The Question We Are Asked Every Week
Someone walks in with a watch that has stopped working, or needs a repair that costs more than they expected. The question is always the same: is it worth fixing, or should I just get a new one?
There is no single answer that applies to every watch and every person. But there is a clear framework for thinking it through, and we have applied it thousands of times since 2009. Here is how we think about it honestly, even when the honest answer means less work for us.
Factor 1: The Cost Ratio
The most straightforward starting point is the relationship between repair cost and replacement cost.
A common rule of thumb used by watchmakers: if the repair costs more than 50% of what it would cost to replace the watch with something of equivalent quality, think carefully before proceeding. If it costs less than 30%, repair almost always makes sense.
The key phrase is “equivalent quality.” The comparison is not with the cheapest possible replacement, but with a replacement that matches the watch you have. A quartz dress watch with a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal costing €120 should be compared against what it costs to buy a similar piece - not against a €25 fashion watch from a market.
We quote before we start. At Iglisi Watch we assess the watch first and give you a repair cost before any work is done. You are never committed to a repair just by walking in. Come in, hear the quote, then decide.
Factor 2: What Kind of Watch It Is
The type of watch changes the calculation significantly.
Quality mechanical watches
Almost always worth repairing. A well-made mechanical movement, properly serviced, will outlast its owner. The cost of a full overhaul on a quality mechanical watch is an investment in something that improves with proper care. Replacing it with a new watch of the same quality costs significantly more.
Mid-range quartz watches (€60–200)
Generally worth repairing for most issues. A battery change, strap replacement, or crystal replacement on a watch in this range is straightforward and cost-effective. Movement faults are where it gets more nuanced - a movement replacement on a mid-range quartz can be viable if the watch is otherwise in good condition.
Inexpensive fashion or unbranded watches
Here the economics often favour replacement. An unbranded quartz watch that cost €20–30 and needs a movement replacement is genuinely not worth repairing in most cases - the replacement movement costs as much as or more than a new watch of similar quality. We will tell you this plainly rather than take your money for a repair that does not make sense.
Luxury and premium watches
Always repair, never replace casually. A watch from a premium brand has a movement that is designed to be serviced. Selling or discarding it because of a fault is almost always a financial mistake. Some luxury repairs require specialist equipment or manufacturer parts - we will tell you honestly if a piece needs to go to a specialist rather than us.
Factor 3: Age and Condition
An older watch in good physical condition is usually more worth repairing than a newer watch in poor condition. Age alone is not the deciding factor.
Things that shift the calculation toward repair:
- The case and dial are in good condition - no major dents, the finish is intact, the dial is clean
- The watch has been serviced before and there is a service history
- The specific problem is isolated and the rest of the movement is sound
- Parts are available for the movement
Things that shift the calculation toward replacement:
- The case is heavily damaged or corroded
- The movement has multiple simultaneous faults
- Water damage has reached the dial and movement together
- Replacement parts for the movement are no longer manufactured
Factor 4: Sentimental Value
This is the factor that overrides all the others, and we mean that sincerely.
A watch passed down from a parent or grandparent, a watch worn at a wedding, a watch given as a gift for a significant achievement - these pieces carry a value that has nothing to do with what they are worth on a market. If the repair is technically possible and the cost is something you can absorb, repair is almost always the right answer for a watch that matters.
We see this regularly. Someone brings in a watch that is worth perhaps €40 by any objective measure, but it was their father’s. We repair it. That is not a financial decision, and it should not be treated as one.
Tell us if the watch has sentimental value. It changes how we approach the assessment. We will be more thorough in exploring repair options and more careful in how we handle the piece. It also helps us calibrate what level of repair investment is proportionate for your situation.
The Quick Reference: Repair or Replace?
Lean toward repair when…
- The watch is mechanical and of reasonable quality
- Repair cost is under 40–50% of equivalent replacement
- The case and dial are in good condition
- The watch has sentimental value
- The fault is isolated and parts are available
- It was bought from a shop with a service relationship
Lean toward replacement when…
- The watch is unbranded and cost very little originally
- Repair cost approaches or exceeds the watch’s value
- Multiple faults are present simultaneously
- Water damage is extensive
- Parts are unavailable and cannot be sourced
- The case is in poor physical condition
If you decide to replace, we have new watches from €55. Iglisi Watch stocks Hislon and Navimarine models with a 1-year guarantee - starting from €55, available same day in Durrës or via WhatsApp from anywhere in Albania. See our watches →
What We Recommend Before You Decide
Do not decide without a quote. It costs nothing to bring the watch in and hear what is needed and what it costs. Many people assume a repair will be expensive and put off a decision for months, wearing a watch they are not happy with or leaving a good watch in a drawer. The assessment takes a few minutes.
If the repair does not make sense, we will tell you that directly and explain why. If it does, we will give you a clear quote and a realistic turnaround. Either way, you leave with the information you need to make a decision that is right for you and for the watch.
Free assessment at Iglisi Watch. Bring your watch to Rruga Aleksander Goga in Durrës any day Monday to Saturday between 8:30 and 20:30. We look at the watch, tell you what it needs and what it costs, and you decide. No charge for the assessment, no obligation to proceed.
Bring It In - We’ll Give You an Honest Answer
Free assessment, no obligation. Rruga Aleksander Goga, Durrës. Monday to Saturday, 8:30 to 20:30. Walk in with the watch and we will tell you exactly what it needs and whether it makes sense to repair it.
Rruga Aleksander Goga · Durrës 2001 · Albania · +355 67 636 0510
Published by Iglisi Watch · Durrës, Albania · May 2026.