jmb Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 I'm fairly happy about the way my vintage Tudor turned out but the dial just looked out of place in a nice new shiny case! Today I decided to attempt to rectify that issue. I don't belong to the "toss it out in the driveway and run over it with the truck for a few days" camp, rather I like an aged watch to look like a well cared for old watch with a nice crystal. Today I made attempt number one at putting some "dignified" age on the case and bracelet. I stuck a piece of duct tape over the crystal, put a heavy leather glove on my hand, put the watch onto my fist, and mashed the watch into a 5 gallon bucket of lathe chips so put some lite random scratching on the case and band. This bucket is full of mostly 303 stainless shavings. Since this swarf is about the same hardness as the case it doesn't gouge it, just leaves some light scratching. After the swarf treatment I then buffed the case with a green Scotch-Brite followed by 0000 steel wool. I think I've accomplished my goal of winding up with some light somewhat hard to see scratching and dulling down the overall sheen. The dial no longer looks out of place with this case and band, although I do think I'm going to dull the band a bit more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 I'm of the same mind set as you, J; I like my watches to look well cared for, but a little age and character never hurt anything... Since I don't have a bucket of lathe left overs and shavings to subject my watches to, my only course of action is to just wear my watch in just about everything and anything I do. Before long, it will accumulate wear on it's own (and if I'm of the mindset of wanting to keep something pristine and perfect, it seems as though it picks up scratches and the sort just that much easier ). If I want my watch to look really, really beat up, I just Mrs. Ubi wear it for a few hours... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkay Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 The case and bracelet really look the part, now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 Nice touch. And by the way, if you ever get tired of wearing it, you could fill that deeeeep rehaut with water and keep tetras in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianT Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 You always have some great ideas Justin, great job sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeJay Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 As always, nice work, bro Don't forget to give the top sides of the clasp, and the links of the bracelet which sit on the lower outside edge of your wrist a little extra buffing, just to highlight that they are the main 'contact points' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 Very cool idea J! I love it! It is definitely looking more like a proper match to that old dial! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 Nice! How about putting that watch in a big sack of the shavings and then running it in the clothes dryer for an hour? "Run it over with a truck". Pffffffft! Who would DO such a thing?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gran Posted April 30, 2010 Report Share Posted April 30, 2010 Nice! How about putting that watch in a big sack of the shavings and then running it in the clothes dryer for an hour? "Run it over with a truck". Pffffffft! Who would DO such a thing?! ..ultmate aging inded...knowing you the watch probably can tolerate it...and is there still snow on the ground? must be from Finland considering the tires on that thing... spring here in Fredrikstad, have removed 2 large containers worrth of branches from pruning the 14 fruit trees in my garden (mostly apple and pears), the early flowers came weeks ago but waiting for the first fruit trees to blossom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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