Hello folks. Just found out this channel on youtube and the guy does some pretty amazing work restoring vintage watches. I especially enjoyed the Omega restoration videos and i thought you guys would too.

 

I had to quit watching when he started the cleaning and rinsing procedure. Was that water based cleaner he was using? Looked like it to me. His rinse? Was that water as well? No thank you!

 

The captions in the first video state the rinse is “99,9% alcohol.”

 

I could not do better but I know plenty of guys that are a lot cleaner and more careful especially with the dial and crystal. its fascinating to watch but in no way impressive.

 

Alcohol? As a cleaner? Now I know I was wasting my time!

 

I think he uses the alcohol to displace water after the rinse so no spotting.

 

I am very suspect of that milky “cleaning solution” he uses in the cleaning process. His whole process (at least as much of it as I watched) seems very primitive to me.

 

My understanding alcohol is frowned upon because water vapor condenses on the surface when the alcohol evaporates.
It is also a solvent for shellac, the latter being used for affixing jewels in the escapement.

 

The guys who use the water based cleaners like this need to use it to displace the water that is left on the parts. If the pallet fork and balance are not left in the alcohol for long, it won't soften the shellac, but will certainly make it dull. Not many actual watchmakers I know would ever consider using this method, and that is only the beginning of the things I would take issue with in the first video (I didn't watch the second).
The manner that was used to remove the third wheel cannon pinion - by simply yanking up on the third wheel, was a complete moment.

Didn't see the mainspring replaced or the barrel even opened. Applied far too much oil to posts on the movement, appears to have used hard plastic gaskets over again. Putting the dial down on a metallic movement holder was another moment of "NO!" along with pressing hands on without adequately supporting the movement or jewels. This is amateur level work for sure...

 

After reading many posts by @Archer and @JimInOz .. The first video just seemed wrong and sloppy on many levels. Seeing the comments confirmed the cringe factor. No pressure test?

 

I was thinking, ohh I dont even do that at some points in the video

 

The other thing you don't see is any hint of inspection of the parts for wear, or replacement of parts. Pretty sure the rotor bushing is worn in that watch, and it wasn't replaced. It's rare a watch comes in and doesn't need something replaced in it...