Village Watch Center — Attraction in Brookline

Watch #1:

I inherited my father's 18K gold 65-year old Vacheron Constantin (VC) wrist watch on his passing. It was a hand winder, with a bulbous crystal, and sounded tinny when I wound it. Besides, I had a gold Omega, day/date watch, a gift, that I wore daily. On a trip to China, the crystal on my Omega popped off and was lost. I also thought that I had lost the bezel, toe. I started wearing the VC. Within a week, I dropped it, the crystal popped off and the second hand was lost.

I took it to two local jewelers with on-premise repair capabilities that I had service my watches previously. Both said that they could not get parts and one suggested that I contact an authorized VC vendor. One of our daughters who resides in the Philadelphia area suggested a leading jeweler there who is authorized by VC. After more than $200 in mailing and insurance expense, and several months of waiting, the jeweler got back to me. It had been sent to VC in Switzerland. Given the age of the watch, the second hand part was no longer available, but the original plans were. VC responded that the part could be fabricated as a cost of $111. That was fine with me. But, this was conditioned on the watch also being serviced by VC. The total $ was more than I felt the watch was worth. I had it returned to me, -- unusable.

Recently, I decided to try again to find someone to repair it. I found Avi at the Village Watch Center in Brookline. I took the watch to him for examination, projected scope of the work and an estimate. He told me what he thought it needed and what he thought he could accomplish. What was involved was the fabrication of a second hand a new main spring and a new crystal, together with complete restoration-servicing . His estimate reflected what was involved if one were to properly perform these tasks, much less than what VC had quoted through its authorized US agent, and a good value.

Two weeks later, I picked up my watch. He had also installed a beautiful new band. Well, it is absolutely gorgeous. Without my asking, in addition to totally restoring the watch to 'as new' condition, he had installed a correct crystal with a lower profile, and the watch has a nice, smooth clicking sound when I wind it. I just love it! It is FANTASTIC!

Watch #2:

He fixed my every-day Omega Seamster the no one else could. No parts available. Avi figured how to make it usable again, without the part. Why didn't anyone else think of that?

Watch #3:

I purchased a watch on eBay, Swiss, circa. 1950. It is a Damas (brand), stainless steel, day-month, sweeping hand, date-moon phase watch. It came with “no warranty”.

I was thrilled to have it and, even though it required daily winding, I regarded that as ritual. However, I did find that the crown turned with great difficulty. With each winding, resistance seemed to increase, until the day arrived when I couldn’t turn the crown at all. Disappointed, I placed my Damas watch in a drawer with no plan for repair.

After Avi’s (Village Watch Center) success in restoring two other watches, I remembered my Damas, and decided to show it to him. He found that the main spring was broken and suggested that he, also, recondition it.

When I picked it up, the watch’s appearance was, simply, breathtaking! The face and hands were totally cleaned up, -- as new, crisp, clear and quite readable. It sported a new crystal and beautiful band. He told me that he had time tested it and found that it performed quite well for a watch of its vintage.

I have been wearing the watch most days and...

Brought my mother's non working 30 year old German cuckoo clock to this shop to get it running again. I spoke to Avi and explained to him everything that was not working and where the clock came from and he assured me they could repair it and quoted me $950. I agreed and he required me to give him a $300 deposit that he would only accept in cash and directed me to a nearby ATM to get the money. It seemed odd that they wanted a deposit considering they were going to be keeping my $4000 clock as collateral but I gave it to him anyway. Avi told me that they would deliver the repaired clock to my house an hour away because they are difficult to transport.

Several weeks later Avi contacted me again and said that the clock had so many issues that they were now nearly doubling the original price to $1650. I was not happy but considering that I had already given him $300 and that they had already disassembled the clock and would charge me anyway to put it back together, I agreed to pay them the new amount. Avi then requested that I pay him in advance via some sketchy cash transfer app which I refused to do.

Several weeks later Avi told me the clock was fixed and ready for pickup, they were no longer willing to deliver it. He also said I needed to bring a box to transport it in. I reminded him that I had brought the clock to him in a custom made box with cut foam and everything specifically for that clock but he argued with me and claimed I didn't bring it in a box which was a total lie. So I had to make a new box for it.

When I got the clock home it was chiming at 4 minutes past the hour instead of on the hour, and a couple of the characters weren't moving. But it kept time and the music played and most of the figures moved so I figured it was the best they could do on such an old clock.

A month and a half later the clock stopped working. When the chime sounds the weight that controls it just falls to the floor, it seems the ratchet that holds it broke or something. I'm not even bothering to bring it back to Village Clock because I am certain they will just find another way to swindle me out of even more money. I wish I had read these reviews before dealing with them and seen they've done this bait and switch maneuver on other customers. Do not...

I recently went on a trip and accidentally smashed the face of my Le Baby Christian Dior watch when I dropped it on a marble floor. I Yelped to see who could fix the glass of it and came across Village Watch Repair. Even though it was 50 minutes away I called and send text images of the watch to the owner to see if he could fix it. After looking at the pictures he said he could and it would be between $50-65 to replace the glass.

SO, I drove to drop the watch off and when I came into the shop the owner looked at the watch, stated it was "a very nice watch" and said that he would call me to let me know how much it will be. This was a bit strange as we already talked about the price range and he had seen pictures, but I left it with him to do his due diligence and come back to me.

24 hours later I received a text from the owner stating that it would be $240 to fix my watch! I said I would not pay 5 times what he initially said and to not fix the glass and I would come and pick it up the next day. He then backtracked and said he could just replace the glass for $65. I said ok and we agreed I would pick it up the following Friday.

A few hours later I received another text stating that the watch glass would not have the beveled edge, it would be flat when he replaces the glass. I said OK, "but can you save the broken glass as I will take it back to where I bought it in London and have it replaced again" and this is where it got weird.

The owner would now not work on the watch and said replacing the glass was too complicated. This is even more bizarre considering he supposedly works on Rolex's and those too have a beveled edge.

Today I drove back to get my watch, another 50 minutes with no repair, and I'm not happy. I think this owner is probably good at replacing watch batteries and cleaning, but if you have a Swiss...