jackt

Hi, I regret to say that it a few years now since I purchased a watch from a dealer. I am in the process of chatting with a fairly new dealer regarding a Cartier watch and the colour of the dial. The dealer has provided a couple of pics of the watch and has obviously removed all the protective covering. From memory the dealer sends QC pics for approval. Is it normal for these to be of a watch in stock or fresh from a factory. I just cant remember the usual procedure of approval when buying. I reallly would appreciate a brief reminder of the process involved in buying a watch. TIA, jack.

Hi oldtools, many thanks for the info and link, most appreciated. jack

Hi, I am looking at getting a genuine vintage watch. The Lucite crystal is very badly scratched so I need to polish out the scratches or have it replaced. I have looked on the internet but info is limited. My question is, can scratches on lucite be polished out easily or should I get it replaced. Also is a repllacement expensive. TIA. jack

Hi Guys, I fear the vintage models just arent in demand so a waste of time for the factories to produce them. Its a shame there isnt even a homage to the Omega or any vintage watch come to that. I have looked on Aliexpress but couldnt find anything at present but shall look again. Perhaps we can all continue looking and if anyone comes across a good rep then post update on here. jack

Hi Kernow, thats a shame. Always plenty of modern stuff but no vintage. Perhaps there isnt the call for old replicas. jack

Hi, I do hope this is not a stupid question. I an quite into vintage genuine watches as well as replicas. My quest at the moment is to locate a replica of 1960s 34mm constellation watch. I have looked at several trusted dealers stock and mainly they have the modern seamaster. would anyone please know if a dealer supplies the vintage model. TIA. jack

Hi SSTEEL, Thanks for that. I tried wet & dry. polywatch, car paint scratch remover, tooth paste and eventually found a watchmaker who is making a new mineral crystal for €25.00. jack

Hi oldtools, I am most grateful to you for that list and appreciate your time and trouble. Looking at the list it seems the guys are in the US and Canada. I am in spain so postage and import duty would be expensive. I should be able to find a watchmaker in one of the main towns. Thank you again for all your help, regards jack

Hi guys, Many thanks for the info and advice. In trying to improve the look of the watch I have made it worse. I am sure that the crystal is not the original cos the dome is a lot lower than identical models I have seen. Who ever fitted the crystal did not sit it firmly around the dial cos some of the paste has got under the masking tape and under the edge of the crystal. I now have white paste inside the edge of the crystal. Only thing now is to find a watchmaker who will fit a new crystal and clean the edge of the dial. Isnt hindsight a wonderful thing as I could have got a new crystal fitted in the first place. Still gaind experience in polishing crystals. Thanks again for all your help, this really is a great forum.

Hi Guys, We learn something every day. The bead of water spead as soon as it hit the crystal and the tap test is plastic and not glass. Given that what might I use to remove the scratch.Thanks again. jack

Hi oldtools, thanks for coming back so quickly. I dont know which crystal I have other than nothing used thus far will shift the scratch. I think it must be the hardest crystal.

Hi, I have a scratch about 5mm long which I can feel with my fingernail. Local watchmaker says he cant polish it out cos its too deep. I mentioned about him fitting a new crystal but he wasnt interested. I have used Polywatch, Cape Cod, Vim, car paint scratch remover and toothpaste which have reduced the scratch but not removed it. I wonder whether wet and dry 1000 grade might remove the scratch and then I can polish off with Polywatch. I would very much appreciate advice please. TIA.

Hi SuperDanx, many thanks for the link. Unfortunately since brexit I cant purchase anything from the uk due to import duties coming into spain. jack

Hi swdivad, many thanks for that. I have had a look on his site and he certainly has some nice looking straps. Thanks again. jack

Hi, I usually get my straps from Thailand for about $30.00 and the quality is fantastic. I live in spain which is tightening up on import duties. Can you guys reco anyone who sells bands within europe please. thanks jack.

Hi Automatico, many thanks for such detailed info. jack

Hi, I am probably being thick but I cant find your email

Hi Freddy333, many thanks for the info, I shall seek out another watch repairer. jack

Hi, I have an old Raymond Weil watch which is in wonderful condition save for a smudge/finger print on the underside of the crystal. It is not obvious but I know it is there. I took the watch to a local watch repairer in spain who said the crystal cannot be cleaned and must be replaced. I am under the impression that it is a fairly easy job for watch repairers to cut a new crystal but why he cant clean the existing one is beyond me. The chances of buying a new one from Raymond Weil is remote as they probably no longer make the item. I think the watch is about 30 years old. May I ask you guys my best course of action please. thanks

Hi, I am awaiting delivery of a mid size s/s cartier tank solo. I propose to fit a genuine croc strap that I recently purchased from a strap maker in vietnam. I have small wrists so need to keep everything on a small scale. I want to purchase a deployant clasp but not the normal one fitted to cartier where the strap is folded inside. I want a standard single or double fold clasp with that when closed is not bulky. My strap has a very small hole through which the spring bar passes to attach to the buckle/deployant. This hole is only 1.2mm so the screw type spring bars on many clasps are too thick to pass through. Ideally I need to be able to use my own spring bar that came with the strap. Are you guys please able to reco a deployant clasp that will suit my needs. thanks jack.

Thanks very much guys. Jack

Hi, I live in spain and customs here have really tightened up. I have the names of sellers from China who ship to Europe via the uk. These are Time Shops, Puretime and trusty time. Narikaa is uk based and looks very good. Would any of you guys know of any other trusted dealers who will ship via the uk. Thanks Jack.

Hi, I am very new to this forum which is born out by my question.I want to purchase an Omega seamaster 300 007 so I have looked at the list of trusted dealers. What I can`t find are details of the dealers web sites so I can view their watches. I am sure I am missing something. Would a very patient member please assist me Thanks