2,628 Discussions and CommentsMember since Sept. 20, 2007
When I posted the Before & After photos of this restoration project You can't save them all, I promised to also post some additional photos. Here they are - shared, for the benefit of any new-comers to the forum and/or budding vintage collectors who are considering undertaking a restoration project.
Before one can begin to clean and restore, a proper assessment needs to be conducted to ascertain which parts need replacing etc.
Notice the broken mainspring that came out of the barrel housing as well as the decades of grime and grease build-up.
An interesting fact is that we can see here, that many of the parts / bridges are individually serialized with the last 3 digits of the movements serial number. So this Cal.57 bears the serial # 805841 and we find the number 841 engraved some of the other bridges and plates. This was probably done to help keep the parts together with the main plate. Remember, many of the bridges and plates were finished off and made to fit just right on the main plate, by the hands of master watch makers. So many critical parts were fitted and individual parts - "matched" to it's own movement.
The individual parts are hand cleaned and/or replaced where needed.
Some close up - here you can see each part cleaned up to it's former glory - all traces of rust removed etc.
Putting it all together again - on a nice and shiny main plate.
These are great projects to undertake, where one learns something new each and every time. Of course, a skilled and competent watch maker is needed and lot's of resourcefulness in searching for and locating replacement parts (even more watchmaking skill required, when a part cant be sourced and needs to be made from scratch.
For special pieces, and more valuable watches - I have mostly opted to send the watch back to "The Wizards of Schaffhausen" who have never failed to restore the watch back to it's former glory.
286 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 14, 2012Western,
Slovakia
These are the reports I like the most ! Thanks for sharing these picture, I can never have enough of such a likes. When one saves an old piece its like a celebration.
86 Discussions and CommentsMember since Oct. 12, 2012Torquay,
Australia
Great to see something like this, the question I have is where and how to start such a hobby? Obviously not learning the first steps on an ancient IWC?
1,870 Discussions and CommentsMember since Oct. 28, 2002
Great job Mark. I once tried to save a patient myself, but it was dead on the table. Still looking for a lost spring in my carpet. Luckely it wasn't a nice IWC.
5,025 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
Dr. Levinsohn, you saved another patient. You should be nominated for a Nobel Prize in Medicine? But please don't try to medically cure the IWC uhren-virus. Great report.
Before one can begin to clean and restore, a proper assessment needs to be conducted to ascertain which parts need replacing etc.
Notice the broken mainspring that came out of the barrel housing as well as the decades of grime and grease build-up.
An interesting fact is that we can see here, that many of the parts / bridges are individually serialized with the last 3 digits of the movements serial number. So this Cal.57 bears the serial # 805841 and we find the number 841 engraved some of the other bridges and plates. This was probably done to help keep the parts together with the main plate. Remember, many of the bridges and plates were finished off and made to fit just right on the main plate, by the hands of master watch makers. So many critical parts were fitted and individual parts - "matched" to it's own movement.
The individual parts are hand cleaned and/or replaced where needed.
Some close up - here you can see each part cleaned up to it's former glory - all traces of rust removed etc.
Putting it all together again - on a nice and shiny main plate.
These are great projects to undertake, where one learns something new each and every time. Of course, a skilled and competent watch maker is needed and lot's of resourcefulness in searching for and locating replacement parts (even more watchmaking skill required, when a part cant be sourced and needs to be made from scratch.
For special pieces, and more valuable watches - I have mostly opted to send the watch back to "The Wizards of Schaffhausen" who have never failed to restore the watch back to it's former glory.
Best regards
Mark
Last edited: 16 April, 2013 - 00:36
Best regards,
David
Kind regards,
Clemens
Anthony
Last edited: 17 March, 2013 - 01:17
Thanks for posting. I always say you have a great understanding of the details. This is just another good example.
Last edited: 25 April, 2013 - 11:45
MfG,
Roman
KM/WWW/Mk.11/666/3508/9239/322712/811/3531/5442/5448/PD etc.
Interesting view inside.
Regards
HEBE
Still looking for a lost spring in my carpet.
Luckely it wasn't a nice IWC.
tonny.berteloot@pandora.be
Bill
