Hi guys Just got this. I will do a light polish on the original crystal, but not sure what to do with the caseback. It has plenty of «opening marks» from an amateur. Even if there are scratces, they are not deep. What would you do? kind regards DB
Absolutely nothing. Except for the crystal. It's weird than an 'amateur' would have so much interest in opening up the watch, to the point of causing a lot of cosmetic damage. What were they expecting to find?...a secret message from the 1957 expedition to the Antarctic?
I agree with everyone else - do not mess with the case back. It is part of the watch's history and you are the only one who will see it.
That pretty face should make you completly forgot about the scratches on the back... Always wondered about the fragility of those radium-generously-filled-hands though... Dream watch nevertheless, wear it in good health !
If anything have a movement service done. This is a classic tool watch. Leave her be. It’s beautiful as is.
With regards to the case back......persistence and stubbornness can turn to obsession and anger real quick, sometimes.... leave it
This is definitely one of the best humble brags ever... I just got this geophysic, it’s amazing, it’s got a couple of grazes out back that no-one will ever see Seriously though it’s a beauty, service it and wear in good health
If the case back is sealing correctly then I would do nothing. If you are having a problem with it then you may need to take some action
As long as the caseback is staying on there is nothing to do, if you mess with it you could make things worse and what's the issue with scratches on a caseback anyway ?
Thanks for your advices, guys! I have now given the crystal a light polish, removed the "fix-o-flex" and cleaned the case. I will put on a nice leather strap and leave the watch as is - with its battlescars.
Fantastic, grail watch, congratulations indeed. As Servius said, it might be a good idea to have the luminous material in the hands consolidated too as you don't want any more dropping out and finding it's way into the movement.
What would I do? track down the twat that so incompetently wrecked the back and break all his fingers, but then again you cant cure stupid. Do nothing and enjoy it unless you can track down a new old stock original case back or one out of the scrap.
Yep, beautiful piece. Does make one wonder what someone so in competant would do with the watch once they did have it opened?
Agree, do not get anything too radical. Warn your watchmaker that those dots on the rehaut tend to come out at service , but can be easily put back with a tip of glue. Also, the luminous will be very fragile, and needs to be careful and apply stabiliser to the back of the hands. You may also ask him to fill the gap with some pigment not containing any luminous. these are great movements, mine is a joy to look and wear