Personally I dont own anything remotely worth modding, I lurk around here and the DarkSide generally being nosey and learning an awful lot about something that I never thought I would be interested in. My first rep was maybe 18 months ago from precioustime, which has since packed up and in a fit of stupidity took it to <insert crappy chain watch repairer> and they seem to have swapped a lovely smooth sweeping movement out of it for a rather stuttery piece of turd. They did have the decency to tell me that the one that was in it was unusually expensive.. well done PT! so i find myself on the verge of starting a mini collection, but with only suppliers rather than people who can maintain and improve the pieces, i find it a little daunting. And im admittedly too lazy and paranoid to send any abroad for a few tune ups.
I think it is probably a decent market for someone to tap, but like you say, one lost watch and its gone [censored] up.
Its interesting reading the article from the guy that went to the watch market in ghanznaouough or wherever, and realising the modding alone outweighs the cost of the whole piece. but whatever, im rambling because i never post really, its all very technical and i wouldnt know a genuine eta movement if i woke up with one sewn to my eyelid. On the subject of paying for peoples time and skills though, im not a scrooge personally and if they make the watch look more "special" id pay it, i dont know how big a market that is within the uk, so maybe people havent done it as it simply isnt worth their time.
DW.