Because mechanical watches these days are enthusiast interests, and big Swiss brands generally want to handle their own repairs, the independent watch repair shop is increasingly a rarity. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that only 2,200 individuals work in watch repair nationwide. Compare that to the tens of thousands of shops from 50 or so years ago, and you can’t help but feel wistful for the American watch repairman.
Even though the craft’s scale has winnowed, it remains a passionate and mostly dependable industry. Ideally, what you’ll look for is a shop that has been accredited or certified by a brand or a watchmaking organization like the American Watchmaker-Clockmaker Institute (AWCI) or Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program (WOSTEP). These individuals have gone through rigorous testing and schooling to master their craft.
Admittedly, these certifications are rare. (Just over 200 individuals in the US hold the AWCI’s coveted title of Certified Watchmaker of the 21st Century, which entails extreme proficiency in modern watch repair and whose certification exam has a considerably high fail rate.) And because not everyone needs an OMEGA Co-Axial movement fully rebuilt, there’s merit to going to the guy down the block with decades of experience and a penchant for service with a smile.
That’s why, to find all of these gems, we asked the watch fanatics who read Gear Patrol to tell us their favorites, picked the 10 most compelling shops, and added a few of our own. These highly trained, experienced and friendly shops are 15 of the best in the US that are still standing — and if you’re not within a short drive, most are happy to receive your watch through shipping and shoot it back your way when it’s fixed.
From the Readers
Your Favorite Shops, Coast to Coast
