Phillip Simon Jewelers

Bob Cairns 03/28/2014

I looked for a watch repair shop near where I live and couldn't come up with anything very close and happened to read RyanCola's review of Mr. Simon's great work - particularly of not wanting to go downtown to have his watch repaired. I was of the same mind but was intrigued by his experience so decided to chance it. I am very very happy I did as Phil Simon is an exceptional watch repairman and extremely knowledgeable about all kinds of watches. I parked across the street which was very easy and talked with him while he looked at and repaired/changed batteries in the 5 watches I took in. One watch he repaired was missing a tiny screw and needed a battery as well as some work on the gromet which waterproofs the back. I paid only $5.50 for his work. I cannot recommend his work highly enough and I really appreciate the recommendation which RyanCola prepared because I wouldn't have found this craftsman without it. Mr. Simon looked at a 150 year old pocket watch belonging to my sister and started it functioning by applying a drop of oil to it and it worked immediately. Phil Simon is the greatest!

You would do well to visit Mr. Phillip Simon for watch repair. I brought him my complex kinetic chronograph that other shops wanted way too much money to fix or ship off for who knows how long. I read many reviews for local watch repair/jewelry shops and even mail in watch repair shops. After numerous phone calls, I decided to visit Mr. Simon in downtown San Antonio. Within 15 minutes of walking into his little shop, he had my watch taken apart, diagnosed, fixed, and on my wrist while I was there having a conversation with him. He charged me too little money for the whole thing in my opinion, but would not take a penny more. He is a 65 year veteran horologist who seems to really know his stuff. I am never thrilled with going downtown, but this trip was very painless - I was able to park in the garage on Travis and St. Mary's (behind the Sheraton Gunter), cross the street, have Mr. Simon fix my watch on the spot, and get back to my car to pay just $3 in parking (it would have been $2 if we didn't keep conversing). When you go to see him, make sure to bring cash as I don't think that he has a credit card machine. In my humble opinion, he is a true craftsman and a rare find these days. I will be visiting him from here on out.