Every vintage watch tells a story

[rduckwor]

Vintage watches tell stories.  They are written in the dents, dings, scratches and wear marks we see on them.  I try not to alter the story anymore than necessary when I restore  them.  Sometimes it can't be helped.  To wit:  this old Wittnauer 73 Revue.  The dial was just too far gone, so I stripped it and gave it a little polish and there was a beautiful gold dial hiding under the paint.  The watch value wasn't sufficient to merit a dial restoration, so I just left it alone.  Either you like it or you don't, but it stays.  Sort of a "Stealth Gold".

The other is a beautiful old Elgin 18/0 484 that I am restoring for my oldest son.  Hopefully he will wear it occasionally instead of the electronic monstrosity he currently wears as a daily.  Maybe for those special dress-up affairs.

 

RMD

[watchweasol]

Hi   Nice jobs one can get over enthusiastic with the (restoration) I like to leave them with the marks they gained in life That IS the story. Restored to as new condition, well thats like triggers broom  iTS HAD SIX NEW HEADS AND 4 NEW SHAFTS still the same old broom !!

[yankeedog]

New watches? Either they are so hideous that an alligator wouldn't eat one,or they are electronic toys that happen to tell the time.

[watchweasol]

Hi  I agree with Yankeedog the elegance has gone from watches these days for the sake of great chunky things, no longer the clean and simple lines of old.

[stevew]

I also agree, old watches or pocket watches, had that charm and look. Plain but elegant. And the skill gone into making them requires as it gets older.

[Nucejoe]

1 hour ago, yankeedog said:

New watches? Either they are so hideous that an alligator wouldn't eat one,or they are electronic toys that happen to tell the time.

Ha ha ha, 

[bobo383]

Very nice!


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[rduckwor]

A few more done and ready for a new wrist.  A Elgin Rose Gold Driver, and Elgin Pomeroy, and an Elgin Edgewater.

 

RMD

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 6, 2019 by rduckwor

[watchweasol]

Beautiful to look at and elegant on the wrist, works of art.