So this arrived in the post earlier today. Just after I told myself I wouldn't be buying any more watches this year. I have a couple questions if anyone has the time to answer them. Firstly, I would like to preface this by saying I have no idea what this is worth, I brought it off eBay for £300 on a bit of a whim, hence not asking some questions here before hand. If it turns out to be a lemon, I suppose I will just have to take the hit.

On the positive side, I really like the size of it.

My first question is as to the originality of the dial, it looks okay to me, but after seeing some excellent redials on here, I can never be sure.

The next, and probably more pressing concern is about the case. I usually don't buy gold plated watches for exactly this reason, but there is wear to the 11 o'clock and 7 o'clock lug. I imagine from the cuff of a shirt.
Im not sure how I will feel about it in the long run, but currently I find it unpleasant to look at. Can these be re-plated? Is it worth getting it re-plated? Does anyone have any experience with it?

Lastly, and probably least importantly, this is the crown and movement. Clearly a butcher has been at the movement, but is the crown original?

Thank you all for your continuing help, any comments, however scolding are appreciated!

Lucas.

 

These cases are often 20 micron gold filled, not gold plated. I suspect your case is rose gold filled. I know of no way to electro-plate in anything but the usual gold colour. And if you electro-plate the case, you are not likely to find the colour or lustre to suit you. Unless someone comes up with a more satisfactory answer for you, I suggest you live with it. Has potential to be a great watch, in the hands of the right technician.

 

Yes, you would have to replate the whole case in yellow gold. You could try a touch of something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Prima-Market...zwcn257xb5s8_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&s=home-garden

...Or leave it alone. Clean and oil the engine, and enjoy it!.

 

If you replate. Not going to have the same look as gold filled. Instead of the warm look of gold. Will be bright and shiny looking

All worn areas need to be sanded and feather into the unworn areas, so when plated. It looks even all around and original.

Rose gold crown will be difficult. I would look for a generic vintage one instead. Something that matches the case style

DON

 

I'm going to be the guy to tell you this is a redial IMO. It's not an absolutely positively terrible one. But the minute track is uneven and a bit sloppy in places. That's usually the easiest place to see redials.

If you can live with that otherwise I think the rose gold is cool.

 

Not a redial in my opinion. Just an aged dial...

 

I totally defer to your knowledge.

 

Thank you! But be carefull: I am often wrong!

 

Coloured gold plating solutions are readily available...example here:

http://www.caswellplating.com/elect...rose-gold-brush-plating-solution-4-fl-oz.html

Cheers, Al

 

Thanks for all the help guys, having looked at a couple of possible options for plating, I don't think I'm going to pursue that route, Ill get it on a strap and serviced and if the lugs bother me too much I will have to move it on and keep an eye out for another with more consistent plating, or even better solid gold (or steel).

 

Hi!

Have a similar but with a different dial. It is a 80 micron case, not often seen wear through on those

Ref. 2482-1
Cal. 332
1950

 

Nice watch tdn-dk!

By the way, "plaqué or L" very likely means "plaqué or laminé", which is kind of the same as gold filled. A layer of gold is put on a base metal. In French, we do not have a special wording for gold filled, and everything which is not solid gold is "plaqué or". But you have electro "plaqué", "plaqué or laminé", etc.

A "plaqué or laminé" of 80 microns is pretty resistant. I own a few myself and they do not show wear. .

 

I did not know that. I thought electroplating meant electrodeposition of a pure metal in ionic form, and not alloys. Now the problem is finding someone who does that.

 

Any attempt at plating the case will not result in a coating as satisfactory or durable as the original gold filled finish. And there is likely to be a total change in appearance that you may not find pleasing.

 

I have never understood when the lack of "SWISS MADE" is ok.
Could anyone explain me please?
This dial is ok without SWISS MADE under six?

thank you

 

I don’t know of a one size fits all answer to the lack of Swiss made on the dial, but this is the one I am wearing today. Purchased from the original owner, and largely untouched. No Swiss made on the dial.

 

This topic has been covered several times on the forum. I remeber one thread with some kind of a summary of this issue.
After early 1950, a dial without Swiss made starts to be supicious. Before, it can be OK.