Restoration

Our Restoration Process: A Story of Revival

Restoring a vintage watch is more than just a technical process – it’s a journey back in time. Our restoration begins with a thorough assessment, and from there, we perform a comprehensive service that includes the disassembly, cleaning, repair, and final testing of every single component. We are not just fixing watches; we are honoring the craftsmanship of a bygone era.

Movement: The Beating Heart

The movement is the soul of any watch, dictating its rhythm and life. Whether mechanical, automatic, or quartz, each movement that enters our workshop is treated with care. We start by fully disassembling the movement and then subject every part to an ultrasonic cleaning bath, ensuring every speck of dust and old oil is removed. Afterward, the gears, pivots, and escapements are lubricated with fine oils, ensuring they operate smoothly for years to come.

Key Services:

• Full Disassembly and Ultrasonic Cleaning
• Mainspring Replacement for renewed power
• Lubrication of pivots, gears, and escapements
• Jewels Inspection and Polishing
• Timing Calibration and Multi-position Accuracy Testing

No detail is overlooked as we regulate and adjust each component to ensure precise timekeeping. We restore your watch to its original rhythm, letting it once again keep perfect time with history.

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Dial: The Face of Time

The dial is the face of your watch, where elegance and function meet. Over time, dials can accumulate dirt, discoloration, and wear, but at The Vintage Wristwatch, we believe in retaining their unique character while restoring their beauty. Whether gently cleaning an original finish or performing a full restoration, we work with utmost delicacy to maintain the integrity of each timepiece.

Key Services:

• Gentle Dial Cleaning to restore clarity
• Dial Refinishing to correct fading or wear
• Reapplication of Logos and Markers
• Dial Feet Repair for secure attachment to the movement
• Lume Restoration or Preservation of Original Tritium

We honor the watch's original spirit, ensuring that every restored dial reflects the charm and uniqueness of the timepiece without erasing the history it carries.

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Hands: Precision in Motion

The hands of a vintage watch are more than just a means of telling time; they are often iconic elements of design. Whether worn with age or needing replacement, the hands are handled with precision. We polish, restore, or replace them, making sure they retain their elegance while functioning flawlessly.

Key Services:

• Polishing and Cleaning of Hands
• Hand Alignment for accurate time display
• Hand Replacement if required, ensuring authenticity
• Lume Reapplication on hands for enhanced visibility

We treat these delicate components with the respect they deserve, ensuring their smooth movement and timeless appearance.

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Crystal: A Window to the Past

The crystal protects the watch's dial, allowing the wearer to admire its beauty. Over time, crystals can become scratched or cracked, obscuring the view of the dial. We offer crystal replacement services using high-quality sapphire, acrylic, or mineral glass, ensuring clarity and durability while maintaining the vintage integrity of the watch.

Key Services:

• Crystal Polishing to remove scratches
• Crystal Replacement for cracked or damaged pieces
• Crystal Sealing for optimal water resistance
• Crystal Retaining Ring Adjustment for a secure fit

We make sure that your watch’s crystal is not just clear but also a fitting window to its enduring story.

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Case and Caseback: Protecting the Legacy

The watch case houses the movement, safeguarding the precision within. We meticulously clean, polish, and repair cases, ensuring that they not only look stunning but also protect your watch’s mechanical heart.

Key Services:

• Ultrasonic Case Cleaning
• Polishing to remove scratches and restore shine
• Crown Replacement for worn crowns
• Case Tube Replacement for proper crown function
• Gasket Replacement for water resistance
• Caseback Re-threading and Engraving Preservation

Your watch’s case, polished and restored, is more than just metal – it’s the shield that preserves the craftsmanship inside.

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Bracelet and Strap: Comfort Meets Style

The bracelet or strap is where the watch meets the wrist, and at The Vintage Wristwatch, we ensure that this connection is as comfortable as it is stylish. Whether your watch features a metal bracelet or a leather strap, we provide comprehensive cleaning, repair, and replacement services to ensure both comfort and authenticity.

Key Services:

• Bracelet Cleaning using ultrasonic technology
• Bracelet Stretch Repair to tighten worn links
• Clasp Repair for secure closure
• Spring Bar Replacement for safety and durability
• Strap Replacement with high-quality leather or metal options

We take pride in sourcing authentic materials and meticulously restoring every bracelet or strap, ensuring that your watch feels as good as it looks.

Water Resistance: Ready for the Elements

As part of our full-service restoration, we test and restore your watch’s water resistance. Whether a diver’s watch or a classic dress piece, we ensure that your timepiece is ready to face the elements while preserving its inner workings.

Key Services:

• Water Resistance Testing to industry standards
• Gasket Lubrication and Replacement
• Decompression Valve Inspection for dive watches

Your restored watch is protected from water, allowing you to enjoy it worry-free in any environment.

Final Inspection: Perfection Guaranteed

Before your watch is returned to you, it undergoes a final rigorous inspection. Every function is tested, from timekeeping accuracy to the performance of complications like the date and moonphase. Chronographs are checked for proper operation, and all seals are tested to confirm water resistance.

We guarantee that when your watch leaves our workshop, it is in excellent condition, performing as beautifully as it did when it first left the factory.

The Vintage Wristwatch: Where Time Stands Restored

At The Vintage Wristwatch, we are passionate about the preservation of history through the art of watch restoration. Every watch we restore becomes a testament to our dedication to craftsmanship, precision, and care. We take pride in helping these extraordinary timepieces continue their journey, ticking forward into the future with the same beauty and precision they had in the past.

Whether you’re restoring a family heirloom or adding to your collection, we treat your watch as if it were our own. Let us bring your vintage timepiece back to life.