Watch Repair As A Second Career ?

[deanloveswatches]

Hi all

I'm a novice tinkering with old watch movements for fun and enjoyment .

However, I'm getting old and don't want to be dragging myself up to London in 10 years time doing what I do now, so I was wondering about the feasibility of making a living as an old geezer repairing watches in my local area?

Do you need to do a 10 years apprenticeship before you can open shop (in which case it's a NO!) or do you just need to gain a lot of experience as a hobbyist in order to confidently open other people's watches ?

Also, what part of the business is most likely to give you an opportunity to make a living ? Restoring old timepieces, or fixing modern chronographs ? If it's the former then I would need to focus on playing with old movements - if it's the latter then maybe I should find a used (but current) eta movement and start my education there .

What do other members think.

If you tell me to forget about making money and just enjoy it as a hobby then that is good advice too [emoji3]

Thanks

Dean

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[Lawson]

PM sent mate. :)

[deanloveswatches]

PM sent mate. :)

Thanks mate - haven't received it yet but will keep my eyes open [emoji3]

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[jnash]

Ive been thinking the same, in this day and age, im guessing more money in the older restoration jobs (if parts can be found) because the new stuff is getting more restricted?

[deanloveswatches]

Yes jnash - if the older stuff is more profitable then that's probably the best way forward [emoji3]

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[clockboy]

I make a bit of pocket money from clocks but not a living wage. With watches if you can service high end watches Rolex,Omega etc then if enough clientele then I would have thought yes if you have the correct tools. Are you confident to repair a customers watch thats worth £5k only yourself can judge that. I know when I recently serviced my sons Brietling & my Rolex it was squeaky bum time.  I  personally would need a lot more experience to consider such a move.

[deanloveswatches]

Yeah clockboy - I've got a nice Roley my ex bought for me - part of me wants to man-up and take it apart (plus it reminds me of my ex so who cares if it gets broke) - but on the other hand it's a really lovely watch and way too expensive to get screwed by an amateur - so you are right - it'll take a looooong time before I'll prise open the Rolex of a paying customer [emoji3]

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[jnash]

Yeah clockboy - I've got a nice Roley my ex bought for me - part of me wants to man-up and take it apart (plus it reminds me of my ex so who cares if it gets broke) - but on the other hand it's a really lovely watch and way too expensive to get screwed by an amateur - so you are right - it'll take a looooong time before I'll prise open the Rolex of a paying customer [emoji3]

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It must be dreadful to wear if it was from your ex, I must insist you give it to me! [emoji12]

[deanloveswatches]

Well - my ex never got off her fat a**se to go to work - so in the end I guess I paid for it [emoji20] - add to that the recent £1500 bill when a drop of water got into it - makes it a hugely expensive bauble - gonna have to keep it lol

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