What kind of watches do you have?

[Badhobz]

You should just do this for a living. I’m sure you can make good money doing it.

[SkinnyPupp]

Originally Posted by Badhobz

You should just do this for a living. I’m sure you can make good money doing it.

Selling fake Seikos of all things?

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

Selling fake Seikos of all things?

There is a market for this.

[sonick]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

There is a market for this.

But enough to make a living?

[Badhobz]

theres a lot of watch nerds in my little industry bubble.

Every time there's a social event, they roll up their wrist and show off their latest acquisitions. Half of them cant even find a decent watch repair guy, and the ones they do go visit are often so overwhelmed with work they are months behind.

If he can do mods, he can do repairs. Plus if he's making custom pieces I'm sure these wackos at the ports would pay big $$$ for these custom pieces

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by sonick

But enough to make a living?

A living - likely not. Side gig - yes.

[SkinnyPupp]

I've been thinking of picking up a skill that can possibly be lucrative on the side. Maybe watch repair is it

One of the channels I follow did a video on one of these courses, it looks pretty in depth

YouTube

[bcrdukes]

There's a Rolex repair expert who works for one of the GTA Rolex dealers who does repairs on the side. He picks and chooses his clients carefully and will often charge $200 - $300 (or more depending on what comes in) for a basic service. Do two or three on a Saturday, you're $900 in for a day's worth of work if you're good.

I am not allowed to meet the guy, but I"ve used him through a broker I deal with. Meet in random parking lot and meet him again in a few weeks in the same spot. Kinda shady, but it works.

[SkinnyPupp]

That sounds pretty sus, ngl

[bcrdukes]

It definitely is.

Apparently the watchmaker doesn't meet anyone he can't trust because on contract, he's not allowed to work on anything other than Rolex, and Rolexes that come in through the dealer he's bonded to. So yeah.

[SkinnyPupp]

Yeah that's fair.

However as a starting watchmaker, you'd be on your own trying to get clients. And you probably wouldn't be able to charge $300 for a basic service

I guess unless you get famous on Tik Tok!

[Badhobz]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

I've been thinking of picking up a skill that can possibly be lucrative on the side. Maybe watch repair is it

One of the channels I follow did a video on one of these courses, it looks pretty in depth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbkWXTrxc7M

Don’t think this flies in HK bro. Tons of watch makers and repairers there.

[SkinnyPupp]

Originally Posted by Badhobz

Don’t think this flies in HK bro. Tons of watch makers and repairers there.

Yup wouldn't stand a chance

Edit: I appreciate the encouragement though!

[sonick]

I need somebody who will do maintenance or a swap of a basic bitch Seiko 7s26.

I have an og 1st gen Seiko orange monster that was my first nice watch I got back in 2008 that runs like shit and I wanna get refurbishment.

Anybody know anybody locally who would do it?

[rb]

Originally Posted by sonick

I need somebody who will do maintenance or a swap of a basic bitch Seiko 7s26.

I have an og 1st gen Seiko orange monster that was my first nice watch I got back in 2008 that runs like shit and I wanna get refurbishment.

Anybody know anybody locally who would do it?

There's a shop in North Van that specializes in Seiko, International Watch Repair. Will probably run you $300+ for a service. Prob more if you need want an oem Seiko movement

I don't really work on watches that aren't mine if its movement related (unless its completely dead) but I could guide you through it. Swapping movements is pretty easy on a Seiko but I'd probably pickup an NH36 as the 7s26 is outdated. Can't remember if you need a new stem or not but you will get manual wind and hacking with the upgrade. You can pick up an NH36 for around $50 from aliexpress

[sonick]

Originally Posted by rb

There's a shop in North Van that specializes in Seiko, International Watch Repair. Will probably run you $300+ for a service. Prob more if you need want an oem Seiko movement

I don't really work on watches that aren't mine if its movement related (unless its completely dead) but I could guide you through it. Swapping movements is pretty easy on a Seiko but I'd probably pickup an NH36 as the 7s26 is outdated. Can't remember if you need a new stem or not but you will get manual wind and hacking with the upgrade. You can pick up an NH36 for around $50 from aliexpress

How much are the tools just to get into doing a movement swap?

Started looking into the videos and guides not sure i wanna commit to the time spent to learn/research and to buy all the tools lol. Especially if I'm upgrading the movement and need to have spacers and what not to make it work, I might just consider having it done professionally, if its gonna run me like $150 all-in to get started if I DIY it.

[rb]

Around $30 in tools if bought from alix. Unless you want fancy tools from bergeon. The cheap stuff does the job fine and I've used these tools for over 10yrs on hundreds of watches.

* Jaxa caseback opener ($5-$10) Could even use a soft rubber ball from the dollar store if the caseback is not on super tight.
* Handset pens ($5-8)
* Hand puller ($3-$5)
* rodico and/or a small photography lens blower ($5)
* a movement holder or watch pad ($5-10)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007901497480.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006123378833.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005704883373.html

[SkinnyPupp]

The one thing I would recommend is buy nice tweezers. It will be like $10-20 for German or Swiss medical or watchmaking tweezers. The shit ones are shit.

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by SkinnyPupp

Yup wouldn't stand a chance

Edit: I appreciate the encouragement though!

While Badhobz brings merit to the local competition, you have to remember you have a skillset most of these Hongers don't: English.

If you can captivate an English-speaking market (i.e. expats etc.) you could potentially make something of it.

[SkinnyPupp]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

While Badhobz brings merit to the local competition, you have to remember you have a skillset most of these Hongers don't: English.

If you can captivate an English-speaking market (i.e. expats etc.) you could potentially make something of it.

All the expats are moving to Singapore!

[bcrdukes]

I can barely understand Singlish, so HK it is!

[Badhobz]

But being a gewilo in HK would help his credibility. Chinese people LOVES to see gewilo make/service stuff. They think its inherently better quality than if ching chong ling long makes it.

Youre right dukes, he might have a leg up on the competition.

GO FOR IT SKINNYY!!!!!

Just put on some of those round bottle cap glasses to make you look more german, grow a beard, and wear a leather apron and boom. you're a now a watch maker!

[68style]

Or a BDSM specialist

[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by 68style

Or a BDSM specialist

Give me an Alfa Romeo

[68style]

Only Alpha Romeo for you