Wrist watch case repairs

024

This is the sort of case repair that comes to me. The whole case only weights 1.9 grams and the metal is about O.2O of a mm thick .

023

The 9ct easy solder has eaten into the bezel and left nothing substantial to work with.

watch-case-lugs-removed

The old lugs cut off to use again on the new center ring.

watch-case-gold-soldered

The new case soldered together.

watch-case-finished

That’s better!

This is a 9ct gold case from which I was asked to remove the engraving, as this devalues the case.

watch-case-before

Before refinishing and plating.

watch-case-after-polish-plating

After polishing and plating.

watch-case-poor-trench

This is a silver trench-style watch which I was asked to repair. The owner had taken it to have wider lugs added in order accommodate a bigger strap. Unfortunately the repairer cut the old lugs off without filling in the holes which resulted. He then soldered new lugs on and in the process managed to solder the hinge closed. As the hinge was not now working, he bent the case open to put the movement back in. The client was understandably upset.

watch-case-trench-repaired

This is the end result with the holes repaired, the hinge fixed and new lugs soldered on. Quite an improvement.

watch-case-brass-corrosion

We filled the case with hard silver solder and re-plated it. Result, one happy client.

watch-case-brass-plated

This is a brass wrist watch case with corrosion caused by skin. It has to be one of the worst examples of this I have ever seen.

watch-case-speedmaster-after

Using my PUK welder I infilled the engraving with stainless steel. I then refinished the back. I was very pleased with the result, but I realise I have just made the job sound much easier than it actually was!