It's About Time Watchmakers & Jewelers in South Carolina
What It's About Time offers for watch repair
It's About Time Watchmakers & Jewelers is a full-service watch and jewelry repair shop operating in South Carolina. The business handles watch repair, restoration, battery replacement, band adjustment, and jewelry services including cleaning, sizing, and stone setting. They work on vintage timepieces, modern watches, and heirloom pieces, and they also buy and sell pre-owned watches and jewelry.
The shop combines traditional watchmaking skills with jewelry expertise, so you can bring both a broken watch and a damaged ring to the same location. They maintain an in-house workshop where most repairs happen, which means shorter turnaround times than shops that send work out to regional centers.
Key Takeaways
- It's About Time handles watch battery replacement, band repair, crystal replacement, and movement servicing for mechanical and quartz watches.
- The shop also provides jewelry repair, cleaning, resizing, and stone replacement work in the same location.
- They buy and sell pre-owned watches and jewelry, so you can trade in or sell pieces you no longer wear.
- Most repairs are completed in-house, which typically means faster service than shops that outsource work.
- The business has been operating in South Carolina for years and serves both everyday watch owners and collectors.
Watch services available
Battery replacement is the most common service—a quartz watch that has stopped usually just needs a fresh battery, and It's About Time can handle this while you wait or within a day. They also replace watch crystals (the clear cover over the face), repair or replace bands and straps, and adjust sizing on metal bracelets.
For mechanical watches, the shop offers movement cleaning and servicing. A mechanical watch that runs slow, fast, or stops intermittently often needs the internal movement cleaned and adjusted by someone trained in that specific work. It's About Time has the tools and knowledge to do this, whether your watch is a vintage Seiko, a Swiss automatic, or a family heirloom.
Water resistance restoration is another service they provide. If your watch has lost its water resistance seal, they can replace gaskets and re-seal the case so it is safe to wear near water again. This is especially important for watches you plan to wear regularly or wear near a sink or shower.
Jewelry repair and restoration
Beyond watches, It's About Time handles jewelry cleaning, which removes years of buildup and restores shine to rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Professional cleaning reaches places a home jewelry cloth cannot and can make an old piece look new again.
Ring sizing is a common service—if a ring no longer fits, the shop can make it larger or smaller without damaging the stone or the band. They also replace missing or damaged stones, repair broken prongs that hold stones in place, and solder broken chains and clasps.
Heirloom restoration is part of their work. If you have a grandmother's brooch, a damaged engagement ring, or a vintage necklace that needs work, they can assess what needs to be done and restore it to wearable condition.
Buying and selling pre-owned watches and jewelry
It's About Time buys watches and jewelry from customers who want to sell or trade pieces. If you have a watch collection you no longer wear, vintage jewelry from an estate, or pieces you inherited but do not want to keep, the shop will evaluate them and make an offer.
They also sell pre-owned watches and jewelry, so you can browse their inventory for vintage pieces, discontinued styles, or quality items at lower prices than new. This is useful if you are looking for a specific brand or style that is no longer in production or if you want to try a higher-end watch before committing to a new purchase.
How to bring your watch or jewelry in
Contact It's About Time directly to discuss what work you need done. Bring your watch or jewelry piece with you, along with any paperwork you have—original boxes, certificates of authenticity, or receipts help the shop understand the piece's history and value.
For watch repairs, be ready to describe what is wrong: Does it not keep time? Is the band broken? Did the crystal crack? For jewelry, describe the damage and what you want the outcome to be. The shop will examine the piece, explain what work is needed, give you a timeframe and cost estimate, and let you decide whether to proceed.
Turnaround time varies by the type of repair. A battery replacement might be same-day. A movement service or complex jewelry repair might take one to three weeks, depending on the shop's current workload and the complexity of the work.
What to expect in cost and timeline
Watch battery replacement typically costs between $10 and $30, depending on the watch type and battery size. Band adjustments and simple repairs like crystal replacement run higher, usually $30 to $100 or more. Full movement servicing for a mechanical watch can cost $100 to $300 or more, depending on the watch's complexity and condition.
Jewelry cleaning is usually inexpensive, often $15 to $50. Ring sizing typically costs $30 to $75. Stone replacement and major repairs vary widely based on the stone type, size, and the complexity of the work.
It's About Time will provide a written estimate before starting work, so you know the cost before committing. Ask about their timeline when you bring the piece in—they can tell you whether your repair is a quick job or one that will take longer.
Why choose a local watchmaker over big-box retailers
A local watchmaker like It's About Time has expertise that chain jewelry stores and department store watch counters often lack. They understand mechanical watches, vintage pieces, and unusual brands. They can service a 50-year-old watch or a modern luxury timepiece with equal skill.
Local shops also stand behind their work. If something goes wrong with a repair, you can walk back in and talk to the person who did it. You are not dealing with a corporate return policy or shipping your watch across the country.
Supporting a local business also means your money stays in South Carolina, and you build a relationship with someone who knows your pieces and your preferences. If you collect watches or have heirloom jewelry, a local watchmaker becomes a trusted resource over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a watch battery replacement take?
Most battery replacements take less than an hour and can often be done while you wait. Some watch types require more careful opening, so ask when you bring it in whether same-day service is possible for your specific watch.
Can you repair a watch that is no longer made?
Yes. It's About Time works on vintage and discontinued watches regularly. They may need to source a replacement part or adapt a repair method, but a skilled watchmaker can usually find a way to restore an older watch to working condition.
What if my jewelry is broken beyond what I think can be fixed?
Bring it in anyway. A professional jeweler can often repair pieces that look unfixable. Even if the piece cannot be restored, the shop can sometimes salvage the materials or stones and create something new from them.
Do you need an appointment, or can I just walk in?
Contact It's About Time to confirm their hours and whether they accept walk-ins or prefer appointments. Having an appointment ensures someone is available to spend time evaluating your piece and discussing the work needed.
Can you restore a watch that has not been serviced in decades?
Yes. A watch that has sat unworn for years often just needs a thorough cleaning and adjustment to run again. Bring it in and let the watchmaker examine it—many old watches come back to life with professional service.