Stephens Watch Repair

Stephens Watch Repair works out of a shop on Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo, though it's listed here under Irvine. The bench is run by Steve Csudzi, who trained as a watchmaker in Hungary starting at age 14 and later worked for a Rolex service center in Europe before opening this shop in 1983, and Vasilios Hioureas, who trained at the British Horological Institute with a focus on vintage restoration and has worked alongside Csudzi for years. The shop says it is an authorized service center for Rolex and Omega, and it also services Bulova, Longines, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Cartier and Seiko.

Work covered includes battery replacement with quartz testing ($8), full movement service and overhaul ($150–$600, with a typical two-week turnaround), case and bracelet polishing ($30–$100), genuine crystal replacement ($40 plus parts), crown replacement ($30 plus parts), strap and bracelet sizing ($10), and water resistance testing and restoration ($50). Inspections, diagnosis and quotes are free. Vintage pieces get specific attention here, and the shop has restored pocket watches, skeleton clocks and older Bulova and Omega movements, alongside modern Swiss watches like the Speedmaster Professional caliber 1861.

Services come with a two-year warranty, and the shop provides photos of the repair process when a watch is returned. Stephens also does trade work for jewelry and watch stores that need a repair partner, with daily pickup and drop-off arranged directly with the owner. The shop is open Monday through Friday, 11am to 5pm, and closed on weekends.