Dent in golden lug - any recommendations

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duffy7

·Nov 6, 2020

Hi all,

I do own a very nice Geneve Chronometer in 18k gold with an uncommon dial.

The only thing I really don`t like is that there is a dent at the 5 o`clock lug. (it is the first thing I see when I take this beauty out of the box)

I would be pleased if somebody can tell me whether there are processes to fill this dent. (I haven`t been with a goldsmith by now)

Any suggestions or recommendations?

Thanks for your help
Duffy

 

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Concer

·Nov 6, 2020

Hey!

afaik dents like this can be repaired by laser welding.

https://deployant.com/return-perfection-fully-restoring-scarred-watch-case/

 

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Dan S

·Nov 6, 2020

Concer

Hey!

afaik dents like this can be repaired by laser welding.

https://deployant.com/return-perfection-fully-restoring-scarred-watch-case/

Yes, some jewelers can do this, and a few specialist case-restorers.

 

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Concer

·Nov 6, 2020

I guess it’s possible on every material (stainless steel, platinum, gold...)?

 

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duffy7

·Nov 6, 2020

Concer

I guess it’s possible on every material (stainless steel, platinum, gold...)?

Thats the thing I don`t really know - I thought this is only possible with stainless steel

 

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Concer

·Nov 6, 2020

From a physical point of view, it should be a material that melts due to the heat of the punctured laser beam. And that should be the case with gold.

 

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TDBK

·Nov 6, 2020

There's more options with gold than there are with steel, it shouldn't need lasers; I think it's the kind of thing a lot of goldsmiths can handle. Admittedly, I've never had this done, I don't know details; I just know gold is easier to rework than steel.

 

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duffy7

·Nov 6, 2020

Thanks for the input - is there somebody out there who has already done a laser welding with a gold watch.

I would love to see the result or even better the comparison (before and after)

Duffy

 

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Concer

·Nov 6, 2020

No watch, but you can see it quite well here

regarding the before and after comparison = I assume that you don't see afterwards that there was ever a dent 😁

 

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duffy7

·Nov 6, 2020

wow - thats really great work

 

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SkunkPrince

·Nov 6, 2020

My brass instrument technician is third generation, and he uses techniques to raise a dent I think are some sort of mystical art.

An experienced "planisher" could possibly raise it just by manipulating the existing metal back to where it was originally.

I think you need to find a manufacturing jeweler with the sort of experience to take care of this.

 

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zwjk

·Nov 6, 2020

I would just leave it to be honest - eventually there will be another dent but perhaps not so big.

 

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Kek25

·Nov 6, 2020

I've had gold added by laser weld to bows on pocket watches that were worn thin by watch chain use. It is an art and takes a skillful artisan to perform the repair flawlessly. I was fortunate to have such a person within a few states of my home state, but due to his reputation the wait time was months not days or weeks.

 

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malilis

·Nov 7, 2020

I have no valid input to present regarding possible remedial action ... all I can say is that you should keep this beautiful watch as is .. is it not part of the history of the watch ..? in addition you could very well end up with worst than it is today .. but if you need to get it done, wish you good luck! And please let us see the end result !

 

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ortope

·Nov 8, 2020

There is a brilliant restorer in Rome Marco Matarese.
Hope this helps.

 

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janice&fred

·Nov 8, 2020

The most important aspect of this very minor lug dent/gouge repair will be the stripping down-disassembling and reassembling of the watch. The OP should focus on that as that's where the risk lies. Any talented jeweler could repair that lug to perfection once the watch has been prepped for the job.

 

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duffy7

·Nov 8, 2020

Thanks for all the information and hints on this topic - I really appreciate this 👍

 

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joeshoup

·Nov 9, 2020

Indeed, gold is easier to repair than steel. My grandfather the goldsmith did all manner of repair work of this kind - a good jeweler should have no problem reshaping 18k gold.