Star Watch Repair Service

What a pleasant experience! Found an old Swiss Army watch the other day that was obviously in need of a new battery and who knows what else. Had a half hour before work so put in a search for watch stores/​repairs in Google Maps. Figured I’d try this place as less then 10 blocks away. Was a bit confused when outside the store as it’s one of those tourist souvenir type. I then saw the Star Watch Repair sign on the upper right of window and figured this must be the place. Walked in and sure enough there it is (a small 10′ x 5′ area) in the back right corner. Although luckily all I needed was a new battery, the gentleman was thorough in looking over my watch. I really liked the care with which he handled the watch. He gave it a quick air pressure dust, cleaned the outer edge before snapping the back cover on and set the time/​date. He said he’s been in the watch business for over 30 years and just about a year in this location. Nice to come across someone who enjoys their trade and is professional about it. This is a CASH ONLY business. Give this place a try, I think you’ll be pleased.

I’ve used this place a few times now. Twice it was to have batteries replaced — both times it was done quickly at a reasonable price (which can vary slightly based on the model). The other time I needed links removed from an Omega watch. That time he briefly misplaced a link but it was found so all was good in the end.
Their current location is in the back of one of those souvenir shops with t-​shirts, etc. (they were previously near Madison Ave. sharing a space with another store). They take cash only.

Wow, I wish there was a way to give more than five stars. First, the logistics: Star Watch Repair as of 5÷19÷16 is at 376^th 5^th Ave on the west side of 5^th just north of 35^th St. It’s in the back of a tacky souvenir shop. Other reviews are right in saying Mr. Kim is kind, friendly, and dedicated. The phrase «old world craftsman» comes to mind. Prices are very fair and don’t seem to have risen in years. The meticulous skill brought to every job is evident as you watch this man work. From a battery change to an overhaul of an expensive watch you can trust it will be done right. Go now before this type of mom-​and-​pop experience vanishes forever.

Great service! The owner of the shop is very friendly and does good work. I usually only wait around 10 – 15 minutes while the work is being done (battery replacements, band adjustments) so super quick turnaround.
They only accept cash but not a big deal. The store is located at the back of the gift shop on the right hand side.

He is excellent. I had to get the wrist band shortened. He quickly made the change to my wrist band and charged me a fair amount.
He is one of the most polite individual I have ever met.

Really want to give this guy visibility on Unilocal.He is tucked away in the back of a tourist nick-​back shop that most New Yorkers would never look twice at, but he is quick, cheap, kind and honest. Also does nice work though I have not brought him anything terribly involved. I look forward to giving him more of my business in the future.

Star Watch repair was great! SO happy I found them. They repaired an expensive watch for a very reasonable price, when no other shop said they could help.
Would definitely go back.
I got a crown fixed, a battery replaced and a band fixed.

Outstanding Service — CASH ONLY
I needed a link taken out of my watch and I asked the man how long it would take. Although he was busy tinkering on a watch, gazing intensely through his watchmaker’s spectacles, he looked up beaming and said, «Now!»
This kind-​hearted man took the link out of my watch and fixed everything in less than 5 minutes. I had to run to the ATM really quickly, but I think he even polished the bezel & lugs for me! He was so warm and cordial at the end, it was a real pleasure.
LOCATION
–He is located in the back of another store called «BEADS ON FIFTH»
–Looks like a traditional Tourist trap with iheartNYC shirts and caps in the front windows

I wish I loved anything as much as this gentleman loves watches.
First, he is a dedicated watch repairman; he does nothing else, so you need not worry about shoe polish getting into the works or a shoe rag being used to «clean» your timepiece. Not that this happened to me before several times in other shops before I knew better.
He is experienced. I’ve brought everything to him from cheapo, beloved watches from my teens, to the Cartier that my mom got when she lost her mind and thought that it’d make a good wedding gift. You know the thing about a Cartier watch is that it requires a lot of upkeep; I think there’s a secret sensor in the back case that detects your socioeconomic status from regular blood draws or something because the simple act of wrapping this thing around my unworthy wrist is enough to cause a malfunction. He can fix that at a fractional cost to sending it through the Cartier store where I don’t really belong and feel a bit antsy. OK, that’s my own problem. Back on track. The thing I want to point out is that anytime you present a watch to him, there is a small sound of satisfaction when he recognizes the piece and proceeds to quickly disassemble it.
The only time I’ve heard an expressed opinion on a specific watch was with the aforementioned Cartier. He beheld it with casual expertise and declared: This is a nice watch. Then he spent the next few minutes withholding his opinions as he inspected the colossal damage I managed to wreak in just a few months of use.
There is a price list, but if you watch him from a comfortable distance, you’ll see small, efficient gestures like when he removes gunk from a mechanism but only charges you for the battery replacement. The one time I had to leave a watch overnight, he also cleaned the strap without comment. I’m really not that filthy, I swear. That watch is just impossible to own properly.

MK Watch stopped working this morning.=(Super frantic found this GEM on Unilocal called got pricing. 10 Mins later a battery change and a polishing My watch look brand spanking New. Owner is so friendly and knowledgeable definitely the place to go. service is exceptional and prices are beyond reasonable.

love the service and expertise from this husband and wife duo. i had been taking my dinky watches to tourneau because i had a bad experience at another local watch place that didn’t pressurize my watch (drip drip!) but the batteries were so short-​lived. i brought like 4 dead battery watches here and the craftsman explained that tourneau had been using cheap batteries and not watch-​specific batteries!!! they replaced all batteries on the spot and were so nice. very affordable. at tourneau, they took 2 wks. to do one watch battery!!!

Had my watch fixed and cleaned all for $ 40! Couldn’t have asked for more. Owner was really nice and knew that exactly what I wanted. They are located in the back of a souvenir store, and the owners are the souvenir store always gave me a creepy stare but I’m just here to fix my watch so it’s all good. Will definitely come back if I need to fix my watch again!

Had to get the crystal replaced on a Kenneth Cole watch. Price was reasonable, and was replaced within two days.
I did notice the seconds hand was sticking, I brought it back the same day and it was serviced while I waited. On the plus side, the automatic movement tended to run 1 minute fast throughout the day, and this problem was fixed. I would recomend.
P. S. It’s a small kiosk located in the back of an existing store, this was a bit confusing for me at first.

Great service. It’s a tiny little shop located in the back of a gift shop on the west side of 5^th, just above 35^th. You have to walk through the gift shop all the way to the back. As others have said, a husband and wife couple. Very sweet and professional. Honest prices and immediate service for small fixes such as battery replacements. $ 7 and ten minutes for my battery swap. (I gave him $ 10.) I sort of want my battery to wear out soon so I can give them more business!

Star Watch Repair is wonderful. Husband and wife team. Extremely knowledgeable. I was concerned about having them fix my Rolex presidential. They installed a new crystal and bezel in less than an hour. They also cleaned the movement and polished the case and band. Looks like a brand new watch again. I would recommend them to everyone. All this for $ 100. They did in one hour what Rolex said would take three weeks. Also Rolex wouldn’t give me a price.
Of coarse I supplied the parts for that price. Honest hard working old style family business. The way things use to be. The way things should be!!!
Thank you
Paul Kabouchy

Needed to replace the battery in my boyfriend’s Ebel watch and was happy to find a shop open after work. There was no line around 6:45, and the kindly owner had me in and out in about five minutes. Prices are clearly marked and fair; service is efficient and nice. What more could you want?
Cash only, of course.

Thanks to Unilocal,I found this place. In and out quick, for adjusting my new watch. The owner was so friendly, patient, it took him three times to get to the right size.
The price for everything is clear posted on the wall, at a very reasonable price. He’s moving to 5^th AV btw 35 n 36^th, def will go back in the future. And highly recommend this place for anyone who’s looking for watch adjustment, repair and battery switch.

Went in for help with replacing a Nixon watch. Was really friendly and helpful. Replaced the battery in under 5 minutes and it was 10 bucks. Great spot!

Mr. Lee is so conscientious and thorough, it was a pleasure to see him care so kindly for our Tag and Raymond Weil watches.

Thank you Unilocal for helping me find this place again! I went to the old location a few years ago and had a great experience. Just went to the new location last week, and am so happy to have found this place again. I recognized the same repair man from a few years ago, and he was as friendly and as helpful as ever. He replaced my watch battery as well as replaced the crown and stem of the watch. Everything is working perfectly now. If you’re looking to get your watch fixed, cleaned, or have a watch battery replaced, I couldn’t recommend this place more!

I had a watch battery replaced here. Macys wanted $ 29, and I was charged $ 10 here for the exact same service. The battery replacement was done while I waited and took no more than 10 minutes. They even cleaned my watch a bit and set the correct time and date before presenting it as complete. Upon entering the shop, it does not look like a watch repair shop at all, more like a computer repair shop but as you walk down the center isle you will find the watch shop to the back left. They did an excellent job and would highly recommend them. You are paying for quality service and work by a highly skilled watch craftsman, however just don’t expect the ambiance to be like Tourneau.

What more could you want?1 minute walk from the train and easy to find. I rolled in, got the broken pin fixed on my watch in about 10 seconds and paid $ 2. I’ll definitely use them again

Love Mr. Kim and his super fair prices for expert watch repairs and service. Followed him from his two previous locations. Let’s see… in his new location, I’ve brought him a Raymond Weil, a Tag, and a Skagen. Just batteries for the first two, and battery and repairs on the third. Repaired like new! This guy is the real deal :-)

Friendly, efficient and easy on the wallet. They replaced batteries in my four watches for only $ 30! Macys quoted me over $ 80, so I’m happy I looked on Unilocal and found this business nearby.

Honest, friendly, reliable, high-​quality, somehow also inexpensive. I’ve now moved out of town but still return here for watch services. I’ve had battery replacements done, also full overhauls. Always exceptional.

Went to the old location last year and the new location this year. They changed the battery in my Swiss Army watch while I waited; total cost was $ 7 flat. Couldn’t be nicer. I asked about a cleaning, but he advised against it. He didn’t think it was dirty enough, but gave it a quick clean with a brush and the forced air gun. Highly, highly, highly recommend & thank you Unilocal for helping me to find them in the first place.
PS: The pic with the «Safenet Computer» awning is helpful; go in the door under this awning and you’ll be in the center aisle with counters to the left & right. Walk down a bit and look to the left. The Star Watch area has a rotating countertop display case with watch bands in it.

Love the couple who owns/​runs the business. I like their service so much that when I realized that they had moved from their previous location, I left the store (which another watch repair guy was there in their old place) to walk all the way to their new location.
Their new store is located inside the Safenet Computer store — towards the back. A little hard to see unless you go into the store through their clutter but they are there.
Thankfully Unilocal mentioned that they had moved so I was able to find them.

This is a new location for a wonderful watch repair and battery replacement professional. They are honest, reliable and fast. We have come to rely on them over the years — this is the third location that we have followed them to. Battery replacement was just $ 7 per watch. We bring them both new watches and more vintage ones and they are always professionally done. Try them and you won’t be sorry.