I started a WTB thread a couple of weeks ago wherein I was looking for a pristine Flightmaster Cal 910 complete with box and papers. Fast forward to today and my purchase of the following -- it's obviously less than pristine, but it's a Mk1 with yellow hands, and it appears to be a relatively unmolested example. Anyway, I'm pleased, and it will soon be on its way to Bienne for them to work their magic. I'll be sure to post photos of the finished item.
Swiss Time Services, they're a good vintage restorer. Bienne have a habit of replacing a LOT of parts, you'll be surprised with what you get back.
Sure, but as long as the crystal and face and hands and pushers and crowns are returned they can always be reinstated. In other words, the "damage" is not irreversible. Of course, cleaning up the case and bracelet is a different matter. I haven't seen the watch in person yet, but I would hope that the face might clean-up somewhat.
Your watch,your choice. Some love the old but running well look, others the NOS look. As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Which ever you choose great watch, I love mine.
That's right, and I appreciate patina as much as the next guy (some of the most beautiful vintage cars I've ever seen are the totally unrestored ones), but I'm pretty sure I'll take my Cal 910 as far as perfectly running with a very clean case, and the rest I'll play by ear once I actually see what I've got to work with.
That looks very nice Neil. Other than the internals that we cannot see, which other parts were replaced? What kind of turnaround time did STS offer you?
Hi Thanks....I think we only replaced the crystal on this....left the original dial , handset , crown & pushers and case alone (retaining the original finish). Completed in 3-4x weeks Max. Best - Neil
If you are happy with a service dial and hands then you wont have a problem. For me the heart of the watch is the dial, then the hands. Also on some flight masters the pushers are replaced by Bienne with different looking ones - i cannot remember exactly, but I remember reading that they do not have stocks of the original ones. It is this patina that appeals to many, and while others may value (quite rightly) a mint example. one cannot get a mint example by returning a watch to Bienne and replacing parts because the parts are new. Here is what I am talking about. Spot the Bienne restoration and the STS effort: The one on the right was restored by Bienne, some time ago. The dial is an enigma, close spaced T SWISS T and painted logo. Along with the new hands, none of these replacements are valued by collectors today. The bezel is decades away. It is however a perfectly usable watch. The decision is of course yours, and I make no judgement which way you go. As you point out, as long as you have all the old parts you can have your cake and eat it.
Incidentally, rumour is that it's a one owner watch -- worn by the same guy for the last forty odd years. Cool ...
A very nice 145.013, I like the character of these old dials Al has my 145.013 for service which I hope he'll be able to look at soon
