Recent restoration of a Zodiac...
Aug 12, 2013 15:46:42 GMT -8
Groundhog66, cartshed, and 1 more like this
Post by donciccio on Aug 12, 2013 15:46:42 GMT -8
Not a Japanese watch I know , but here is a recent restoration I did for a customer.
Warning, picture heavy.
A customer came to me with this "Treasure Shop Zodiac Olympos" Automatic. I'm not too sure what the "Treasure Shop" on the dial has to do with anything , but its a cool watch nonetheless.
The watch needed to be serviced, new crystal, dial cleaned, second hand replaced and case refinish. The movement service didn't get photographed , but the other things did.
Here is the before shot.
First step was to strip it down.
After the movement was serviced the case was the next step. There was a glob of metal , possibly solder near the crown that had to be worked down so I broke out a fine metal file for the heavy work.
Its important to take your time when refinishing a case, there is nothing worse than detail lines that are forever erased by someone too eager to take their time.
The next step is taking a rubber sanding wheel to the same section that needed the extra attention. Its important not to linger too long because its easy to remove too much material and mess the whole case up.
I then did some more work with the metal file to hit a few other trouble spots and sharpen some of the detail lines that have lost a little of their edge.
Now the big imperfection is gone and we're looking good.
Next step is to take a rough grit to the whole case to get the deep scratches out, being careful not to stay in one spot for too long.
After the rough grit I polish by hand with a fine grit sandpaper to make things smooth and beautiful.
Next, on to the high speed buffer. This case originally was all high polished so no need to be mindful of any satin finishes.
First a touch of rouge.
Then give the case a once over. This rouge/wheel combo is more to get out the fine scratches and blemishes.
Once I'm satisfied with it I move on to a different rouge/wheel combo to give it shine.
I then place the case and case back in a heated ultrasonic bath and hit it with steam after half an hour.
After the steam.
Next step is the crystal replacement.
Digital caliper reading.
Dig the replacement out.
After that is installed the movement is put back in , new gasket for the caseback and we're back in business.
I planned on taking a better after shot with the band installed , but my customer came in before I could give her a proper photoshoot. Cell phone pics will have to do.
Thanks for reading and looking.
banana1.gif
Warning, picture heavy.
A customer came to me with this "Treasure Shop Zodiac Olympos" Automatic. I'm not too sure what the "Treasure Shop" on the dial has to do with anything , but its a cool watch nonetheless.
The watch needed to be serviced, new crystal, dial cleaned, second hand replaced and case refinish. The movement service didn't get photographed , but the other things did.
Here is the before shot.
First step was to strip it down.
After the movement was serviced the case was the next step. There was a glob of metal , possibly solder near the crown that had to be worked down so I broke out a fine metal file for the heavy work.
Its important to take your time when refinishing a case, there is nothing worse than detail lines that are forever erased by someone too eager to take their time.
The next step is taking a rubber sanding wheel to the same section that needed the extra attention. Its important not to linger too long because its easy to remove too much material and mess the whole case up.
I then did some more work with the metal file to hit a few other trouble spots and sharpen some of the detail lines that have lost a little of their edge.
Now the big imperfection is gone and we're looking good.
Next step is to take a rough grit to the whole case to get the deep scratches out, being careful not to stay in one spot for too long.
After the rough grit I polish by hand with a fine grit sandpaper to make things smooth and beautiful.
Next, on to the high speed buffer. This case originally was all high polished so no need to be mindful of any satin finishes.
First a touch of rouge.
Then give the case a once over. This rouge/wheel combo is more to get out the fine scratches and blemishes.
Once I'm satisfied with it I move on to a different rouge/wheel combo to give it shine.
I then place the case and case back in a heated ultrasonic bath and hit it with steam after half an hour.
After the steam.
Next step is the crystal replacement.
Digital caliper reading.
Dig the replacement out.
After that is installed the movement is put back in , new gasket for the caseback and we're back in business.
I planned on taking a better after shot with the band installed , but my customer came in before I could give her a proper photoshoot. Cell phone pics will have to do.
Thanks for reading and looking.
banana1.gif