My clock is battery-operated, can you fix it?

Yes! We do repairs and replacements on all battery-operated clock movements.

Do you fix cuckoo clocks?

Of course! All of our repairmen are well-qualified in the repair and restoration of cuckoo clocks. Charlie is our cuckoo specialist -- ask for him.

Do I need to make an appointment to bring my clock/watch in?

There is no need to make an appointment or phone call before bringing your clock/watch in. Our business hours are set in stone through sun, rain, and snow. If we have need to close for any unforeseen reason, we will have it posted on our website, our Facebook page, and our instagram.

Do you charge for repair estimates?

All estimates are free! If you do not approve the estimate for repair, then you may pick your clock/watch back up at no cost to you. Estimates remain in our system under your name, and we honor them for at least a year.

How much does it cost to repair  a clock/watch?

This really is the magic question, and unfortunately there is no direct answer. All repair charges are based on a number of factors. For instance, how old the clock is, how much time has passed since it was last serviced, the amount of repairs that need to be done, how intricate the clock movement is, and how long it will take to repair. We encourage you to bring your clock in so that we may provide an accurate estimate.

I live far away, can you just give me an estimate over the phone?

Unfortunately, without seeing the clock/watch in person, we cannot give you an estimate. There are too many factors involved in assessing a clock, and we would be putting ourselves at risk of under/over charging - please also see our answer above to "How much does it cost to repair a clock/watch?"

I think my clock was just "wound too tight.”

The good news for whomever is to "blame", is that it's not really possible to "over-wind" a clock. Clocks are pretty good at telling you when they have enough wind. If you use a tremendous amount of force beyond the standard wind counts, then you may put the mainspring at risk of breaking -- and you will definitely know if that happens! Aside from that, if you notice that the clock is wound all the way up and it still is not running, then something else is wrong within the movement that is inhibiting its proper function. If you bring it by the shop, we can assess why this is happening.

How long does it take to fix a clock?

Current average turnaround on a full overhaul is between 5-6 months from estimate approval. Minor repairs and quartz clocks typically have a shorter turnaround.

We realize that may seem like a long wait time to some, but in order to ensure our level of workmanship, we have to be thorough in addressing each clock movement and regulating them to run well.

Our clock intake rate keeps the job queue between 90 and 100 clocks in need of repair at any given time. With three repairmen on staff, we do our best to get your clocks back to you as soon as we can. It takes time to keep time!

How long does it take to fix a watch?

On average, most watch repairs take about a month from estimate approval.

With that said, in high-volume circumstances (ie. Christmas, New Years, etc.), you should expect wait times of up to 2 months.

Watch movements might be a lot smaller than clock movements, but they still require conscientious care when being repaired! Fortunately, we typically have a shorter queue on these.

Do your repairs come with any guarantee?

We offer a one-year mechanical guarantee on any full movement overhauls we perform (with the exception of all mainsprings and any woodworks movements).

If you experience any problems with your clock within a year of our overhaul repair, then we will make additional adjustments at no cost to you.

All other repairs are not subject to any guarantees. These details are communicated at the time of estimate.

What is an overhaul?

During a movement overhaul the clock is completely stripped down and all parts of the movement are put through a cleaning process, then brought back to their originality; any wear and damage is repaired, commonly involving worn bushing replacements at a minimum; pivots are polished, and the movement is re-cleaned and reassembled before oiling and adjustment.
After the complete overhaul, you clock will be run 1 to 2 weeks for regulating and testing.

This is a time-consuming and delicate process, but it is a critical element in keeping clocks alive. Clocks are amazing things that are designed to last, essentially, forever. With that said, owners must understand that overhauls will need to be performed (on average) every 25-30 years.

The process is quite similar for watches, but you can expect a much shorter interval between visits.. around 5 years for modern watches and 1-2 years for antique pocket watches and vintage wristwatches.

I don't want the existing movement of my clock to be replaced.

As long as we are talking about a mechanical clock, it is rare that we would ever suggest replacing the movement. The only instances where replacement might be suggested is if the existing movement is rusted beyond repair or we feel that you could get a better function out of a different movement. With that said, we would communicate all of this with you before any actions were taken.

In electric and battery-operated clocks, it is much more cumbersome to salvage the existing movements once they begin to fail, and we will more commonly suggest replacement in those instances.

I live far away, can I ship my items to you?"

Of course! If you feel comfortable shipping your clock/watch, then we are happy to take it in. We will go through the standard estimate and repair process, and you will be responsible for return shipping.

Do you provide house call services?

Absolutely! We offer house calls for the care and maintenance of all tall-case clocks. All house call charges are pre-determined based on zip code. Costs include all of the repairs that our repairmen are able to complete within your home, along with travel expenses. Havre de Grace residents are not subject to mileage costs. To schedule a house call, please give us a call at (410) 939-3334.

Do the free estimates apply to house calls?

If our repairmen are called to your house for any reason, then a house call charge will apply. House call charges cover all the repairs and services that are able to be completed within your home. If additional repairs are needed and/or the clock needs to come back to the shop for a larger repair, then the repairman will give you an estimate for those additional costs at your home. This leaves you under no obligation to proceed further unless you feel comfortable.

Do you purchase clocks?

It never hurts to email us a photo of the clocks you are interested in selling. With that said, our shop space is very limited. Our ability to purchase clocks relies on both the space we have available and our current financial situation.

Where can I sell my clock?

There are a number of places that may be interested in purchasing your clocks. General antique stores or auction houses are a great place to start. If you have the capability to sell items online, you may also consider eBay or Facebook Marketplace. We do purchase some clocks so it never hurts to ask!

Do you fix anything other than clocks/watches?

Yes! We are commonly known for repairing barometers, music boxes, and other items with mechanical movements.

We also provide some minor jewelry services like engraving and repairs.

Finally, we offer knife sharpening!