Any Recommendation For Case Refinishing in UK?

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pascs

·Sep 4, 2013

I have two MkII Speedmaster cases which I'd like to get refinished as they are a little rough.

I've seen some case refinishing work from watchworks in Bristol which looked pretty amazing. Has anyone used them or have any recommendations for other case refinishing?

 

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Spacefruit

·Sep 4, 2013·Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder

MkII's have a sunburst finish which is applied using a very special machine, (I haven't seen it) and STS swore to me they were the only ones in UK who had it. I suspect because Omega made them buy it.

Other refinishing methods, I am told, only approach the factory finish.

So I too would be interested if anyone else can achieve a factory finish, with or without this mythical machine.

 

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Spacefruit

·Sep 4, 2013·Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder

Well I was going to say before and after, but in fact the one on the right is origional.
On the left is a candidate for refinishing.

 

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pascs

·Sep 4, 2013

This was a thread I found which showed what can be done with a lapping machine .........no problem to achieve the sunburst effect

http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?216809-Lapping-machine-case-example-pics-on-page-3

Picture taken from page 3 of that thread .........hope its ok to use one of their pics?

 

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Tritium

·Sep 4, 2013

I´m also interested on this, for my 168.032 seamaster.

 

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Tritium

·Sep 4, 2013

Would like to hear Al/Stefan opinion on this.

 

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Archer

·Sep 4, 2013·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

You need a lapping machine of some sort to do this properly - this video was taken at the Swatch NJ facility in the refinishing room, where we were shown how their machine works...

Note that this style is not super expensive and only used for doing the starburst finish, not for lapping polished surfaces.

Most service centers should have one, and if someone is saying they can refinish your starburst case, they should have a lapping machine to do it.

Cheers, Al

 

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Tritium

·Sep 4, 2013

Archer

You need a lapping machine of some sort to do this properly - this video was taken at the Swatch NJ facility in the refinishing room, where we were shown how their machine works...

Note that this style is not super expensive and only used for doing the starburst finish, not for lapping polished surfaces.

Most service centers should have one, and if someone is saying they can refinish your starburst case, they should have a lapping machine to do it.

Cheers, Al

Not sure about the meaning of starburst case.
Is the second picture of this thread a starburst one?

 

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Archer

·Sep 4, 2013·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Sorry - meant sunburst - not sure why I keep wanting to write starburst instead of sunburst....but yes radial lines coming from the center of the case outwards...

 

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Patrick Dixon

·Sep 4, 2013

The sun is a star ...

 

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Archer

·Sep 4, 2013·Omega Qualified Watchmaker

Indeed, but it's commonly called "sunburst"...

 

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SpikiSpikester

·Sep 4, 2013·@ ΩF

STS have a very high res picture of their MK II refinish which they'll send to you if you ask. It costs about £100 I think.

 

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pascs

·Sep 5, 2013

Thats probably about the value of the MkII cases but definitely something to think about. A perfectly refinished case would certainly make it more wearable 😀

 

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dsio

·Sep 5, 2013·Ash @ ΩF

Thanks for the video Al!

 

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flame

·Sep 5, 2013

SpikiSpikester

STS have a very high res picture of their MK II refinish which they'll send to you if you ask. It costs about £100 I think.

Hi

Yes....cost sounds about right....plus VAT of course

They comeback looking like this (if your case is good enough to start with !):



Best - Neil

 

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Habitant

·Sep 5, 2013

http://www.watchcaseworks.co.uk/

I have not actually used Adam Phillips (yet), but I've spoken to him about possible case work in the recent past. He's very professional sounding and certainly worth contacting; based on the conversations I've had with him, he will tell you truthfully what he can and can't do.

 

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Stewart H

·Sep 5, 2013

Habitant

http://www.watchcaseworks.co.uk/

I have not actually used Adam Phillips (yet), but I've spoken to him about possible case work in the recent past. He's very professional sounding and certainly worth contacting; based on the conversations I've had with him, he will tell you truthfully what he can and can't do.

I have used him and he is a superb craftsman.