Statement on the article ‘When the clock becomes a cost trap’, published on 10 February 2025 in the Zuger Zeitung newspaper
The Kobler Zug team would like to refer to the article ‘When watches become a cost trap,’ published in the Zuger Zeitung on 10 February 2025.
The article describes the challenges faced by independent watchmakers, who often cannot obtain spare parts for luxury watches because many manufacturers only supply certified service centres. This means that customers have to bear high costs for repairs, as these can usually only be carried out directly by the manufacturer and in conjunction with a service.
The reality of repair costs
Even though Kobler Zug is certified for most watch brands and receives components, we are constantly faced with the question: repair it ourselves or send it in?
We do not agree with the article’s conclusion that repairs are more expensive when watches are sent directly to the manufacturer. Rather, we share the journalist’s assumption that it is often impossible for independent watchmakers to offer their customers a cheaper alternative to a full overhaul of a watch.
Partial repairs to watches were common until the 2010s. But were they in the customer’s best interests? We doubt it. Partial repairs to a defective mechanism may be successful in the short term, but what watchmaker would give the customer a guarantee if further or other damage occurred later?
The importance of complete overhauls
Kobler Zug shares the view of many watch brands: partial repairs are not advisable in most cases. We also believe that the repair prices charged by watch brands are entirely reasonable.
Behind every complex overhaul is a watchmaker-rhabilleur with specialist training, many years of professional experience and often 20 to 30 further training courses for specialised calibres. If such a specialist works on an overhaul for three to four hours (excluding administrative work), then CHF 800 should be considered the lower price limit.
At Kobler Zug, the hourly rate is CHF 300. A service for a mechanical watch therefore tends to start at CHF 900 to CHF 1,200. Although the main point of the article is understandable, the price example of CHF 800 cited is a rather low cost estimate.
Kobler Zug – your trusted jeweller and watchmaker
Despite the challenges facing the industry, we are still able to offer our usual service. This reflects the joy we take in our work, which we share with you every day when you visit us. Over the years, we have continuously expanded our expertise and employ only trained specialists.
Since the fall in prices, particularly in the second-hand watch sector, more and more customers can afford high-quality timepieces. The discrepancy between the purchase price and repair costs is not because our services are too expensive. Rather, the lower entry-level prices also enable young customers with lower incomes to purchase luxury watches.
For some brands, the cost of servicing, at CHF 1,200 (equivalent to approximately four hours of work), now amounts to 30 to 50 per cent of the purchase price.
As independent watchmakers and repairers, it is often impossible to carry out repairs as cost-effectively as the manufacturers can. The example from the article clearly illustrates this: for CHF 800.00 (or CHF 740.00 excluding VAT), a watchmaker can spend a maximum of two hours on the repair. In addition, defective and worn parts would have to be replaced, which would also incur costs.
In addition, current legislation requires that every repair be covered by a warranty. Kobler Zug therefore does not offer partial repairs. The article fails to address the actual needs of customers, who want professional work with a warranty, which cannot be guaranteed with a partial repair. We are not aware of any watch brands that offer partial repairs, with the exception of work to restore water resistance.
We cordially invite you to visit our workshop in person to learn more about our work as watchmakers and to entrust your favourite timepieces to the best hands.
Kind regards,
Andreas and Bruno Kobler