I had a watch for which I paid $ 9.99 back in USA, but it ran good, just the case and band were sort of rusty and ugly looking.  I took it to a watch repair place at a local open market.  It ended up with only reusing the face screen (dial) and the hands.  I got a new case and band which were replicas of a Rolex watch.  New mechanism, battery, and crystal, and I paid 30 for the case, and 25 Rmb for the band, 10 for the battery and I think it was about 20 for the mechanism and a new crown.  To me, I got a new watch for about the same I paid for it back in the States, and now it does look like a Rolex Submariner.

I have about 3 wrist watches I don't wear anymore because I don't like the wrist band. I've been meaning to change them but don't know how much it would cost or where to get it done. I feel for you darkstar. It really sucks when you don't know how to do something here. I have so many earrings and chains that nee fixing too but again, I just don't know how to go about fixing them. It's not easy for us. Sorry for not actually answering your question.