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Canuck
路RePlateit could probably do it. The owner should take note of the link I included, and send RePlateit a picture. That would put an end to all this conjecture.
Remove corrosion from watch case?
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Canuck
路You say that like "conjecture" is a bad thing. 馃槈
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjecture
Do you have a better word to describe all the guesswork that has arisen relative to a solution to the pitting? The opinion of a service that could likely do the repair might be worth many opinions from those who can鈥檛! Think about it!
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Dan S
路https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conjecture
Do you have a better word to describe all the guesswork that has arisen relative to a solution to the pitting? The opinion of a service that could likely do the repair might be worth many opinions from those who can鈥檛! Think about it!
You're right of course. I was just thinking that if we eliminated conjecture from OF, we wouldn't have much left. 馃榿
The OP is experienced enough that I'm not too concerned about him being led astray.
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Davidt
路Thanks for the input everyone.
@Canuck and @Duracuir1 that case looks amazing, great work. I鈥檓 still shying away from this resolution as I really don鈥檛 want to risk loosing the serial number. However it might be a road I go down in future. Obviously once it鈥檚 been done it cannot be undone.
It鈥檚 good to hear @Dan S @vintage hab and @JwRosenthal say they don鈥檛 think the the pitting will progress if it鈥檚 let dry and hopefully your right. I also agree it was probably stored for 20 years with a load of gunk between the case and end links which likely started all this. However, I always have that nagging voice that says the corrosion needs to be removed to prevent it spreading. Perhaps I鈥檝e been bitten too many times with rust on old minis when I was younger!
So, What I would like to do is clean up and remove the corroded/pitted material. I can live (for now at least) with the clean pits it will leave behind but I would like to remove the oxidised material. Correct me if I鈥檓 wrong but an ultrasonic won鈥檛 achieve this will it? Will it just need a good going at with some peg wood or will it require buffing out or use of some kind of rust remover paste?
Appreciate any further thoughts and here鈥檚 the dial.
@Canuck and @Duracuir1 that case looks amazing, great work. I鈥檓 still shying away from this resolution as I really don鈥檛 want to risk loosing the serial number. However it might be a road I go down in future. Obviously once it鈥檚 been done it cannot be undone.
It鈥檚 good to hear @Dan S @vintage hab and @JwRosenthal say they don鈥檛 think the the pitting will progress if it鈥檚 let dry and hopefully your right. I also agree it was probably stored for 20 years with a load of gunk between the case and end links which likely started all this. However, I always have that nagging voice that says the corrosion needs to be removed to prevent it spreading. Perhaps I鈥檝e been bitten too many times with rust on old minis when I was younger!
So, What I would like to do is clean up and remove the corroded/pitted material. I can live (for now at least) with the clean pits it will leave behind but I would like to remove the oxidised material. Correct me if I鈥檓 wrong but an ultrasonic won鈥檛 achieve this will it? Will it just need a good going at with some peg wood or will it require buffing out or use of some kind of rust remover paste?
Appreciate any further thoughts and here鈥檚 the dial.
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mac_omega
路Best would be to mill-cut (I hope this is the right expression? = grind it out completely) the corroded material until you reach "healthy ground" and have the gap laser-welded - then you can have an aesthetical solution and ease of mind.
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Slevin kelevra
路New case? For a dial and hands so attractive, it would be worth it in my opinion.
The fact that the case is so damaged would mean I would have no qualms about swapping it out. You would be left with a unoriginal but still fantastic looking vintage watch.
The fact that the case is so damaged would mean I would have no qualms about swapping it out. You would be left with a unoriginal but still fantastic looking vintage watch.
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collector1946
路Silver solder, polish and re-plate it ?
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gbesq
路RePlateit is who you want to talk to. They were inQuebec (Canada), but have recently moved. They are now in Roseville, California. I can vouch for the quality of their work. See images, before, and after. Maybe send them a picture of what you want fixed.
https://www.replateit.com/
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Davidt
路Best would be to mill-cut (I hope this is the right expression? = grind it out completely) the corroded material until you reach "healthy ground" and have the gap laser-welded - then you can have an aesthetical solution and ease of mind.
That was my first thought but the two laser welders I鈥檝e spoken to have both advise they wouldn鈥檛 be willing to work on this and wouldn鈥檛 advise trying laser weld pitted areas.
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Davidt
路New case? For a dial and hands so attractive, it would be worth it in my opinion.
The fact that the case is so damaged would mean I would have no qualms about swapping it out. You would be left with a unoriginal but still fantastic looking vintage watch.
Being a close up the picture makes it look considerably worse that it really is. I wouldn鈥檛 entertain a case swap really as I like to keep things original.
Longer term I may go with someone like those suggested by @Canuck but for now I鈥檇 like to have it cleaned up and see what that鈥檚 like.
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Archer
路路Omega Qualified WatchmakerBest would be to mill-cut (I hope this is the right expression? = grind it out completely) the corroded material until you reach "healthy ground" and have the gap laser-welded - then you can have an aesthetical solution and ease of mind.
Really this is the only solution. This isn't a plated case to begin with, so sending it to a place that specializes in replating base metal cases is not likely going to be helpful.
The only other option is to thoroughly clean it, and live with it as is.
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Canuck
路Anyone who cares to check out their website (see link above) will see that many types of repairs are done to cases before plating takes place.
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Davidt
路Really this is the only solution. This isn't a plated case to begin with, so sending it to a place that specializes in replating base metal cases is not likely going to be helpful.
The only other option is to thoroughly clean it, and live with it as is.
How would you clean it @Archer (or is it a trade secret?!)
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Davidt
路Thanks Al, that鈥檚 what I was looking for.
While researching this over the last couple of days I鈥檓 pretty I came across that on a video from one of the Myth Busters who swears by it
While researching this over the last couple of days I鈥檓 pretty I came across that on a video from one of the Myth Busters who swears by it
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Canuck
路I took the initiative and contacted RePlateit with a question regarding the repair to the subject Omega case. Here is Peter鈥檚 reply.
Thank you for your interest in our services. We can definitely repair and fill stainless steel cases, however we will need a clear picture of the case to be repaired in order to be able to give you more details.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.
So let鈥檚 cut to the chase. For Heaven鈥檚 sake, send them a picture of the pit and see what they say!
Thank you for your interest in our services. We can definitely repair and fill stainless steel cases, however we will need a clear picture of the case to be repaired in order to be able to give you more details.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.
So let鈥檚 cut to the chase. For Heaven鈥檚 sake, send them a picture of the pit and see what they say!
