Why I rescue ladies models

[diveboy]

This is the 14k gold Model 877 with 15 jewels and originally sold for $110.

Heres how it arrived - yes thats lead solder on the bottom right... sure you've see it all before but for me, first time but I couldn't let that stop me buying it. 

I had a gold smith clean up the case and remove the lugs from another case and then went and saw a laser welder who attached the replacement lugs, I did the dial swap and case polish, then sewed up the ribbon band and the end result 

its currently 87 years old and hopefully will last another 87 years.

 

 

[noirrac1j]

dive boy you did a fantastic job. I always keep an eye out for a nice rebuild project, fortunately there is a biased interest, so ladies models often get looked over. Great job. One suggestion: PLEASE show the movement!

 

Regards,

JC

[Tmuir]

Nicely done!

I need to find some watches like that to keep the wife happy.

[diveboy]

It won't work!  Me wife steals my Lord Elgins all the time.  Rarely does she wear a ladies deco period watch and she's a deco nut, she loves them but they are too small for everyday wear.  That's a bonus for me as I restore them and don't have to worry about day to day wear. 

Here's the model 103 Madame Premet from the Parisienne line,  again,  restored from bare cases and the matching ribbons and clasps is how they would have been in store when they went on sale in 1928

[RyMoeller]

After my first I swore I'd never work on a women's watch movement again (too small).  You can't beat the prices though.  I bought a Seiko Hi-Beat automatic with day & date for $9 and an eighty year old Rolex for $45.  They clean up just as nice as a men's watch although the resale value may not be as good.  They do make good gifts though.

[Tmuir]

I really like the look of those watches.

I already have a silver lady's 1920s 'trench watch' style watch waiting for me to feel confident enough to service for my wife, but those are so much nicer

[noirrac1j]

18 hours ago, diveboy said:

It won't work!  Me wife steals my Lord Elgins all the time.  Rarely does she wear a ladies deco period watch and she's a deco nut, she loves them but they are too small for everyday wear.  That's a bonus for me as I restore them and don't have to worry about day to day wear. 

Here's the model 103 Madame Premet from the Parisienne line,  again,  restored from bare cases and the matching ribbons and clasps is how they would have been in store when they went on sale in 1928

Fantastic!

[noirrac1j]

My mom's 1961 Seamaster, which I just repaired a fallen hour marker on....Its a man's model but is ideal for her.