Pocketwatch Restoration

Professey Chin

Hi Guys

Thought this would be the best place to ask but feel free to move.

My father has an old pocketwatch Im pretty sure belonged to his grandfather originally. I dont really know any details about it besides the fact that its old, broken and beaten up. Could be an ancient heirloom or could be a flea market thing bought while drunk :pac:
I'd like to try and get it fixed and cleaned up a bit for him and I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations of place to get this done or at least looked at. Dublin would be great but I've no problems bringing it elsewhere.

Thanks!

Menas

Professey Chin wrote: »

Hi Guys

Thought this would be the best place to ask but feel free to move.

My father has an old pocketwatch Im pretty sure belonged to his grandfather originally. I dont really know any details about it besides the fact that its old, broken and beaten up. Could be an ancient heirloom or could be a flea market thing bought while drunk :pac:
I'd like to try and get it fixed and cleaned up a bit for him and I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations of place to get this done or at least looked at. Dublin would be great but I've no problems bringing it elsewhere.

Thanks!

Generally getting one of these old pocket watches restored will cost more than the value of the watch, but what cost when sentiment is involved?

There are some places around that could help, but this is not going to be cheap.
Looking at the movement first.
Just a simple service on the movement will cost about €100.
If there are parts needed the price goes up...assuming the parts can be sourced.

Then you have the case and dial. A clean up here would not be too bad. But if the crystal is broken or cracked you are adding cost. I have replaced a few crystals myself and they can be inexpensive if the size is pretty standard.
If the case is dented then that will be hard to rectify properly. But a good professional polish can sort out any scratches assuming that the case is not decoratively etched.
If the dial or hands are badly damaged then you will need to get lucky to get a replacement

As to who can do this? I dont have any recommendations - Google is your friend. But get a quote before you allow anyone to start work.

CarltonBrowne

It would also be quite handy if you could take some pictures and post them here. Partly just to satisfy our curiosity but it might also lead to some useful advice. Maybe.

Professey Chin

I'll get some pics and throw them up. Cheers guys.
Definitely be a very expensive job thinking of the condition of it :pac:

Professey Chin

Finally remembered to upload pics. Told ye it was pretty beaten up :pac:

http://imgur.com/a/Ua9i5

Wibbs

That's a nice looking watch PC. And doesnt look too beaten up to me TBH. Pity no pics of the "engine". It looks early enough to me, key wound anyway. Well worth restoring IMHO.

Professey Chin

I've absolutely no idea how to even open it up.
Ill have to take a look next time Im home

Menas

I would agree with Wibbs, there are no dents in the metal work that I can see and some time in an untrasonic cleaner and a good polish would bring that case nicely back to life.
You seem to be missing on of the hands. If the movement is not an unusual one then that is solvable.

The crystal looks very yellowed and is separated from the movement but replacing it is not an expensive job TBH.

And finally, the movement, would love to see a pic of it. But if you dont know how to open it (with a knife) then dont chance it- too much risk of scratching the case.

I would definitely get the watch looked at and get a quote.

Your watch does seem very similar to one I inherited. Pics below.