In brief
In the bustling city of Kaduna, Bala Muhammad, affectionately known as Baba Bala, operates a watch-repair shop filled with ticking relics of a bygone era. Once bustling with over 100 customers a day, his shop now faces an uncertain future as fewer people seek out watch repairs, opting for the convenience of smartphones instead. Baba Bala, 68, learned his trade from his father, a renowned horologist who traveled across West Africa. Despite the decline and the challenges of an evolving market, Baba Bala remains devoted to his craft and holds onto the memories of the vibrant watch culture that once thrived.
Baba Bala’s watch repair shop, tucked away in a busy street of Kaduna, Nigeria, is a testament to a fading craft that has long enriched his life. For over 50 years, the 68-year-old master watchmaker has upheld the family tradition after learning this skill from his father, who also traveled widely to fix timepieces across the West African region. Declining patronage has left the once-bustling shop feeling desolate, as mobile phones have increasingly replaced wristwatches in everyday life. The beloved craft, which helped Baba Bala provide for his family and pay for his children's education, faces extinction. Younger generations, disinterested in traditional watches, view smartphones as the primary means to check time, leaving Baba Bala to contemplate an uncertain future for his cherished trade.Baba Bala’s dream of sustaining the family watch repair business faces challenges from modern technology. With dwindling customers and retired colleagues, he finds solace in memories of a time when watches were an essential part of life. “I built my house from wristwatch repairing,” he recalls, as he struggles to adapt to new trends. Though he loves the art of watchmaking, he recognizes that without embracing the future—like smartwatches—the tradition risks fading into obscurity. Nevertheless, he cherishes the visits from his five children, who, along with his loyal clientele from yesteryear, keep the hope of rejuvenating interest in wristwatches alive.
