Vintage Watch Restoration

[boscoe]

When you get an old piece, do you restore or keep it as is?

I'm of the restoration school of thought - since I don't want to wear beat up or worn watches. Yeah, say what you will about history, scratches and stuff. But that's why they invented Botox.

I have restored my Tudors, my 1960 Omega Seamaster and my 1946 Concord (twice). I doubt I'd ever recoup the cost of the restorations if I sold (although Tudor prices have outpaced the cost of my watches and restorations) - but that's not the point.

It's fun bringing back watches to the glory they deserve.

What's your take on this?

[shimside11]

Well, you can restore old masters and old cars, and it enhances the value. But if you shine up an antique brass lamp you've just decreased the poor thing by $20,000

I get a kick from the Antiques Roadshow when some well intentioned owner is the victim of his own good intentions. "hmm...if you would have left the patina on this piece it would go for several million...now it's worth about 300 dollars". The next one on the block gets "with a bit of restoration, you could really increase the value at auction..."

Unless it is a 250 year old VC owned by Marie Antoinette's executioner, or Napoleon's stunt double, I say restore it.

We could easily get back into the "watches or art" thing (I won't go there). Watches are made to be worn. They are little machines designed to tell time, and if some snob thinks that the congealed oil in the balance increases the value of a watch, he should be dismissed out of hand.

Restore them, wear them, enjoy them!

[mgiraz]

I certainly get them like new from the inside out...Complete clean and oil....New crystal, new strap, polish the case....I have never yet re done a dial though. It would have to be very bad.