SWIMMING WITH THE CROWN OUT = ;-(

[nzwatchdoctor]

I won this on a national auction last night.
 
This is why its good to check the crown before diving in


I'll be able to replace the movement without much trouble but where do I look for a dial and hands?


Paul  [size=78%] [/size]

[normdiaz]

Non-hacking model?  Or owner didn't check the time often?

[nzwatchdoctor]

Non-hacking model?  Or owner didn't check the time often?

Beats me but I hope to make a bundle on it   or a little $ at least.
Sad to see a beautiful watch in this condition.


Paul 

[nzwatchdoctor]

Good news on this.
I got the watch in the post yesterday and ripped into it.
The movement is toast but I've saved the TAG labeled coil cover.
The inside of the case / glass cleaned up well with my scratch brush.
The hands were stained etc. I might make them matt and I re lume them. I might just replace them as there are cheap enough ones out there.
The stem was broken but it came out of the crown ok.
The back of the dial was very rusty so I cleaned that off.


The very good news   the front of the dial cleaned up well with just my hanky and some spittle.
My photo is too dark but you'll probably get the idea.


I'm getting a very similar ETA 955 movement that will do the job.


I'm looking to have a very nice TAG Heuer in the next few weeks 


Paul 

[TheNeilo(AqualandKing)]

Good luck with the Renovation on that one.

[Hobbes]

Any updates after the weekend, Paul?

[nzwatchdoctor]

Any updates after the weekend, Paul?

Hi. Yeah, I won these today http://www.ebay.com/itm/230857012929?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I thought the original hands were a little too scratched to use.


I've stuck it in the safe until the movement & hands turn up.


I emailed the guy I got it off (he wanted to know). I don't think he's too pleased that it came up so well for me after me winning it for $75.50.


Paul 

[nzwatchdoctor]

All better.
Ok, some of you will have spotted that the dial is lacking the minute markers. Most came off with the imersion...the other ones I used thinners (as in car paint) and took them off.
Its not idea but hey, its a cool watch for not much coin.
 
 

[dad-the-diver]

   good jqb mate 

[Hobbes]

Great work, Paul, as you said a fantastic watch for a bargain price, all thanks to your own ingenuity!

 

[nzwatchdoctor]

Thanks guys 


I'm tempted to keep it....but I can't keep 'em all.

[thanapa]

Paul, fantastic job with the Tag! I had seen rust sticking to glass and becoming a pain to remove. Could you please show all the tools you used on this adventure?

Thanks from Kuala Lumpur!

[nzwatchdoctor]

Paul, fantastic job with the Tag! I had seen rust sticking to glass and becoming a pain to remove. Could you please show all the tools you used on this adventure?

Thanks from Kuala Lumpur!

Thanks
I'm a watchmaker by trade so have all the usual tools. Pegwood was good for getting the stain off the glass, spit and my hanky for getting the saltwater stains off the dial...

[Joe Horner]

Had a customer about 12 years back who did this on holiday with an 18k diamond bezel Rolex.  Sadly, he "only trusted us" with his watches so refused to let a local repairer do anything with it and left it 2 weeks till he got home.  End result was a complete write-off  of the movement and back to Rolex for  (very expensive) replacement! 

While the loyalty was appreciated, we couldn't help wondering why anyone would think leaving salt water in a watch for a few weeks was a good plan, or why anyone would swim with such a watch in the first place - just because you can doesn't mean you should! 

[nzwatchdoctor]

Had a customer about 12 years back who did this on holiday with an 18k diamond bezel Rolex.  Sadly, he "only trusted us" with his watches so refused to let a local repairer do anything with it and left it 2 weeks till he got home.  End result was a complete write-off  of the movement and back to Rolex for  (very expensive) replacement! 

While the loyalty was appreciated, we couldn't help wondering why anyone would think leaving salt water in a watch for a few weeks was a good plan, or why anyone would swim with such a watch in the first place - just because you can doesn't mean you should! 

Oh no, that is a worst case scenario


"why anyone would swim with such a watch in the first place - just because you can doesn't mean you should!"


I've recently water pressure tested and replaced seals on a really nice Omega auto for a guy who's had it for about 30 years. He's wanting to dive with it (he has in past years). Its got a screw down crown and tested ok but I advised him against it because its really a dress model and if it did get water in it would be so hard to get parts to put right.
Thankfully he's agreed and buying a 7002 off me

[nzwatchdoctor]

  Good news. I sold this watch tonight for $355     ($23 success fee come off that)

[Hobbes]

Good on ya, Paul, congratulations on a good sale! 

[Gerry.GEG]

Friend of mine had the identical TAG and he showered with the crown out and ruined the movt.

$180 later. ouch.

[nzwatchdoctor]

Friend of mine had the identical TAG and he showered with the crown out and ruined the movt.

$180 later. ouch.

Yek, getting 'real' TAG bits is an expensive exercise 

[Gerry.GEG]

Yep,

He was the type to take it into Ben Bridge (which I think is where he actually took it) and told them to fix it.

Yes sir, $180 please and can we sell you another quartz watch for $1500? Thank you very much. 

Yek, getting 'real' TAG bits is an expensive exercise 

[nzwatchdoctor]

You did a great job  congratulations


Did the watch works perfectly now?

See my post about it going well and that I've sold it.