I'm thinking of getting my GMT case refinished to original specs. I've seen examples of work by LAWW in Los Angeles and laboratorio di orologeria in Italy.

Here is my GMT:



The case is nice and fat but the crown guards are rounded from polishing. So I understand how they can redo the chamfers but does anyone know how they work on the crown guards. LAWW say they do not add metal.

Here is an example of a gmt case refinished by LAWW (sorry no before):



Before and after of a 5512 (eagles beak crown guards) :







Laboratorio di orologeria's before and after work on a GMT:




Looks like great work to me. So my question is, how do they do it if they don't add steel to the case? Thanks

 

I found a couple of answers online if anyone else is interested.

Laser welding can be used to fill in dents or spot damage. It can't be used to add bulk because the new material needs something to bed into.

I also found this video (believed to be from the Rolex teaching grounds in Pennsylvania)

At 16:25 the watch maker explains how it is possible take a case that has been rounded and make the surface flat again using a buffing machine.

 

Am I missing something? Why would someone want Sub pointy crown guards refinished incorrectly?

 

http://ringofcolour.com/en/archives/7194

 

Also curious. Isn't this contrary to the current thinking on case refinishing and vintage watch valuation?.

 

It's called the eagles beak crown guard from early subs. Take a look here:

http://ringofcolour.com/en/archives/7194

 

I get it, but I think it's totally unethical to make that alteration, unless it was like that way to begin with, and someone refinished the case to provide the points. Which I highly doubt.

 

Sorry guys I uploaded the wrong image of the 5512!

I've amended it now with the correct image of the watch after the case restoration work.

 

I would say the crown guards are overpolished, and there’s no way of fixing that. However the lugs may be recut and chamfers will be present again.

 

That’s what I thought. So does anyone know how they restored the crown guards so well in this example?

 

Talk to Tom Dick he knows the process that STS carry out to laser weld
He shows a recent example on a 125 he had rebuild on a thread in this forum

 

They just cut chamfers/bevels so it gives the illusion that it has been reshaped.