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Mattjames84 · 7 October 2016, 10:21 AM

I picked this up cheap and was wondering if I should restore it, or if it's actually worth restoring. I think it's circa 1968 but I could be wrong. Not much info on these square watches, iv only found 1 like it but the dial was a bit different

motoikkyu · 7 October 2016, 10:07 PM

Since you asked, I think it depends on what you mean by "restore". Would I throw $65 at this watch to make it work and keep time? Certainly. Would I have the front of the case replated by the team in Canada for $200? Probably not. Would I spring $25-35 for a new crystal? Why not?

Mattjames84 · 7 October 2016, 10:18 PM

Sorry, I meant restore meaning make it like new again. But then again I kinda like the shape it's in now, yeah it's beat up, but it's got character

offrdmania · 8 October 2016, 12:04 AM

If you plan to keep it and enjoy it then by all means make it new again. It isnt a desirable piece in the secondary market so the costs involved to make it new like will greatly out weight its value. Even once completed it will only be worth a fraction of what you put into it.

motoikkyu · 8 October 2016, 12:14 AM

Making it like new would involve painting the dial which most would advise against. You might want to take it on piece by piece. Polishing the crystal or getting a new crystal is the cheapest step, that will really let you see what it looks like. Getting it running seems like an obvious choice, but get an estimate first. I had a Speedking that had a wonderful dial, hands, and case, but the movement had been compromised by having the mainplate drilled out to accommodate an incorrect winding stem. I was very sad, but found a mainplate with the correct stem, and little else, for very little money in India, so I ended up with a great example for about what I would have paid for a great example on the spot (paid a little less, overall). It was very satisfying.

Mattjames84 · 8 October 2016, 12:26 AM

Yeah I think that's what I'll do, piece by piece. First I want to focus on getting it running and I'm thinking all it needs is a mainspring. Can anyone tell me the caliber this movement is so I can source parts? So far I need a mains spring and stem. Iv got plenty of crowns so I'm sure I can find one for a replacement

Mattjames84 · 8 October 2016, 12:31 AM

Obviously I like watches we don't see everyday and this is one of them so if iv got to spend a little more to get it the way I want it I suppose I don't mind

7 October 2016, 10:21 AM	#1
Mattjames84 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Connecticut Posts: 83	Should I restore this? 68 square tudor I picked this up cheap and was wondering if I should restore it, or if it's actually worth restoring. I think it's circa 1968 but I could be wrong. Not much info on these square watches, iv only found 1 like it but the dial was a bit different Attached Images

7 October 2016, 10:07 PM	#2
motoikkyu 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: PRJ Posts: 1,732	Since you asked, I think it depends on what you mean by "restore". Would I throw $65 at this watch to make it work and keep time? Certainly. Would I have the front of the case replated by the team in Canada for $200? Probably not. Would I spring $25-35 for a new crystal? Why not? __________________ "Do you like Breitling?" "I don't know, really, I've never been Breitled"

8 October 2016, 12:04 AM	#4
offrdmania 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Matt Location: Wine Country, Ca Posts: 5,998	If you plan to keep it and enjoy it then by all means make it new again. It isnt a desirable piece in the secondary market so the costs involved to make it new like will greatly out weight its value. Even once completed it will only be worth a fraction of what you put into it. __________________ TRF Member 11738

8 October 2016, 12:14 AM	#5
motoikkyu 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: PRJ Posts: 1,732	Making it like new would involve painting the dial which most would advise against. You might want to take it on piece by piece. Polishing the crystal or getting a new crystal is the cheapest step, that will really let you see what it looks like. Getting it running seems like an obvious choice, but get an estimate first. I had a Speedking that had a wonderful dial, hands, and case, but the movement had been compromised by having the mainplate drilled out to accommodate an incorrect winding stem. I was very sad, but found a mainplate with the correct stem, and little else, for very little money in India, so I ended up with a great example for about what I would have paid for a great example on the spot (paid a little less, overall). It was very satisfying. __________________ "Do you like Breitling?" "I don't know, really, I've never been Breitled"

7 October 2016, 10:18 PM	#3
Mattjames84 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Connecticut Posts: 83	Sorry, I meant restore meaning make it like new again. But then again I kinda like the shape it's in now, yeah it's beat up, but it's got character

8 October 2016, 12:26 AM	#6
Mattjames84 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Connecticut Posts: 83	Yeah I think that's what I'll do, piece by piece. First I want to focus on getting it running and I'm thinking all it needs is a mainspring. Can anyone tell me the caliber this movement is so I can source parts? So far I need a mains spring and stem. Iv got plenty of crowns so I'm sure I can find one for a replacement

8 October 2016, 12:31 AM	#7
Mattjames84 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Connecticut Posts: 83	Obviously I like watches we don't see everyday and this is one of them so if iv got to spend a little more to get it the way I want it I suppose I don't mind

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