Not too long ago I got my hands on a Grand Luxe w/ brick bracelet, that needed a little work/TLC:
1) Movement needed a service.
2) The name engraved on the caseback had to go (sorry guys, just can’t work around with a watch carrying a strangers name).
3) Everything looked tired, so a light polish were needed too.

I thought I’d try to do a little of the polishing work myself, so I asked the watchmaker to do everything, but working on the case. The idea was a very light polish, of course in a way so the edges “came to live” and not got more rounded. So, on the lathe it went:



And after a little (scary) work the result was this:




The tools:


Some weeks later the watchmaker had the rest ready. Here’s some before pics:


the new look:




Sorry for the crappy English - and Iphone pics

Let me know what you think, good as well as bad........

 

Good job, I much prefer a lightly worked on and sharp dress watch to a tatty, scruffy, all original one. It is all about knowing when enough is enough and I think you've got it just right there

 

Great skill and a steady hand, methinks.

 

WOW, nice work!

 

The lathe can be an important tool for refinishing work no doubt:



And it's really not all that scary.

Cheers, Al

 

Nice work! Came out great... Definitely an improvement from the original condition

 

Thanks guys. Glad you didnt say I've ruined it.....

 

Not when you've done it over and over, but this was my first try

 

That's amazing work. I would have been terrified in case I ruined it. You must have some serious confidence in your lathing skills!

 

Not totally clear how you mounted it on the lathe. Might you show a detail?

 

Wow that is a nice watch. And after the reatoration it looks way better. Enjoy!

 

I just lathed down a piece of brass to the diameter, where I with light pressure can press the case on the brass piece. Hope it make sense

 

Very nice work.

Tom

 

Inside.

 

Paul.

I think you're the craziest member onboard

So you did your first attempt to polish a case on a GL Connie, really??

And guess what, IMO you got away with it! That is an extremely good work! Normally I hate polished cases, but that one I like!

Congrats!

 

Thanks Martin (yes, first case polish ever, but being a toolmaker, polishing is not new to me. Still a bit scary though, as normally I can do a new tool part, if I ruin it......).