Information About Clock Repair Services

Find quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about clocks, clock repairs, and The Clock Doctor’s clock repair services.

Expert clock repair for over 30 years


Our Frequently Asked Questions:


Should I call prior to bringing in a clock for repair?

Absolutely! Many questions can be answered over the phone, and we’ll let you know if we can fix your specific style of clock prior to bringing it in. We don’t fix every type of clock, so calling us can prevent an unnecessary trip.

I don’t know anything about clocks. Is there anything I should know before calling?

We pride ourselves on great customer service and you don’t need to be a clock expert to call us. We can educate you on clock terminology while discussing your repair, but we’ve noticed that a few terms come up frequently.

When referring to the Hour and Minute hands on your clock, we say “Long” and “Short” rather than “Big” and “Small.” Why? Sometimes an hour hand is very thick and may appear “bigger” than the minute hand, however, the hour hand is always shorter than the minute hand. Similarly, the longer hand is always the minute hand, no matter how thick either hand is.

You may hear us talk about “movements,” which refers to the moving parts inside your clock’s case that allow your clock to function and keep time. This includes gears, springs, pendulums, etc.

The pendulum is what swings back and forth if you have that type of clock.

But do not be intimidated if you don’t know the terms. Give us a call and we will help you!

Do you repair watches?

No, we do not. We specialize in repairing clocks, including grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks, anniversary clocks, and antique clocks. Our services do not include watch repair, including crystals, battery replacement, band repair or any other repairs or adjustments.

Do you repair digital clocks or car clocks?

No, we specialize in repairing clocks with pendulums, gears, and springs, rather than digital clocks.

Do you do service calls?

For floor clocks (grandfather and grandmother clocks), we do! Minor service can be done in the home, but for cleaning and overhauls we bring the movement weights and pendulum into our shop. After servicing and testing the parts in our shop, we return and install these parts back into your clock cabinet at your home.

All other clocks need to be serviced on a workbench and therefore must be brought to one of our locations to be serviced. Give us a call to find out if we can make a service call to your area.

Where are you located in the Bay Area?

We service floor clocks in the Bay Area but do not have a physical location. If you’re in the Bay Area and have a wall or mantel clock that needs servicing, it must be brought to either our Turlock or Sacramento location.

My antique clock isn’t working. Can you fix it?

Most likely! Give us a call to discuss what’s wrong with your clock and we can talk about the next steps.

How much will it cost to repair my clock? Can you provide an estimate over the phone?

It depends. Most clocks need to be seen in person in order to provide an accurate estimate, but we often can provide over-the-phone estimates on grandfather clock repair. Why the difference? Due to the build and history of grandfather clocks, we can ask a number of questions about your grandfather clock that will help us understand exactly what needs to be repaired or replaced. Other clocks differ greatly in their build types and internal mechanics, which makes an accurate over-the-phone estimate much more difficult. Regardless, go ahead and call us and do the best we can to help you understand the cost, or range of costs, to expect with your clock repair.

Is my clock worth fixing?

It depends on why you want your clock fixed. Antique clocks often have sentimental value attached, and if the cost of the repair is worth being able to hear your Great Aunt’s mantel clock ticking once again, then, of course, it is worth fixing (even if a replacement would be cheaper). However, if your clock has no sentimental value, then we can help you determine whether the repair cost of your clock will exceed the replacement value. Give us a call and we can help you decide.

What brands of clocks do you work on?

We can fix almost any clock brand if they make the styles of clocks that we service. This includes Ansonia, Bulova, En Welch, Gilberts, Hermle, Howard Miller, Ingraham, Junghans, Kieninger, New Haven, Ridgeway, Sessions, Seth Thomas, Sligh, Sonora, Sternreiter, Waterbury, and more! Call us to find out if we repair your brand of clock.


Don’t wait to fix your clocks. Contact us today to make an appointment to visit our shop and we will have your clocks back up and running quickly.

Ready to get your clock repaired?


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