In Van, Türkiye, Mehmet İnsel has been repairing antique watches for over 40 years in his small workshop, preserving both a dying craft and his father’s legacy. Amid the rise of digital and smartwatches, İnsel continues to restore vintage pocket and wristwatches, some over 50 years old.
“These watches aren’t just devices; they carry memories,” he told local media, noting that younger generations are less familiar with mechanical timepieces. While smartwatches are harder to fix, classic wind-up and automatic watches remain popular among collectors and enthusiasts.
Despite a lack of apprentices, İnsel remains committed to his passion and hopes President Erdoğan will one day visit his nostalgic shop.
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