Watch Repair & Servicing

Repair mechanical and quartz watches and provide servicing

Startup Cost
$10,000-$40,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
12-18 months
Profit Potential
$8,000-$42,000/month

Overview

Watch repair services charge $50-$500+ per service depending on watch type and complexity.

Completing 20-60 watch repairs weekly generates $100,000-$500,000 annually with 60-75% margins.

In 2025, luxury watches costing $2,000-$50,000+ need professional servicing.

Services include battery replacement ($15-$40), crystal replacement ($40-$150), band adjustment and replacement ($30-$100), movement cleaning and servicing ($150-$500), stem and crown repair ($80-$200), water resistance testing ($30-$80), and restoration of vintage watches ($200-$1,000+).

Successful watchmakers develop expertise with mechanical movements (automatic, manual wind), understand quartz movements, work with watch brands (Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer, etc.), maintain clean workspace with proper tools, provide warranties on work, and handle high-value timepieces carefully.

Mechanical watch servicing most profitable ($200-$500 per service).

Can work from home shop or retail storefront.

Many jewelry stores outsource watch repair.

Vintage watch restoration serves collectors.

Marketing through jewelry stores, watch dealers, online presence, and watch collector communities.

Required Skills

  • Watch Movement Knowledge
  • Mechanical Skills
  • Precision Work
  • Brand Knowledge
  • Patience & Focus
  • Tool Usage

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Luxury watches require professional service
  • Mechanical watch servicing very profitable ($200-$500)
  • Can work from small workspace
  • Watches passed down creating ongoing business
  • Less competition than smartphone or computer repair

Cons

  • Extensive training required (1-2 years typical)
  • High liability working with expensive timepieces
  • Specialized tools expensive
  • Some repairs require brand-specific parts
  • Precision work can be tedious and time-intensive

How to Get Started

  1. Learn watchmaking through school or apprenticeship
  2. Invest in watchmaking tools and equipment
  3. Practice on inexpensive watches building skills
  4. Get insurance for working with valuable timepieces
  5. Set pricing by service complexity
  6. Build relationships with jewelry stores for referrals
  7. Market to watch collectors and dealers

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