In the Pre-Quartz Era...

The old magazines imply that watches were expected to be serviced on a regular basis. This was in the pre Timex days.
Back then watches were not sold in convenience stores. Like drug stores or markets even gas stations. Watches were sold by jewelers and dedicated departments in department stores. Cars were also sold in similar type settings. Curtained off rooms and such. (Modern department stores are now more bulk factory outlet stores not the all encompassing store where toy departments took an entire floor.)

When Timex was released, such stores would not sell disposable watches, since the regular visits were part of the business model. The old stores were also more integrated into the community. The sales person was part of Masons Rotary Lions club lodge. They went to the same church. Kids went to the same school. Wife was the society queen. So there would be motivation to also up sale things like jewelry for the wife's anniversary. Charm bracelets for the daughter's birthday. Son's thought were not expected to participate till it was time to buy the ring.

The watch was also an asset, something one could pawn or even sell when times got tough. Watches provide a function, so a non working watch would make one late, Which could have bad consequence. So to be so destitute to no have a watch would be looked as as absolute and total failure.

The other thing I notices was that until the 2000s. Most people simply would not pay more than 10 to 25 for a service. This was possible since costs were lower mortgages paid off and so forth. Part of what I call non linear economics. We still expect candy to cost 10 cents, Soda 25 cents. With bread and milk not costing much more.

With the advent of cheap disposable watches in the 1960s. (when I was little one saw them in the five and dime store.) That was when they were simply run until stopped then placed in a drawer.

The irony as my mentor said, that such watches if cared for probably could last on average at least 500 years before the alloy's broke down. There is some question if the 18th century alloys are better than the mid 20th century alloys. Only time will really tell.

One also has to consider is a small tribal community (more non linear economics.) Is that the Watchmaker is also buying goods from the other members of the 'club.' Insurance, cars, banking food etc. So they are wanting to make sure they also get a deal on what is needed.

Ideas of charging for labor, is a recent development. As is charging for Ideas themselves. That such things can be 'owned' is absurd. Even dreams are now copyrighted and sold. There are no new ideas under the sun that have not been though of by someone else.

Do not see a return to the old ways. Too much tribalism in society. No one wants to give up a fat pay packet. Everyone wants to be the leader.

Mark Twain gets this right in Connecticut Yankee when the king compares the cost of the meal and party, as the more expensive meal is better since it costs more.

I suspect in this day and age circular reasoning wins most arguments. Nothing new Dickens complained that the Circumlocution Department took over the government it was once created to serve.

A company I worked for which I also quote a lot had A banner what said 'Change is inevitable, Progress is not.'

Having been in this business since the Dark Ages, I have experience in such matters. Very often the case would fail (broken crystal, improper seal, crown worn out) before the movement would fail. The case protects the movement. When the case failed and the movement performance suffered, the watch went to the shop. If the case didn’t fail, the watch was usually worn until something broke or wore out, and the movement failed. Generally, it was only the conscientious owner who had an expensive watch that concerned himself or herself with preventive maintenance. The cost of thorough service on an orchard run watch meant there was little inducement to do preventive maintenance.