Although it is not well known because it is overshadowed by Japan, Korea is a country of skilled engineers. Plus, the price is cheap. The two things that travelers can most easily experience are : watch repair and eyeglasses.
If you are from developed countries in Europe or the United States, you would understand this well. How much does the repair cost? You don’t have to say it. I know very well that it is extremely expensive.
If you have an expensive and precious watch that you cannot wear because it is broken, bring it to Korea.
Of course, there are differences depending on the repair, but to exaggerate a little, for the cost of repairing a watch in Europe/the United States, you could travel to Korea and have the watch repaired.
Also, what about glasses?
When I was in the United States, my glasses broke and I gave up trying to get new ones. Not only was it very expensive, but it also took a really long time. Countless Japanese people were already enjoying the ultra-cheap and quick service of Korean eyewear stores, with processing completed in just one or two hours.
So today, I would like to introduce you to Korea’s famous watch repair shop alley and glasses alley. Let’s go together!
Watch repair
Jongno 3-ga is well known to Koreans for its jewelry and watches. Originally, jewelry stores were mainly located here, and clocks were located in the “Yeji-dong Clock Alley” across from Gwangjang Market, but as Yeji-dong was re-novated, many of them were absorbed into Jongno 3-ga.
It may look mediocre on the outside, but it may be unnerving because it is located deep in an alley.
There are many watch repair shops that have been around for at least 20 years and their skills are quite good. It also has sufficient infrastructure where parts and repair knowledge for watches of various brands such as Rolex are shared among households.
Here, simple tasks such as replacing watch chemicals can be done within 2 to 3 minutes for just 10,000 won.
Glasses are from Namdaemun!
The glasses are Namdaemun. Namdaemun Market, a famous spectacle mecca known to all Koreans.
Namdaemun Market has already become outdated a long time ago, and is now mostly a tourist-only local market that sells counterfeit Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts and souvenirs to tourists. Of course, I remember going to Namdaemun to shop for over 30 years now. Still, I visit once every year or two to buy glasses.
There are many differences in matching basic glasses lenses and frames, but you can easily fit one for 50,000 to 100,000 won(30 ~ 80 usd). Lens processing time is about 1 hour (probably 30 minutes is enough time for an eye exam and making glasses).
Of course, multifocal lenses or branded glasses take some time. However, if you stay in Korea for a week or so, you can get plenty in that time.
What is it like?
Don’t you think these two things alone can dramatically save your travel costs?
Give it a try. If you have difficulty, please contact me through the reply below.
I will tell you about a store I personally often visit. Please note that there is no travel agency fee for this.
