Theduke.williams 1,047 Posted May 28, 2018 Hi Everyone, I was recently asked by a friend if I could replace a battery in his wifes watch, and also re-stick an index on the outside of the face. No Problem said I. Mistake 1 was when I started to do this watch after doing a 12 hr night shift, I was eager to find the size of the battery and order a spare. I removed the movement and decided to re-attach the index at the same time. Mistake 2 was deciding to use a drop of clear varnish to stick the index to the watch face. The varnish re-acted with the face, and fine blisters appeared Mistake 3 was deciding to try to wipe off the varnish, rather than letting it dry I'll let the result speak for itself! As you can see I've made a real pigs ear of this. What I need to know is if there's anyone on this site who can repair watch faces? I need to try to get it repaired as the watch has sentimental value. I am, of course, replacing the watch also, but I probably will not be able to find the same model / colour combination. Any help or suggestions (keep them polite please) will be gratefully received. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Logixa 8 Posted May 28, 2018 basically, your fucked. And I mean really really fucked.. This needs a dial restoration and that is a very hard thing to do and costs a lot of time and money. I think it may cost more than the actual watch. Dial restoration is a professionals job and only a few people in the world can do it good and are willing to do so. I don't think that there is anybody here on the forum that can restore that dial to its original condition. If you are lucky it can get somewhat close but it will never be the same. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 471 Posted May 28, 2018 Proper fucked... You might be able to find one on eBay you can use as a donor? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theduke.williams 1,047 Posted May 28, 2018 Pretty much what I thought. Luckily I've just been able to source an exact 1:1 copy - same model number. Expensive lesson to learn though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted May 28, 2018 That’s unfortunate mate At least you found a replacement watch Btw, local jewellers wouldn’t replace the crystal on my rep B&R123. Any chance I could send it to you for a repair job? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glaude 1,615 Posted May 28, 2018 4 hours ago, Thommo82 said: That’s unfortunate mate At least you found a replacement watch Btw, local jewellers wouldn’t replace the crystal on my rep B&R123. Any chance I could send it to you for a repair job? Glad to see you back ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theduke.williams 1,047 Posted May 28, 2018 6 hours ago, Thommo82 said: That’s unfortunate mate At least you found a replacement watch Btw, local jewellers wouldn’t replace the crystal on my rep B&R123. Any chance I could send it to you for a repair job? I guess my days of amateur tinkering are over. What seemed like a very simple fix, quickly degenerated into a disaster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxindebox 471 Posted May 28, 2018 5 minutes ago, Theduke.williams said: I guess my days of amateur tinkering are over. What seemed like a very simple fix, quickly degenerated into a disaster. That’s why I only tinker with... sorry , for myself Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunnyStarSystem 7,538 Posted May 28, 2018 This is basically how every watch job I've attempted to undertake has unfolded - thankfully they usually make a generous number of each watch so that replacements can be had. I've learned to stay far, far away from one-of-a-kind watches though. Looks like these are about $100 or so, a sting for sure, but not too nasty a sting. At least you had the courage to try! That counts for something in my book. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,304 Posted May 28, 2018 On my god, this is brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm going to bookmark this thread so I can come back to it whenever I'm having a bad day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Logixa 8 Posted May 28, 2018 14 minutes ago, Gingerbubba said: On my god, this is brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm going to bookmark this thread so I can come back to it whenever I'm having a bad day. You sir, are a sadist devil.. I like you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semperfi55 4,707 Posted May 28, 2018 Gosh, this really made my day Good effort for trying though! Never know when a straightforward job would go awry... Hope it all goes well eventually! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thommo82 1,397 Posted May 28, 2018 4 hours ago, Theduke.williams said: I guess my days of amateur tinkering are over. What seemed like a very simple fix, quickly degenerated into a disaster. I restored a vintage Bulova Snorkel, everything was perfect, but then I decided it wasn’t good enough and I wanted to change the crown. Managed to snap the stem off inside the watch and for the life of me I can’t get the little bastard to come out again! Poor thing has been a box queen since that day Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luxuracer 14 Posted May 28, 2018 14 minutes ago, Thommo82 said: 5 hours ago, Theduke.williams said: I guess my days of amateur tinkering are over. What seemed like a very simple fix, quickly degenerated into a disaster. I restored a vintage Bulova Snorkel, everything was perfect, but then I decided it wasn’t good enough and I wanted to change the crown. Managed to snap the stem off inside the watch and for the life of me I can’t get the little bastard to come out again! Poor thing has been a box queen since that day That's why ... I only mess with my A2813's ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikosaldente 630 Posted May 28, 2018 I guess Anthony you hadn't seen GenTLe's thread: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,510 Posted June 12, 2023 On 28/05/2018 at 10:16, Theduke.williams said: As you can see I've made a real pigs ear of this. What I need to know is if there's anyone on this site who can repair watch faces? I need to try to get it repaired as the watch has sentimental value. I am, of course, replacing the watch also, but I probably will not be able to find the same model / colour combination. Any help or suggestions (keep them polite please) will be gratefully received. No point to do anything to this watch, really. Unless you manage to find a spare (new) dial. Keep ANYTHING vaguely aggressive away from any dial. Also alcool sometimes can do that (thanks Toro for selling me a spare dial for my Linde Werdeling The One...), it depends from the dial paint used. Next time use a microscopic amount of UHU Endfest 300 to glue back the number. Did it many times by now. Some isopropyl alcool can remove the excess (providing it doesn't remove also the paint...). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,510 Posted June 12, 2023 On 28/05/2018 at 22:51, Thommo82 said: Poor thing has been a box queen since that day Sell it to me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,304 Posted June 12, 2023 Dude, you're replying to a 5 year old thread (and to a member who last logged in 18 months ago). Have you been on the Aperol again? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theduke.williams 1,047 Posted June 12, 2023 1 hour ago, TheOtherSpareGinger said: Dude, you're replying to a 5 year old thread (and to a member who last logged in 18 months ago). Have you been on the Aperol again? Agree this thread is 5 years old, but I posted it as a link in a thread that I started today;- I guess it's taken 5 years for my confidence to return after that disater. Asd for the fact that I last logged in 18 months ago! Really??? Just what is Aperol and how effective is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GingerApple 7,304 Posted June 12, 2023 35 minutes ago, Theduke.williams said: Agree this thread is 5 years old, but I posted it as a link in a thread that I started today;- Ahhhhh, that makes sense. 36 minutes ago, Theduke.williams said: Asd for the fact that I last logged in 18 months ago! Really??? Not you, Thommo, that massive Aussie twat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tribefan 6,768 Posted June 12, 2023 I'm thinking this should be pinned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,510 Posted June 13, 2023 11 hours ago, TheOtherSpareGinger said: Dude, you're replying to a 5 year old thread (and to a member who last logged in 18 months ago). Have you been on the Aperol again? LOL! Didn't notice I was brought here by a link in another OP's thread which was recent Well... Maybe that Bulova is still in a drawer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GenTLe 1,510 Posted June 13, 2023 9 hours ago, Theduke.williams said: Just what is Aperol and how effective is it? Look out for "Aperol spritz", once a beverage known only around Venezia and drank only from local fishermen, then Aperol was bought by Campari corporation and now it's known practically all over the world. But I prefer "Campari spritz" or "Negroni" as aperitif (a very common habit around here) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites