Michael A Day and Franz W Lorist

I had previously taken a small clock in for a new battery with no problems so when I had a different clock that my son had broken I took it there too. The gentleman, not sure his name, was very hesitant but finally offered to fix it for $ 85. The clock only cost $ 50 so I said no thanks and went on my way. When I got home I looked at the clock and thought maybe I could fix it myself. Not knowing anything about clocks I unscrewed the back and reattached the hands. What do you know, it was fixed. Took me about 5 minutes and didn’t cost a cent. Won’t be going back there again.

Almost screwed up a brand new Tudor watch… I tried to remove an extra link with a small screw driver I used to fixed my glasses. …I stripped the screw in the bracelet so BAD that 2 other watch repairs companies locally could not remove the screw I stripped. Thanks goodness one of the other watch store referred me to Franz … He has the right equipment and knowledge to drilled the screw to replace it! He saved me tons of money and save my beautiful new watch!

I needed a couple of leather watchbands replaced, and after getting the cold shoulder at M&S in Mountain View, I drove all the way up here and got great service.
Franz ordered replacement watch band for one of the watches, and the other he told me he could not find a suitable replacement, which being an expensive watch, was fine with me.

What is it with the bi-​polar Unilocal reviews for this place? Unilocalers feel that it is the either the best watch repair place EVER, or the worst business on the planet; there are very few opinions in-​between. (I guess people feel strongly about keeping time).
So, upon entry to the shop I expected either 1) verbal abuse, or 2) someone waiting inside to massage my feet and tell me all repair services were free. Surprisingly, neither of these occurred.
As for my task — This shop was on the short list of places who could do work on waterproof watches. I needed a new battery and a chronograph repair for my old, trusty Seiko.
My observations:
– The shop was clean, but a little older and rundown, showing they’ve been in business for a long time (I think that may have been the objective)
– Service was just a tad gruff but very straightforward. I think they deserve to be a little ornery. Michael and Franz are older, and they seem to know exactly what they are doing. It’s called «experience.»
They asked me to wait a short while so they could examine the watch, and after 10 minutes they returned to the counter and asked nicely if I could return to pick it up in a day or two. (I said I could). They handed me an order ticket and promised to call if the cost was more than $ 20.
I received a call from them a few days later to say the watch was ready. When I arrived to pick it up, the total price for a battery replacement and repair was $ 20 exactly. (I had expected at least twice that.) But they were certainly true to their word about the cost.
In short, I am very satisfied. But no, it wasn’t the best watch repair shop on the planet. I’ll let you know when I find it. (I’m thinking those foot massages would would be a good start).
P. S. I rarely take fellow Unilocalers to task… but to the guy who gave Michael and Franz only 1 star because they wouldn’t fix your watch band (which you didn’t buy here) for FREE?: You’ve never even come close to running a business, have you?

Don’t go here!
So my story is one everyone should read!
I found a damaged Rolex. I took it to this shop for a repair. Upon dropping it if, the clock Smith wasn’t in, he keeps strange hours. After coming back to speak with him, he told me $ 6 – 800 for a repair, and the watch had a value of $ 4 – 6000. This was an amazing discovery for me, and i was willing to spend the money. He told me he would get back to me.
Days past, nothing. I called to inquire and was immediately put off by the attitude of Franz, i was bothering him. He assured me he was «still looking» for parts and would call me. However, now the story changed.
The watch was now, just an «entry level» watch. Probly just scrap!?! But he’d «keep looking». I decided to give it a few days.
After the week ended i popped in his shop, and this time, again, Franz was not in. At this point i was very unsettled regarding this business. I wanted the watch back. He politely informed he could not give it back to me since Franz was not there.
I made a special trip to Menlo park the next morning to visit Franz. At this point, I was trying to handle things politely, but get my watch back. Franz informed me that the «new“parts are hard to get… What? He quoted me a few numbers, i responded that i was looking to fix the watch. Suddenly it was a $ 3 – 4000 repair. I walked and informed him that this was very unsettling, and i was unhappy.
I guess in a rich area people will not ask questions… I won’t be back.
I would give ZERO stars, but that’s not possible.
Update! Big Red Flag!
The watch was taken to another clock Smith. There are parts missing, the center post that held the hands is gone. Funny how Franz commented that the «post wasn’t damaged»… And it’s gone.
The watch has become art.

After reading the reviews here, I’m convinced that good reviews are written by people who have little familiarity in watches. This shop pulls the wool over the eyes of those less knowledgeable, perhaps through their stern (read rude) tone of voice and their arrogance.
I brought a 1980s Citizen dive watch in to have it water-​resistance tested, just to see at which atmospheric pressure water would intrude. First he asked «what brand.» It is a lowly Citizen. Then he asked when the last service was? 2 years ago. Then he says it’s not water resistance anymore. (Huh??)
I explained that the seal and gaskets are only 2 years old and it’s a diver watch and I just wanted to ensure that the water resistance is still intact…
He cut in, «If you don’t shut up and let me talk then we won’t get anywhere.»
I said, Oh, OK.
Then he continues, «There’s a reason why watch companies don’t give warranties for more than 1 year. The seals break down and the watch is no longer water resistant. If it’s been 2 years, then your seals have broken down and there’s no more water resistant. A watch is either water resistance or it’s not.»
In my head, I’m thinking that Rolex require service for my SeaDweller (a dive watch) every 3 to 5 years. If in fact the seals break down after a year, then wouldn’t Rolex require service EVERY year? Also, if a watch is either water resistance or it’s not, then why are watches rated to be water resistance at varying depth? Bluntly a lie from these guys.
He continues: «So it’s useless to have your watch get tested for water resistance because the seal is already bad. It won’t have any water resistance. You’ll need to replace the seal first. And your watch is old and there won’t be any gaskets available. So pretty much you’re screwed.»
So after a full minute of him talking down to his customer, I got no further than had he shut his mouth and let me explain.
Then I went to another local watchmaker and he gave my watch a water resistant test for $ 8 (and it passed). Then I asked him about the seal, and he said he can get me back-​up gaskets because all good watchmakers have access to parts from even rare and outdated brands. I just picked up the gaskets today… and they’re in perfect shape, perfect for back-​ups for the future.
So, I’m only thankful I know enough to identify bullish! t when I hear it. Michael A Day and Franz W Lorist dishes BS with the assumption that people from Menlo Park don’t know watches. It’s easy to think that these guys know what they’re talking about, but they’re most likely serving you a bunch of BS and charge you excessively for it.

Excellent service! I collect German rolling eye clocks that were made before WWII. Michael has restored many for me and they are all working excellent now. I could not be more pleased. Michael restores for preservation and does not ruin the originality of the pieces like so many other clock shops do.

I subtracted a star b/​c they wanted me to call back when the head guy was around and I was too busy to do it, so it took awhile before I could call and they could proceed.
Oh! I brought in 2 watches where the batteries had dies years ago. one had rusted/​corroded so they had to clean it before putting in a new battery. and the other I decided to leave it empty b/​c I didn’t intend to use it.
from the reviews here, you get the drift that these are old guys, confident in their skill and either you take it or you leave it — in terms of their slow attitude.
but they seem to know their stuff.
I have no idea if the charge is fair or not. but it’s a unique skill…

I walked in to ask if they change batteries. First, I had to announce that I was there. Then had to wait for 10 seconds for him to turn his head so he could see me out of his peripheral vision from the seat at his workbench. I asked how much it was to change a battery. And his response was, «What kind of watch is it?» Confused as to why the brand of watch matters in determining the price of changing a battery, I didn’t say anything. He repeated his question with a very annoyed tone and emphasis. I told him that a few are Timex, a Fossil, and a few others. Then he said, «Lithium…» And I said, «Yes, lithium batteries.» $ 20 for a lithium battery and $ 10 for some other kind of battery.
At this point, I don’t care if he was going to do it for free, I will never come to this place. He was extremely rude to start and then became an arrogant jerk when I mentioned the brands of my watches. Mind you, my better watches are automatic, so don’t require battery replacements.
Regardless, don’t go here! I like Dominick’s Jewelery in San Carlos. Nice guy, resonable prices.

This Unilocal is way overdue. These guys fixed my grandmother’s diamond watch for $ 450. I later was told by a couple of others in the same business that that was extremely high for that type of watch. Basically, they will overcharge if they think you don’t know any better. Oh, and i had to bring it back because they didn’t fix it right the first time. Never again!

I will never go to this place ever again. I usually take my watch to Ravits at the Galleria in San Francisco. They are top notch and always polite and excellent prices. They only charge $ 10 to change a watch battery. However, this dingy hole in the wall has the audacity to charge $ 20. Why? Because the watch has more screws to unscrew.
Well they made an extra $ 10 off of me, but I will NEVER set foot in this place ever again!
They obviously they don’t care about keeping their costumers coming back.

Mr. Day’s service was fast, affordable and pleasant. I will be back for all my watch repair needs!

Received a quote for $ 50 to include 3 services for a new watch:
1) Remove fibers from case (cleaning)
2) Size the band
3) Align stopwatch second hand to «true north»
They never called me to tell me the work was finished. When I stopped by, the services for (1) and (2) were done well. (3) was blatantly not done — the second hand was still off — and after arguing a bit about whether or not it was in the same condition as it was when I dropped it off, I was still charged for all 3 services. They had a sign posting $ 45/​hour of service. Cleaning a case and removing a band link took over an hour? I don’t think so…

This place had good reviews and close to the caltrain, so I stopped on my way to work to have the watch I was just offered adjusted to my wrist.
He said it would take 30 min and be $ 20. If I had the right tool, I’ll do it myself in 5. and most places don’t charge for this.
So I said «30 min and $ 20 o₀, are you joking?», in disbelief.
He replied «I don’t have time to kid around sir, good day to you», and left for his workshop in the back. I staid there dumbfounded, and left the store shortly after.
I would have at least appreciated 2 or 3 words to explain why the operation — adjusting a wristwatch band — was so damn complicated.
M.

I’ve been coming here 16 years. Franz and Mike keep all our timepieces in top shape.
I recommend them to everyone without hesitation.

Absolute A-​1 service. I went in with a watch I’d just bought online and they not only installed a battery for me, but they also polished it up for no extra charge and gave me a detailed rundown of all the cool ins and outs of the watch. Amazingly knowledgable. All this and I was out in under 10mins?
Love them!

Small shop that repairs all things watch-​related. We dropped off two watches: one needing a new battery ($ 10) and the other needing links removed ($ 30). Since it would take about 30 minutes, we decided to come back and when we did, the place was busy. I didn’t think such a small shop would generate much business, but I guess that’s always the case, huh?
Service was friendly and plenty of parking. 3 stars only since I like to visit places more than once. If I need any new watch batteries, I’d definitely give this place another go.

They didn’t fix my clock! I brought in an antique wall clock that P bought at auction ten years ago, It’s never run. Once cheap mission oak, now a collector’s item. I was told the works were basically tin but could be fixed for a fortune. They suggested we might do better to put it back on the wall and enjoy it as art. We did. Thanks!
They’re my shop for straight talk.

Wow. What happened here? A couple years ago, I had given this place a five star review. Here’s the old text:
«The very friendly guy running the place fixed my broken watch clasp in 2 minutes, for five bucks. What more can you want?»
Well, whoops. I walked in again to get a way too loose watch-​band brought in. This is a trivial, less than five minute job. It basically involves sticking a little pin in the links, removing one or two of them, and sticking it back in together, I’d do it myself had I the manual dexterity or tools more specialized than a safety pin. But I don’t. That’s cool, that’s why I was willing to pay someone a fair rate to do it. Emphasis on «fair.»
The guy behind the counter wanted $ 30 to do it while I waited. $ 30. For a «while you wait» job. Let’s be generous and assume that the task takes a whole five minutes. That’s a $ 360 hourly rate for this guy’s services.
According to a quick internet search, here are some average hourly rates of various professions:
Lawyer: $ 284/​hour (
)
Auto repair: $ 50-​$ 130/​hour (
)
Personal trainer: $ 60/​hour (
)
Master plumber: $ 30/​hour (
)
Wedding photographer: $ 300/​hour (
)
Psychotherapist: $ 120−300/hour in (expensive) San Francisco (
)
So, I ask you, is a watch repair guy more highly trained than all of those folks? Does a watch repair guy have to invest more in equipment or human capital than all of those folks? The only professionals I can think of who tend to cost more than $ 360/​hour are really high-​end big firm lawyers, MDs, and Ph.D. expert witnesses.
HELL NO. I walked out.

Extremely friendly and efficient. I brought in 3 watches to have the batteries replaced and Michael and Franz completed the job in 10 minutes. Finally have everything in ticking order. Also, great price, just $ 10 a piece.
You know if I ever have any other time piece that needs work, this is the place to go!