Even though many people carry around many types of electronic devices that display time, watches still adorn many wrists. There are some things you can do at home to prevent an expensive trip to the jeweler for watch repairs. Here is a list of the most common reasons people take their watches to the jeweler. 

1. The watch has stopped, now what? Check the battery! Watch batteries are reasonably inexpensive and they are simple to replace. This is the number one reason watches are taken to the jeweler for watch repairs. If you are buying a new watch battery, bring the old one with you to match the numbers. Also, it may seem like common sense but the way you take the battery out is the way the new one needs to go in. If the numbers were facing down originally, the new battery should be facing down. 

2. Oops dropped the watch, now what? If you have broke or severely damaged the crystal, if you have a spring wound watch (not a quartz wound watch), it is possible for you to repair it. If you feel uncomfortable removing the inner workings then you should take it to a jeweler. 

3. Snap, there goes the watch band, now what? Facing losing your watch over a missing watch band is not necessary. Especially when it is one of the most simple watch repairs you can do. Anyone can repair a broken watch band. Many times it is as simple as removing a pin or a screw and replacing that screw or pin into the new watch band. 

4. Icky watch band, now what? This is not technically a repair but it is something people pay jewelers to do that they could easily do themselves. In this economy, who can afford to pay something that can be done at home? A few drops of ammonia or even regular glass cleaner in a shallow bowl can take care of any tarnish or sweat build up on a metal watch band. Just dip the band alone into the solution for a maximum of two minutes then dip only the band in a bowl of clean, clear water. Make sure you only dip the band and not any part of the actual watch. For cleaning around the watch you can use the same solution to lightly dampen a cotton swab, make sure that it is only lightly dampened. 

While some watch repairs still warrant a trip to the jeweler, there are several ways to save money by making simple repairs at home. To learn these simple ways of repairing a watch can mean more money in your pocket, and getting to keep your favorite watch.

Almost everyone has a favorite watch, one that goes with nearly every outfit, or makes them feel important, special or wealthy. Maybe the watch belonged to a dearly departed loved one or was a treasured gift for a special event. Regardless of how the watch was acquired, it is meaningful to you and you treat it as such. No matter how well you care for this watch, however, eventually you will end up with a broken watch band and will need repairs. There are two ways to accomplish this, along with several options for the repair itself. Your first decision is about the repair itself; do you want to do it yourself, or do you think that you would feel better having it professionally done? (Keep in mind that this is probably the best choice for heirloom or very expensive watches.) 

If you are having the watch repaired, make sure that you take it to a reputable dealer and get a quote on the repair before authorizing it to be done. Make sure that the dealer lets you know about how long the repairs are expected to take. The dealer should call you if there is going to be delay of any kind, of if the proposed repair cannot be completed as discussed. If the dealer chooses to make a repair beyond what you have agreed to, you may have legal recourse. 

Repairing the watch yourself may only be a simple matter of removing two small pins and removing the broken or outdated watchband, attaching the new band and replacing these pins. Some watches are more intricate of course, and if you have any doubt at all about repairing it yourself, send it out. Some watches are meant to have interchangeable bands, so they are remarkable easy to repair; some however are meant to have one band for a lifetime and may prove to be a little more difficult. 

Before committing to a new band style, check to see that it will attach to your watch face both physically and aesthetically. There are some watches that will not fit with some watchbands, so browse. There are countless watch band styles, so by all means take your time. Remember a simple watch face will go with nearly any style band, while some of the more ornate styles may be a bit more limiting. Match watch face type to watch band type: dressy to dressy, casual to casual, big face to wide band, etc. 

Finally, before you head out for the day with your newly repaired watch on for the first time, give it a few gentle tugs to test for strength and durability. You do not want to discover that the repair failed by finding your wrist bare and your watch no where to be found.