Here is a good one...I just now posted this and it came up under the name 'samuelramna'
automatico
"What's the sort of average price that is being charged for plain service & clean nowadays?"
It depends on:
1...automatic or manual wind
2...chronograph or not
3...with or without date or day/date
4...cheapo China movement or quality swiss etc movement
5...genuine watch or replica
6...vintage or modern model
Extra costs:
7...needs parts or not
8...parts available or not (usually not)
9...needing balance staff or hairspring work
Basic requirements:
10...good quality common tools
11...specialty tools
12...etc, etc.
A fair price is what customers are willing to pay...not what they are sometimes forced to pay because of few options for service (independents vs 'official' channels) and no parts or connections to get parts.
The bottom line is it takes a LOT of practice and more than a little bit of skill to work on these things (as you know) and a few major screw-ups can put you out of business if you are low on $$. You also might need to be able to r/r different types of crystals...mineral glass/sapphire and, PA, ET, DT, PK etc acrylic crystals (GS designations) along with r/r pressed in and screwed in case tubes, fitting stems etc. Vintage rolex crystals are mostly PHD (snap in) or PA (held on the case neck by a pressed on bezel).
I started working on watches as a hobby in the 1970s and learned the 'ins and outs' from three pros who were as good as it gets. Besides knowing these guys, I have a natural mechanical aptitude, 20/15 vision, and a steady hand but it is still not nearly as easy as they made it seem and to this day I stay away from hairsprings if I can.
I left out the part about some customers being Absolute [censored], some that can never be satisfied, and some that will not pay their bill. Now I patch up one of MY watches and sell it hoping to make a profit. I no longer take in any repair work at all. I learned my lesson the hard way.
Not to be discouraging, but you could probably make more $$ in a kiosk installing quartz watch batteries "While you wait".
"Perhaps avoid the 7750 secs at 6 movements!!
Very good advice.