John's Watch Repair is exactly the kind of local shop you hope still exists. The staff is friendly, professional, and genuinely knowledgeable about watches from a simple battery change and band sizing to cleaning and repairing older or sentimental pieces. They explained the work clearly, treated the watch with care, and charged a fair price. Turnaround is quick, and the shop has that old-school, family-run feel without being unapproachable. John and Jeff take pride in doing it right instead of rushing you out the door. If you need watch repair in Des Moines whether it be battery, band, service, or something more involved, this is the place. Highly recommend. read more

My uncle's prized watch didn't work and he lost hope. John figured out that the gears were shredded. Now, my uncle's watch is like new, because they cleaned it, too. Second time I've used this business and will keep coming back. read more

Great people and very knowledgeable. Old school service with great work done! Check them out. read more

Great service for all of the old watches that collected dust and needed a new battery.

Jeff the young gentleman was courteous, quick, and precise. Got a battery fixed, and suggested a nice strap for my watch. went the next day either my 45 year old Seiko, and got the same prompt treatment from the elderly gentleman. No fuss service. I will go again and would recommend this place to all. read more

Needed a zipper fly in a pair of men's lined pants. Service was quick and did an excellent job with a quality zipper. Very easy to work with this shop. read more

Very nice gentleman helped me and my son. It looks like a mess in the store but it's not I bet those older gentlemen k ow where every thing is. They were so nice and helpful. read more

Fresh battery and adjustment in the watch, my late wife Kime gave me. Fast turn around and very helpful. Went above and beyond. read more

John's Watch Repair - Fresh battery and adjustment! - Sewing & Alterations Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This place reminds me of a small town merchants shop. There is a particular name I'm searching for and I can't figure it out. It's a tiny space filled with "seasoned" treasure. Like visiting your grandpa while he works in his garage or basement shop tinkering on things to escape grandma. It's just a very comfortable place. Going through boxes in the basement, cleaning things out, I came across a couple watches from my past. Granted neither one of these hold much monetary value but they do hold a lot of sentimental value. I stopped wearing a watch when I got my first cell phone that I could fit in my pocket. I figured there's just no need anymore. Times change. People change. I wonder if these still work. I knew they both would require new batteries and a couple of pins if they were to be resurrected. A quick Google search and John's popped up. Lots of good reviews, all of them speaking of their professionalism, courtesy, and fair pricing. So, I went. I was greeted within seconds of entering and handed the young man offering to assist me the watches. "I'll take a look. Give me a few minutes" And that's literally all it took. In 5 to 7 minutes I had both watch's back, working and ready to go at a price that I had to ask about twice because it was well under what I had anticipated. I'm wearing one now. It's vintage, kinda like me and it reminds me of a time when life was less hectic and people took "time" outta their days to talk to one another. It's weird how something as simple as 20+ year old Timex and who knows what the other watch is can impact how you think of things. Not only did Johns fix my watches, they kinda fixed me too. If that doesn't make sense to you then maybe it's time you dusted off your old timepiece and took a trip to John's. 5 stars read more

My kind of place. Unpretentious, competent & reasonable. I wish I could clone his shop & move it to where I live.

This is a hidden gem of a watch repair business. They were able to complete the work quickly and at a fair price. If you need a watch fixed, battery and bands, they have what you will need or will figure out a customized fix. read more

My elderly mother who had very little English took my father's watch in to repair a small cracked screen comes home with the watch not working. The watch was working just fine. I called to see why she was told it was going to be an extra charge to clean it so that it runs and asked why when the watch was working perfectly fine. He then asked me why my mother left with the watch if it wasn't working. I said she didn't realize it till she dropped it off to my father. I feel like if you run a business and you want return business and referrals you should do the right thing and clean the watch without charge because the watch was working just fine except for the crack screen. My honest thoughts and feelings. read more

BE ADVISED "I don't wear gloves while adjusting a watch." Seiko Automatic taken in to get crystal replaced (it kept perfect time) After getting it back it loses 3 min a day Taken in to get the speed adjusted and there is clearly a large fingerprint on the winding weight, a 1/8 inch hair on a gear and other visible dirt/dust inside the mechanism Called to ask if he would clean it back up to at least the condition it was in before and he is going to charge me to fix the problem HE caused Again this watch had no mechanical issues until this man put his dirty fingers on it After wearing it THE NEXT DAY post-adjustment my watch lost 5 min in one afternoon! This man killed my timepiece read more

A great bunch of people to do business with. Get our watches fixed here all the time. Have bought a couple off of them too.

Very fair and in and out in 10 minutes. Great place. Old watch with a new battery. No one else wanted to touch it. $10 was all it cost to replace a Firestone 20 year anniversary watch battery. read more

I found some old watches from cleaning out my parent's home and they needed new batteries. They were from the 1980's or around there and thought I will just drop them off and come back. The batteries were replaced and I was on my way in about 10 minutes. Plus three batteries and replacement for less than $30. I was very surprised for the FAST service. Thank you very much! I will be back. I live in Des Moines, not California. read more

Fast and efficient. Got a cheap watch online that was too big for me and was able to get it resized for a nice price. The place is small but I was very impressed! read more

My husband had given me his mother's watch. It is from the 1930-40's and holds great sentimental value. It suddenly quit working. I took it in to John who quickly accessed the problems, gave me an estimate ( very reasonable for the amount of work!) and had it fix by the next day! It is once again on my wrist to remind me of my husband's love. read more

There are a lot of places you can get a watch battery but very few where they charge a fair price and are not trying to up sell you a new watch, band or other items. John even talked me out of replacing the scratched glass on my watch. This is why he is my watch guy. They do tailoring too! read more

Came in to get a new watch battery and John replaced it in 5 minutes and even set the date and time for me. And only charged $10.60. Great experience and good local business. He even took time to talk to me and learn my name. read more

Amazing service! I brought two watches in, expecting to leave them there to be fixed. He fixed both watches on the spot and I was in and out in 10 min. read more

I called to see if John could install a battery in my Casio solar powered watch. He told me he could but the battery was pricey and he would have to order it. He suggested a different way to charge the battery to see if it would revive it before bringing it to the shop. I did and it worked. This man could have socked me the cost for a new battery but talked through my problem for free. John is a class act, he will be my watch man going forward. read more

I made a very quick visit to fix my watch band and I walked out with my repair in under 5 minutes. All service businesses should be this easy. read more