Hi OF fam, I am in need of re-plating a chrome watch i just purchased. It would be my first time doing it. So can anyone recommend any website, place or person i can approach? Also it would be great if you guys can share with me any pitfalls through this process i should look out for, or just your past experiences. I am currently based in Los Angeles and any information would be greatly appreciated I will post more pics once i get my hands on it and keep you guys posted on the process as much as possible. Yes i know from the pics it needs a full service too. Thanks for your time guys
Thanks for the recommendation. But i have checked them out and turns out they don't do chrome plating anymore Rhodium plating would be the closest.
Most chrome plate outfits have a minimum charge, regardless of the small size of the item. IIRC, you can’t chrome plate on brass without copper plating it first, then chrome plating it. Maybe you should look for another case?
A few months ago I did this... and regretted it. To get a good finish requires polishing the case first, or else you’re plateing the scratches. Despite my asking they go as light as possible they polished the crap out of it (to my eye at least). It came back having lost the case lines and was overly shiny. Far too shiny for the nicely aged dial and hands. The watch just looked wrong and had lost all its character. Unless it’s a specialist vintage restorer, don’t do it. Definitely don’t try to do it on the cheap. In your case a “good” job may cost more than your (very nice) watch is worth and there’s a high probability you won’t be happy with the results.
As mentioned in a previous post, there are downsides to replating. I have uploaded a picture of the only re-chromed watch that I have. It is a mid-50s Certina that I bought for $2.00. The watch was a mess, but I liked it. I had the case rhodium plated which involved stripping it to the brass by buffing. The rhodium plating lasted for several months. I then sent it to a friend who does chrome plating. He had to strip it to the brass again, copper plate it, then chrome plate it. The chrome has lasted well. But look closely at the case. It was worn when I bought it, and with all the work that has been done on it, the original character of the case is gone. It looks like what it is. Heavily buffed. D_ _ _ _D chrome cases!
Best to find a plater and great body man..Just like any fine car it's parts need fine refinishing and chemical cleaning before plating .Anyone can plate but few could offer an award winning finish.
I wouldn't do it, your case looks fine to me on top. Most people don't do chrome anymore, they do nickel. It's a bit greyish, and some people will do a scratched finish, so that it doesn't look brand new. I have messed around with this and not been thrilled with the results. I ended up doing rhodium over the nickel, anyhow IMO any type of replating is a last resort and a bit of a Hail Mary.......
@bgrisso @gemstar @Canuck @X350 XJR @morningtundra @ANALOGUE @Deafboy Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this matter, really appreciate it. I'm gonna try my best to find a restorer and get a quote, that does both reverse electroplating and cold nickel stripping bath. It will prevent etching of the case and maintaining those lines. I'll update more pictures once i get my hands on it