Jump to content

How to deal with old gold plated case?


Recommended Posts

Hey guys. I just found this lovely Longines 817.

image.png.b763d4ef61fc4c84e3f721db2895d300.png

image.png.88a568b60e1f48b4d72adb7e487f8454.png

I love the dial but the original gold plated case is a little bit oxidized (I dont know if that is the case? Anyway it does not look shine), I dont know how to gold plate a case and I certainly wont do that. Polishing the case will ruining the gold color of the case and I'm not sure it's a brass case or a steel one. Does anyone know how can I restore the case? I dont need it to be super shine and sharp. I want to keep the 'vintage' look of it but I want it to look clean without dark brown color. Thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The bezel ring and the crown looks like they been gold plated but the rest of the case looks suspiciously like an alloy, maybe brass. You probably can see what the case are made of by popping the case back off and there Longines usually have the data stamped, must say I never seen that case style on an 817 before either.
Anyhow think the polishing cloth @Rocket suggests is the way to go with softer metals.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, HSL said:

The bezel ring and the crown looks like they been gold plated but the rest of the case looks suspiciously like an alloy, maybe brass. You probably can see what the case are made of by popping the case back off and there Longines usually have the data stamped, must say I never seen that case style on an 817 before either.
Anyhow think the polishing cloth @Rocket suggests is the way to go with softer metals.

Yeah will do. I just receive the item. The price is low. It only costs me $60. The movement it's real for sure, I didnt check the rest. However I dont think there's fake retro Longines. As for the case back reference number. It's 18892533. I think I will disassemble the case and deal with the bezel and the rest of the case respectively. For the brass parts I think some bushing and polishing should be OK?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a good clean and polish should be OK.
Your number is the serial number and inside the back you will then see a different number which is the case style.
The numbers looks like this.

1131 817 18k Gold (L817.4) 
1132 1 817 18k Gold (L817) 
4129 817 18k Gold-Plated (L817) 
4131 817 18k Gold-Plated (L817) 
6064 817 18k Gold (L817)

Inside your case back I think you should see the Longines logo and the numbers 4131 817.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a good clean and polish should be OK.
Your number is the serial number and inside the back you will then see a different number which is the case style.
The numbers looks like this.

1131 817 18k Gold (L817.4) 
1132 1 817 18k Gold (L817) 
4129 817 18k Gold-Plated (L817) 
4131 817 18k Gold-Plated (L817) 
6064 817 18k Gold (L817)
Inside your case back I think you should see the Longines logo and the numbers 4131 817.

it's 4131 3 817.


从我的 iPhone 发送,使用 Tapatalk
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Like losing Ranfft. That was a wake up call. We took his website for granted. Miss him terribly.  
    • Its 4 o'clock in the morning here in the Uk, i cant sleep, i dont sleep, not much ever really. My brain never shuts off to rest, I'm just a constant thinker, i have to be very tired to be able to sleep,  i guess eventually it will be my undoing and my health will suffer because of it I'm sure. But while I'm here i want to get as much out of life as i can, and give as much as i can, to help,maybe to make a difference to someone's life if that is within my capability,recent events have made that need even more clear to me. I'm not sure where I'm going with this or why i bring it up , or if its relevant to want i want to talk about its just in my head right now. What i do want to talk about is something thats been on my mind for ages. I like to be prepared,  I'm not fond of surprises because surprises take control away and i am a bit of a control freak at times. This forum, Our Forum if i can call it that, is here because of two reasons. The guy that created it and keeps it funded and the people that joined it.  Without either, it would not exist, and lets face it one day it won't ( I'm a realist and i talk about things others dont or who are afraid to in other words folk that dont particularly prepare for the inevitable). How many of us visit here regularly ?  How many among us almost depend on the forum as a way of socialising because they are stuck at home and how many of us has it become part of a daily routine to check in and see if they can offer advice or get help with something they are working on or just to have a chat and engage in some banter. The members here are in the thousands and thousands have disappeared over the years many had just a fleeting visit. But there are a good few of us that know each other quite well and visit regularly. I dont know about you but i wouldnt want to lose that communication with you all, in all honesty it has become an important part of that side of my life and helps to feed my passion for all things watches. Some of you may think differently and thats ok, some of may stop and think # what would i do " Without Our Forum " # 
    • Naptha appears to be a general name and its content can be varied depending upon what it's specific use is. Lighter fluid as an example can be light or heavier also with other ingredients to help it burn. Try sesrching for benzine ( as opposed to benzene which is linked to causing health issues ) . There are other fluids such as ethanol that you could try and also methylated sprirts, mostly ethanol with a small percentage of methanol added. Experiment with any new chemical to see how quickly schellac dissolves in its presence. I have tried a few things but hexane is not one of them, i understand it does evaporate very quickly.  Be sure sure to check out any safety data on chemicals you try. Toxicity of fumes and flash point information, ultrasonic machines can heat up fluids even without a heater function. And of course always ask here for personal opinions when trying a new substance. 
    • I have that set and really like it. I prefer that crystal holder over the one that came with my Bergeon claw tool and any time I use the claw I use this one instead of the Bergeon one, just an additional bonus with this tool.
    • Is the Roamer not a split stem? I'm confused on your how your case is put together. If it is a front loader where is it you are putting the case screws? I love me some Roamer, do you have any photos?
×
×
  • Create New...