In main cities throughout Nigeria, an age-old craft continues to thrive quietly in markets, roadside kiosks and procuring plazas.
This micro-industry delivers each important service and stunning {financial} stability.
Such kind of craft are watch repairers, with many working from modest stalls in Balogun, Pc Village, Yaba, Ojuelegba, Surulere, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Festac in Lagos State. Although, they could appear as if small operators, Lagos watch repairers occupy a strategic area of interest within the metropolis’s casual financial system.
For a lot of Lagos residents, a wristwatch is greater than an adjunct because it represents standing, reminiscence, punctuality and id. And when these timepieces fail, repairers step in, providing options which can be far cheaper than shopping for a alternative.
Watch repairing shouldn’t be a commerce one stumbles into casually. Most practitioners bear years of apprenticeship underneath older technicians.
In a chat with a watch repairer, within the Ojodu-Berger space of Lagos, Abdul Bakare, mentioned, “We learn to dismantle and reassemble the fragile parts of quartz, mechanical and computerized watches, Their tiny workstations, typically simply wood packing containers with glass covers, maintain specialised instruments like pin removers, pry knives, magnifiers, tweezers, screwdrivers and battery testers.”
Talking additional, he famous that, “from early morning, I’ve dealt with battery replacements, strap changes, glass fixes, sharpening, motion regulation and refurbishing.
“At Balogun Market, a watch repairer might attend to 30 to 60 prospects day by day relying on the difficulty. In neighbourhoods like Surulere or Yaba, foot visitors is barely decrease however nonetheless regular. And on weekends, particularly round malls and bus terminals, demand surges.”
Startup Capital
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that, what makes watch restore notably engaging on the private finance entrance is the low capital entry level in comparison with many small trades. A newbie’s full toolkit and a easy kiosk may be arrange with between N150,000 and N200,000 relying on the realm which is reasonably priced by Lagos micro-business requirements.
Profitability
Nonetheless, the earnings may be sturdy relying on the kind of watch and purchasers being dealt with by the reaper. Findings present that battery alternative, which is the most typical service, prices between N1,000 and N2,500 or extra relying on the watch model and market location.
Whereas on busy days, this alone can generate good turnover with different companies commanding larger charges, reminiscent of Strap alternative: N3,000–N15,000, Glass alternative: N2,000–N8,000, Motion repairs: N10,000–N50,000, with premium watch servicing of prime manufacturers starting from N20,000–N100,000 relying on fault.
Bakare mentioned, technicians in Commerce Honest, Ikeja and Lagos Island counsel that many make N12,000 to N40,000 day by day translating to over N300,000 month-to-month for expert repairers. These in high-income neighbourhoods like Lekki, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island serve wealthier prospects prepared to pay extra to take care of their designer watches. These repairers usually earn considerably above the market common.
Therefore, this earnings degree may be achieved with minimal overheads, which positions watch restore as one of the vital environment friendly low-capital companies within the Lagos casual financial system.
In a serious metropolis like Lagos, town’s vibrant style tradition, and a big working-class inhabitants, ensures constant demand. Wristwatches whether or not it’s digital, company, sports activities or luxurious which stay extensively used regardless of the rise of smartphones. The inflow of mid-range watches imported from Turkey, Dubai, China and on-line retailers has additionally expanded the restore market. Many of those watches develop faults inside one to a few years, creating a gentle demand for upkeep.
Sentiment additionally drives the enterprise. Many Lagosians maintain onto watches gifted by family members. Repairers usually observe that prospects will repair a sentimental watch repeatedly slightly than discard it. Some watches carry tales. Folks can pay something to maintain them working, one technician at Yaba famous.
Smartwatches have added one other layer of alternative for the watch repairer. Whereas main repairs require authorised centres, native repairers nonetheless deal with strap replacements, button changes, display guard installations and minor fixes which increase their income streams.
For visibility, repairers are embracing digital instruments utilizing WhatsApp, Instagram and easy e-commerce pages to draw purchasers, supply pick-up companies and collaborate with style shops. For anybody all in favour of watch repairs, it provides a path to independence with out a heavy {financial} burden. Whereas it additionally requires little electrical energy, minimal house and no elaborate advertising. With good workmanship and customer-friendly service, many construct loyal consumer bases inside six months.
In accordance with a watch repairer, the career blends mastery, buyer belief and {financial} sustainability. Consequently, for practitioners and aspiring entrepreneurs, it proves that typically, the smallest trades can ship the most important returns one tick at a time.
