Vintage watches are somewhat of a double edged sword. They are old, beautiful, and usually very sentimental, all of which makes them very valuable. However, old watches can have many problems that need to be addressed throughout the life of the watch. It will probably need to have the movement replaced if it is quartz or overhauled if it is mechanical. It may also need to have parts replaced. Depending on the wear on the watch, it will also need to have the band, crystal, and case replaced or polished. These repairs are often very expensive, especially if the watch is very old and parts are sparse.
One very common question is if it’s worth it to spend a couple hundred dollars to repair a watch, especially if the watch was not worth that much when it was purchased. But so much of a watch’s value, especially vintage watches, is sentimental. Unless you are trying to sell it, it’s impossible to say if a watch is worth repairing based solely on its monetary value.
It should also be noted that all the repairs in the world cannot make a watch like brand new. They will not be nearly as water resistant as they once were. And it will likely take more frequent overhauls and cleanings to get it to keep time.
Vintage watches are, however, very beautiful and can be a connection to a grandparent or loved one. New watches with a vintage look to them are very difficult to find and are never quite the same as a genuine vintage watch. Some vintage watches can be very easy and inexpensive to fix, but many are costly and take a lot of time. If it’s worth it just depends on you and your watch.
If you need help with fixing your watch, trust a professional.
Times Ticking has been in operation for more than 30 years, since 1982. We have performed watch repair for customers both locally and internationally. If it Ticks! We KNOW it! Our team of watch repair technicians have a combined experience in watchmaking of over 120 years.
