Would suggest (based on having had work done by then very well in the past):
Simon Freese Watchmakers
Swiss Time Services
Both in Essex.
He is fully within his right to choose who he wants to work with and I am happy for him for making that choice. Smart business practice too. If this is who I think it is, @ChrisN is an incredibly talented, thoughtful, and knowledgable member, for whom myself and many others respect and seek advice from.
Thanks @Scarecrow Boat and @Dan S .
That review from someone who never contacted me, and I have no way of getting in touch with, was a sore point but I think I hid my frustration quite well!😁. Fortunately, although I've enjoyed my time in the watch repair business, I don't need to do this anymore as I spent decades as an aerospace engineer. I am almost completely retired now and very happy playing with my cars and other projects.👍 I still check in here but am busy at the moment so don't contribute too much.
There are huge advantages to running a business nowadays as you can publicize it easily but against that, you spend a lot of time answering emails from prospective customers and for many it can be just a whim to see about resurrecting an old watch. These often don't lead to work and sometimes you don't even get a reply thanking you for the time you spent on their query. That's life in a modern business, and I have to say that nearly all my actual customers have been brilliant to work with and most thoughtful. Every watchmaker I know is snowed under with work and I believe that most could easily move to a personal referral basis to reduce the administration time in their business.
@dpwaber - as already mentioned by others, I would recommend that you contact Simon Freese. With anyone that you contact, best to just leave the job to them after you've agreed the work as not everyone will thank you for your thoughts on seals, or other aspects of their work. Good luck with your watch which looks like an example that has been properly used and enjoyed. It doesn't sound like it's been used for some years so, hopefully, wear in the parts won't be too bad but as it had moisture ingress, don't be surprised if quite a few parts need replacing.
Cheers, Chris
Good luck - if you really dunked your watch in a fuel tank then anything could have happened, especially to the dial, hands and seals (they look okay in your photos).
Get it to Simon Freese and I'm sure he will be able to sort anything he finds. We look at these parts under a high powered microscope to check for wear and rust and polish/burnish/replace parts as needed to be able to provide a warranty. Whatever the bill, it will be terrific to have your watch running well and usable again after so many years👍.
Cheers, Chris
Get it to Simon Freese and I'm sure he will be able to sort anything he finds
If anybody wants a non-scratch moonwatch back remover, in case the Irish Sea gets in, they are welcome to the current .stl file for 3D printing. It takes 2mm. sq. brass stock, that you can easily get from Ebay. I am working on a torque limited one.
Looks interesting, but I'm not sure how it works as the notches for the caseback periphery's area appear to be sunken, not protruding in order to engage the notches in the caseback.
I have the brass case back remover that @Pahawi made for OF members. Not sure if he still sells them, but worth checking out.
Probably cheaper, if you have your own 3d printer.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232666848948?var=532137915104
You can get a new crystal for ca 150 USD I think. But, these scratches can be removed with Polywatch. You can do that yourself. Easy.
I'd only have the case cleaned (not polished!) and movement serviced and that's it!
It had a hard, and damp life. Unfortunately I don't think I have any pictures of it in use, but I will ask around, as some people might like a bit of provenance, they say.
Port side.
