Manhattan Beach Watch Repair + Vintage Watches

These guys really are the best at what they do around here! I’ve been taking my tide watches to them for years and they’re the only ones in LA that I trust with that. Tide watches often require either a special seal/​gasket replacement or siliconing when the battery is changed and surprisingly, this is the only shop in LA I’ve found that reliably does this. Their prices are fair and they’ve also been nice enough to tell me when one of my tide watches was dead — that after replacing the battery, it would no longer keep out water if I took it in the ocean. This was after they had spent over 3 hours trying to make it right and pressure testing it. I asked what I could pay them for the time and was told he wouldn’t feel right charging me because the watch wouldn’t work as it needed to and advised me of how I could contact the manufacturer and get the parts I needed to make the watch work. I will continue to bring my watches here for servicing and I can only guess that they are equally or more skilled on higher end, more sophisticated timepieces.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Victor for over a decade. Not only is he an Excellent Horologist, he is one of the best people I’ve ever met. Whether you’re purchasing or servicing a timepiece, Victor will be Honest, Knowledgeable, and Welcoming!

Honest and honest… those are words to describe Victor and MBWR+VW!!!Came into his store to get my Bvlgari watch authenticated. He said if he opened the watch he would charge me $ 45 to inspect, perform internal testing and pressure
turned out he couldn’t 100% determine it’s authenticity because the watch cap being so plain and simple, the automatic chronograph he said was clean and accurate. Victor definitely knows his luxury watches, but Bvlgari (and the newness of Bvlgari as watchmakers & Chinese Super fakes) seems to have left a slight doubt in his mind of its authenticity. Another part of the doubt was because I purchased the watch online at such as low price. Because he couldn’t determine for certain of its authenticity he did not charge me at all! He said it was best to take it to Bvlgari in Beverly Hills or South Coast Plaza, which I did, and got the watch
turns out it was real! I love his honesty that he wasn’t 100% certain of its authenticity (being honest that he didn’t know for certain), didn’t charge me for opening the watch (probably felt bad for me), and led me in the right direction to take it to the right people to get it checked out! Thank you Victor!!!

Terrific service. Victor takes the time to help you make the right choice. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Victor is a fantastic guy and a wizard at getting high-​quality watch repair! I sent in a watch that was running fast. Victor gave it a full service without my asking and even changed the crystal and gaskets. It runs perfect and looks better than ever. I couldn’t be more impressed!

Victor is such a nice guy. I’d buy a Casio from him because he’s so nice. I went to his shop to get some watches appraised and couldn’t find parking. The guy found a stall for me and even offered to pay the meter!
His appraisals were almost spot on and it was clear to me that his knowledge was extensive. While there, several patrons dropped by just to say «hi» and hangout. I’d highly recommend taking your watch to be repaired, appraised, consigned, whatever’d with Victor.

I been going to Vic for over 10years. I appreciate his honestly and never trying to oversell. Always refer friends and clients to his shop.

I like to support mom and pop style shops. Took my new TAG to get fitted, charged me $ 15 (5 dollars more than others but they accept credit cards). I was in and out of there in about 15 mins. He seemed knowledable about watches and very personable. Will definetely be coming back here for my watchsmith needs.

I just left Manhattan Beach Watch repair and was compelled to write a review on this shop. Upon stepping in, I was greeted by Victor, the owner. I had a rolex that needed an extra link and he looked through his inventory and put the link in while I waited. I also had a Movado watch that needed a battery change. This watch had been to another shop multiple times and each time I got it back, there was moisture in it. Victor replaced the battery and lo and behold… NO moisture. Victor is a genius. He fixes all my watches correctly at a very reasonable price. If you are looking for an honest and extremely knowledgeable watch specialist, bring your watch here! I will never bring my watches anywhere else!

I took in an older Tissot Swiss watch that had belonged to my grandfather and needed a new battery. Apparently the watch was discontinued due to problems with the digital display. With a new battery it was working again, but setting the time took Victor 10 minutes due to the complexity and the semi-​malfunctioning display. I would have been completely hosed if he hadn’t known how to work with that particular model. It was finicky as heck!
Throughout the whole process Victor’s attitude was one of the best I’ve ever encountered. He was so patient and welcoming. I would refer any of my friends to this place and I will be a customer for life for any of my watch needs.

Awesome place. I randomly looked up a watch shop as I needed to have my g shock repaired. It had stopped beeping after a battery replacement, but the spring was still in tact. Gave Victor a call and was assured that he’d be able to fix it. Brought it in a bit after lunch to beat the rush and was in and out in 20 minutes. He was able to figure out what was wrong and even pressure tested my watch! Stand up guy and all around professional who enjoys what he does. His shop definitely has some cool vintage watches on display! Will definitely come back here for any watch repairs that I need.

Victor is an amazing guy and knows a tremendous amount about watches. I went in for a simple battery exchange and Victor was willing to work with me so that I could pick it up after I got off work.
Not only that, but apparently I’m stupid and don’t know how to set the time on my watch but Victor didn’t mind when I walked in needing help. He immediately helped me set the watch (which was extremely easy) and sent me on my way.
Business Owners everywhere could learn a thing or two from Victor.

I like Manhattan Beach Watch Repair mainly because of Victor. He is a really helpful and friendly guy, a huge watch nerd (ask to see the vintage pocket watch he turned into a wristwatch!), and does not discriminate based on the watch you bring in. Yes, they service high end luxury watches with mechanical movements, but they are also happy to help you with your entry level mechanical movement or budget quartz model. No pretense or attitude, just a passion for horology and good customer service. They always have a nice selection of vintage mechanical watches (and some quartz models) to check out as well. If you’re looking for a watch guy in Southbay, Victor should be on your short list.

This is my first ever review on Unilocal,but I had to after my amazing experience with Victor. He is undoubtedly an expert at what he does and he has incredible customer service to go along with it. I brought in two watches that were left to my brother and I after a relative passed away. Not only did he immediately diagnose the problems for each, he was able to get one in working order in no time at all. He charged $ 8 for the battery and the minor cleaning for the first one. During the entire time he was working, we carried out a conversation and he was incredibly friendly and I felt like I had been a regular customer for years.
The second one, he first checked it to see if it had been serviced (which it had) and I told him I wanted to get this watch cleaned and polished. He offered me a very fair price of $ 45 for the second watch and was able to help me out on it as well.
Victor has made me a loyal customer and I will be sure to recommend his great service to anyone in need of watch repair or services. He is a gentleman and a scholar and I really appreciate the top-​notch service. Thanks Victor!

As a regular user (as opposed to reviewer) of Unilocal,I feel like I’ve benefited a lot more from this site than I’ve actually contributed.
What’s more, in the few reviews I have made over the years, I’ve not given a single five-​star one, no matter how much I like a business.
That’ s about to change… because this will be my first solid, five-​star review.
Stepping into Manhattan Beach Watch Repair + Vintage Watches is like going back to another time (no pun intended) and place.
Earlier this week, I just took delivery of a brand-​new Japanese market Seiko SBDC003, aka, affectionately, The «Sumo» or «Blumo» and I needed some links removed.
Swung by at the end of closing time but Victor waited up for me to get there and swiftly made the adjustment. No hassle, no upsell, no add-​ons.
It’s kind of weird… when you actually meet someone who genuinely loves what he or she does, there’s something unmistakable about it. Victor, the owner, has that thing about him where, from first interaction to last, he exudes competence and inspires confidence.
I also brought along another watch with me that day – one of my older solar atomic G-​Shocks that had gone kaput after only three months of use.
He took a moment to look at it and was going to suggest a battery replacement but then offered to «put it under the light» for me for a couple of days to see if it would spring back to life. I wasn’t too confident in that as i had tried to leave it near a windowsill a few years back but to no avail, but I appreciated him suggesting it, so I went along with the idea.
The next day (today), I get a friendly email with a snapshot from Victor showing me my G-​Shock was up and running again and that he would keep it under the light for another day to make sure it was fully charged up (but, ironically, no charge for me).
In the words of the inimitable Tony Hsieh… that’s a business powered by service!
At any rate, I’m not a real watch guy – I just wear ‘em and appreciate them but I am by no means a connoisseur. Stepping into Victor’s store, though, makes me want to be a watch guy. The vintage watch collection he has there is par excellence – I swear there is something for EVERY watch wearer there. And, the entire experience – from the moment I walked in – harkens back to what I imagine to be those halcyon, nonpareil days of American small business ownership… where people (shop owners) genuinely cared about the work they did, where there was real pride in craftsmanship and where integrity was not a disposable thing.
They just don’t make shops like this anymore.
In a few months, I’m scheduled to be moving 40+ miles away from the neighborhood where Victor’s shop is located. Even so, I have it in mind to always, always return to his shop for all my watch adjustment and maintenance needs. There is just something really great – infectious, even – when you’re in the presence of someone who exudes such an obvious passion for the work he does even if it’s for something you might not be as passionate about.
And, who knows… maybe one day I will become a watch guy and eventually pick up one of those super-​cool vintage watches in his shop… there’s a Vietnam war-​era Seiko 6309 «Turtle Back» Diver series in there that made me do a double-​take…

I am a Watch Collector. Real Watch repair artisans are so rare, they are a treasure. Victor is one such man. He fixed my chronograph in amazing fashion for a very reasonable price, mailed it back with several small courtesies included. He is REMARKABLE.
If you have a Patek Phiippe or a Seiko, trust Victor. He is the last of a breed:
ethical, expert and you’ll find his prices more than fair.
VICTOR IS MY GO-​TO WATCH GUY FOR LIFE!
THANK YOU, VICTOR.

Victor was very helpful and informative. He removed some links on my Rolex. After a day i felt i still need some adjustment on my bracelet. He fixed it without any hesitation, question and additional charge. He told that i can always come and return the watch for adjustment if needed. Awesome watch guy!

These guys did exactly what they said. On time. On budget. As promised. I know that may not sound too crazy, but really, how rare is that these days? Cheerful and pleasant, too. A bit out of my way but worth it.
Will be back.
Had my Tag’s crown repaired after a good ten year run. Good as new. Cleaned the watch and pressure tested as well.

Thank you Victor!!! To be honest I can’t remember the last time I had a better consumer experience! Professional, amazing customer service, extremely honest and very knowledgeable (not to mention. seriously cool). I had an issue with my (1980) Rolex Submariner, which was a unique situation. and they couldn’t have been more helpful or nicer. As a small business owner myself, I couldn’t recommend Manhattan Beach Watch Repair & Vintage Watch more!!!
They are a Proffessional Certified Watch Repair and have an awesome and large selection of Vintage and pre-​owned watches and pocket watches. They offer world-​class professional watch repair specializing in the servicing and sales of vintage and Pre-​owned timepieces. All watch repairs done in –house by true masters. They also offer vacuum sealing and pressure testing on all dive and Scuba watches which is hard to come by locally. No job to small, they even change watch batteries while you wait.
This place is a rare pearl and I am so happy I found them! I’ll be a loyal customer for life. (* * * * * * I only wish I could give them «six» stars on this review.)
Markus B. /​The Fitness Underground

This is a great spot for all your watch needs. They truly know their stuff and never pressure you. I have used them twice for different watched and I’m thrilled with the results and service.
My wife’s vintage Rolex was broken so I thought. Nope, they just fixed up it and I was on my way. Ok, I did buy a killer new band and got a Unilocal discount.
Love this place!