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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,901
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

What do you do with old, inexpensive watches? I have some that need new batteries but I don't want to spend $10 CDN each at the watchmaker to get them replaced. These are watches that I never or seldom wear.

 

I have some older Joan Rivers watches and Vivani watches and they are base metal and some are hard to read without putting on my reading glasses. I think I'll gather them up and donate them to a charity store that benefits a local hospice as I know that they sell jewelry.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,415
Registered: ‎11-25-2011

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

I've been holding this photo in my Photo Stream forever!

Hope this inspires!  

 

IMG_0447.JPG

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,823
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

That is a great idea, TY1.   I have also had a few Joan Rivers and other base metal watches that I didn't wanted to throw out, as they were nice and stiil useful.  I  used to volunteer at the "rummage rooms" at our church, which is where we sell at a very nominal cost, donated items.  The money is then used for our food bank and other projects.  I discovered that the rummage rooms were thrilled to get donated watches, as they sold quite well, even when the watch needed a new battery.

 

Donating your watches, and other clean, useful, discarded items is a win-win, and much appreciated, esp. at this time of year.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,823
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

sidsmom, I like!  There was a watch company at HSN that would take a photo that you supplied, and turn it into a watch dial in a watch that you would then purchase from them.  I am a watch nut and an old photo nut, so it was perfect for me!

 

I chose a black and white photo of my parents, in the late Forties or Fifties, at a Christmas dinner at an old friends' charming, vintage cottage.  It is so retro and sentimental and fun to wear on my wrist.

 

Where did you get the idea?  I love the examples you are showing.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,702
Registered: ‎08-22-2013

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

@sidsmomBrilliant!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,153
Registered: ‎05-22-2012

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

If they're cheap, can you replace the battery yourself? I used to do that back in high school, but my dad was an engineer with a dozen tiny screwdrivers I could use to open the watch and deal with any screws inside.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,635
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

There are many craft ideas using old watches/jewelry. Check on Pinterest. I also sold a bag full of broken watches on the FB for sale groups. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 75,744
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

Most inexpensive,  modern watches aren't decorative enough for cutesy fixes.   Many have leather,  vinyl or silicone straps. 

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,095
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

I purchased a box of tools for fixing watches and replacing and sizing the bands. I have a very large watch collection. Most are vintage and real gold14k.

 

You can buy watch batteries cheap at Walmart and replace them yourself.  If the watch is waterproof,  you need to send it to the factory to replace the battery.

 

I personally do not like quartz watches.  I'd rather just wind the watch or buy a manual watch that winds itself with your arm movement.

 

I would think that no one would buy a used watch that isn't running.  The battery would need to be replaced first before it could be sold even at a charity store.

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,562
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: What do you do with old, inexpensive watches?

My father showed me how to replace watch batteries many years ago.  I just changed one recently.  Batteries can be bought cheaply on Amazon.  I also tried some sold in Dollar Tree (4 on a card for $1!) and they work but I don't know how long they last.

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