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In an unexpected turn, younger consumers are helping rescue trades once on the brink of disappearing.
Growing interest in nostalgic products is reviving antique repair trades in Istanbul, where craftsmen restoring vintage clocks, record players and vinyl records are drawing both young customers and international clients while contributing to the local economy.
Rising demand for vintage goods has increased repair requests and overseas sales, helping sustain professions that once faced decline due to digital technology. Industry representatives say the renewed attention preserves cultural heritage while also generating economic value.
Birol Aldam, head of the Istanbul Chamber of Video, Record, Cassette, CD and Communication Tradesmen, said the sector began losing momentum in the early 1990s with the spread of private radio and television and later digital technologies.
He said interest has returned in recent years.
“A sector that was on the verge of disappearing is coming back to life, which makes us happy as a chamber,” Aldam said to Anadolu. “No matter how much technology advances, the sound quality produced by these devices cannot be replicated exactly.”
According to Aldam, vinyl records were once mainly popular among middle-aged consumers, but younger buyers now show increasing interest. He added that limited production in the past has also pushed prices higher.
Antique clock repairer Mehmet Ali Karacuha, who began working in the trade in 1988, said interest in vintage watches and clocks has grown significantly among younger generations, particularly for mechanical models from the 1960s and 1970s.
Karacuha operates a workshop in Istanbul’s historic Sirkeci district and maintains a personal collection of antique timepieces, some dating back 250 to 300 years.
He said prices vary widely depending on brand, material and age, ranging from $23 (₺1,000) to as much as $6,850 to $11,450.
Foreign customers also travel to Istanbul for repairs due to lower service costs.
“Some people come from abroad to have their clocks repaired,” Karacuha said. “Service fees here are more affordable. Prices are much higher overseas. That brings added value to Istanbul’s economy.”
He noted that international demand has also increased exports of antique watches, estimating that overseas sales have risen by 40% to 50% in recent years.
Similarly, record player repairer Turan Sahin said younger consumers seek what they describe as a more natural listening experience through analog sound.
“Young people research these devices to hear music in its natural form,” Sahin said, adding that customers often prefer the characteristic crackling sound of antique record players.
He explained that vinyl prices reflect limited supply, with standard records starting from about $25 and antique versions reaching around $115 depending on rarity.
Craftsmen say their work helps reduce reliance on imported products by restoring existing devices and extending their lifespan.
“These professions contribute to the economy because repairing broken items reduces the need for imports,” Sahin said. “Otherwise, you would have to order unavailable products from abroad.”
Murat Bagci, who has repaired antique record players in Istanbul’s Fatih district since 1997, said demand has increased in recent years despite the high cost of vintage devices and repairs.
He repairs an average of one record player per day, noting that the work is complex and time consuming. Business activity typically rises during winter months and after the start of the school year.
Although digitalization initially reduced interest in such devices, craftsmen say the current revival reflects changing consumer preferences and a growing appreciation for vintage products.
Industry representatives expect demand to continue as younger generations rediscover analog technologies and traditional craftsmanship.
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