You can rest assured that your watch will be handled properly. So many other places have scratched my watches during simple battery changes. Not these guys. They know what they are doing, especially since they use the appropriate tools. I trust them to handle all of my watches. Their prices are competitive, too. read more

My review is actually based on 2 separate experiences with this business. The first happened 2 years ago, and the second about 3 years ago. After seeing so many positive yelp reviews I did a double take and read through them to make sure the business wasn't under new ownership or something. As far as I can tell, it isn't. The first incident happened about 3 years ago. The owner replaced the battery in my Fossil watch. It was one of those watches that had gears that would rotate based on how much movement you made. Well, I got the battery replaced and those gears didn't really move anymore. I asked the guy why that was and he said not to worry about it because they were cosmetic and that it was bound to happen at some time. Not wanting to be too superficial, I didn't dwell on it. The second incident happened about 2 years ago. I took in my girlfriend's watch to get the battery replaced. The watch was nothing fancy, a Michael Kors that cost about $100 new. The price was about $10 for the battery and labor (if memory serves...). The store wasn't busy, so the owner (employee?) replaced the battery immediately. When he put the stem back into the watch, it appeared that he applied too much torque. I'm not an expert, so I didn't say anything at that moment. I took a quick look at the watch and it appeared to be working. That same day I gave the watch back to my girlfriend who wore it to work the next day. She noticed that the watch was no longer keeping time and gave it back to me. When I examined it more closely, it was apparent that not only was the watch not keeping time but the hands were so loose that they rotated freely just by bumping it. I took the watch back in and the guy told me that the watch was cheap and that it wasn't his fault. He said the stem no longer fit and he didn't have any stems that would fit it - I'm not sure how this is possible since he put back in the same stem he took out. He didn't offer to do anything to repair the watch, he didn't even say how much it would be to fix it. He gave me the impression that the watch was dead and that I should deal with it. He did not offer a refund. TL;DR - Both of my experiences have left me with less functional or outright broken timepieces. read more

Professional, courteous, prompt. Pricing reasonable. Refer and return. Very helpful if you have a question.

Fast, friendly service for a watch battery replacement. Close by so will definitely come back.

It was only a battery replacement, but . . . it's a Rado, and some places have a hard time getting it done - as well as charge as much as $25 for the job. TM did it in under 5 minutes, with no wasted motion - and for $13. Nicely done, good price - gets 5 stars from me! read more

I came in here today to get links taken off of two watches for myself and my husband. John was extremely fast! I was in and out in under 15 minutes and he also provided me with the links for both watches. I normally drive to the mall to adjust watches but this was much more convenient and cheaper than the mall as well. I'm so glad I found this place! read more

Came here after finding them with great reviews on Yelp! I called them on the way over to their shop. It was already closing time but they stayed late because I told them I was already on my way. Fast service too! read more

Really an unbelieveable shop. I have a 'high maintenance' watch (kinetic). It's pretty old, on it's last legs. John had replaced the capacitor. Over a year later it went out again, but he replaced it for free. A few months later it went out again and said it shouldn't have. He charged it up (again for free), and is currently still working. Great service, tells you like it is, and they KNOW their watches. Highly recommend! read more

recently fixed a mantel clock that i originally bought in late 90's. his initial estimate was half of what anyone else in the area would give me. he ended up charging me an extra 40% or so above that, but still substantially less than any other estimate. i'll come back in a few months to let you know if the clock still works. read more

Time Essentials - fixed - Watch Repair Near Me - Pasadena, California

I only stopped here a year or two ago because they're close to my home and quoted me a good price on replacing the battery in my watch. I completely lucked into these guys! They recently replaced the movement in my watch -- I think it was $25! -- and replaced the mechanism in my GF's vintage purse that has a giant, working clock on the front. You just can't ask for more from a watch/clock repair shop. And they're young so no chance they're going to retire soon and disappear! read more

Brought in my automatic Seiko because it was running too slow, (I made it worse by thinking that I can adjust it by opening the back, and fiddling with the wrong adjustment levers..BAD IDEA) John fixed it while I waited, which was great because I thought I would have to leave it with him for a few days. Reasonable price, and service with a smile. Thanks! read more

I come here to get my watch batteries replaced. Always great service, and John is really nice with fair prices!

John was awesome...and, he didn't even charge me for a minor repair on my Tag watch. Great prices, fantastic customer service.

Excellent fast service, great prices. They don't take American Express. Go there. Kitty corner from 7-11 on San Gabriel and Colorado. read more

Prompt friendly service at a reasonable price. What more does one need?

I had taken my Grandparents German mantle clock to three other repair shops over the past several years and spent at least $300 on supposed repairs. Each time those repairs failed and it was suggested by two of the shops that the only way make it work reliably was to install a battery operated quartz movement (at no additional charge). I chose not to do that because I wanted to keep it in its original form. It was a wedding gift to them in the late 1890's and their only possession handed down to me. I stopped at TIME ESSENTIALS about a year ago to have a replacement watch battery installed and asked John if he would be interested in looking at my clock. He suggested that I bring it in so he could inspect it . Once he examined it he said he was pretty sure it could be repaired if I wasn't in a hurry, explaining that it was a job he would work on when he had spare time available. Since it had only served as a decoration for the past three or four years I readily agreed. I received a telephone call about two weeks ago letting me know my clock was ready. I picked it up a couple of days later and, when I wound the three movements (clock and two chimes), I could immediately tell the repair was successful. The entire mechanism felt strong and tight; much more so than when it was given to me twenty four years ago. Having it keep perfect time and chime properly is probably the best Christmas gift I'll receive this season. The owners of TIME ESSENTIALS are friendly, competent, professional and most importantly, reliable. I highly recommend their business. read more

Got a battery replaced a few months ago. Very quick! I came in the other day to get a chain shortened after-hours and they were nice enough to do it. The price was a little steep (when another place had done it for free), but such is the price of impatience. Both times, very expedient and welcoming. They also have a nice collection of Seiko and Citizen watches. read more

Dodgy company. Tried to resolve a warranty problem with a watch, they demanded I post the watch to Victoria (from NSW). It was a problem with the strap and it would cost them 50 cents in spare parts and 1 minute to fit them on. Why couldn't this be done in the shop I bought it from!?! I reminded them about their responsibility to to arrange and pay the postage and from this moment it was like talking to a brick wall. Will never buy their watches again. Dodgy and slippery company. read more

Have gone here for years with a variety of watches. I love them. They are competent, reasonably priced, and always have my watches ready when they promise. read more

Well All I can tell you is if you value your timepieces forwhatever reason THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO TAKE YOUR ITEMS TO. Put the wrong crystal in my watch and I mean the wrong crystal, it did not fit and the had me pick it up like that without saying anything. I have great attchement to this time piece and they had no business doing something like that without saying a word as to why. if you cannot do the job correctly you should not ruin someones property just to make a dollar. John did his best to replace that crystal with one that fits better but not like the one he took out. All I went in for was a battery and for that I got this story to tell. Do what you will just an FYI!! read more

I contacted this business through yelp for a quote on a watch repair. John helped me discover that my best option was not a watch repair, but something that could be much more easily remedied by taking advantage of the manufacturers warranty. Even after it became clear that i would not become a paying customer (this time) he was helpful and kind to provide suggestions and advice on my specific situation. I really felt that he went out of his way to provide great customer service. So thank you, John! I look forward to doing business with you in the future. read more

Fast friendly service. Also gave me advice on my Citizen Eco. Took out links on new watch for $8.Would definitely recommend it. Free easy parking. read more

These guys are pros! I had previously come in for a bracelet sizing on my Seiko diver and received exceptional service and perfect fitting on a tricky pin and collar bracelet system. Several months later, (today), I again used Time Essentials for my very expensive Nomos Metro 38 Datum with a very thick leather cordovan strap. I needed extra holes punched in the strap for sizing. The expert staff at Time Essentials "eyeballed" the fitting and added precisely the three holes necessary to assure a perfect fit!. Most impressively, you CANNOT tell the different between the factory holes and the added holes in this very thick strap. This is a strap that would cost $110 to replace. You can trust these guys with your time pieces. And the atmosphere is great. The owner is always happy to stand around and talk watches with you! read more

Just had three watch batteries replaced and a new watchband put on - all for under $40. He did it fast (while I waited with two hyperactive toddlers - they didn't even have enough time to break anything) and with a smile. Nice guy, does great work, good prices - I am definitely going back! read more

Great repair shop. Great prices for repairs. They're fast, friendly, and honest. I've had several watches repaired there. Even replica watches! They're good. read more

Excellent service from John with watch repair, battery installation, and clock/watch sales. We found his shop a few months ago, and have since taken several watches for all from a simple and quick battery replacement to complete overhaul of a mid-century Rolex, Very satisfied with purchases of new clocks and repairs of watches where batteries had leaked. Take a peek at John's workshop: beautifully organized like a fine timepiece. read more

I normally go to the mall to for watch repairs, but it's a hassle. So when I needed a new battery recently, I decided to try this place which is just a couple blocks from my house. Aside from wishing they were open Sundays, I think this place is terrific. Parking is easy, they were fast and friendly, and I saved a couple bucks, too! read more

Went in to get a new battery for my TAG. In and out of there in less than 5 minutes. They even adjusted the watch to the current time and date which was nice. Had an interesting conversation with who I think was the owner about Swiss vs Japanese watches. read more

John is amazing. I had a problem with a Chinese copy of a complicated Swiss-type movement that controlled multiple dials on the watch (day, date, moon phase). One of the dials (day indicator) was stuck and the watch was losing 5 minutes per day. Before bringing it to John, I tried 3 other watch repair places in Pasadena. One said that it was completely broken and would cost $90 to replace the entire movement (the original cost of the watch), the other two said that they could not fix it because it required parts they did not have. John took a look at it and said that the watch was not broken, but simply needed adjustment. I left it with him for a few days. He called back to say that he had fixed the problem with the stuck day indicator, but that during the process the shaft holding the sweep second hand had accidentally broken off. He asked if I wanted it back without the sweep second hand, or wanted him to fix it. The fix was not trivial because it required replacing one of the gears. I asked him to fix it and John was able to find a replacement gear, restore the sweep second hand, AND adjust the watch so that it didn't lose 5 minutes every day. This cost $45 and was worth every penny. I have used John in the past to replace batteries in my watches, but this was an extremely challenging problem. The fact that John was able to solve it, where three other (highly rated on Yelp) places could not (or insisted on a major repair equal to the original cost of the watch), indicates that he is capable of expert, sophisticated repairs and is honest and resourceful. I would recommend him for any watch repair in the highest possible terms. read more

John is an honest, knowledge and friendly businessman. He repaired my Omega watch which had stopped running reliably and now works great (i.e. it keeps accurate time). He even took the initiative to polish the watch case. He kept me up to date on his analysis explaining that the autowind mechanism was running poorly due to the ball bearings and recommended that this part be replaced. He had the part in stock and completed the job in only one day. The cost was very reasonable (my guess is less than half of what Omega would charge just for their periodic 5 year cleaning and maintenance service). I would recommend John and this business highly. The last time I had this watch serviced in Pasadena at another shop it ran well for about 1 year and then developed problems again. Hopefully this service will last. read more

This is an old fashioned watch & clock repair retailer & repair. The owner, John Ho, is experienced & knowledgeable. Excellent service and he repaired several old watches for me that I hadn't worn in years. read more

I recently retired and received an engraved watch from my co-workers. The bracelet needed to be adjusted so I made plans to take it to John at Time Essentials based upon one previous visit where I had him install a new band on my everyday Casio Wave Ceptor. [NOTE: I purchased the replacement band online] When I mentioned this errand to my wife, she asked me to take along her Seiko with a broken bracelet and a dead battery. Arrived at the shop mid-morning and was in and out in about 20 minutes with bracelet adjusted, bracelet fixed and battery replaced. The cost was reasonable. I would not hesitate to return to Time Essentials, and more importantly, I would not hesitate to refer my family and friends. read more

helped me assemble my skx007 with custom parts and pressure tested, John is great to work with, will be coming back

We took in my boyfriends watch to fix this past weekend. Not only did my boyfriend get a really great price but the guy also offered to clean the watch and also get rid of the scratch marks for additional $30. We had taken this same watch inside the mall and they told us it would cost $320 to fix it. BS, they were trying to rip us off. The watch itself was only worth $900. Very good turn around time, my boyfriend got his watch back yesterday and it looks and runs like brand new. Really nice guy and we only paid $100, amazing job. Highly recommended. read more