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lavaman · 13 June 2013, 12:53 PM

So, I recently had my beloved TAG "restored"....that is, new hands, new crown, full service and pressure check, et cetera. This watch was first nice watch I ever bought, my college class ring if you will from nearly 20 years ago

Anyway, I stopped short of replacing the bezel, which has begun to fade after years of constant abuse (ex LEO/FF, triathlons, world travel, you get the idea). I also held off replacing the face (lume is shot, but oh well, as I recall it faded after a year or so when it was new)

the Q:

when "restoring" an old love, do you find yourself leaving the scratches and nicks in place? or do you want them taken out? Are these scars really evidence of past adventures, or the watch equivalent of laugh lines and cottage cheese thighs you'd just assume weren't seen in public?

(I am reminded of the proverbial grandfather's axe: I don't want to throw it out, but if it's had the handle and the blade replaced, is it still my grand dad's axe?)

Chainring · 13 June 2013, 12:59 PM

Personally I wouldn't change it just for nostalgia reasons. If none of that means anything to you, then freshen her up.

DJJon · 13 June 2013, 01:09 PM

Do what's right by you. Who cares about the resale value unless you plan to sell it, in which case go ahead and sell it unrestored and maximize your profit.

I have watches that I prize for their original condition, complete with patina and life marks. On most others I replace the crystal/bezel/crown/etc as need to erase the sins of prior mistakes by prior owners. If that makes them go down slightly in value, I don't care since I wear them and they look good to me.

Walton · 13 June 2013, 01:27 PM

I have fond memories of my wife, but I would gladly "freshen her up" to look like she did 20 years ago...

That said, if the dings are just "desk diving" dings then I wouldn't hesitate to fix them...if there is a story behind them I would leave them...

Widows Son · 13 June 2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walton

I have fond memories of my wife, but I would gladly "freshen her up" to look like she did 20 years ago...

That said, if the dings are just "desk diving" dings then I wouldn't hesitate to fix them...if there is a story behind them I would leave them...

Ouch!!! If the warden reads this, I'd suggest you sleep with one eye open tonight.

ecsub44 · 13 June 2013, 02:25 PM

Let's see a pic.

77T · 13 June 2013, 02:37 PM

Having done a similar project with my first Omega from 1960's, I made the insides work like new and left the case alone. Of course polished scratches out of original acrylic crystal.

Bangel · 13 June 2013, 06:52 PM

I have given your question considerable thought, trying to put myself in your shoes.

My first reaction was to leave the scratches and nicks in place. Having "college class ring" status is the principal factor in my thinking that way, complete with sentimental visions of the watch eventually showing all the marks of time from your lifetime of wear.

Then I thought some more.

I know car analogies are not quite apt (and probably elicit a groan), but here it goes anyway. I was thinking that I "love" my old car and that I have romantic visions of keeping it "forever." In this case, when it was dented, did I leave them be? The answer is an emphatic no. I take pride in the external appearance of my car and like it looking pristine. This stance is of course completely different to what I said above.

In all, I'd probably stick with my first instinct and rationalise that cars and watches aren't quite the same....

So, if it were me, I'd leave the scratches and nicks on your watch.

Apologies for the lengthy, rambling post!

bcacncnc · 13 June 2013, 08:10 PM

I'm was in a similar situation. My Tag was also my first nice watch and was a gift from the mother in law. Anyway after about 10 years of neglect, the hour and minutes hand started getting "crusty", no lume etc., dial also In the end, I had it fully restored - basically did whatever they suggested, including polishing, gaskets etc. And I am fine with that.

FeelingTheBlues · 13 June 2013, 09:03 PM

It would personally mean much more to me to see the watch aging with me. If you want my honest opinion I wouldn't have changed anything in the watch (unless a part of the movement is broken but that's another story...after all, you want the watch to work don't you?

) even if they look old. To me a service and a good cleaning is a great thing to do but changing parts of the case or the dial (unless they really affect how the watch works) is something I'd rather avoid.

GradyPhilpott · 13 June 2013, 09:42 PM

If you have a watch polished, you'll just start to collect new scratches and dings in place of the old scratches and dings.

If you keep the old scratches and dings, they will help camouflage the new scratches and dings.

lavaman · 13 June 2013, 10:33 PM

I did elect to hold off having Tourneau replace bezel and face until I saw the results of their cleaning. On my Breitling they took what was already a watch in remarkable condition (THANK YOU 2THDR) and turned it into Angelina Jolie in an LBD...

I was reminded of a friend of mine's signature: Scars are like tattoos with better stories

I did have them replace the hands because the lume had fallen out of one of them and you could see through the metalwork

as ever, thanks for the kind and insightful replies. I am trending toward Grady's idea

PS, Walton did I mention I am a divorce and criminal defense attorney? :-)

watch watcher · 14 June 2013, 12:50 AM

I had my late father's 1952 Omega polished, restored, even re-dialed with a different color. No regrets whatsoever.

yessir69 · 14 June 2013, 01:19 AM

I have a similar watch (Tag) from 1995. Bought it when I passed the bar. I had it restored by Tag, including the bezel, and I have no regrets. Here's the after picture. The before picture would have probably broken the camera.

andromeda160 · 14 June 2013, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yessir69

I have a similar watch (Tag) from 1995. Bought it when I passed the bar. I had it restored by Tag, including the bezel, and I have no regrets. Here's the after picture. The before picture would have probably broken the camera.

I can never seem to pass the bar, always get sucked into grabbing a beer =D

sierra11b · 14 June 2013, 01:35 AM

If you're asking this question I would leave it be. This is why you have other prettier watches.

lavaman · 14 June 2013, 02:44 AM

Funny, I had never thought about having the dial and bezel changed. It was blue, which I was never that crazy about.

13 June 2013, 12:53 PM	#1
lavaman Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Airport Watch: what happens next Posts: 1,942	Restore or leave it? A q for all watch lovers So, I recently had my beloved TAG "restored"....that is, new hands, new crown, full service and pressure check, et cetera. This watch was first nice watch I ever bought, my college class ring if you will from nearly 20 years ago Anyway, I stopped short of replacing the bezel, which has begun to fade after years of constant abuse (ex LEO/FF, triathlons, world travel, you get the idea). I also held off replacing the face (lume is shot, but oh well, as I recall it faded after a year or so when it was new) the Q: when "restoring" an old love, do you find yourself leaving the scratches and nicks in place? or do you want them taken out? Are these scars really evidence of past adventures, or the watch equivalent of laugh lines and cottage cheese thighs you'd just assume weren't seen in public? (I am reminded of the proverbial grandfather's axe: I don't want to throw it out, but if it's had the handle and the blade replaced, is it still my grand dad's axe?)

13 June 2013, 02:25 PM	#6
ecsub44 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: US Watch: Sub Posts: 3,175	Let's see a pic. __________________ *侘寂 -- wabi-sabi --* acceptance of transience and imperfection by finding beauty in that which is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete Commissioner of WEIRD POLICE , Badge # ecsub44

13 June 2013, 02:37 PM	#7
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,016	Having done a similar project with my first Omega from 1960's, I made the insides work like new and left the case alone. Of course polished scratches out of original acrylic crystal. __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

13 June 2013, 08:10 PM	#9
bcacncnc "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Bryan Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,577	I'm was in a similar situation. My Tag was also my first nice watch and was a gift from the mother in law. Anyway after about 10 years of neglect, the hour and minutes hand started getting "crusty", no lume etc., dial also In the end, I had it fully restored - basically did whatever they suggested, including polishing, gaskets etc. And I am fine with that. __________________ Omega Panerai Chopard Grand Seiko

13 June 2013, 09:03 PM	#10
FeelingTheBlues "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: Carl Location: Always moving Watch: If you wish... Posts: 22,039	It would personally mean much more to me to see the watch aging with me. If you want my honest opinion I wouldn't have changed anything in the watch (unless a part of the movement is broken but that's another story...after all, you want the watch to work don't you? ) even if they look old. To me a service and a good cleaning is a great thing to do but changing parts of the case or the dial (unless they really affect how the watch works) is something I'd rather avoid. __________________ Mon corps c'est un pays en guerre sur l'point d'finir, Le général de l'armée de terre s'attend au pire, J'ai faim, j'ai frette, je suis trop faible pour me lever debout, On va hisser le drapeau blanc un point c'est tout. - André Fortin

13 June 2013, 12:59 PM	#2
Chainring "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Real Name: Steve Location: Grand Junction CO Watch: A few, not enough. Posts: 1,725	Personally I wouldn't change it just for nostalgia reasons. If none of that means anything to you, then freshen her up.

13 June 2013, 01:09 PM	#3
DJJon "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Jon Location: USA Watch: DJ - Need Sub Bad Posts: 1,889	Do what's right by you. Who cares about the resale value unless you plan to sell it, in which case go ahead and sell it unrestored and maximize your profit. I have watches that I prize for their original condition, complete with patina and life marks. On most others I replace the crystal/bezel/crown/etc as need to erase the sins of prior mistakes by prior owners. If that makes them go down slightly in value, I don't care since I wear them and they look good to me.

13 June 2013, 01:27 PM	#4
Walton Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 134	I have fond memories of my wife, but I would gladly "freshen her up" to look like she did 20 years ago... That said, if the dings are just "desk diving" dings then I wouldn't hesitate to fix them...if there is a story behind them I would leave them...

13 June 2013, 06:52 PM	#8
Bangel "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Australia Watch: 116610LN Posts: 15,802	I have given your question considerable thought, trying to put myself in your shoes. My first reaction was to leave the scratches and nicks in place. Having "college class ring" status is the principal factor in my thinking that way, complete with sentimental visions of the watch eventually showing all the marks of time from your lifetime of wear. Then I thought some more. I know car analogies are not quite apt (and probably elicit a groan), but here it goes anyway. I was thinking that I "love" my old car and that I have romantic visions of keeping it "forever." In this case, when it was dented, did I leave them be? The answer is an emphatic no. I take pride in the external appearance of my car and like it looking pristine. This stance is of course completely different to what I said above. In all, I'd probably stick with my first instinct and rationalise that cars and watches aren't quite the same.... So, if it were me, I'd leave the scratches and nicks on your watch. Apologies for the lengthy, rambling post!

13 June 2013, 09:42 PM	#11
GradyPhilpott 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Mexico Watch: Seiko #SRK047 Posts: 34,460	If you have a watch polished, you'll just start to collect new scratches and dings in place of the old scratches and dings. If you keep the old scratches and dings, they will help camouflage the new scratches and dings. __________________ JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner

13 June 2013, 10:33 PM	#12
lavaman Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Airport Watch: what happens next Posts: 1,942	I did elect to hold off having Tourneau replace bezel and face until I saw the results of their cleaning. On my Breitling they took what was already a watch in remarkable condition (THANK YOU 2THDR) and turned it into Angelina Jolie in an LBD... I was reminded of a friend of mine's signature: Scars are like tattoos with better stories I did have them replace the hands because the lume had fallen out of one of them and you could see through the metalwork as ever, thanks for the kind and insightful replies. I am trending toward Grady's idea PS, Walton did I mention I am a divorce and criminal defense attorney? :-)

14 June 2013, 12:50 AM	#13
watch watcher "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: ME Watch: Vintages Posts: 565	I had my late father's 1952 Omega polished, restored, even re-dialed with a different color. No regrets whatsoever.

14 June 2013, 01:19 AM	#14
yessir69 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Kevin Location: Tornado Alley Posts: 3,289	I have a similar watch (Tag) from 1995. Bought it when I passed the bar. I had it restored by Tag, including the bezel, and I have no regrets. Here's the after picture. The before picture would have probably broken the camera. Attached Images

14 June 2013, 01:35 AM	#16
sierra11b "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Real Name: Eric Location: California Watch: MkXVIII, 3570.50 Posts: 1,966	If you're asking this question I would leave it be. This is why you have other prettier watches.

14 June 2013, 02:44 AM	#17
lavaman Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Airport Watch: what happens next Posts: 1,942	Funny, I had never thought about having the dial and bezel changed. It was blue, which I was never that crazy about.

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