How Much Should a Watch Repair Cost?

Fixing a timepiece is eventually necessary to keep your watch running well and keeping good time. We recommend having your watch serviced every 5-7 years. This service can range from quartz watch battery repair to a full overhaul of a fine automatic timepiece.

Here’s an overview of watch repair costs for the most common fixes:

Watch Battery Replacement Cost

Quartz movements stop working when the battery dies, and you'll just need a new one. The price of watch battery replacement ranges from as low as $10 to upwards of $45-$60 to reseal and pressure test a water resistant timepiece.

Some complicated watches that are hybrid quartz and chronograph movements can cost $65 to $95 for a watch battery repair. When you are paying $45 or more, that watch battery replacement cost should include cleaning the case and the bracelet for you, although re-polishing steel or gold bracelets and cases involve an additional charge that can range from $200 - $300.

Watch Band Replacement Cost

Watches have either straps (typically leather or rubber) or bracelets (typically steel, gold, platinum or titanium).

When you decide to replace watch straps, you can replace them with a similar one or choose something different that also fits your particular model. Watch strap replacement costs vary based on the material. Here at Long’s, we can provide you with a standard leather strap starting from $25 or a branded strap which typically range between $250-$500 .

Replacement bracelets are often more expensive and can range from $75 for a steel bracelet to upwards of $1,000 (dependent on the brand of watch), while gold and platinum bracelets can cost thousands of dollars depending on quality and weight.

Watch Overhaul Cost: Mechanical Movement Repair or Replacement

The repair of a mechanical watch is an incredibly intricate process which involves taking apart the movement (the mechanical inside of the watch), washing all parts, replacing worn parts, oiling the movement, calibrating the time and resealing everything. It takes hours and brings the watch almost back to new – especially if the overhaul also includes the cleaning and polishing of the exterior of the watch.

A watch overhaul from Long’s comes with a warranty for 1 to 2 years (depending on brand) to ensure the timepiece continues functioning well from normal use. These types of watch repair prices will range based on the manufacturer.For a fine Swiss timepiece, you can expect to start at $250 but go up to $1,000 or more for a vintage watch.

Watch Crystal Replacement Cost

The crystal is the clear, hard material that sits between you and the dial of the watch. Fine timepieces have crystals made from synthetic sapphire while entry level watches often have acrylic crystals. Watch crystal replacement is recommended when this material is cracked or scratched after impact.

Crystal watch replacement can range from $70 to $200 or more for a replacement sapphire crystal from a fine Swiss manufacturer. If you have managed to crack a sapphire crystal on a mechanical watch, it is also worthwhile having us check over the running of the watch as an impact this severe may have damaged internal parts too.

New England & Boston Watch Repair

Long’s Jewelers is proud to be New England’s watch repair destination for over 140 years. We can replace watch crystals, batteries, straps and bracelets in-house as well as other minor fixes such as the replacement of the crown, changing the dial, replacing the hands, and more. As you’ve seen, watch repair prices can truly range based on the brand and condition of the watch. To get a specialized watch restoration cost estimate, please call us at 877-845-6647 or email us for more details.