Hello I have just purchased a retired watchmakers estate. Within I found only one major gem, a UG tri-compax with the 481 movement and stainless steel case. The movement works but the case has soldered lugs and one is off and one is missing. Further, all the hands are missing and the crown. I am going to sell the watch but want to see the price to fix it first before deciding to sell as is or repaired. I know to stay away from dial restoration just responsible cleaning. Any advice is appreciated. I know some good watchmakers locally but they do not have parts nor experience fabricating a lug. Thanks again.

 

Post pictures for better guidance. These things are hard to judge by description alone

 

post pics please ....

 

And an indication of where you are.

 

Hello, I am in the USA. I love vintage timepieces and have worked on pocket watches for about the last 15 years. Now I have started to enter the wristwatch area of collecting.
Here are some pictures. As you can see it will need a crown, hands and one soldered lug manufactured and one resoldered. The balance is good. This was in a retired watchmakers shop that I purchased. He had been in business over 40 years. A real gem.

 

The watchmaker or the watch?

 

both...

 

Before you spend anything on this I think you need to do a realistic evaluation of what approach is going to bring you the most money. I don't have the answer, maybe others here would have a suggestion on how to part this out, vs doing a case repair, etc. Getting a complete set of hands, for you or the next buyer is going to be a total @#$&Y)@#$.

 

Is going to be a titanic effort to find all the missing parts and put it back in shape. Good luck with this project.

 

yah, I agree. I think I would part it out something like this...
-movement
-dial
-moonphase disc
-day disc
-month disc
-pushers
-case

 

Agreed. You could possibly generate more money and make happy a collector who was looking for spares.

 

I know a few good magicians.

 

I would part it out, maybe would try to restore if you both broken lugs ?
My opinion on this is that it is a restoration money pit !

 

thanks everyone for the advice. I had not considered parting it out but that might be the way to go. I found a watchmaker who said he can make the missing lug. speaking to him on Friday. We will see. Thanks again for sharing your advice!

 

good luck! would be nice to repair the case if not too expensive!

 

+1

 

Good luck!