A Gunalp Horologist Watch & Clock Shop

This place is awesome. I always go here when I need a new watch battery or have an issue with my watch. They are fast and know what they’re doing, and it’s not some huge place where they also do 100 other things. They just work on watches and clocks. It’s nice to find such an easy place to drop off my watch and know I won’t get ripped off!

Loved the shop and the service was so fast! I needed a new watch battery and band for my regular watch. The entire process from coming into the store to having my watch fixed only took 10 minutes. The longest part was picking out my band since I wanted a specific color. They were so nice and friendly too! I’ll definitely be going back for any future watch repairs. The only downside is parking, which is hard to find.

Tempus Fugit
I took my mantel clock to A. Gunlap on San Diego Ave, Old Town San Diego 2 weeks ago for repair.
One week later they called to say the estimate was $ 280 — $ 300 & about 4 months to repair due to backlog!
I picked the clock up & took it last Wednesday to King Jewelers in Old Chula Vista — they just called after completing the work in less than a week for $ 50 & included a complete clean & oil at no extra cost… WOW

I brought my antique watch in that had recently been repaired but wasnt keeping time. I didn’t catch his name but he took the time to analyze the watch and even suggested what was likely wrong with the timepiece. He then suggested I take the watch back to the original place if repair immediately so I wasn’t charged again by them. He did this all free of charge. Next time I will bring any broken watches to Gunalp.

They took 60 days longer than promised to repair my old clock but it was well worth the wait. Originally he told me that it was only worth repairing if it had sentimental value. It did and they repaired it.
While I was there they noticed that my Rolex wasn’t keeping perfect time so I left it with them to have it cleaned and tuned up for $ 375.00, about 500 bucks cheaper than the Rolex factory.
They’re not overly friendly as others have mentioned, but they were polite. I have other friends to be friendly with!

I posted my last review in a fit of anger, I do apologize to the gentlemen in the store, I am very pleased with my clock and the work that was done, he volunteered to come to my home in the event I had any problems keeping the clock running. There was a misunderstanding by both parties and I acted irrationally.
In October he took my grandfather clock to clean, telling me 3 months, it’s now May and just getting finished. Also when he took the clock, I told him I was moving to Temecula, and asked if he would be able to deliver there and was told yes; now he wants 250.00 to deliver it. Very poor business practices, next time I’ll look elsewhere.

I had batteries replaced on two similar watches from the same manufacturer. On the first watch, the battery died after six months. I called them and they said I would have to pay for a new battery. It seems like a watch battery should last more than six months. My experience has been that they last about two years or more. Maybe the battery they installed was not fresh? I was expecting that they would want to stand behind their work and install a new batter free of charge. These batteries cannot cost more than a dollar or two for the part. That would be good customer service. Guess not.

I took my grandfather’s gold pocket watch to this shop to be restored. The face was broken and the internal parts had rusted. My mother told me it had once been a beautiful watch, but had not been touched for 60 years. I was more than thrilled when I picked it up today! The gold glowed, the rust was gone and it worked! It was perfect and the craftsmanship exceeded my wildest expectations. Now I have an heirloom to pass on to my son. I received detailed instructions on how to care for the watch, which I never would have known. The gentlemen that own this shop are masters of the trade. I would never go anyplace else. I could not be happier!

This guy is okay he was able to repair a watch for us.

I wish I could chose zero star… I have no idea why some people give them 5 stars, it’s a total scam place. Super rude and super expensive. They charged me way too much for replacing battery for my watch and I asked him if he could resize my watch too because it was too loose for me and I asked him how much it would be, he didn’t answer my question and kept doing what he was doing. So I assumed that he won’t charge for it. After he is done with my watch he asked me double price and I asked him why! He said he charged for resizing too. I was amazed he should have replied my question when I ask him, he didn’t say a word, then he tried to charge me more than I expected. Total scammer. I wouldn’t let him resize if he says he will charge for it when I asked. Please don’t go there. Terrible experience!!!

This guy is rude and has horrible business practices. I brought my wife’s watch in and asked, «how much to change the battery?» «$ 10,» he said. I replied, «Ok. Do you think you could take out a link or two so it better fits my wife?» He said, «No problem.»
About two minutes later, he asked my wife to try it on. It was still loose as he had only removed one link, so he removed another and it fit just fine. I handed him my credit card and he said, «$ 20.» I asked, «$ 20? For what?» He told me it was $ 10 for the battery change and $ 10 for resizing. I told him that he only said $ 10 for the battery change and never mentioned a cost for the resize. I added that most places resize it for free. He commanded, «the resize takes longer than the battery change.» Really guy!!! It took you all of three minutes of your time! Man, I should be a watch repairman as this guy makes more than I do, and I’m an engineer!!! I should have just done it myself.
I am not a watch snob, but apparently this guy is. I do own a Citizen Signature Collection Eco-​Drive, which I was wearing, but my wife’s watch we bought used for $ 7.50 because she really liked the design. It shouldn’t matter, but I feel like we were treated differently. I can’t believe it cost nearly 3x as much for a resize and a battery. This is ludicrous!!! I’ll never come back here and I don’t recommend this rude, sneaky businessman unless you want to be part of his watch snob club and pay exorbitant amounts of money for simple tasks. Bottom line: be upfront with your customers BEFORE performing a service.

I recently had a favorite art deco wall clock repaired at this shop. I must also point out that I have taken this clock to several other clock repair shops around town that failed time and time again to repair it and keep it running. I had driven by this shop a number of times and decided to give it a try. While I would not say that these gentlemen are extroverts, they are experts in their craft. They are completely serious about providing the highest quality workmanship and guaranteeing that their customers completely understand how to wind and maintain their clocks at home. I should also note that you are paying for quality workmanship here and that they take their time to ensure that everything is done properly. I was extremely satisfied with my experience here and would recommend this business to others!

I brought in my late grandmother’s mantle clock for an estimate. A week and a half later, I was told to pick it up and that it would cost more to get it running efficiently than it was worth.
On the one hand, I was happy I did not have to pay for the estimate. On the other, I was super disappointed that it was returned to me with a large, two-​inch-​long scratch on the face of the clock. WTF? (Picture uploaded…)

We contacted this company to do the maintenance which every few years is required on our antique grandfather clock (made around 1900). The work was done quickly and done well, keeping our family heirloom running like it should. They came to our home and removed the mechanisms, including the weights, so you dont have to move a heavy cabinet or risk damage. I would highly recommend them for antique clock repairs. They also have a nice shop in the Old Town area of San Diego (at the southern end of the main street) with lots of clocks and pocket watches for sale.

Took a watch to get a very small repair done to it and the gentlemen that helped me seem very knowledgeable. Fixed my watch in minutes and charged me very little, gave me some tips on how to maintain my watches and when to have them serviced. I’ll definitely be back when I need to.

Brought a clock here. Small shop with two older owners. They were not overly friendly, but I think it may be a cultural thing. I got the impression that I was «small fry» for them, and that if I had walked in with a nicer piece, that I may have been treated differently. I’m sure it’s a lovely cottage business.

A competent business by all accounts. I brought in a IBM master clock to have the movement cleaned and lubricated. It’s an antique and I did not want parts replaced or repaired without prior consultation. After a five minute examination I was quoted $ 1000 for cleaning and repairs. I reiterated that all I was requesting was cleaning and lubrication. This was met with the statement, «We will do all the work we believe necessary» (an exact quote). The «our way or the highway» philosophy coupled with an over-​the-​top quotation was reason to go elsewhere.

After a watch repair service center in San Francisco installed a counterfeit bezel on my Omega Seamaster and didn’t polish the bracelet correctly, I turned to Asim for help. Asim ordered and installed a genuine Omega bezel and polished the Seamaster’s bracelet to the proper two-​tone finish. Asim’s workmanship is fantastic and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results! My 12-​year old watch (which received its fair share of abuse in those 12 years) looks like I bought it yesterday.
I also had Asim change the battery and polish the case and bracelet on my wife’s 12-​year old Movado. Again, the results were fantastic. The case and bracelet look brand new.
To top it off, I feel that Asim’s prices are quite reasonable. I received higher quotes from other watchmakers and, importantly, none of the others instilled the feeling of trust I got from talking with Asim.
Asim and his brother have earned my respect and my trust. They will get my business again in the future.

I discovered this little watch shop the day of my first job in San Diego in 1990, and I have never had a reason to change! Asim and his brother are experts in the repair of all time pieces; they are friendly and reasonably priced. And while «fast» is not a word that truly belongs in a professional horologist’s vocabulary (except for battery changes) the word «quality» is, and exemplifies the work performed here.
There are two-​three reserved parking spots next to their little shop… in 21 years I have never had to find a spot elsewhere.

I have been going to this hidden little watch & clock shop for at least 25 years. I am not a watch geek and I don’t own a rolex or other super high end watch. I have always appreciated that the owner gave me great service at a fair price on whatever I brought in. I have had service as simple as a battery replacement on a Seiko to ongoing service over 20 years on my Movado.
I am sure that he is not the cheapest place to get a battery replaced, but he does it right, and makes sure that watertight seals are replaced properly. Also, he always sets my watches to the precise correct time before he returns them to me which I appreciate.
Not cheap, not quick, just really really good.