This is the only watch repair shop I found in Berkeley/Albany that's open till 6pm (closed on Sundays). The watchman who assisted me was not necessarily the friendliest, but he replaced a battery of my watch in less than 5 minutes. Considering the quick reliable service, $10 is a fair price imo. read more

Mr.Stepakov is a master! He has repaired my irreplaceable vintage wall clock twice, years apart. I just took in another vintage clock with some parts missing, which he will find and replace. He is a true expert and very nice. My grandparents' wedding clock (circa 1900) goes in next. I would not trust that to him if I were not confident he can make it run again. read more

Wow. Awesome customer service. Was driving by and called to see if he could replace a watch battery - he said no problem come on by! In 10 min and for $9.95 he had replaced my battery, updated the time and date and oiled the knobs so they turned easier. How could you ask for anything better - and he was a pleasure to talk with! Highly recommend. read more

I have been very satisfied with services from Timemasters over many years. This owner-run shop has always provided prompt and fair-priced services, typically quickly assessing a problem while I stand there, and offering valued counsel on how (or whether) to do the fix. He "knows his stuff". Let's all hope he continues to offer us his knowledge and talent for many many more years. read more

Owner is great at repairing watches ! Price is reasonable too , I was ready to pay a big bucks and bring it to an Hermes store to replace the battery but for the price of a McDonald meal I got it repaired here without a long wait ! Definitely recommend this place ! Gets the job done ! read more

Personable and talented. Excellent work on 4 watches we needed some work on.

This repair shop and its owner do incredible work. Will be coming back as long as this place is around. While my dad was very ill, I brought his favorite watch----a Seiko Quartz World Timer Watch, 5T52-6A39--to this shop for repair. According to the shop owner, it would be a complicated job, as a new mechanism would need to be ordered to replace the old one. I thought it was beyond repair as it was very old and looked somewhat damaged. Somehow, after a few months, the shop owner had fixed it! Even the alarm is working--I didn't even know it had an alarm. It looks very lovely and I couldn't be happier with the work done. My dad passed away in the interim, but my brother will be very pleased that he can wear our dad's favorite watch to his wedding in a few weeks. Thank you Time Masters! read more

I've had batteries replaced and links adjusted several times at Time Masters. The price is reasonable and the owner will not charge you for estimates if more work needs to be done. He has a pleasant personality and runs a clean shop. read more

The gentleman who owns this shop is pleasant and helpful and his prices are reasonable. He will give you an honest answer about whether or not to spend money on a repair. He also has an interesting assortment of vintage watches and costume jewelry. read more

I went there because I bought a watch online with a weird band, which I couldn't figure out how to use. For that reason, I was going to buy a metal band from them. But the guy told me the band was perfectly good and showed me how to use it. And here's the punchline. He wouldn't take any money from me, and he performed a similar service for the person in front of me without charge. I have no idea how that guy makes a living but I certainly wish he continues to do so, so all of us can make use of his service. read more

Quickest and most cost effective battery change ever. 5min for battery change, $10 for a watch battery, thank you! Will be coming back for other watch batteries and watch repairs in the future. Owner was nice and friendly. read more

The owner was super friendly even though he didn't have what I needed --- a narrow, 10mm watch band in a color that says "Hey, world!"

Do you have time? Probably not, because your watch, clock or even grandfather clock is on the fritz. But what fun is it when your vintage timepiece no longer works, and how difficult is it to find a local watchmaker that can repair them? Its not just changing a battery! Time Masters is exactly that place, and very accurate repairs.. I highly recommend them. read more

I wish I remembered this guy's name, because he was truly amazing. He clearly loves watches. When I came in, he was tinkering with a giant clock, and when I told him I had a couple problems I wasn't even sure he could help me with, it was like his eyes lit up. We chatted the whole time he was working and brainstorming on my projects. He did my battery replacements on the spot in minutes. Why is it so cool to see your watch being opened? Reasonable, too - I think it was $8 each. I brought in a watch I received from my husband's late grandmother with a spring-clamp to go around your wrist, but half of the watch had basically fallen off. He not only figured out how the whole thing worked, but he devised a scheme--and created a spring--to fix it. He not only took perfect care of a watch I cared a lot about, but I swear it was returned to me in better condition than it was when I dropped it off--and not just because it could now stay on my wrist. I even brought in a bracelet that I couldn't get to open and he happily pried it open instantly with one of his tools. If you have a watch or a clock that needs help, bring it to this guy - he's worth supporting. read more

Izik Stepanov is a pleasant guy and clearly has a lot of trust from many customers. So I regret having to tell you my poor experience with him. Around 2005 I bought a beautiful antique (1930s) Bavarian cuckoo clock for my sweetie from a local clock shopkeeper who had restored it. It was not cheap (in my world) -- $350. Within a few months, it began to run only sporadically, despite careful handling. The clock seller had retired and closed his shop, gone. Tired of disappointing my sweetie, I noticed Time Masters and brought the clock to Izik. He said that for $200 he would fix the clock if I left it with him for 2-3 weeks -- he needed long enough to verify that it was repaired properly. I accepted. He called me two weeks later and said, "Ok, your clock is running fine, come and get it." When I picked it up, I paid his $200 and, as he gave me my receipt, he said, "If it has any problems, bring it back -- no charge; you only pay me once, my work is good." Less than a month later, the clock stopped again. I brought it back to Izik. Another two weeks, another call, "The clock is fine, I can't find any real problem, I cleaned a few things again." The clock came home. Within three weeks, it stopped again. Back to Izik. This happened four times, well into 2006. We finally ran out of energy and patience and just tried to live with its erratic behavior. After all, if we took the weights off for a few weeks, then put them back on, the clock would give us a few weeks of good works. But I was disappointed that for my $200 Izik had just done some light cleaning and the CLOCK DID NOT WORK ANY BETTER THAN WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO HIM. Today -- September 8, 2014 -- I thought to myself, "you paid this man your hard-earned money, and he gave you his word." I took it back to Izik, and he immediately remembered the clock and me. When I told him of the continuing problem and asked him to try again, to watch it on his wall for one month, he said, "You want to leave it for one month, you pay me $200." I said, "I paid you $200 already and you told me you I should bring it back and you would make the clock work right." Izik showed me a tiny tag he'd placed in the back of the clock with a July 2006 date and said, "Look how long it's been, nobody gives a guarantee like that. Izik had said, "You only pay me once, my work is good." Really, Izik? If your work ISN'T good, you might keep your word. read more

5 minutes and i was done! Would recommend to anyone My Swiss army watch is working again Yeayyy read more

Replaced my watch battery for the promised $8 (price based on watch brand/battery type presumably) despite it being a bear to open. I felt bad about how long it took him and he was polite and didn't give me a hard time though he noted all the evidence of my previous failed attempts to get the back off. So then I ended up buying an interesting looking pre-owned watch from his display as a gift. His instructions for resizing the bracelet weren't quite enough to figure it out but YouTube came to the rescue so I didn't have to go back to have him resize it. read more

I wouldn't take your fine watches here. I brought in two very fine watches, one to have an additional hole put in the strap, one to have the strap changed. Izik was completely unfriendly, no pleasant greetings, absolutely no interest in my watches, one of which is an extremely rare and interesting vintage piece. He grabbed the strap that needed an extra hole and quickly drilled one...it was sloppily done and off center, an insult to this gorgeous Omega crocodile band. See pic. Then he grabbed my Patek, rudely responded to my polite note about it being delicate, and quickly changed the strap. Izik simply ignored my efforts to engage in a little conversation about watches. This guy seems to hate his job, hate his customers, and should get a job in a back room somewhere and let somebody with some people skills deal with the customers. This all compares to the extraordinarily attentive, friendly (and free) evaluation of a Rolex that I brought to an amazing watch artisan in San Francisco. read more

Time Masters - Izik couldn't even line up the the hole properly in my brand new Omega crocodile strap. The guy is unfriendly and unpleasant to boot. - Watch Repair Near Me - Albany, California

Very nice man and great service. I have gone to his place every year or so to get my watch batteries replaced. Price is very reasonable.

Watch batteries are a real pain. For whatever reason, I just can't remember to bring the damned things in for repair. I went through using four different watches until they ALL ran out of battery life before I finally decided to bring them in. I also had a mens watch with a broken crystal, so I was ready for some bad news, The shop is clean and the best part is YOU GET TO WATCH THE WORK BEING DONE. I'm a total voyeur when it comes to seeing how things are done. The gentleman took my watches, got to work and within a few minutes all of the batteries were replaced. Then he got to work on the mens watch. He described everything he was going and verified that the watch even still WORKED before moving on to discuss the crystal. He quoted me $40 which was a steal considering the watch cost $500 retail. I asked if he could get the watch back to me by Tues, and he said he could. That's pretty amazing in this day and age of it taking a week to even get a diagnosis about your laptop from a large computer firm that looks like a fruit symbol... Don't waste your time with a jeweler who has other things to do, and merchandise to sell. Take your watches to this guy and enjoy seeing a true master craftsman at work! read more

I read up on Yelp reviews before choosing a place that was close to where I worked to drop off my watches for some fixes. One just died and I wasn't sure if it was the battery or something internal (I had dropped it rather hard on the floor a week or so before). The other watch I just needed resized as it was a metal band with too many links in it. Both times I have shown up with watches the owner of the store immediately assessed what needed to be done and did it right then and there--usually for less than $10 a repair. I've mentioned this in another review, but I love it when the things that I love can be repaired and updated. I'd rather not add more waste out there than I already have, so repair shops are my favorite companies--they are a major factor in my mission to "reuse" in my life. Many thanks for your quick help, Time Masters! Also, I noticed there was a collection of antique clocks and cuckoo clocks along the walls. While I do not own any antique clocks, I know people that do and will gladly tell them where to go. read more

I had a couple of Seikos fixed there. One, a solar women's model, failed just fifteen months after repair. When I took it back to him, even before I said much of anything, the guy copped a rude attitude, got defensive and basically told me that he doesn't fix solar watches because he doesn't have the electronic equipment. I wish he'd told me that before he took my money, which was close to the amount we originally paid for the watch because I wouldn't have left it with him in that case. I'm also not a big fan of his business practices; he keeps his records on the little envelopes he puts the watches in. He didn't give me an estimate nor did I get any sort of an invoice except the credit card receipt. read more

Time Masters is a great place to take your watch. He has fixed 2 pocket watches for me. He did an excellent work on them. Not only is he a great watch maker, he is a great person also. Great place. read more

I got my watch battery replaced here. After reviewing the other reviews, it seemed like a good and quick place. And it was. I asked the owner to replace my battery and he did it within 5 minutes. Under $10, I left with a working watch again and a smile on my face. read more

This gentleman is a magician. I had a Tiffany watch my wife had given to me as a gift and it stopped working soon after the warranty ended. Tiffany wanted over $600 to repair it. Time Masters got it running for $120 and it's back on the wrist. He's great!!! read more

I needed 4 watches that needed battery replacement. I came in, greeted him with a smile and asked about watch battery replacement. My politeness was not reciprocated and I'd rather take my business elsewhere. I like to work with nice people if I can help it. read more

Excellent prices and quick work. Thanks Izik !!! read more

I went to get 2 watches sized. Guy did a great job and was willing to test and retest to make sure I actually got the perfect fit for my wrist! read more

I've been bringing my watches here for years, and have been happy with the prompt, honest and professional service. He's done everything from fixing an analog mechanism to replacing a battery and band l, often while I wait. read more

I have a beautiful mechanical watch that started running quite fast (close to 20 min per hour). Brought it in and it was fixed perfectly within about 15 min. Great service and that you so much!! read more

Quick and friendly service, staff is clearly knowledgeable about their craft. Going to stick with this place for all my watch repair needs.

I guess I'll never know how good he may be at repairing antique clocks, because he made it clear as soon as I walked in the door that he didn't want my business. I can only assume he'd rather be doing something else somewhere else. read more

Izik at Time Masters clock and watch repair in Albany is the real deal. He was able to quickly, correctly and affordably change the battery in my Timex sports watch (while perfectly repositioning the seal). He also made a house call on a Saturday to get my recently purchased grandfather clock assembled and running smoothly. He did a great job and also explained how to wind it and keep it working on a regular, weekly basis. Highly recommended for all your clock and watch repair needs. read more

The word "Master" couldn't be more apt. For simple battery/band replacements to the most complex rebuilding of valuable antique clocks (including grandfather clocks) -- that may even require custom fabrication for unavailable parts - this is THE place to go. His prices are also very reasonable. He also sells fine jewelry and time pieces. He was trained the old fashion way, as an apprentice from an early age in Easter Europe, where he was even taught to fabricate timepieces from scratch. The first time I went there, I needed a crystal replaced on a very thin Skagen watch. Oaks Jewelers tried 3 times (typically the crystal they installed kept getting in the way of the hands moving - and I had to wait several days each time. They finally told me to send it to Skagen. I took it to Time Masters, and he fixed it on the spot in a few minutes, and it has continued to work for years. I've taken antique clocks to him, as well as watches of all kinds. Several times he has performed minor fixes and I've had to insist on paying him. Finally, I've been entertained several times by witnessing his interactions with people who are very serious about their timepiece and are experts themselves. One man, who was obviously a regular, brought in a few antique watches from his collection. He apparently worked on them himself, but when the challenge was too great for him, he brought them to Itzik (spelling?) for repair, and they had a lengthy, fascination discussion It is so rare to find masters of any type, these days, and even more difficult to find those who provide service with a smile, humility, and integrity. He also has a very wry sense of humor which I enjoy immensely. read more

The store owner can repair a watch in as little as 5 minutes and is very meticulous. However, I noticed he was rather rude and arrogant. He teased me on how I could not fix the watch on my own. "Anyone can do this. Why can't you?" he said. That really pissed me off and I don't think I want to go through that again. read more

Fast fix, on the spot. Took less than 5 minutes to fix 2 watch batteries w/ one being very intricately made. Nice owner. Cost $18 for both.

I had scheduled ahead two weeks to have an in home clock service performed. My appointment was missed. I called that day and was told they got lost. It would have been nice to get a call. We rescheduled to have him return that evening and again was a no show. When I called to ask if he got lost he never answered and never returned my call... pretty disappointing. He seemed genuine enough but reliability is important.... I hope others have a better experience. read more

I had my watch band resized. Quick work. Very nice guy. Gave me a discount! I wrote this review 2 years ago and somehow it didn't get posted. I found it sitting and waiting for me to finish it. Probably because I used the app to write it back then and it didn't get posted! read more

I went in last week and had a rude encounter. Another poster stated the owner was rude, too, but I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt and to support a small business owner. The owner basically insulted me. Every time I explained my problem and how it happened he said "not possible--what did you really do?" And he wasn't being funny. I was totally shocked and appalled and kinda just stood there not able to process what was happening. Needless to say, I asked him to put my watch back together, paid a small fee for his insults, and went up the street to Oak Jewelers, who were super nice, professional, and kind. I hate to write a negative review, but the owner needs to buy a How To Be Nice to Customers book. Unless you just need a battery changed and don't need to speak with the owner, I can't recommend his services. read more

The shop has moved one block east to 1201C Solano Ave. Luckily I had the shop number with me and I am glad that I called for the new address. Battery was changed in a few minutes with reasonable charge. The time master is personable and obviously very skillful. read more