I came across A Better Time Service on Western back in late February and early March when I took in…read morea couple of watches needing new batteries.
Since then, Sabine has been able to replace the movement on two of my watches and repair the bracelet on the 1974 Tissot watch.
I will continue to bring my watches for repair from California.
Having my Tissot back is priceless!
Here is its story:
Every watch has a story and a journey; here is my Tissot watch story.
This Tissot watch journey began in Mexico (place of purchase). Oklahoma City (where dad wore it for some time), then to the Bay Area (where I live, when he sent it to me), then to Florida (first attempt to repair, "too old, can't get parts"), back to the Bay Area, a flight to OKC and soon back to Redwood Heights Oakland (home).
In 2019, my dad found this 1974 Tissot Seastar Automatic watch and sent it to me. Once received, I searched for repair shops locally to see if I could replace the band. With no luck, I found Watch Repairs USA, known for restoring watches. I was informed, "we can fix it, so I sent it, and they could not find a replacement band. They informed me if I wanted the watch returned, "It will cost you $70 to return it to you." This took place back in June 2019.
Later in the year, near the holidays, one of my friends had a beautiful Open Heart vintage Tissot model. I asked where she had purchased her watch and found a place to work on an integrated bracelet (watch bands). She said one of her friend's father's repaired watches. After asking, this friend's father agreed to see what he could do. It took several months, but I received my watch back, but the integrated bracelet did not hold. Thankfully, his work was under warranty--this time around, the labor cost was $100. I had to return the watch to my friend to return to continue with the bracelet's repair. This was right before COVID-19 Shelter-in-place was enforced.
In early August 2021, after vaccinations were taken, I met up with my friend again. Her friend's repair watch place had closed due to lack of business during COVID Shelter-in-Place, but she was able to get my watch back. Although unable to complete the repair, I received the parts for the band.
This August 2021, when in Oklahoma City, I returned to "A Better Time Service" watch repair shop near my parent's home. Sabine B. was able to finally complete the repair of the bracelet and size it to fit my small wrist.
Thank Sabine and the A Better Time Service Team.