The Watch and Clock repair Business

[Lavalani44]

I am new to the forum . I look forward to reading and hopefully contributing to this community of Time Travelers. Just a note I live in Santa Cruz. CA and I can tell you that trying to find someone in this area to work on a timepiece of any kind is nearly impossible. The last two watch people died or retired leaving a void that no one has tried to fill. Seems like young people are into the throw it away and get a new one syndrome. I buy and sell all kinds of collectibles and across the board that seems to be the way its going . No appreciation for the past and history.

[Arutha]

Hi,
Same situation in the UK although there are people learning watch repair but try and find a clockmaker!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Same problem here. I don't have a clockmaker within 250 miles radius of here. Tried to get a couple of young men involved but one lasted 2 days and the other 4 days. There is no interest in antiques and collectables at all. I got out of watch repair because of my eyes but when I was fixing them 90% of what I did were old pocket watches that grandpa had and a few womens watches that grandma had. Newer watches most of the time you give them a estimate and I got the excuse I can buy a new one at walmart for half your repair cost. So they toss them and buy new. I have about 70 clocks I have bought at garage sales and auctions over the last 30 some years and can't hardly give them away. For example I bought a kitchen clock at a auction they couldn't even get a $10 bid on. I gave $5 for it, repaired the movement and case. Looked great when I was done. I started at $225 and it has sat for a couple of years so reduced the price several times which it is now $125 and still not sold. Clocks here have taken a nose dive as far as sales go but the repair business is still pretty strong especially among the older generation who still value these old relics from yesteryear.

[Arutha]

Exactly the same here Bernie, my repair backlog just keeps getting bigger and bigger but all the clocks I have restored just sit on the shelves gathering dust.