We open it before we quote it
A watch that has stopped is not necessarily a watch that is broken. Nine times in ten it is the battery, and that is a ten-minute job at the counter for a few dollars.
The rest of the time it is a stem, a crown, a crystal or a perished seal — and the only way to know which is to open the case and look. So that is what we do first, while you wait, before anyone talks about money. You get told what it actually needs and what that costs, and then you decide. What you will not get is a watch taken off you, posted to a service centre, and returned six weeks later with a bill you did not agree to.
- Opened and diagnosed at the counter, usually in minutes.
- Told honestly when it is not worth repairing — some quartz movements cost more to fix than replace.
- Most work done on site the same day.
- Nothing goes in the post.
Walk in during mall hours, no appointment.
Everything we do to a watch
One counter, one bench, one trip. The most common jobs, and roughly how long each takes:
- Battery replacement — 10 to 15 minutes, resealed, and the battery carries a one year warranty.
- Band and bracelet sizing — links out or in, 15 to 30 minutes.
- Crystal replacement — mineral, acrylic or sapphire, often within the hour.
- Stem and crown replacement — for a crown that pulls out or spins without setting.
- Clasp and buckle repair — deployant, butterfly, fold-over and broken tongues.
- Spring bars and pins — the tiny part that drops a watch off a wrist.
- Cleaning and inspection, case and bracelet refinishing.
- Water-resistance testing where the case allows it.
Brands on our bench
Rolex, Omega, Movado, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Tissot, Citizen, Seiko, Bulova, Casio and G-Shock, Timex, Fossil, Michael Kors, Invicta, Guess, Anne Klein and Skagen, and most others. Quartz, automatic, mechanical, chronograph, diver and dress watches. Pocket watches and vintage pieces welcome — bring it in and we will look at it in front of you.
Independent repair. We are not an authorized service centre for any manufacturer, and brand names here only describe the watches we work on. For a warranty movement overhaul, the manufacturer is the right call and we will say so. For everything above, we are same-day and they are six weeks.
Smartwatches and fashion watches
Apple Watch and smartwatch bands sized, swapped and repaired. Fashion and department-store watches — Michael Kors, Fossil, Guess, Anne Klein — batteries, bands and crystals, same as anything else. There is no minimum value on a watch for us to fix it.
What will it cost?
Quartz or automatic? Has it stopped dead, or is it just running slow? Is it the battery, the stem, the crown, or the movement itself? Does the case back come off by snap or by screw? Has any water been in it? Those are the questions we would be asking with it in our hands. Swing by Julio’s Jewelry at Orland Square Mall and let us have a proper look at it together.
Straight to your question
- My watch started running slow
- Water got in my watch
- My watch crown won’t wind
- I put a new battery in and it still will not run
- Watch brands we service
Questions we get asked
How long will my watch take?
A battery is ten minutes. A stem, crown or crystal depends on the part, and we will give you a date once we have opened it and seen what it takes.
My watch stopped — is it broken?
Usually not. Nine times out of ten a stopped watch is a flat battery. We open it and check before anyone talks about money, so you are not quoted for a repair you do not need.
Do you repair watch movements, or only batteries and bands?
Both, within reason. Batteries, bands, crystals, stems, crowns, pushers and clasps are same-day work here. A full mechanical movement overhaul is a longer job and we will quote it honestly, including telling you when the manufacturer is the better option.
My watch is cheap. Is it worth repairing?
That is your call, and we will give you the figure before you decide. A battery, a spring bar or a band pin usually costs less than a replacement watch. We will not talk you into a repair that costs more than the watch.
Can you make my watch water-resistant again?
We fit a fresh gasket and reseal the back where the case takes one. If the case, crown tube or back is worn past sealing, we tell you rather than charge you for a seal that will not hold.
Do I need an appointment for a watch repair?
No. Walk in during mall hours. Batteries and band sizing are done while you wait; most other watch work is same day.
Bring it in — or ask first
Walk in during mall hours and we will price it at the counter, in writing, before anything is touched. If you would rather ask first, send a couple of details and we will call you back.
Bring it in today, wear it tonight
We are inside Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. Walk in during mall hours, no appointment — most repairs are finished the same day and many while you wait. Or send a few details and we will call you back with a price.
Where we are
Julio's Jewelry, 800 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462 — inside Orland Square Mall. Mon–Thu 10am–8pm · Fri–Sat 10am–9pm · Sun 11am–6pm.
Watch work comes in from across the south suburbs — Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Country Club Hills, Matteson and Homewood.