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Nige Member

Nige

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Found a Silvana DH on eBay the other day in some obscure ex Russian state,and as I've wanted a German ww2 military watch for some time I thought I would take a chance,it was listed as not working and from the pictures I could see it was without its crown,post-849-0-55608100-1437598350_thumb.jpg on arrival I had quite a job removing the case back,and by the look of the scratches others had tried too.post-849-0-47940600-1437599285_thumb.jpg I don't think it had been removed in a long time and when removed I was pleased to find the movement complete albeit very dirty,post-849-0-94183900-1437599519_thumb.jpgwater had got in past the stem at some time and the dial was very dirty and moldy and the hands rusty,post-849-0-97326500-1437599768_thumb.jpg and the keyless work rusted solid,post-849-0-44510500-1437599916_thumb.jpg I stripped the watch down and all parts except keyless work were ok so set about cleaning.as I don't have a cleaning machine all was done by hand and I'm still learning as I go! In the areas on the bridges where the corrosion was worse the silver finish is worn away but that aside when reassembled the watch ran fine, post-849-0-88820500-1437600695_thumb.jpgpost-849-0-10811800-1437600861_thumb.jpg I then set about the dial with much trepidation,but after a gentle start found the dial to be very sound so a little more time and effort got a good result.post-849-0-75227200-1437601140_thumb.jpg before.post-849-0-28315700-1437601255_thumb.jpgand after.now the watch is reassembled and running fine but still needs the case repaired and rechromed and some more pics taken so more to follow,but as this watch only cost £18 with £5 postage I think I've done ok.

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Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

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Hi Nige, you've done exceedingly well to get it running and looking as good as it is. I would never have believed you could have salvaged the dial, what method did you use to clean it? The case is going to be a bit of a challenge too. You will have to silver solder a new bar in place before plating. I'm keen to see the finished result.

I hope our oracle Will chimes in with some history information.

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WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

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That's a great job, Nige - and, when it's finished completely, you'll have a watch worth many, many times what you paid for it. Those D-H watches from WW2 are much sought after. They're more or less the equivalent of our own A.T.P. or W.W.W. military watches - but possibly quite a bit rarer. Don't forget to show us the final product. How are the hands faring?

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Geo Distinguished Member

Geo

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Contrary to what I said earlier would you not be better to just have a new bar fitted to the case and leave it as is? You will wipe out the historic patina and probably de-value the watch in the process if you refinish it.

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WillFly Distinguished Member

WillFly

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Contrary to what I said earlier would you not be better to just have a new bar fitted to the case and leave it as is? You will wipe out the historic patina and probably de-value the watch in the process if you refinish it.

I think, on the whole, I'm with Geo on this one. I think it's perfectly acceptable to polish up and refinish a watch case with no actual historical value. WW1 and WW2 watches, in my opinion, have a story to tell - which is written in their physical condition, as it were, and I've never messed with mine. "Messed`' would be the word that would describe my efforts!

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Nige Member

Nige

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Hi all sorry took so long to reply,in answer to your question Geo,I cleaned the dial with "artists picture cleaner" from Windsor and Newton it's for cleaning old oil paintings as I paint a bit I came across it in an art shop and used it to clean a moon face dial before I restored it,the method I use is with a cotton bud and gently apply in a circular motion in a small area at a time,obviously check it first but I've done a few and had no problems, and as to the hands Will,they have come up ok but I've not gone to mad,I think your both right about the case and I won't rechrome it,

post-849-0-54295400-1437733934_thumb.jpg

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Nige Member

Nige

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Thanks for your kind words guys,all I need to do now then is fit a new bar,I don't know how silver solder is done so ill have to get my brother to do it,he's quite stacked out with work so i,'ll have to wait my turn,I'm looking forward to wearing it.

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Delroyb Watch Enthusiast

Delroyb

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First post on here, amazed it has taken me so long to find this forum. I will do a proper intro later, but just wanted to add a plus one recomendation for Adam Philips. Used him for the first time last week on a Breitling 181 case, very badly pitted and lost most of its chrome. Came back looking amazing and original not like it had been re-chromed! Will put a post covering that particular restoration up soon.

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