18 months later: nice to be back

**Lowejackson** · 11-27-2007, 02:49 PM

After my 18 month sabbatical from Autopia, it is nice to be back.

During this time I did think about this place but to many other things were happening. Over the last few months I have noticed an increase (in some UK forums) in conversations about detailing which either fell into brand X is the best product or `you need 10 different grades of polish` irrespective of the problem and no mention of evaluation or technique.

Within the first few minutes of looking at Autopia and without even logging in, I received a PM asking me about a product, so I took this as a positive sign and signed back into the forum.

Lots of new names but still many I remember `from the old days`.

I am sure there has been a lot of new ideas and products since I was last here so it might take me a while to get back up to speed. Anyway, it is nice to be back at what I consider to be one of the best forums

Steven

**Spilchy** · 11-27-2007, 03:35 PM

I saw your first post back the other day and it was so random! I too haven`t been around for a while; mainly reading rather than posting.

Anyway, glad to have you back.

**BigAl3** · 11-27-2007, 03:41 PM

welcome back steven

**Accumulator** · 11-27-2007, 07:51 PM

Lowejackson- Glad to see you back here :wavey

You too Spilchy, thought it`d take some chronometer thread to get you posting again

**Wasatch** · 11-27-2007, 08:07 PM

Welcome Back.

**Spilchy** · 11-28-2007, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Accumulator

You too Spilchy, thought it`d take some chronometer thread to get you posting again

Funny you mentioned. I just had a gorgeous vintage chronometer restored by a fabulous watchmaker (metallurgist by trade who does incredible gold restoration work) located in Oregon!!

**Pats300zx** · 11-28-2007, 11:49 AM

Welcome Back...you have been missed..

**Accumulator** · 11-28-2007, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Spilchy

Funny you mentioned...[had vintage watch restored]..!

Post it up

**Lowejackson** · 11-28-2007, 02:49 PM

Thanks for the welcome back messages.

Spilchy, time to post the picture of the restoration work

**Spilchy** · 11-28-2007, 04:17 PM

Ok guys. I`ll have it up soon. I`m getting ready to go out to a 5 course wine tasting dinner! :woohoo: Here are "before" shots that l will post below. I will take "after" shots later.

These are the "before" pictures. What you can`t appreciate is that the outer chapter on the dial has an iridescent look that changes in the light. I`ll try and capture in the "after" shots. I had the movement thoroughly disassembled, cleaned and lubricated. I had a new mainspring installed, NOS chrono pushers and a new glass crystal. It was also missing 4 screws in the movement which were replaced. The case took my watchmaker 5 days of hand sanding, polishing and silver soldering in all the scrapes and gouges which you see on the caseback (especially at the left lug where the band is attached). He then plated the back with 40 microns of 24k gold and the rest of the case with 30 microns. This is more gold than what was originally plated as you can read on the inside of the caseback He straightened the top lug which you can see is bent.

BEFORE

**Accumulator** · 11-28-2007, 05:25 PM

Spilchy- OOOOHHH...that`s nice! Start a thread when you get a chance.

Lowejackson- Sorry to lead this off-topic

**Lowejackson** · 11-29-2007, 03:44 PM

Accumulator, not off topic for me. Actually, this is a great example of why I really like it here. The opportunity to enjoy nice things. I know nothing about watches but even I can appreciate how fantastic the pictures are.

It must be very satisfying to be able to work on such intricate products.

But where are the `after` pictures.........

**Spilchy** · 11-29-2007, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Lowejackson

But where are the `after` pictures.........

They`re coming! I want to use my parent`s digital camera but my father has to download 463 images from their month long trip to Europe / Greek Isles and Turkey. The Euro killed them! Their camera has a *much* better picture quality than mine. Plus I just got back from my watchmaker a super rare Waltham made in 1928 that I`ll include too.