Bob’s Carlsbad Clock Shop

After reading several negative reviews, I was hesitant to call this shop to help us with our Granfather clock. Boy, we were surprised and relieved… the shop personnel were quick to answer, get back to us and help us out. They set us up with Bob, the owner, to make a trip out to Indio to repair and clean our Gazo. He was on time, thoughtful, knowledgeable and efficient. Our clock is now working again and in great order, I will say. We, for sure, will use this company for all our clock and time piece needs. Bob is a real gentleman!

Such nice people! I took my beautiful Bulova desk clock in because the cover for the battery was destroyed, and I could not remove it to replace the battery. I had taken it to two different jewelers who couldn’t help. I dropped it off at Bob’s who told me they would try their best but not guarantee anything. Within half an hour they called and said they got it off and had replaced the battery. I’m so happy!

These people are useless! Came to my house just to set up my GRandfather clock but didn’t oil the clock at all. Later they want another $ 150 to oil it on top of 300 plus. Their quality of service has gone down not like used to be. Will be looking somewhere else to service my Grandfather clock in the future.

In my opinion the quality of service is not what it used to be. They came to uncrate, setup and service our grandfather clock. The «technician» (I use that term loosely) wore no gloves and made no attempts at cleaning the clock as it was assembled. He failed to oil/​service it and he later said that it was not paid for. Well, they are being paid more than their quote for full service and failed to live up to their quote.
I will not have them back for anything. They don’t follow what they are being paid for and then lie about it after. I think that Bob sold the company and the new owners are not living up to his standards.

I brought in a high quality antique mantel clock that had been in the family for generations just for a simple cleaning. The service seemed expensive to me but this clock is important. Bob’s had it for over a month for some reason and when I finally got it back it did not chime, had a broken spring and would not keep running. It worked perfectly in all respects before I brought it in and we never had a problem with this beautiful clock before. After taking it back for repair after repair (at my cost, mind you!) it still does not work correctly. Given the length of time they had it initially, just for a cleaning, and the damage that was done, indicates that my clock may have been sent out for cleaning, perhaps Mexico?
I would not trust these guys with anything important. Plan on getting robbed.

Fantastic heirloom clocks! Great service getting my watch battery replaced in mere seconds too. Really nice little shop full of beautiful timepieces.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE. Had a couple watches that I need sized. Very nice lady helped me. She had them both sized for me in less then 5 minutes. Thank You

I’m disappointed with this place and therefore cannot recommend them for watch repairs. Got good reviews so I was expecting something as simple as a watch band replacement to be a slam dunk for these guys. I would have done it myself but I don’t have the tools. The younger girl that worked the counter told me that the band I had (a 22 mm NATO band for a Casio Protrek Watch) would not fit. I told her that it would, that I saw the pics of it fitting on the internet (hence the reason I bought the band), but she told me she couldn’t do it and suggested I take it to a jewelry repair shop to have it installed. Just eyeballing it I knew it would fit, but she didnt even inspect it to see if it would work! I went to Davids Watch repair down the street and David (the older gentleman who works in the back) had the band changed in about 10 minutes. $ 10 and a nice tip later I’m a happy customer!
Oh well, maybe they are more of a clock shop than a watch shop (?).

Had my battery changed in literally 1 minute for cheap. The girl working was super nice and friendly. I recommend this place to anyone :)

I’ve been collecting antique clocks for 40 years and have been looking for someone who knows what they’re doing. (My original clock man died 10 years ago) I FOUND HIM! Bob knows what he’s doing and brought all my clocks that needed work back to the way they should be. Thanks. Bob Binkow

Brought my dive watch in for a battery replacement.
The young woman behind the counter changed the battery in less than 5 minutes.
Dave the owner introduced himself and showed me some of the reasonably priced vintage clocks which were for sale. My wife and I have a number of vintage clocks in our home.
Staff is friendly and courteous. I will definitely be back for a watch battery or to purchase a vintage clock.

There is NO way I will ever go back to Bobs Clock repair. It took 7 weeks to get my ckookoo clock back from Their Borego shop where it was being repaired. The lady at the front desk smoked in the shop and chewed gum like a horse. Dont waste you time or money.

Lots of cool clocks and great people. They were able to help me with my watch.

I am SO DISAPPOINTED in this shop! I purchased a wonderful antique mantel clock at auction. I wanted to have it serviced and repaired. It was out of beat to stopped some, but it was chiming beautifully so just needed a little adjustment and cleaning.
It was taken to Bob’s clock shop at the recommendation of a friend. They had the clock for several months and no word! After several attempts to find out what was going on, I was told that it would be 2 more weeks! Well it turned out to be 2 more MONTHS! When I finally got my clock back, it no longer chimed! I contacted the shop and took it back. I was told that it would be 2 weeks! 2 months later after constant pressure from on them, I was told I could have it in 2 days. When I got the clock, it worked for 1 week then no longer workers or chimed!
They had my clock for almost 10 months total and I am having to take it back! I would take it to another shop, but I paid a lot to have the work done! This is NOT my idea of a great clock shop! It sounds like it should be Bob’s battery changing shop since everyone on here is raving about the battery service!
So disappointed and would NEVER RECOMMEND to anyone for work on clocks!

Don’t go to any other clock shop except this one!!! THEY KNOW THEIR STUFF :)
I went to a place in downtown Carlsbad that charged me way to much to take links out of my watches, what a mistake… Came to Bob’s another time and they charge $ 5 for a battery, and I think $ 5 to take links out. SO CHEAP and they do it right there so you just have to wait a minute or two!
This is a clock shop, they know what they’re doing. They live for clocks/​watches, and they are very friendly. So glad I found this place :)

What a magical clock shop. Every kind of clock from the almighty antique Grandfather to modern chrome, glass, digital… and the cuckoos, of course.
BTW I went in with a bag of 6 dead watches needing batteries. Only $ 5.00 per watch and Rhonda had me out of there in 10 minutes with all 6 watches done.
Fun to be in there at the top of the hour when the chimes, bells and cuckoo’s go off.
Conveniently located in the Albertson’s shopping center vicinity a few doors down from the Golden Tee. Next to I-​5 on CV Drive.

BCS is a good place to get a watch battery replaced. It’s fast and it’s $ 5. I had a great experience. I had a watch graveyard at home, five dead batteries; however, the gals at BCS brought them back to life with quick and friendly service. I honestly think it took 25 minutes.
I can’t speak for buying or selling a watch, or having a grandfather clock fixed, but for a normal time peace they did a fantastic job.
They are located in Poinsetta Plaza Shopping Center.

Have gotten my watch batteries changed here a couple times, but last time, I brought in a Casio diving watch to get battery replaced. Female counterperson commented that the watch back was on tight, but after changing the battery, I padi my $ 5 and left. The next day, while in pool, the watch took on water and was instantly ruined.
I went back to Bob’s clock, and a different woman was there, who said «gee sorry», but that was it. I politely asked to see the owner, was told he was out, all day, and she let me leave my name and number for a call-​back. The watch was completely destroyed because of simple negligence on their part. All I really wanted was an apology, but to this day, a month later, I have not received a call.
Its not rocket-​science to change a watch battery, but I’ll never go back to this store. Prior owner was a nice, conscientious guy, Thumbs down for current owner.

Not sure when ownership changed but the service is terrible now. Took a simple watch to be fixed, it needed the windy thing on the stem, they sent it out (as other reviewers have said) and it took over a month — we also had NO calls with updates, I had to call in everytime to ask whats up…
I cant see them being in business this time next year.
I am sorry to see that the name and good reputation of Bob’s Clock Shop has been purchased and now trashed —– I agree.

Since Bob sold the shop customer service has fallen in the tank. Yes, they will change out watch batteries for a nominal charge. But if you buy a grandfather clock and need repairs or help, good luck on trying to get them to return a call.
We left multiple message with no response. Finally I called non-​stop over and over again and surprisingly they answered.
At the house the new owner was not very friendly. When asked why he doesn’t call customers back he said that «he gets 100 calls a day.»
Buying a clock or paying for repairs is one thing, but customer service is also how you treat and respond to your customers.