Gasworks does a stupid...
So...
Last year, through a series of polls, I worked with the WC community on a project to build a watch from readily available parts. It became known as "The Camel" with the origins of that monicker coming from the saying "A camel is a horse built by committee".
Despite what could have been a complete disaster, over the weeks we eventually built this...
Throughout, the intention was to auction it for charity. It subsequently raised £300 for Dementia Jersey. Thank you @angelos
That's the end of the good bit.
Shortly after, the WC legend who is @Aurelian was generous enough to donate this little chap...
...with a view to me refurbishing it and then auctioning it for charity. Brilliant. What could possibly go wrong? 😬
On arrival from the US of A I disassembled it and inspected the movement. Although it looked generally ok there was rust on the keyless works and the setting lever spring was corroded and very weak
I feared for it and it duly broke during disassembly.
That would need to be replaced but other than that it was fairly sound. All marvelous so far.
Then I came to the dial. Like so many things in life, the intentions were good...
I decided to clean it up a little bit. I usually use just water and very gentle use of a cleaning bud.. not a cotton bud, they're full of fibres... like All Bran. Occasionally I use a very mild detergent.
However, on this occasion, for reasons I still don't understand, I used pure alcohol. I'm not sure what, or even if, I was thinking... I had what can only be described as a brain fart.
I gently brushed the dial surface expecting just to remove any dust and loose grime. My mistake wasn't immediately apparent or I may have stopped. Instead, it took a few minutes for the alcohol to work its... err... magic. I watched in horror as the dial details... disappeared before my eyes.
🥺
There's nothing I can do to put this catastrophic c**k up right. It's a one way ticket to knackeredville.
Gasworks messed up 😞
Firstly, apologies to Aurelian for ruining a nice little watch, a great idea and a generous gift to charity. Sir, please forgive me.
Secondly, all tinkerers take heed. It is very easily done. Particularly if you're a numpty like me.
And lastly on this rather sorry subject, I have decided to auction off a Gasworks original to make up for my error. Not sure what yet, it'll be in the next few weeks.
Until next time, hopefully with more positive news.
😕
A self-confessed Seikophile who spends far too much time looking at bits of watches under a microscope. Probably the finest restorer of vintage Seikos in my house. https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/gasworks
To err is human...I'm sure Greg understood when you told him. We still appreciate what you do and have done. 👍
Hey don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re doing good work. It take a real man to own up to his mistakes. Aurelian is a good dude and I’m sure he understood. He unleashed a zombie hoard on us and we forgive him 🤣😂…though some of us still haven’t fully recovered from the experience.
Eyes up my man…looking forward to the charity auction. My wife might kill me but I can squeeze a couple more dollars out of my allowance this year🤣
No man is perfect, we all make mistakes!
Your intention was pure and good 👍🏻
Personally, I don’t think it’s a disaster. For starters, the print was already half gone before you received the watch. Second, the dial required a very aggressive cleaning to look remotely decent. In it’s original form, it was unlikely to generate much interest at auction, even for charity.
I think it was a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
You've gone this far why not go the whole hog and remove the rest of the text and get it as clean as you can. Could you put your own mark on the dial somehow?
I say auction it anyways. It was an honest mistake. God knows I've messed up plenty of dials "cleaning" them myself.
You've gone this far why not go the whole hog and remove the rest of the text and get it as clean as you can. Could you put your own mark on the dial somehow?
Thank you. You've given me something to think about. I may try create something a bit different. Phoenix from the flames as it were 🔥
Now it's worth even more! It's got that magic Gasworks / ETOH touch that will make vintage collectors swoon 😉
I would venture many of us have a trail of F ups when taking on projects, be it watches, cars, or homes.
I feel guilty about this whole thing. I may have chosen the wrong watch in the first place. I like @Waybe_6's idea.
To be clear, this was never a valuable watch. It had a run of the mill Swiss movement (@GasWorks what is it?) and it was cased for the affordable American market in the late 40's, or more likely, the early 1950's. It is small by contemporary standards, which will turn off many. Its redeeming qualities were those numerals and indices. In a time of copycat off the shelf parts this one somehow looked different. Also, the brand was unusual. Santa Fe was a maker of cheap pocket watches. There were the anti-Ball of the first half of the 20th century. Until I came across this, I had never seen another wristwatch bearing their name. If we get to the auctioning part I will sweeten the pot.
I feel guilty about this whole thing. I may have chosen the wrong watch in the first place. I like @Waybe_6's idea.
To be clear, this was never a valuable watch. It had a run of the mill Swiss movement (@GasWorks what is it?) and it was cased for the affordable American market in the late 40's, or more likely, the early 1950's. It is small by contemporary standards, which will turn off many. Its redeeming qualities were those numerals and indices. In a time of copycat off the shelf parts this one somehow looked different. Also, the brand was unusual. Santa Fe was a maker of cheap pocket watches. There were the anti-Ball of the first half of the 20th century. Until I came across this, I had never seen another wristwatch bearing their name. If we get to the auctioning part I will sweeten the pot.
There's no need for any guilt on your part. It was a relatively simple refurb that I messed up.
I will try and sort the dial and create something... interesting. I have some ideas 💡 😎
I can't actually remember the movement. It's got Accro written on it but I think they just assembled stuff. I'll dig it out later and have a look see
It's an AS (Schild) 1187.