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Omega 2577-11 case restoration attempt

galaxytime
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Here we have a very worn out Omega 2577-11
IMG_9543.webp IMG_9544.webp IMG_9528.webp IMG_9531.webp

Started filling in 10k gold wire with laser welder. No idea how this is going to turn out as it's the first time we have tried this. Here are some pics of the worst lug after some filling.
IMG_9537.webp IMG_9538.webp IMG_9537.webp IMG_9539.webp IMG_9541.webp IMG_9540.webp

This watch is from my personal collection and will continue to post pictures as we progress.
 
sheepdoll
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I have not tried laser welding yet. What sort of machine are you using?

Have plans myself for some case restoration, but not gold. Main issue is that to plate base metal one needs a copper strike, which traditionally requires cyanide. Rio Grande may have a cyanide free strike.

Most base metal contains tin. Which reacts with the acids in the plating and pickle.

I have considered straight up welding. Too many projects at the moment. Hand sewing straps takes time. Waiting for parts also takes time. Fiddling with balance springs takes time.

I did try using the fiber laser on a cheap case, but it warped the metal.
 
Ultraman Zoffy
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I'm very interested in seeing your progress; please keep posting pics showing even the small steps. Laser welding is something I am interested in, but never have tried. Looks great so far!
 
galaxytime
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sheepdoll sheepdoll
I have not tried laser welding yet. What sort of machine are you using?

Have plans myself for some case restoration, but not gold. Main issue is that to plate base metal one needs a copper strike, which traditionally requires cyanide. Rio Grande may have a cyanide free strike.

Most base metal contains tin. Which reacts with the acids in the plating and pickle.

I have considered straight up welding. Too many projects at the moment. Hand sewing straps takes time. Waiting for parts also takes time. Fiddling with balance springs takes time.

I did try using the fiber laser on a cheap case, but it warped the metal.
We have a LaserStar 80 joule welder. We've had it for about 15 years and it's still working great. Would love to upgrade to a more modern unit but for now it's more than adequate.

Laser works great on stainless steel, platinum, gold, silver but not so well on some base metals, brass and pewter.

Do you have any pics of the straps?
 
sheepdoll
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galaxytime galaxytime
Do you have any pics of the straps?
I started a new thread for the straps.

Here is a shot of a trashed 14700 - 4 case someone took a byte out of. Also missing the bezel.

IMG_4716.webp
 
Dan S
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It's an interesting project, and clearly a labor of love. I find myself hoping that this is a family piece, so all of your effort and expense will result in a wonderful heirloom, with a new lease on life.

Don't tell me, let's just pretend.
 
galaxytime
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I was wondering when someone would mention why are doing this watch. Truth be told, this watch has no sentimental value at all and the $ value will only increase a little at best if successful. Which is the reason I chose this watch. If something goes wrong and I really mess the case up, then not a big deal but if it goes well then, I will have confidence offering this service.

On second thought, it may become sentimental if this project is successful.

Sorry Dan, had to tell you.
 
Dan S
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galaxytime galaxytime
I was wondering when someone would mention why are doing this watch. Truth be told, this watch has no sentimental value at all and the $ value will only increase a little at best if successful. Which is the reason I chose this watch. If something goes wrong and I really mess the case up, then not a big deal but if it goes well then, I will have confidence offering this service.

On second thought, it may become sentimental if this project is successful.

Sorry Dan, had to tell you.
If you're considering offering this as a service, I hope you got a starting weight for your gold wire. 😀
 
galaxytime
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sheepdoll sheepdoll
I started a new thread for the straps.

Here is a shot of a trashed 14700 - 4 case someone took a byte out of. Also missing the bezel.

IMG_4716.webp
Are you referring to the chunk out of the caseback?
download (1).webp
 
galaxytime
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Just realized I was using the 14kt wire and probably used 3/4 - 1 gram already.
 
Dan S
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galaxytime galaxytime
Just realized I was using the 14kt wire and probably used 3/4 - 1 gram already.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking, and I'm sure it's time-consuming too. It's going to be hard to offer this service for gold-filled cases, given the minimal upside on their value. I wonder if the repair would work on gold-capped.
 
galaxytime
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I've got about 1.5 hours into it already.

It always surprises me how much people are willing to spend on an inexpensive watch for sentimental reasons.

This topic always reminds of a revelation I had many many years ago when I was working at a watch repair kiosk in a department store. A customer walks up to the counter with a pretty beaten up Timex watch and said "it just stopped working". I asked if the battery had been changed recently and he couldn' remember so I proceeded to remove the caseback to test the battery. The battery still had full power so I pressed the back on and told him it's not worth repairing. He became visibly upset and said "it's not worth repairing or you can't repair it"? Again I said it's not worth repairing. Well he tore a strip off me telling me it's not my watch and not my decision whether it's worth repairing. It just so happened to be the very last thing his father gave him before he died and to him the watch had immense sentimental value. Long story short, he ended up spending a fair chunk of change fixing a Timex watch.

It taught me a valualbe lesson and I have never again told someone that their item is not worth repairing.
 
Dan S
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No question that there is a market for restoring cheap heirlooms. Not sure how big it is, but you could corner it. ;-)

But seriously, I agree that you shouldn’t tell people how to spend their money. I’d never suggest that.
 
Archer
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galaxytime galaxytime
I've got about 1.5 hours into it already.

It always surprises me how much people are willing to spend on an inexpensive watch for sentimental reasons.

This topic always reminds of a revelation I had many many years ago when I was working at a watch repair kiosk in a department store. A customer walks up to the counter with a pretty beaten up Timex watch and said "it just stopped working". I asked if the battery had been changed recently and he couldn' remember so I proceeded to remove the caseback to test the battery. The battery still had full power so I pressed the back on and told him it's not worth repairing. He became visibly upset and said "it's not worth repairing or you can't repair it"? Again I said it's not worth repairing. Well he tore a strip off me telling me it's not my watch and not my decision whether it's worth repairing. It just so happened to be the very last thing his father gave him before he died and to him the watch had immense sentimental value. Long story short, he ended up spending a fair chunk of change fixing a Timex watch.

It taught me a valualbe lesson and I have never again told someone that their item is not worth repairing.
It doesn’t surprise me at all. Nostalgia and sentimentality re huge for people. The only time I tell people a watch is not worth fixing is if they ask me, and even then I qualify it by noting that my evaluation is purely economic…
 
galaxytime
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I beleive I was 17 at the time and happy that I learned a lesson. I've had customers spend crazy amounts of money (by my standards) restoring watches and pocket watches that clearly have no value to anyone but them.

I could never complain about this though as this is what pays the bills.
Edited:
 
sheepdoll
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galaxytime galaxytime
Are you referring to the chunk out of the caseback?
Yup.
There is a matching chunk missing from the case as well. Where the gasket is missing. Looks like someone attempted to drill a hole in it. Or tried to pry the back off with something that twisted.

I actually got this for the movement (552) of course I now have another 552 movement (mostly) waiting for a new sweep pinion and some other things. This is how such parts watches breed. Downside is the midwifery fees add up quickly.
 
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