Govberg Watch Repair

This is hands down the worst customer service. DO NOT TAKE A WATCH HERE! My father sent a Patek Philippe 1943 Calatrava 30 mm case here for repair in April 2015. It is now January 2016, and they still have provided NO estimate for repair in spite of repeated emails and attempts to get information from them. They claim to have sent it to Switzerland, but honestly, they are probably just scammers taking advantage of my elderly father. Wish us luck in getting it back broken or repaired!

I really wanted to like these folks. They restored an old Ebel watch, and did a lovely job. HOWEVER, when the watch was returned, it had a plastic crystal, as opposed to a glass one. That was annoying, because the reason I got it restored was that the glass crystal broke (which I has for years). They told me that the original version from the manufacturer was plastic. OK, not the end of the world…
THEN, it loosened and fell off! So, I returned the watch, without a crystal, and specifically requested that they put a glass one on. Weeks went by, not a peep out of them. Then, I called and asked what was going on, so they said my watch was ready to be shipped. I asked specifically about the crystal they were using. They never responded. I left messages and was repeatedly told I would be called back. EVERY time I called, I was told that someone would get back to me. No one did.
Next, they said it was impossible to put a glass crystal on this watch. Well, that’s odd, because I ALREADY HAD ONE ON IT WHEN I SENT IT TO BE RESTORED. Impossible? No. Difficult? Maybe. I even said I would pay extra for it to be done. Nothing. So, they sent it back with another plastic crystal.
And guess what? It’s loose again. Crappy customer service, good quality restoration, infuriating policies.

I have had two watches repaired and serviced by Govberg and could not be more pleased. The first time I had the crystal of a Longines replaced. I shipped it off to them after filling out the online form (which includes very clear and explicit wrapping and shipping instructions), you will be able to track your watch online and know when they receive it. Not long after I received a detailed explanation as to what it would require to fix the watch and the price, this is done online. On this first order I had to call Govberg (for what now escapes me) and the young lady I spoke with could not have been more helpful or nice. They replaced the crystal and gave the mesh band and case a good cleaning and it looked lime a new watch. It went from shabby to chic! I could not have been happier. By the way this was a watch that you have to wind. The second watch I sent to Govberg was a battery quartz Longines watch. It quit working after a local jeweler replaced the battery. I went to the Govberg site and no fuss, no muss shipped this watch off to them. They sent an email saying the watch needed cleaning and adjusting and said what the service would cost. I agreed (you have the choice of accepting or declining any recommend repair) and a couple weeks later my watch was on it’s way back. They notify you it’s shipped and you can track the watch, which you will have to sign for naturally. The watch arrived, and they had cleaned the band and case, looked brand new and runs perfect. I am completely pleased with the service Govberg provides and in the future I will not hesitate to take my watches to them for whatever my needs.

I sent in my I sent my Omega watch to Govberg Watch Repair. They quoted me a lead time of over one and a half months for a basic service, bracelet refinish, and crown replacement. 10 days after the quoted leadtime, I followed up and they said that some parts were delayed (a standard Omega crown???) and they said it would be done in 2.5 more weeks. In about 3.5 weeks, I followed up again. I finally received an email 4 days later saying that it had finally shipped. I finally received the watch back after 3.5 months. I would not do business for a watch service of this type by Internet again.

Sent Tissot T-​Touch to them for overhaul and new band. Watch was returned with the same dirt in crevices and numbers on bezel as before. Also, they did not replace the old scratched and dirty clasp – so I got about 5 inches of rubber for $ 117. The old band was returned but they did not size the new one. I must take it to a local watch place for that.
Govberg advertises that it is a Tissot factory-​authorized repair center and that it will return an overhauled watch in good running order, but control buttons on mine remain erratic and unresponsive.
A complete ripoff.

I will not be shipping a watch to these people ever again.
I purchased a Ball Trainmaster 60 Seconds (the discontinued model) on eBay for a great price. I figured I would send it in to some place to have it looked at and see if it could be fixed up. I shipped the watch to them on September 29. The watch arrived at their store by October 1.
Nine full days later, on October 9, I get an e-​mail telling me that the watch is being returned to me «unrepaired» because they couldn’t procure the parts for this watch. That’s kind of mind-​blowing since these people claim to be an authorized Ball repair center and they knew what type of watch I was shipping them (model number and everything) before I shipped it out.
Today, on October 14, I called to ask when I would be receiving a tracking number. They told me that the watch wasn’t even shipped out yet! The guy on the phone said that the watch will «probably» ship out to me tomorrow. I’m not holding my breath.
What I cannot understand is why this could not have been determined immediately? If they are an authorized Ball repair center, then shouldn’t they know what parts they have access to and what parts they don’t? Fundamentally, I don’t think they really care.
I hope others have a different experience with them. Best of luck.
***************************
This is in response to David’s (the owner) comment:
1. I provided you with the exact model number before the watch was shipped. You guys could have immediately determined whether some or all parts necessary for any repair would have been available. You guys are, after all, a Ball repair center, right?
2. Although I appreciate the free shipping, I note you still haven’t shipped my watch back. Why is it that you guys had time to respond to my review but still haven’t shipped the watch back? Would it speed the process up if I offered to pay for shipping?

Sent them my pre 1989 Omega watch for a battery replacement and check up. It’s been about 10 years since it’s last major overhaul so I was expecting some issues when a Govberg tech opened it up.
I sent the watch to them and they acknowledged receipt of my watch the next day and let me know it might take 3 – 5 days to get to a tech’s bench. About 5 days later I got email with the estimate. It was very detailed, one price was for the battery replacement, re-​seal and pressure test (price was lower than what I paid in the past at other repair centers). Another section detailed what the tech recommend to be done. There was some very minor corrosion due to moisture. This was expected, I notice the corrosion on the hands when I looked thru a loupe.
I choose all the options including an additional 2 year warranty (total of 3 years) and the price was less than my last overhaul.
I should mention that to it took 60 days for the repairs and I wasn’t surprised. Thru the whole process I was keep up to date via their website and emails.
Now I have a brand new looking watch overhaul to factory condition for a fraction of what it would of cost to buy a new one. Looking forward for another 25 years!
Thanks Govberg’s!

Don’t come here unless your blood pressure is under control and you have money to burn.
I dropped off a Rolex for an estimate on factory service, but their estimate came in higher than what I was quoted by Rolex USA (how is this possible?).
So I went back to fetch the watch, and had to wait 20 min b/​c they were out to lunch (although their sign says open 10 – 5). When they did show up, they said there was no way I could pick up the watch, since it was off-​site and disassembled. I say fine – I’ll come back. They swear it’ll be ready first thing on Monday morning. When I come back Monday AFTERNOON, the same person looks at me without a glimmer of recognition, and says there’s no way I can pick up the watch, since it’s off-​site and disassembled. And she implies it’s my fault for not giving her any advance warning.
I finally got the watch back, after sitting, waiting, and watching them screwing over several other customers. And when they finally brought the watch out to me, honest to god it was in a torn plastic bag with dirt in it. Yes, dirt (where were they doing the estimate, in a barn??).
You might say, Well, the service people are more focused on the technology than on customer relations; perhaps you should go talk to the sales staff. However, if you thought that, you’d be wrong; for I went to the store first, and was rebuffed in the rudest and most dismissive manner possible, making the passive-​aggressive shrew in the service department seem almost civil by comparison.
So my best advice would be to steer well clear of all things Govberg. Your blood pressure will thank you.

Could not be anymore unhappier with the «unrepaired «Tag that I paid $ 372.75.00 to get repaired! I had a pin coming out of the bracelet that was sent in to be repaired, This is a copy of my repair bill quote
.
GWR61876-​I50729 — Approved on Jan 20, 2014.
Estimated completion date: Mar 04, 2014
Qty.
Type
Description
Price
1 Service Clasp Repair (they was nothing wrong with the clasp, just the pins.)
$ 72.75
1 Service Complete Maintenance Service (Includes: Refinishing of the Case and Bracelet)
A Complete Maintenance Service includes:
* Complete disassembly of the watch case, bracelet, and movement.
* Inspect movement parts for wear
* Replace all worn or rusty movement parts with genuine replacement parts
* Ultrasonically clean all movement parts
* Reassemble and lubricate using recommended lubricants
* Electronically calibrate the movement and reinsert into the case
* Inspect and replace gaskets
* Pressure tested
* Time test for accuracy $ 250.00
1 Warranty Extended Warranty (2 Additional Years of Warranty Service)
Your watch would be under warranty for a total of 3 years. If a problem arises with your watch during the 36-​month period following our initial services, we will repair or replace any damaged parts and/​or correct the repair execution. Please see
for details. $ 50.00
Subtotal $ 372.75
Tax (%) $ 0.00
Total $ 372.75
Paid -$ 372.75
When I received it back after a very long wait, the next day the pin was coming out again, I called then and they told me they would need to replace the bracelet, at a cost of $ 400.00. No refund for what I paid to have it fixed. Just another $ 400.00 plus my shipping cost. Now the day date will not keep the right date. So now what? Just beware of sending your watch in for «REPAIR»

A terrible experience. Shipped my Cartier watch to them for a bracelet repair. They received it on December 10^th. Just received the watch back January 16^th. Stated that the bracelet needed replacing and could not be repaired. Cost of $ 9,245.00.
Simply a one link repair process. Ebay has replacement links all day long. When asked Govberg said they didn’t source their items that way. How ridiculous. Oh and when I got it back today the clasp was taken apart and not put back together again.
No service, no satisfaction. Hope others take heed.
John N. Newport Beach, CA

If you prefer that someone other than yourself spend more time with your watch than you, this is your spot. From the complete lack of transparency in the process, to keeping one of your prized possessions for more than 2 months for a simple overhaul, these are your guys.
If you call to inquire about delays, rest assured they will competently read you the exact same cryptic message that you would find online in their customer «care» center.
«Hi, was just wondering if my watch is almost complete. I see the estimated completetion date is in 3 days»
«It’s not ready yet.»
«Any idea when it would be ready?»
«3 days from now.»
«Any other information you could provide?»
«It’s being worked on.»
«Anything else? Is there an issue somewhere or is something wrong?»
«It’s being worked on.»
—- FFWD 5 days from then — -
«Is my watch ready?»
«No, we had to order a part. We’ll let you know.»
—-Get used to the sound of crickets — -
«Is my watch ready?»
«Yes. We’ll mail it soon.»
That said, the watch came back fairly perfect and looking new. So far no issues and the prices are decent.