Should I or shouldn't I?

Is there anything wrong with it? I might wait until there is a reason and then decide.

Not really. I know some purists say to not cosmetically rehab vintage, but it's not a family watch. That's not my grandpa's scratches or patina. Otherwise, I'd consider it sacrilege.

Get an estimate. Or two. This is your opportunity to find a reasonably priced watchmaker. I doubt they'll be more plentiful in the future.

Does it have any sentimental value for you?

Will it set, wind, and give you 24 hours of reasonably accurate time? If not, service it. The crystal looks to have some crazing, but nothing too terrible. That is a cheap fix.

There doesn't look to be a need for a full restoration. Lord knows, I wear worse.

None at all. I just love the ornate indices and lugs.

Oh, well that's different.

1. It's a Hamilton

2. It's your father's, which transcends whatever brand it is. I would be very selective about who touched that.

What I would give for my father's old watch. It was an old gold Timex on (likely) a Spiegel bracelet, but I wouldn't take rubies or gold for it. I want to tear apart my mother's home to look for it.

I have had the same dilemma myself. I have watches from both of my grandfathers and my dad. All three watches are scratched up and don't keep accurate times at all. But I can't bring myself to even polywatch them. Those are my heroes, and they lived, truly lived, with those watches. I wear my grandfathers watches on their birthdays mostly, just to remember and celebrate them. My dad is still kickin' so I really one wear his watch when I feel like it.

Ultimately, my vote is to keep it as is. It would be like trying to polish up a good memory. Not really needed.

@PoorMansRolex is correct; find a few local watchmakers. Get some estimates. Then decide. But I can't imagine that the movement in a Bulova (even a vintage one) would be expensive to service. (Unless you want the guy to tear down the movement completely, and give each component piece an ultrasonic cleaning.)

If it wasn't one I picked up online, I'd agree. It is only starting its tenure with me.

I agree with you. I think for now, maybe just changing the crystal is enough.

For the benefit of others, I'll state that fixed price factory service prices for luxury automatic watches are generally not the realm of a quick clean and oil of a basic hand-wind watch by a local jeweler. I'm paying in around a c-note to get things like this revived, often including a new crystal. If you haven't checked local pricing, you really can't make an informed decision.

God knows I wouldn't have paid $500+ to have a pin-lever pocket watch fixed, but I think it was $65 so it was a totally different story.

My approach is if I'm going to keep it I service it immediately even if it's running. Two reasons:

1. A watch can run even if all the lubrication has dried up. The parts will then wear and when it stops working will need replacing.

2. Vintage watch parts are already scarce and getting scarcer. Better to get any worn/damaged ones replaced now rather than in 5 or 10 years time as they may no longer be available.

If you're not planning on keeping it or only wearing it infrequently or don't care if it breaks, then skip the service and enjoy for as long as it lasts.

Looks really great as is. Maybe a little clean up, like Aurelian said, if it runs well, don’t bother. It will look even better with the era appropriate strap. Just not a Twistoflex, for those of us that remember those wrist hair removers.

Is the repair worth the cost to you? Once the watch stops working you still have the watch.

I hear that a lot, the anti-rehab position. Perhaps it's a good thing I don't plan on getting into vintage watches, I would be tempted to become an apostate. I love the design and styling of these vintage pieces, but I would love them more if they were in a state where they looked shiny and new.

I too have had this dilemma. My experience was: I received my father's 21st birthday watch from him, and it ticket to about 7 minutes fast per day. Dad said to get it serviced but I held off... until it twanged and didn't wind any more.

I took it to a reputable watch repair place in London, and I am so glad I did. They didn't polish it - just the crystal - and fixed the movement. I wish I had done it sooner as I now wear it much more!

My advice is, if it's meaningful to you and you can afford the service, get it done and maybe ask for the case not to be polished 👍

Maybe a couple hundred to service? It would be worth it.

Servicing a watch always means complete disassembly of the movement and giving it at least the centrifuge treatment in cleaning solutions, and an ultrasonic bath if needed. Otherwise, it's not servicing, it's a hatchet job.

What is there to restore? The dial's beautiful, just have the banged-up crystal replaced and the movement properly serviced. Please, don't commit the crime of redial on this one.

Oh, no. I think the dial is perfect. I want to have the movement serviced and a new crystal.

Point taken 😃👍

1. I wouldn’t charge more than 155-170 tops for the assumed overhaul. I have thousands of NOS parts for Bulova alone so the parts cost is mitigated drastically. Plus I have 5/6 parts pieces of the exact same model . Bulova has an amazing story close to unique in watchmaking lore as I’m sure you know

2. I hope you Choose wisely like Indy Looking for the “Grail” …. If you I can help you out please let me know!

3. Kyle

1. I wouldn’t charge more than 155-170 tops for the assumed overhaul. I have thousands of NOS parts for Bulova alone so the parts cost is mitigated drastically. Plus I have 5/6 parts pieces of the exact same model . Bulova has an amazing story close to unique in watchmaking lore as I’m sure you know

2. I hope you Choose wisely like Indy Looking for the “Grail” …. If you I can help you out please let me know!

3. Kyle

Leave it be, it's got character 😍