When you think about it, all the parts comprising the movement are incredibly delicate and tiny. Even the bridges, even the rotor are small by most normal standards. Any sort of attempt to clean them manually is pretty much bound to screw them up, cosmetically. It's almost impossible to be accurate and light enough to do it. Which is why watchmakers use ultrasonic cleaning machines and handle everything with tweezers, not fingers. From the looks of this one somebody had a go at it who was not following the rules . . .
a mistake for sure-but at least they were smart enough to not continue after they saw what they had done...
I'm not convinced that the bridge is scratched up at all. It could be residue from a solution used in a prior cleaning attempt that wasn't properly removed. Or it could just be good, old-fashioned dirt that some tried to remove with their nail. The rest of the movement doesn't look too bad. gatorcpa
If you need another bridge let me know, I have one knocking about somewhere. Free of course. All I ask is you pay the post. Cheers Mick
thanks. unfortunately I didn't end up buying this watch. I thought i might put in a low bid if people here weren't to scathing about the bridge, but this morning it has alrady gone on ebay.