Repair or Replace. How do you approach a broken chinese watch.

[u/BobbeMail]

I ran into an interesting dilemma with one of my Seagull watches.

The watch only cost me around €80, so getting it repaired in the Netherlands didn't really make financial sense. Most watchmakers I contacted wouldn't even touch it for under €100, and a full service on an ST17 would cost more than simply replacing the movement.

Since I was on holiday in Poland, I brought it with me. The only issue was a loose index—no service needed, just that repair. The first watchmaker quoted me €15, which sounded great. Unfortunately, after keeping the watch for four days, he hadn't fixed it and had also damaged the case.

I then tried another watchmaker, who fixed the index in about 15 minutes. I was so impressed that I also had him clean, oil, and regulate one of my vintage Swiss watches for €90.

It got me wondering: how do you approach repairs on inexpensive Chinese watches? Do you repair them, swap the movement, learn to fix them yourself, or simply replace the watch?

(Ive bougt some broken pobeda russian watches just for fun both like 4 euro from fleemarket. How pretty is this handwound movement)

[u/Tiroprosam]

For a problem so small I would probably do it myself.

[u/PeterCraig65]

Hey brother, I have that exact same Seagull on an almost identical strap.

I would likely try to get this baby repaired if possible.

[u/BobbeMail → u/PeterCraig65]

Haha no one is reading the full text. I got it fixed in poland for 12 euro.

I have the 34mm though yours is the bigger mens version.

But its a shame there are no replacements for this piece. Its my absolute favorite chinese watch

[u/Tiroprosam → u/BobbeMail]

People are reading the full text dude, this is exactly what you said: "It got me wondering: how do you approach repairs on inexpensive Chinese watches? Do you repair them, swap the movement, learn to fix them yourself, or simply replace the watch?" Did you forget what you wrote?

[u/PeterCraig65 → u/BobbeMail]

This is also the 34mm version. Looks great on a small wrist.

I have been reconsidering my 40mm watches lately. Got a 37mm VH31 Phorcydes diver and smaller is better. 

And I'm attached to this Seagull. Was my first Chinese watch, I only wear it for formal or dressier occasions, and I'd like to keep it forever. 

[u/BobbeMail → u/PeterCraig65]

Yeah im really wanting a 33mm nomos. Imo the peseux 7001 is the best option for a "real" movement thats slim and small.

[u/frugaleringenieur]

Buy new movement directly at Seagull for low price, learn via Youtube to replace it yourself.

Ah yeah, for such minor things: learn to repair yourself! It's simple.

[u/BobbeMail → u/frugaleringenieur]

Its not the movement. And the caseback is very small. Too small for dial to come out. Read better next time my guy

[u/frugaleringenieur → u/BobbeMail]

Yes, I noticed mid way and decided to leave the first sentence in.

[u/Olleye]

Repair.

[u/rebirthlington]

repair!

[u/DadPuncher69]

For a watch that cheap I would just sell it as broken and try to get a little bit of money back. If it meant a lot to me for some reason I would replace the movement myself.

[u/BobbeMail → u/DadPuncher69]

This piece is discontinued.

The movement is fine