In brief
As the market for traditional wristwatches dwindles in Kaduna, Nigeria, expert watch-repairer Bala Muhammad, known as Baba Bala, reflects on his family's storied history in horology and the struggle against modern devices. Despite a fading demand, he remains passionate about his craft while observing his profession's potential transformation with the rise of smartwatches.
In the bustling streets of Kaduna, Nigeria, the quiet ticking of clocks resonates from the small watch-repair shop of Bala Muhammad, affectionately known as Baba Bala. At 68, he has spent over five decades repairing timepieces, learning the art from his father, a renowned horologist who traveled across West Africa to fix watches.Baba Bala recalls the thriving business he once enjoyed, where more than 100 customers would line up daily for repairs and battery replacements. However, the landscape has changed drastically in recent years. "Some days, there are zero customers," he confesses, attributing the decline to the rise of mobile phones that render traditional wristwatches obsolete.Once revered as essential accessories, wristwatches have become less desirable, with younger generations favoring smartphones over analog timepieces. Baba Bala reflects on a time when someone without a watch felt disoriented, expressing sadness that many of his peers have retired or passed away as their craft wanes. One former colleague, Isa Sani, left the trade entirely in 2019 and turned to farming for income.The generational divide is palpable, as many local youths, such as Faisal Abdulkarim and Yusuf Yusha'u, express they have never had a need for traditional watches. Yet Dr. Umar Abdulmajid, a communications lecturer, believes there's hope for the craft’s revival through smartwatches, suggesting that older repairers adapt to newer technologies.Despite the challenges, Baba Bala remains committed to his craft, operating his shop in hopes of preserving his father’s legacy. He joyfully shares stories about the exquisite watches he's repaired, including luxurious models belonging to elite customers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.Baba Bala takes pride in his Longines watch, which he rarely removes, symbolizing his deep-rooted passion for horology. Daily, he finds comfort in nostalgic memories, keeping his father's framed photo prominent in his workshop. His family remains supportive, frequenting his shop and donning watches themselves, although his 12-year-old son, Al-Ameen, dreams of becoming a pilot instead.As he spends his days listening to Hausa broadcasts on the radio, Baba Bala remains hopeful, determined to uphold his father's traditions as long as he can, even if the times are changing around him.
