AVOID AT ALL COSTS My watch was taken in for repair, lost…read morethen found, then in pieces with hands and winder lost. I demanded its' return. What I did not realise until I had a competent and reliable repairer look at it was that the balance wheel was also missing. No point in returning for the lost parts. I've watched the proprietor look through trays and boxes too often, turning up watches and bits of watches with no idea of their origin. I now know he has no idea where things are in his ramshackle premises, what belongs to what or to whom. If you value your watch or clock take it elsewhere.

Don't be put off by the shabby appearance of this place. Genuine down to earth old style honest…read moreknowledge and service. I haven't seen a shop like this since being a kid in the 70s, ramshackle, somewhat disorganised, dimly lit, but with an air of tranquility, that oddly feels ironically as if time stood still. I had my watch battery replaced while I waited, along with some friendly chat and all for considerably less than I would have paid to an service centre suggested my my watch manufacturer. Please be patient when approaching the counter, the proprieter may be at his desk a few feet away, and seem to take an age to acknowledge you. Look again and you'll see he is working on the intricate mechanism of a clock or watch with many small pieces to misplace. Be patient, he will get to you in good time. Cash only, but the prices are extremely reasonable.

Excellent cobbler. Mark works extremely well, is kind, friendly and honest.read more

Cobbler's Key is an often forgotten little cobblers/locksmiths on busy South Clerk St…read more Most people go to Timpsons nowadays, the chain store that has really cornered the market on key cutting and shoe repair- an ever necessary business. The truth is that the quality, as far as new keys are concerned, with professionals at local stores like this, if often far better. At least that is my experience. Cobbler's Key also offer watch battery replacement, patching and stitching of clothes as well as providing a range of leather goods. They also do gardening tool sharpening! Although I can't imagine there is a huge demand for that around here.

As the oldest jewellers in Edinburgh, John Whyte and Son was always going to be impressive. Nestled…read moreamongst the wide and varied selection of Rose Street jewellery stores, John Whyte's sticks out as being very traditional and very expensive! It looks as if they specialise in watches and watch repair, as the selection was quite large. All womens Seiko watches had a 20% discount too which was a great deal. They also specialise in second hand jewellery and have a big selection of pre-owned Rolex watches at fantastic prices. Perfect if you want a flashy timepiece and have a little bit extra to spend!

Located on George Street, I often walk by Hamilton and Inches longingly gazing into the window but…read moreI'm afraid, there's nothing really in my budget on offer here unless I decide to rob a bank or marry a rich old sugar daddy. I often see couples walking in giggling and pointing at various different engagement rings but to be honest the prices of some of the jewellery in here is nothing to be giggling about. They specialise in gold, white gold and silver and the range is extensive. They offer a huge range of traditional engagement rings and you can even design your own one which, I guess, would make it extra special as you know you're the only person wearing that design. In additions to jewellery they also stock watches from designers such as Chanel, Rolex and Cartier.

Wow wow wow. I am such a magpie and they have so many shiny things in here!…read more Absolutely beautiful shop full of exquisite pieces. I could spend a fortune in here. Such an established and historical shop on George street.

Edinburgh and its cobbled streets! My heel on one of my favourite pairs of boots was about to go,…read moreand all my local shoe repair shops didn't seem to have the right equipment to fix it ( I had no idea a simple heal repair could be so hard). Eventually, one shop pointed me to Timpsons. This shop saved me! Next day it was fixed and good as new and at a great price too! However, their key cutting is somewhat questionable, as my flatmates new keys from this shop broke only 3 weeks afterwards. So, as far as show repair is concerned, I would most definitely head to this shop, the guy is friendly and chatty and my shoe is still intact.

This is basically just a Timpson's shop, with all the usual services but I'm writing this review…read morepurely on the basis that Graham the branch manager here is absolutely great! I've been here a couple of times to get shoes re-heeled and maybe it's the fact that it is quite a traditional trade but you sort of feel like you're getting the kind of service your grandparents bemoan the lack of on this day and age. He always gives you some good chat and clearly has good relationship with all his customers and staff and when you're in there everyones in on the joke!

I won't bore you with the six-month saga of my watch 'repair' (a repair that never actually…read morehappened, even after all that time), suffice it to say that if you expect any form of communication or indeed anything approaching decent customer service, let alone if you expect the work you request to actually be carried out, then avoid Ritchie's of Edinburgh like the plague. If my experience of them is in any way typical (and the other review here suggests that it might be), then it is unbelievable that they are still in business. If you need to have a watch repaired and Ritchies is your only option, I would advise you just to smash the watch underfoot instead - at least that'll be quick and effective, unlike going to Ritchies, and you're just as likely to have a working watch afterwards. UPDATE: I said at the outset that I wouldn't bore you with the details of the repair that Ritchies failed to carry out, but it is worth mentioning the following information I think. I was told that the reason my watch wouldn't be repaired was because the parts were no longer supplied by the manufacturer and so it was, in effect, obsolete. However, when I contacted the manufacturer directly I was told that not only were the parts I needed still available, they were currently in stock at their UK service centre! In other words, it took me five minutes to do something Ritchies were incapable of accomplishing in 6 months.

If I have to describe Laings in one word then that would be awesome. I have been their customer for…read moreyears and they have consistently delivered excellent customer service. The boutique is wonderful and their customer service is excellent. I cannot recommend them enough. My latest experience with them was today and needless to say it was another amazing experience. They really made our 10th anniversary extra special!

Laing Boutique is the quirkier, more costume jewellery edged little sister to the bigger, more…read moreexpensive Laing the Jeweller a few doors up. The boutique may be wee, but it's full of glass cabinets of jewellery joy, with many trendsome brand names, such as Juicy Couture, Lulu Guinness, Mont Blanc and Cruz. The jewels in here definitely have a fun edge to them, and are certainly fashionable, so this is a good option for browsing when you want something that's less high street trinket, and more quality fashion jewellery that you can wear over and over without worrying about it falling to pieces. There are still more expensive, special occasion items to be found here, like the Gucci watches, and as watches go, I'm quite a fan of the Juicy Couture cream numbers that Laing also stock. They've recently brought in a range of Mancini rings, which are excellent, because you just buy whichever band you want from the range, and they're all really reasonably priced, then you can keep coming back and buying different colours of stones to team with the band, as they're detachable. Great for fickle minded people like me, who get bored of the same colour after a few days.

FANTASTIC! The soles of my boots were starting to come off…read moreand with the winter weather would soon have been letting in water and falling apart. They were also looking worn out. I dropped them off and for £7:50 they made them look like new again. I guess he glued, reshaped and repainted the pair of them. They sent a text when ready. Impressive quality service that you don't often see these days. I'm really happy with the results.

From the owner: Providers of excellent, friendly service with 18 years of experience. Means we can offer you the…read morebest quality in key cutting, shoe repairs, watch repairs, jewellery repairs and engraving.

McAlipne's has been operating for years. Adam McAlpine is a watch and clock repair expert. I have…read moretaken wathces here of batteries, straps, cleaning and servicing. Watches that only need a few things done like a battery are done there and then. Once, he brought back to life a treasured moon phaase watch of mine by ordering a new logic board for it. Very few watch repair guys would be able to accomplish such a feat. He is so inexpensive. If you need watch repair, make the trip to Portobello High Street.

As a local resident I have used Mcalpines for years and have never been disappointed in the quality…read moreof the service. I was concerned that a new battery for a very expensive and exceptionally thin Zenith watch would be a problem but no it was fitted while I waited. A new strap for my other watch was also fitted while I waited. Total cost £11-50 superb value for money. Can thoroughly recommend.

The dingy sign and bars across the window make this place look a little daunting. But fear not,…read morefriend. Venture inside and you'll be greeted by a very friendly man who is an expert on everything clock and barometer related. The actual room (and it is just a very small room) has an extremely impressive collection of grandfather clocks, carriage clocks, wall clocks and barometers. The back of the shop is reserved for their workshop which, by the looks of it, is as big as the shop itself. Specialising in antique clock and watch repair, their workmanship is guaranteed for two years and is of the highest quality. They also run exhibitions, featuring some of the finest antique timepieces around. And I mean it when I say they know their stuff. Just one thing - they're only open Wednesday to Friday, which can be a bit restricting if you work full time.

A real find with top quality professional watch and clockmakers who as well as providing servicing…read moreand repair, design and build from scratch, real quality timepieces, many with unique features and capabilities. Very friendly and happy to take time to explain and help wherever possible. To me the revealing feature was the window to the workshop which was spotless and everything in its place which reflects true perfectionists in their profession. Service with a smile, you cannot beat it.