistant again! Other shops would charge double or triple what John Alabaster's repair shop would. When I went by to pick up my watch, I brought a separate timepiece with me as well, which they replaced all of the gaskets ON THE SPOT while I waited! Now my Explorer2 is fully waterproof and ready for wear as well! It's very rare to find a shop who is willing to perform so many services and work with the customer in this way. Please bring your watches to this shop and support them - they are masters of their craft and know how to care for your watch, regardless of whether it's a vintage piece or a modern piece. read more

John Alabaster Watch & Clock Repair - My 1987 DateJust - shined up beautifully and fully waterproof now. - Watch Repair Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Good experience and delivered service on schedule. I would recommend without hesitation.

Phenomenal and very fast service. Both of the people in today were very kind, efficient, and professional. Cannot recommend them enough.

I've owned, bought, and sold vintage watches on three continents. The hardest part is finding someone reliable and skilled who isn't going to rip you off on the maintaining and fixing of the pieces. I don't write many reviews, but Jonathan deserved this one. I was satisfied with the servicing of two manual wind Breitling Sprint Chronographs from the 1970s. Work was thorough and priced fairly. I then came back with several watches since. Each time, if and when anything goes wrong, these guys make it right. Today, I brought in several parts of a Rolex Ref. 2508, a 1940s rarity. It's a dual pusher manual wind chronograph. I tasked Jonathan with building it from parts I cobbler together and canibalizing the rest from an 18 kt gold Arsa chronograph from the same period. This is an operation that takes patience, skill, and a boat load of precision. To my astonishment he managed to complete the task without any damage to the parts or donor case. The watch works perfectly and he even helped clean the dial up a bit. This would have cost me $1,000+ elsewhere. They charged me just $150 and thanked me for letting them work on a piece of history. As I was leaving someone came in with an AP Royal Oak for help authenticating it. A $40,000 watch! The best part of these guys is that whether it is a $10 battery replacement or a major operation on a priceless timepiece, they treat each item with the same level of deft precision and care. Customer service that is rare in this day and age. Bravo guys! These guys are the real deal. I won't bother with another watch maker ever. read more

John Alabaster Watch & Clock Repair - Watch Repair Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

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These guys are awesome and friendly. This is definitely where you should bring your Rolex or any other watch.

I gave them a relatively hard job with a difficult movement and they serviced it in a timely manner at a fair price.

Michael and team are the best watch masters in the DMV area. I had to drive a long distance from Maryland to have my wife's Baume and Mercier repaired but it was so much worth it! Best customer service too! read more

I found this 1950s Rolex Oyster in my grandfather's house after he passed away. As far as we could tell it hadn't worked for years. It wouldn't wind, and the crown wouldn't screw down. I consulted with several watchmakers who turned me down because they either didn't have the expertise for this kind of vintage watch, or because the out-of-production replacement parts were too difficult to find. John Alabaster repaired it in just two weeks using original Rolex parts, including a replacement crown. When I got my watch back, Mr. Alabaster told me he had used some parts that he had been saving since working in Geneva decades ago. I think there are very few watchmakers out there that could have fixed this watch so well and authentically, and for such a fair price. He even gave me a six month warranty and fixed it up again for free when the back came loose a few months later. Also just an incredibly nice man who was very interesting to talk to. I'm very grateful to have this sentimental watch restored to working order. read more

The did a great job replacing an electronic mechanism on a clock face. They were also very communicative.

I brought a few vintage watches in for minor repairs and servicing. Nothing expensive, just sentimental. They got them working okay for the most part, but the final price was 25% higher than the original estimate... still, it's a vintage watch so easily forgiven. What isn't however is they swapped out some of the original parts with new or donor ones. While this isn't unusual, the industry best practice is to consult with the customer first and always save the old bits & pieces to give back with the watch. Unfortunately they did neither. I think they're well-meaning, but just don't get some of these nuances. Not sure if I will return. read more

Went in with some old watches to determine if any of them were worth anything. The owners grandson looked at each one and told me a few were gold. I took those back to get appraised, and gave him the rest. Many of the watches were broken and one he said looks like it was run over. The ones I gave him they will put a battery in, see if they work, and donate them to those in need. If they don't work maybe used for parts. Thought that was a great way to give back to the community and happy to donate. read more

They are always very friendly and very fair. I know nothing about watches, but they never take advantage of you and charge you for things you don't need. I keep coming back here whenever I need anything done read more

Great workers. Affordable and quick. Also very careful with your jewelry. ***However, clientele seems to be older affluent MAGA, not sure what that is about read more

Thankful to have a local and HIGHLY competent watchmaker in the area that can be trusted with anything. No job is too big or small. I've seen them for bracelet link adjustments, fixing claps & most recently they replaced the movement in my speedmaster after an incident with water. Prices are very fair and the work is top notch. More importantly they stand behind their work. I stopped by almost a full year later to troubleshoot something and they took care of it quickly at no charge. Knowing that Alabaster is around when more service/repairs are needed is comforting Update: I've since come back for a full service and a couple of adjustments here and there. They stand behind the work they do and are incredibly fair. Absolutely bring your watch here, no job is too big or small. A full service on the watch I brought in is rather involved and alabaster did a great job getting it dialed in for me. read more

John Alabaster Watch & Clock Repair - Watch Repair Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Needed a new battery for a Tag Heuer watch. The battery was immediately changed for $10! Jewelers charge over $50. What a great value and great service. read more

Amazing customer service and great prices. use them for repairs and best prices on batterie.

Michael at Alabaster Watch serviced my Seiko PADImas and he did an job regulating it and and fixing the bezel so it lines up perfectly! I also take my Omega and Tudor here as well. Very competent with all mechanical watch movements. If you're looking for a professional to mod your Seiko SKX, this is the place to go. read more

John Alabaster Watch & Clock Repair - Seiko PADImas made perfect by Michael. - Watch Repair Near Me - Vienna, Virginia

Great place with good service and very reasonable prices. Good to find a place that can really service my valuable cuckoo clocks and fix an odd sized watchband. Staff clearly explained issues and gave good time estimate even when having to order parts. Great to find a place nearby (here in Vienna) and reasonable prices too for hard to find services. True craftsmen! read more

Moving here from California, I thought my antique Waltham men's watch and my father's Grandfather Clock were lost causes... I moved them east with me "just in case". Then I found John Alabaster Watch and Clock Shop and the clouds cleared and out came the sun! John is actually a rare find... He's a natural at clock repair and he's young! That means we will have years of great watch and clock repairs for years to come. We don't have to worry that "the last of the breed" that fixes watches has retired. And, he delivers! Today he dropped off my watch and fixed the Grandfather clock in my apartment. What crazy kind of service is this? I'm so impressed. Without hesitation, I recommend John and his team. read more

Have brought all of my vintage watches here and they've saved them all when broken or a hand fell off, or I broke it. And they've saved them all. Fantastic. read more

My movado watch is missing a little screw on top of a pin, I brought it here to see if it can be fixed. The gentleman works here took a look, then in a few minutes he brought my watch back to me, fixed and without a charge! I know it's a little thing, but it says a lot... In the future, if I have any needs for watch related, this is the place I go to! read more

Here we go again. I asked Mike to find me a divers watch that was different. He found me this DOXA sharkhunter LE and I love it. He is my to go watch guy from this point forward. read more

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Alabaster was born in London and traveled to Switzerland and became a Rolex apprentice. He is phenomenal at his job and knows every tick and rotation there is in a clock, if anyone needs to have a watch repaired, it's him. read more

These guys are great! I had an heirloom pocket watch that I needed fixed and a nearby watch repair shop had quoted me $600 to fix it. John Alabaster Watch fixed it in 5 mins and charged me $25. Reliable and won't rip you off- highly recommend this shop! read more

I have lived in Vienna for 29 years and Alabaster watch & Clock is the only place I go. Always helpful and they know what they are doing. Awesome !!!! read more

Wonderful service! I was greeted by the gentleman who works there and he provided an immediate quote, replaced my battery, and returned my watch within 8 minutes. Could not have received a better quality of service. Would highly recommend this shop to anyone looking for any assistance with their time pieces. Additionally, this shop carries a nice collection of clock watches. Will definitely be returning in the near future and look forward to their professionalism once again. Very happy! read more

Fixed the second hand and buckle on my automatic quickly and for a fair price. Great to do business with.