Hey, folks-- I have this A277 that I love. In fact, I love it so much I want to do right by her and started to wonder if it was possible to "fix" a few minor blemishes where, e.g., someone let a bracelet chew up the lug edges. The snag is I really don't want to end up with a new-looking case. I love the patina overall and the real sense that it has had a life, and a "new" case with the aged dial etc. would be a disaster.

Does anyone have any experience with, essentially, touching up a very specific/limited area on a case without disturbing the overall wear everywhere else? It's really just the top inside lug edges,

Some pics below--I tried to take some shots that highlight the areas ...

 

That last pic is the other area that has a bit of chewed up edge where case meets back...

 

Hi, if you are in the UK I can recommend someone to you that could do a sensitive case restoration for you.
Mark

 

Fabulous watch btw.....

 

Thx! Alas, I'm in NY....

 

Have you done this sort of work on a watch of yours with success?

 

Yes, a Grand Seiko, it's just a case of clear communication really, and someone skilled as a laser welder.

 

Do you know if it would be possible to restore just the very edge/corner of the lug, without ending up with a completely polished lug? It's hard to see, but there are micro abrasions on the flat surfaces of the case--just the kind of very light scratches that come from wearing the watch. If they laser welded the dings on the corner, I would think they would need to do some sort of polishing of the welded area. I wouldn't want that to extend beyond a tight area around the weld.

Perhaps this is a conversation that needs to be had with the welder. Any US-based options out there that come recommended?

 

I think your last thought hits the nail on the head. There is bound to be some work goes on around/outside the damage as the new material overspills a fraction and has to be worked down.

 

Suggestion, try contacting quality watchmakers with online presence and good feedback.
They usually reply with email with advice.

 

I would recommend Tanner Morehouse at TMWatch, he is based in the US. He has laser welded a few cases for me, exactly as I requested.

He is a member on here too, @Tmorehouse51.

 

Thanks for the tips. Based on your experiences on the cases you have had done, what do you think: is what I am looking for doable? any comparable jobs you had done?

 

He's done work for me too. He's very good.

 

I would recommend reaching out to Tanner to confirm if what you are looking for is doable.

My examples were complete case restorations or newer watches that had some lug damage, not exactly the same work that you are looking to complete.

 

I’m of the opinion that this is a valuable old tool watch and it’s imperfections are not really worth risking it looking messed with. I’d leave it alone.

 

And you may very well be right! It doesn’t bother me, and there is a good argument for leaving as is for sure.

 

Repairs might involve adding material by laser welding (over-filling the surface) and then refinishing back to original specs. It's pretty hard (i.e. impossible basically) to just do spot repairs that blend-in well without refinishing the specific surfaces that are being repaired. They can certainly leave the other surfaces alone, but the watch might then look unevenly finished.