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No matter how well-made your watch is, it
will require care if you want it to keep running. It’s fairly
standard for a watch to be under warranty for only two years.
After that you’ll be charged an out-of-pocket fee that can go as
high as a few hundred dollars.
The part of the watch that gets the most wear is the band, so
typically this is the most frequently repaired part. A
replacement leather band costs anywhere from $10 to $100, while
restoring a metal bracelet can run from $25 to $75. But never
attempt to repair or clean a timepiece. Instead, bring it to a
specialist.
How much servicing a watch will cost generally is based on
the cost of the watch speaking, the more expensive the watch,
the more expensive it is to fix — just like a luxury car.
A battery can be replaced at a repair center, a retailer, or
a local jewelry shop for as little as $10 to $20. On average,
expect a quartz battery to last two to seven years.
If your watch cost $100 or less and needs costly repairs,
it’s probably not worth fixing. Expect to pay $20 to $125 to fix
a cracked crystal and $20 to $50 to fix a broken crown or stem.
If your watch cost $1,000 or more, always take the watch to an
authorized retailer or directly to the manufacturer to be
serviced. A top-to-bottom going-over will cost anywhere from
$100 to $500.
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