Replating 132.00019 Cal611 Case or Find Replacement?

squiffythewombat · Mar 28, 2023

Hey All,

Continuting my journey of learning to service and fix my own watches i've FINALLY found a watch with a nice waffle dial. The movement is a Cal. 611 which i'll be servicing shortly (any tips or things to watch out for would be great?!).

However the case is beaten; it's been polished so hard that there is very little of the plating remaining - my question is should I try and find somebody who can re-plate the case or admit defeat early on and find a replacement case?

From my understanding the Cal 611 is based on the 601 series so should be able to find something close?

As always i bow to this forums god-like knowledge on these vintage watches so any info, thoughts, or laughs would be great 😀

Thanks,
Toby

X350 XJR · Mar 28, 2023

https://www.replateit.com/

squiffythewombat · Mar 28, 2023

X350 XJR
https://www.replateit.com/

Interesting! I'm actually in the UK sadly. I was (wrongly?) assuming that i could take to most common platers and request a 20 micron covering or whatever?

(I'm aware that i need to be careful that the plating is even and not too thick so the case goes back together nicely - it's a blank back case, i assume for engraving but still blank).

Davidt · Mar 29, 2023

I think the issue with most jewellers doing it is the prep work. It’s relatively minor when rhodium plating a ring, but to get a good finish on a watch there’s a lot of prep work involved to get a good finish.
it might be worth talking to some uk watchmakers (WatchGuy, Mitka etc) to see if they have recommendations for case guys.

lucian23 · Mar 29, 2023

Maybe it's a job which involve some work time but before chasing for a new case i think you can try to plate it. I do not think it's easy to spot a new case in a NOS condition.

Canuck · Mar 29, 2023

Perhaps someone might jump in and let us know if they have ever had an object electroplated that resulted in a durable, wear resistant , long lasting result. I don’t know how the case would have been plated by Omega (or the case maker), but I am 99 44/100 % certain it was not simply electroplated. Let us know what you decide to do. Oh, and, the Omega movement you have chosen to service might prove to be a challenge, depending on what your watchmaking experience has been. Best of luck!

squiffythewombat · Mar 29, 2023

Thanks everyone - so i will 100% be reaching out to some people in the UK and see what they say. I'm more than happy to prep the watch for plating myself as thats not too hard but i certainly don't have the equipment to actually plate it myself haha.

I agree Canuck that Omega likely used a much more advanced process and the re-plating will likely not be as good / even / too thick etc.

I have two questions if possible?

1 - You mention this movement could be tricky to work on? May I ask why? Any pitfalls etc before i attempt it lol? (if i fail im lucky to have a good local watchmaker who can fix my mistakes). My experience is now four vintage watches serviced; mostly 60s swiss stuff.

2 - Is there a list of case numbers that will 100% fit this movement? I've been googling around but i'm sure my search terms suck or i'm looking in the wrong place. I don't mind a different case, just don't want me to be messing around making mounting plates or trying to put a square peg in a round hole.

Canuck · Mar 29, 2023

Pitfalls? Too numerous to mention! You’ll just have to find out for yourself. Take my word for it. This is not an easy movement to work on if you are new at watch repair. Local watchmaker? Can he source the parts that will be needed after it ends up on his bench. If he has to finish it for you, and if you find a way to refinish/replace the case, you’ll have spent more on it that it is worth.

squiffythewombat · Mar 29, 2023

Canuck
Pitfalls? Too numerous to mention! You’ll just have to find out for yourself. Take my word for it. This is not an easy movement to work on if you are new at watch repair. Local watchmaker? Can he source the parts that will be needed after it ends up on his bench. If he has to finish it for you, and if you find a way to refinish/replace the case, you’ll have spent more on it that it is worth.

Well for me this is a leanring hobby and that has an associated cost which is far cheaper than my other hobbies so if it costs more than the watch's worth I'm totally ok with that; i've have learnt more. I do believe we learn from our mistakes.

I've been watching a couple of youtube repairs on this series of movements and doesnt seem too bad, I'm sure there will be the odd new thing to come across haha!

Watchmaker is an Omega guy so has doners and of course i can order from Cousins etc.

Davidt · Mar 29, 2023

You won’t get much luck from Cousins unfortunately as Omega no longer supplies spares to parts houses.

squiffythewombat · Mar 29, 2023

Davidt
You won’t get much luck from Cousins unfortunately as Omega no longer supplies spares to parts houses.

yeah i had a look yesterday and there's a few bits and pieces but lots not available. Thankfully watch maker's got a few spares i believe 😀

sheepdoll · Mar 29, 2023

I purchased some materials to attempt some electroplating. Nickel welding rod and white distilled vinegar. Sort of waiting for it to warm and dry up a bit so I can use my sheshed/workshop.

When I was little Toys-R-Us sold electroplating kits. (and vulcanizing machines for making either creepy crawlies of costume jewlery.) It was also illegal to own gold (other than for jewlrey or industrial.) I think it was 35 bucks an ounce. Now it is illegal to own high proof alcohol (again.) Not sure the health of the kids was that much different in the 1960s than it is now in the 2020s.

There is plenty of stuff on YT and Instructables.

One mistake I made in the 1990s was not buying more cases. I bought movements. I often use the rule that if it was expensive then it will more likely hold value. (electronics excepted.) In a lot of ways I am finding that some of the less desirable stuff sells for about the same as it did 30 years ago.

There were a lot of cases scrapped when the regulations changed. So there are more movements than cases. I am still looking for a case for my 351 bumper automatic. Only been searching a month. I suspect this will be quite competitive.

I had 3 or 4 chrono cases and 8 or 9 movements. I did get a lot of chrono case parts. None are drop in replacements. The stuff out there seems quite picked over. I actually took a jewelers saw to a case today. So I can get the pusher to align.

This is the case I took the lathe to as the movement was a bit large. Most likely this case was for a Valjoux movement. I have landerons. There is a slight difference in the pusher angle and movement size. Curiously I keep getting cases for cheap what fit the Valjoux movements and offered as landeron. I only have two Valjouxs as they sell for 5 to 10 times the landeron.

Once the back and bezel are separated from the core, it is impossible (or really difficult) to know what sort of watch it goes to.

In the case of my butchered case I am going to need to sand off the plating, then solder back parts I removed so the plates I do have will fit.

The other issue was to get the new case cores, I also got more worn out plates. I am still on the fence as to which is more difficult, case work or hairspring work.

Anyway welcome to the club (One of the more exclusive ones.) I look forward to seeing the progress on this.

squiffythewombat · Mar 30, 2023

sheepdoll
I purchased some materials to attempt some electroplating. Nickel welding rod and white distilled vinegar. Sort of waiting for it to warm and dry up a bit so I can use my sheshed/workshop.

When I was little Toys-R-Us sold electroplating kits. (and vulcanizing machines for making either creepy crawlies of costume jewlery.) It was also illegal to own gold (other than for jewlrey or industrial.) I think it was 35 bucks an ounce. Now it is illegal to own high proof alcohol (again.) Not sure the health of the kids was that much different in the 1960s than it is now in the 2020s.

There is plenty of stuff on YT and Instructables.

One mistake I made in the 1990s was not buying more cases. I bought movements. I often use the rule that if it was expensive then it will more likely hold value. (electronics excepted.) In a lot of ways I am finding that some of the less desirable stuff sells for about the same as it did 30 years ago.

There were a lot of cases scrapped when the regulations changed. So there are more movements than cases. I am still looking for a case for my 351 bumper automatic. Only been searching a month. I suspect this will be quite competitive.

I had 3 or 4 chrono cases and 8 or 9 movements. I did get a lot of chrono case parts. None are drop in replacements. The stuff out there seems quite picked over. I actually took a jewelers saw to a case today. So I can get the pusher to align.

This is the case I took the lathe to as the movement was a bit large. Most likely this case was for a Valjoux movement. I have landerons. There is a slight difference in the pusher angle and movement size. Curiously I keep getting cases for cheap what fit the Valjoux movements and offered as landeron. I only have two Valjouxs as they sell for 5 to 10 times the landeron.

Once the back and bezel are separated from the core, it is impossible (or really difficult) to know what sort of watch it goes to.

In the case of my butchered case I am going to need to sand off the plating, then solder back parts I removed so the plates I do have will fit.

The other issue was to get the new case cores, I also got more worn out plates. I am still on the fence as to which is more difficult, case work or hairspring work.

Anyway welcome to the club (One of the more exclusive ones.) I look forward to seeing the progress on this.

Yeah ive just spoken to a really handy chap who explained, while he can do it, its REALLY quite simple (plating stainless, not brass) and that a kit would set me up for years to come so i spoke to a gent who sells the kits and hopefully have one coming next week. He talked me through the whole process and seems rather easy to be honest as long as one is somewhat used to working with metal. I'll update the thread on how i get on.

I've also found that several other cases which look super similar fit the movement and dial so thankfully ive some options while i work on the movement 😉

squiffythewombat · Jul 25, 2023

So to update this thread for anybody reading it:

Movement was serviced and to be honest was pretty simple, had to be careful with the tiny spring bar and sort a jewel out but was otherwise a treat to work on. Watch is now running nicely with 215amp and +2sec so happy with that.

Case - I ended up getting the plating kit - it's fun and really quite easy. One has to be sure to mirror polish the surface (SS) before even attempting plating. So a set of diamond polish and dremel does a pretty solid job. Then it's just a question of cleaning the part heavily with detergent and then running through the plating process (I bought a three stage set from a UK company - https://gsplating.co.uk/ - the dude was SUPER helpful, send instructions and all sorts of tips. I'm really happy with the results and have now replated several watches. I've got to the point that i choose to keep some of the heavier original scratches in and polish out the lighter ones to leave some patina in. If you're considering giving plating a go then you should try - for less than the price of a 70s Deville you can get the full kit with everything you need which will easily do 50+ watches with the solutions (some of them are somewhat reusable).

I'll try and post some pics of the watch this week.

Now to find me a decent crystal press and finally get the hang of fitting those pesky tension ring gits!

Replating 132.00019 Cal611 Case or Find Replacement?

squiffythewombat

X350 XJR

squiffythewombat

Davidt

lucian23

Canuck

squiffythewombat

Canuck

squiffythewombat

Davidt

squiffythewombat

sheepdoll

squiffythewombat

squiffythewombat

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