Called John as I needed new batteries for a couple of watches that had been sitting in drawers for a few years. He told me to come right over - had them ready to go while I waited no more than 10 minutes in his whimsical and curious little shop. Fantastic service - I'll be back and telling everyone I know about this little hidden gem. Thanks, John! read more

I came here with 9 watches that needed battery change -- I know, that seems like a lot, but I like watches. I live in Seattle, but there aren't many small independent watch/clock repair shops around where I live, and this shop sounded like a gem from the yelp reviews. And it was. I randomly walked in with 9 watches past 5 pm on Friday (one of them was a little more complicated), and Mr. Hiew told me they could be ready by noontime on Monday. Wow. I've walked into a pretty well-known jeweler (B*n Bri**es) by where I live, and they'd say, "We'll call you when it's ready" (which is like a week later) or sometimes even "We have to send this out." But no nonsense like that here. It's all business. Love it. I went back a little after lunchtime on Monday, and sure enough, they were ready and packaged, with detailed description of each watch written down. This man is dedicated to watches and clocks. He's even wearing a Renata mask. (I've never even seen a Renata mask. He must be a good customer.) In case you don't know (like one previous reviewer), Renata batteries are what's considered most reliable and long lasting. They're used in the likes of Rolex (Oysterquartz), Tag Heuer and Breitling. Renata batteries cost a little more, but if your shop uses them despite the cost, you know they care. I paid 15 CAD for 8 of the watches and 25 CAD for the more complicated one. I'm a happy camper. In Seattle they charge more and do less (they'd say things like, "...and waterproofing would be extra charge"). An unassuming shop that doesn't even have a sign outside, but has customers coming back? That's my kind of shop. I'll definitely come back when I'm in town. read more

John Hiew Watch & Clock Repair Centre - Watch Repair Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

I have had my cuckoo clock now for 45 years as it was a wedding gift for my wife and myself. Up and until now I have had no success in finding some one to repair it. I was lucking enough in finding John who repaired my clock and made it run better than before. Great gentleman who does great after repair information as it was not working correctly.. One phone call to told me how to do a small adjustment and now clock works fine. Even being out of my way some 15 miles it is well worth the travel distance to get this much better and helpful service. Good parking in the area also just around the corner from his 2nd floor office. I left this clock and was told it would be ready in two weeks and it was as Bruce B read more

So this place is not super easy to find, especially if you use Apple Maps. However he is amazing and fast! Great service!

I was changing the watch strap. The lady was nice and service was provided professional and fast. The price was reasonable. Definitely recommend. Will come back again. read more

This guy gets my vote. 4 stars for now, but possibly more when I have a more complicated watch that will require battery replacement. I'm a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to simple watch battery changes. Pop-off or unscrew the back, buy it from someplace, replace. Simple. $2.50 for a Renata replacement battery. It's a Swiss made battery. That's pretty hard to beat, when I know even the cheapest places charge $5 min. read more

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I've been going here for almost 10 years and he does great work - from battery change, to fixing my automatic watches. His price is decent, not cheap but not too expensive in comparison to other places in downtown. John and his wife are trustworthy and their repair times are reasonable. read more

I don't know about you but I'm ALWAYS late taking my birth control pills which is why having a working watch is ever so important. Am I glad I've found this little clock shop in the most obscure of places. It's tucked in the corner of a floor on a building that nobody ever notices. Regardless of it's location, John will replace your watch battery in a mere 5 minutes for $10. While it's not all that special, I did really appreciate how he re-adjusted my watch to the correct time AND date after inserting the new battery (very keen on details). Note: cash only. Way to go, John. I'm giving you a prestigious 5 stars ***** read more

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Frances M . Great service . I brought two antique clocks in first my Seth Thomas . They cleaned and serviced it got the chime working . Second brought in my parents German ( Hermle) clock sat for years not working. They did a great job cleaned and serviced it , even made a part for it . Replaced new brezel and glass . Chime is working . The clock looks wonderful. Great service. Thanks John Hiew and son. Recommend coming back . read more

* Old school * This is an old school watch and clock repair centre. The place that I normally get watch batteries replaced seems to have disappeared, so I was searching to find a new spot that was reasonable and knowledgeable. This little shop, which is located on the 10th floor of an office building with no visible signage from the street was exactly the type of place I wanted. You enter the little business and there are dozens of clocks on the wall, with a pretty wide variety - some kind of interesting ones. The battery swap was inexpensive ($8), done right away, and the kind person behind the counter also cleaned my watch. Thank you, John! read more

Uses no name brand batteries that don't last as it should and bad for watches. If your watch is cheap and don't care, go here. If you have medium or better watches, go elsewhere. Owner is untrustworthy and not worth your $5 or $10. You get what you pay for or just do it yourself! read more

John Hiew was great for me. Broke a Tag Heuer crown - very expensive to replace at Tag and virtually anywhere else (Time & Gold and any watch store in the malls were asking upwards of $300), and the parts are virtually impossible to source if you are not connected with the dealers. Finally risked it and brought it to John who repaired it within days and charged $80 for the parts and labour. While the watch stopped running within a day after the repair, I quickly brought it back to him who fixed it in 5 minutes, of course free of charge. Only thing that keeps this from being a 5-star experience was this particular incident which I am certain was connected to his repair job, but since he fixed it so willingly I see it more as a positive than a negative in the end. read more

She is double the price of chans watch repair but she does very good work and very nice thank you again chans was on vacation so came here read more

John Hiew Watch & Clock Repair Centre - Good - Watch Repair Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Shout out to John Hiew for his help today! I called him about a problem with my radio-controlled clock, asking if I could bring it in for him to look at. I explained the problem and he explained the answer. He was right. It is fixed. I don't need to bring it to him now. Friendly, helpful, FREE advice, and he's open now (June 15) during COVID. read more

I phoned for an estimate on what it would cost to clean my battery-operated clock (I'm sure a good clean is all that would be necessary to fix a slightly sticky second hand). The snippy person who answered refused to put me though to "service", refused to give me an estimate, and told me my Seiko clock could probably not be repaired, but if I wanted to bring it in - fine. I DON'T THINK SO! My advice to everyone is to go to Chen's Watchmaker on Main & E. Hastings - who cheerfully said he could clean and fix my clock for $40. read more

I was hoping to get my Smith Empire mantel clock serviced at this place but I received such attitude from the lady behind the counter, it put me off almost immediately. I understand that estimates on work is variable, but she made no attempt to secure my business. In fact she was just plain rude. I tried to show her pictures of my clock both mechanism and front, but she dismissed them outright. I guess they make too much money to want my business. The worst customer service I have ever received...even Canada Post provides better service, and that isn't saying much. IF YOU WANT CRAPPY SERVICE WHICH MIGHT BE INDICATIVE OF THE TYPE OF WORK THEY DO, THEN GO TO THIS PLACE...OTHERWISE STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE AND RUN!!! I RECOMMEND YOU GO TO GERMAN WATCHMAKER ON HOMER/DAVIE STREET INSTEAD...NOT TOO FAR FROM jOHN HIEW. I went to German Watchmaker at 1208 Homer/Davie street. He fixed my watch but since he is a cash only establishment and I didn't have any cash. He let me take my watch after he fixed it (without paying) and said to come back when I can when I have the money. You don't see service or trust like that too often these days. So get your watch fixed by Norbert, the German Watchmaker...you won't be disappointed. read more

Have been going to this man for at least 20 years. They don't make them like him anymore - old school - isn't anything he can't fix. Reasonable prices always and first rate workmanship he stands behind. Don't let his eclectic, tiny cluttered space throw you - he is an expert. Live in Ontario now and still bring any and all watch repairs to him. Dread the day he retires!!! read more

A hidden gem off Granville. Extremely pleasant staff, amazing service and great prices. He adjusted my watch quickly on the spot and fixed my friend's watch who hadn't previously been able to find anybody capable of fixing it. I've never written a Yelp review but loved the experience so much I decided to let everyone know Hiew John Watch & Clock Repair Centre is the best. read more

I was charged 15 dollars for a battery replacement and waited there for about 30 minutes. I expected the price to be be about 10 dollars as other reviews said so a bit suprised. If you need their service, it is better to check the price in advance. But anyway, my watch works perfectly now and I appreciate John for dusting the time and date for me even before I asked. read more

I will write a follow up review on how long the batteries will last. he said it costed $10 for each battery for each watch. not sure if that's the normal rate ? oh well ... read more

i brought my omega planet ocean and rolex date to john on separate occassions. My PO was running fast and my rolex stopped working. John took both watches and within 1 week fully fixed both watches. He is an old school skilled watch maker. Highly recommended! read more

veteran watch repair place. Although it is tucked away in a random floor of a building on granville where you'd expect to find the door from 'being John Malkovich', once you find it you'll take all your watches here. I've taken many different watches in for battery swaps that they finish within a few minutes. and a few watch repairs that they figured out. They always clean out my watch when they swap the battery and the price is reasonable. read more

Outstanding, friendly service. Had to take a brand new Skagen automatic watch in recently. Had cracked the crystal within a few days of owning it. John replaced the crystal with a durable mineral crystal and instead of taking the week I was expecting, they had it done in less than 24 hours for about $50. Watch was returned in perfect condition. Very polite, experienced and helpful. Going back! read more

I have 3 vintage Omega watches, and this place is a godsend. One time, the metal clasp on my daily watch broke off. Since the watch is a 1970's Omega Seamaster, parts would have been impossible to get, unless I lucked out on ebay and paid an arm and a leg. I went into the shop, asked John to take a look at it, he went in the back, and in 5 minutes he was back with my watch repaired. It turns out he had a spare part that matched my watch exactly! I don't remember how much it was, but it was less than $15 for sure. read more

John Hiew is truly a hidden gem. Without hesitation he took me previously unfixable watch and said he could take care of it. Don't be discouraged by the fact that the store is in a nondescript building a few floors up. The guy is the real deal. Just check all the plaques on his wall. read more

I had a great experience at this store. My husband can't get his watch battery replaced everywhere and Mr Hiew did it at a reasonable price and very well. His store is great and service was fast. I also got the links from my watch removed. I would highly recommend coming here. read more

I brought three watches in. One that needed a new band, one that needed a battery and one that just wasn't working anymore. Within 20 minutes, there was new leather band on one watch, new battery in the other and a quote to repair the third. His opinion and mine was that it wasn't worth the repair. All done for $40. Such a pleasant gentleman, chatted a bit afterwards, quick customer service and a genuinely nice person. Both watches are still running, will update if any problems come up. read more

CASH and CHEQUE only. They do not accept debit or credit and it is not listed on their website.

Great place to repair watches at a decent cost.John has been great to work with and over the last 4 years I have sent 3 different watches to be fixed and I have been satisfied ever time read more