Let's get back to some horology and screw the social media BS. I have an interesting WWI trench watch and a great forum member and friend, @STANDY, generously gave me a shrapnel guard to try and fit to this old boy. The guard was flat from age and I purchased a case shaper, hoping I would be able to reshape the guard. My question is: should the guard rest on the crystal as it seems to want, or should the guard rest on the surrounding case as wear and tear would dictate? Might I add, where else would a friend gift a valuable piece to someone on the other side of the world with no questions asked and nothing expected in return? The answer is, Andy, @STANDY, on omegaforums!
Great question there UB...I have seen lots of pics of these but have not had the pleasure of holding one in the metal. I would think that it should rest on the case rather than damaging the crystal, which it is supposed to protect. Let's see what others say... I like the condition of your trench - not bad for a >100 y old watch!!
If it were meant for a bund strap, it could be the strap that keeps it clear of the crystal. Maybe a nato can work the same way, somehow. Just museing.
On the case Jimbo. Use the smallest dome that will fit the cage part and gently work it with a large dome hammer (if you have one). If it looks as if it will stress or break, try bonding an O-Ring to the inside periphery of the guard to rest on the case and raise the mesh above the crystal.
Funny that the second part of your response didn't show until I tried to reply! I like the o-ring thought as the guard seems to be nickel or tin and I am leery of bending too much. There are already cracks forming at the lug guards.
And don't clean it up too much Jim, I like the look of that lovely aged patina, suits the era that the watch is from.
I might be done, Jimbo! I think it's cool as is, I may gently try to shape it for symmetry and then keep my gorilla mitts off of it. The o-ring is a nice idea as it has a concave back to all the webbing.
It's valuable ? ....... Glad it worked out, great to see it in use and happy to help a friend out. Little things like this make this forum fun, as well as all the knowledge many have given over the years.
I’ve had a few of these (similar) in hand - should rest on the case, not the crystal. Most of the guards seem to be pretty malleable, so hopefully you can get it to conform without damage.