I think you're enjoying these watches and suggest you continue to do so. Labors of love have many benefits. p.s. is "funny lugs" a technical term?
Syrte the last one looks like a real charmer These project watches are some of the most satisfying once they land on the wrist. They're lucky you found them.
Thanks @Rman, I really found those cases were interesting so worth indeed restoring-- not sure many people would have gotten into it. Many thanks again to @Modest_Proposal for alerting me of the last one-- it was kind of a no brainer once I saw it.
Hi Syrte, Nice projects! What do you have in mind considering the dial restoration? I would try a classical cleaning in a soft lemon juice and (cold!) water solution. But not sure it will really improve this particular dial. I am under the impression that this dial encountered some water damaeg (likely only moisture), so I would be very careful not to erase the writings (checking every few secs then minutes what happens, etc). Good luck!
Thanks Francois, I'm not an expert so I don't know what techniques would be used on it but I've been referred to an Italian collector who's a champion at those types of restoration and he agreed to try if something can be done. He needs to have the watch in hand though, and also thinks this one is probably beyond help, with possible oxydation stains in the silver underneath the varnish (sounds like you're saying the same). Before he does anything to it I will check whether one of those spare dials will fit as potential replacement. I don't want to take any chances this watch will end up without a dial. The original one does seem pretty far gone though.
Thank you for your answer. I would be glad if you could tell us the tips this specialist will give you and their result. I have only used lemon juice, warm water (will not do that again, too many chances if ruining the writings) and (white) vinagar. The general idea is you cannot do much if the issue is not reduced to the external layer (mainly the varnish - but not only) and if the writings are fragile - and I guess there are on your dial. But I am not a specialist at all and am always happy to learn knew tricks!
He's written about it on the Italian forum, will post links when I have a chance. My Italian is quite approximate but I understood he uses oil on some dials.
Two Frenchies having a dialog in English, and third one (French Canadian) making the observation. BTW, both of you are quite proficient in the langue de Shakespeare.
Thanks Syrte! Sounds interesting. Thanks "Garçon sourd"! But as far as I can tell, Syrte is much better in English than me!
