Ilikewaches 29 Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) My buddy hit me up the other day and asked if I could refinish his Dad's 20 or so year old Breitling 2 tone Chronomat. He wore it daily for years and was no longer wearing it because it was so beat up. I said sure I'll give it a go, but no guarantees. Well it came out pretty good and his Dad is thrilled to wear his favorite watch again. Here are some before and after pics. Before After Edited January 31, 2023 by Ilikewaches 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Diluted 216 Posted January 31, 2023 Excellent work! Looks amazing afterward! What did his father do with the watch, use it to scrape barnacles off a Navy vessel? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCRich 13,747 Posted January 31, 2023 Very nice work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Villi_Morghulis 26 Posted January 31, 2023 Stunning result. Have you exchanged any parts, or just polished? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ilikewaches 29 Posted January 31, 2023 No parts were swapped just 6 hours of patience and polishing. Its running well. Glad you all like it. His Dad was so happy he called me personally. It was very satisfying to see it look good once more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wires 4,751 Posted January 31, 2023 Top effort Mate 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlexFelix 197 Posted January 31, 2023 That's a hell of a restore! You can feel the elbow grease! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rx4Time 1,472 Posted January 31, 2023 WOW That is an impressive before and after! I'd love to get more detailed info on what you did... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chainen 38 Posted January 31, 2023 Wow looks fantastic...Great work! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tribefan 6,768 Posted January 31, 2023 Beautiful, I'm sure to the owner that is better than a brand new watch. Superb work here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ilikewaches 29 Posted February 1, 2023 4 hours ago, Rx4Time said: WOW That is an impressive before and after! I'd love to get more detailed info on what you did... I don't have anything fancy. Masking tape to tape the gold off and crystal. A dremal tool with a polishing pad. Various blocks of jewelers rouge. Final finish with a cape cod cloth and then lastly one of those jewlers cloths called a fabulustre cloth. Gold was done last after the stainless looked good. Once the stainless was good I took the tape off the gold. I essentially did the bracelet in long sections with tape. Just take it slow is all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lmvfernandes 365 Posted February 1, 2023 Great job, would like to have that kind of skills 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 994 Posted February 1, 2023 Nice work! You just added about 2k in value to that watch. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
als86 5,278 Posted February 1, 2023 Wow that’s worth the effort to get those end results 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ilikewaches 29 Posted February 1, 2023 Really appreciate all the kind words. Happy to share with you all and get someone back a watch they enjoy once again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pihlippe 1,263 Posted February 1, 2023 Wow, nice work! I did the same on a 15 year old Certina, for my work colleague. He was so pleased that he lights up every time he sees me. Seeing people get so happy for so little.....money means nothing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moondustesp 136 Posted February 1, 2023 Looks great well done Share this post Link to post Share on other sites