The absolute rudest, disgusting owners imaginable, pulled out my phone to show the owner a photo of a vintage 1918 pocket watch I found at a flea market in Europe and was immediately berated that no phones or photos were allowed. I showed them that I was pulling up a photo to show them, to either sell to them, learn something or get the watch serviced, no apology, no admitting that it was their mistake they told me to leave. Avoid this shop at all costs. read more

A Step Back In Time is exactly how you feel stepping into this charming shop. There is a beautiful collection of every timepiece imaginable. I was greeted by Arthur and his wife with such warmth and hospitality. You can tell how passionate they are in what they do. I purchased this 100 year old mechanical clock for such a great deal. Arthur was kind enough to clean it up and check over everything before I purchased it. You can tell he is a master in what he does. There was no time while in this store where I felt pressured in anything. They are such a nice couple and made it a wonderful experience for my first mechanical clock that will be a family heirloom for years to come. read more

A Step Back In Time - Watches Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Great Store. The Owners are so kind and helpful. They go out of their way to help everyone that comes in. They help the Community of Laguna Beach and we love them so much! I needed a battery changed for my watch and they changed it there while I waited. It only took 10 minutes and they even have cold drinks and coffee for customers. I will recommend them to everyone! Thank you! read more

we took a watch to get a battery at step back in time. I sent my secretary, and she also tried to pick it up. The owners wife proceeded to aggressively talk down to my secretary, accusing her of trying to steal a watch. Then she called the police, and tried to assert that my secretary was trying to steal a watch and threatened her. Then they casually just said oh we're sorry it was a Mistake and it our disorganization causes to hand out a wrong watch. I will never go there again. these people are rude, discourteous, and lack the courage to address their disorganization or apologize read more

Took my Omega Seamaster here for an overhaul as it's has automatic movement and it was due. It took many weeks to complete and was much later than I was quoted. A few days ago I took the watch to another master watch repair with much higher reviews and learned how much damage their company did to my watch, immediately after opening the back of my watch, right in font of meI. wasn't properly water sealed or tested, so the watch was completely corroding inside, but many or the part inside were scratched, gouged and completely damaged. I felt like I got punched in the gut. The watch repairman didn't want to touch it due to the extensive damage and corrosion and advised I send it to Omega directly due to the many parts that need replacing. STEER CLEAR of these swindlers. They are hacks that will destroy your watch. read more

This shop is a hidden gem. The owner is very professional and he has always been able to fix my Cartier watch. Other stores have wanted me to send it into the manufacture, even for small repairs. read more

Great experience with getting my watches repaired. I highly recommend visiting the store if you live in the Laguna Beach area. Friendly and fast service had me all fixed up rather quickly. Thanks! read more

The shop is owned and run by Arthur and his wife. I dropped off my Rolex after Thanksgiving, the estimate for a full service was the most fair pricing I have come across recently. Arthur is a watch master, a former long-time Rolex employee and a genuine very nice man. This was a quality service done by a true caring professional. The shop also had a very nice inventory of quality vintage watches. I highly recommend them for any watch needs that you may desire. read more

This place is a hidden gem. I ran into this little antique watch shop in Laguna Beach waiting for my life and found a mint condition, 1961 Omega Seamaster DeVille. The shop owner Pat has been a master watch-maker for 30+ years and is friendly and kind to talk to. He restores and repairs vintage watches to perfection and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I am not a antique expert by any means, but have a thing for beautiful watches that stands the test of time. Try this place out, you might find something! read more

I love this place! For years I've walked by this shop noticing the giant time piece outside and thought " what is that place?" but never looked inside. One day my guy needed a battery for his watch and a nearby jeweler recommended A Step in Time. So glad he did! If you want to buy a watch or clock this is the place to go. The owner Pat is knowledgeable, friendly, and interesting. I loved looking at all the antique clocks in the shop. The place is small but loaded with interesting time pieces. I promise you, if you stop in you will be browsing for at least an hour or two. Don't miss this gem in Laguna Beach!!! read more

Wow! Dropped my watch off for repair, not only was it fixed correctly, it was fixed ahead of of schedule. Owners are so nice! This is not a fake review. I am truly impressed with this store! Thank You read more

Arthur and his wife couldn't be more helpful, polite and accommodating. This store a great asset to Laguna Beach!

We're from Colorado and we were traveling through the Laguna area when my watch broke. After asking 2 or 3 locals (including the travel center) they all recommended this place and once I got there I understood why - Mr Martinez was extremely kind, ultra fast and excellent priced for the fix I needed. We were on our way quickly after visiting here. (This was an older tag that he fixed) I highly recommend this place even if you are a ways away - it's worth the travel! read more

"A Step Back in Time' is a rare find! Owner Pat Espe is a master watchmaker and loves his 37 year craft. He's old school and really knows time pieces. If you need a vintage or classic watch, clock, pocket watch restored, fixed or cleaned and oiled, look no farther. This shop gets 5 stars plus! Highly recommended!! He made my Cartier Pasha like new! read more

RIP OFF!!!! Although they are very nice people (hence the 2 stars) I brought a gold watch in without a band given to me as a gift in order to get fixed up. They charged me $275 bucks and put a cheesy (deff not worth $275) band on it. When I came in to pick it up he told me the internal mechanisms were working and they just cleaned it up.. If money is an issue (unless you own a printing press, I dont see how it wouldn't be one) go somewhere else! If you dont mind paying a lot of money to an overpriced antique shop (rent is expensive in Laguna) where the people are friendly, this is your place read more

I had my wall clock serviced by Arthur over a year ago & it works beautifully! I also bring in my watches for batteries & tune ups, but I recently learned he is a master jeweler, so I now bring in my jewelry for repairs. They've done wonderful job on everything I've brought in! They're the nicest people & it's great to support our local businesses! read more

Guys are the laziest establishment in Laguna. Spent over $10K, in there store on a couple watches.... and they would not release my clock for a simple battery change. (Cost $30 bucks) As they were unable to use there credit card machine for some reason. Rude, disrespectful is one thing....bad business decision and not the typical shop in Laguna for a local. I will gladly take my business elsewhere and suggest you do the same. Step back from A Step Back in Time. read more

After cleaning out an old desk I found one of my old watches that needed a new battery, I installed a new battery, but it still was not working properly/keeping accurate time. I assumed the watch was in need of a full service or even new parts. I found this shop by chance and since it was close to my house, I thought I would give them a try. All I can say is how great these guys are. I presented my watch to the shops watchmaker, Arthur. He inspected the watch and explained to me that my problem was consistent with an improperly installed battery or a battery that was weak. He offered to perform a simple battery service and check the watch for any other issues. Now, he could have very easily told me that the watch needs service, parts, etc., but he was very honest and offered the least expensive option to begin with. So I left the watch, and to my surprise I received a call a few hours later telling me the watch is ready. My trusty old and very sentimental watch is now in perfect working order. I am very glad to have found these guys. Not only are they honest, but very friendly and courteous as well. Also, Arthur is extremely knowledgeable. I brought a vintage Rolex with me which I did not know much about. Arthur inspected and gave me a great history lesson on the watch and its value. Great place, great people, and great service. Go see these guys! read more

Highly recommend this family- owned business. My husband thought his watch broke but instead it just needed a new battery!! I was delighted to have the work done while I waited as it was a complicated process. Honest and reasonably priced. read more

Great place..wonderful selection of vintage watches, very helpful and knowledgeable staff, very fair prices, generous service policy. Highly recommended. read more

New ownership is a welcome to Laguna and much needed place for watch repair and service. The husband and wife team couldn't be more polite, knowledgeable and accommodating to my husband and myself. My husband has a small watch collection that we struggle to find someone to service and not take advantage of us. I also wanted to buy my husband a watch for his retirement. They have such a beautiful selection of vintage watches. The owner was kind enough to text me a few pictures but then I decided it would be better to bring my husband in to pick out his own. We found a gorgeous vintage Rolex with a leather strap! It exceeded both our expectations and the owner even put a new strap on it and included it in the price because my husband wanted a different color that was originally on the watch to make it sporter. The watched we brought in to be serviced, one was a pocket watch that he doesn't use but has sentimental value to him and the owner said it would cost more than watch was worth and do we want to fix it? We thought it was just a battery.....Most watch places would have just fixed it without asking. I highly recommend this store. They are open all the time and keep regular hours unlike the previous owners which were never there. I liked the previous owners but found it difficult to do business to do business with someone that didn't keep regular hours. The new owners assured me they are open regular hours! Give them a try, you won't be disappointed!! read more

What a treat to find a place with wall to wall timepieces of all shapes and vintages and an enthusiastic and informed watchmaster who can probably fix anything you might bring in... just like the old days --- A step back in time, indeed! Best to call first as they keep specific hours. read more

I'm ecstatic I found this place!! I knew I was over-paying for new batteries and service on my watches from those mall watch repair shops. (And to make matters worse, I got talked into over-paying for over-servicing my Tag Heuer watch at another high-end jewelry store to "make sure it stayed waterproof" only to then go to Miami and have it fill up with water for the first time). I found this quaint local shop here in Laguna and the owner, Pat was so friendly and helpful! He replaced the battery on my Cartier Tank Francais and my old Rolex for a REALLY reasonable price and he did it on the spot without me having to leave my watches for days! I'm so impressed and so happy that I finally found a knowledgeable person that I can trust to care for my watches at a great value! read more