Help Restoring Bulova Pocket Watch
As a committed Apple Watch wearer, I'm definitely out of my league here. This is my grandfather's pocket watch, and I'd like to restore it to as close to new condition as is practical. The watch still runs fine and seems to be in very good condition. There are a few mostly imperceptible scratches on the crystal, and there are bits of dirt and small debris on the dial. (I have no idea how they got there.) There is somewhat more wear visible in the seconds sub-dial. The rear case is completely blank on the outside.
I have two questions for folks more knowledgeable than me.
- Can anyone tell me anything about this watch? Or point me to more information on the Internet? Information such as approximately when it was manufactured and sold, etc.
- Any advice on getting it restored? Although I'm reasonably handy with small tools, I don't think I feel confident enough to tackle this myself. (But if it's a really easy job, don't hesitate to try and convince me otherwise.) Would this be trivial enough to trust my local jeweler / watch repair shop, or should I seek out a more specialized service? (I'm in Atlanta, GA USA if that makes a difference.)
Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions.
Loving watches of all kinds. Vintage and Modern. Luxury and Microbrand. Mechanical and Quartz, Smart Watches too. From Apple to Omega.
The first stop for any Bulova related question is mybulova.com . They have some information on pocket watches if you use the search function, although they are more of a wristwatch/movement database.
Atlanta should have enough watchmakers who can at least give you an estimate. Pocket watches are easier to work on than wristwatches, but I would not experiment with an heirloom piece. You also need exactly the right tools. Watch a few YouTube videos to give you a feel for the process. It will also given you information so that you can have a meaningful conversation with the watchmaker(s).
I wouldn't run it until it gets looked at. That subsecond looks like it is dragging and damaging the dial.
(I am going to guess 1945-55. The numerals look at bit like those used on "Engineer" models. It's no fun if you don't guess.)
If they crystal is acrylic, polishing the scratches out is surprisingly easy.
Plenty of YouTube videos on it, but I use 2000 grit sandpaper in a circular motion over the entire thing for a minute or two, then 3000 grit in the same fashion for the same amount of time. Then, take a microfiber cloth (like you're get with eyeglasses) and - I'm serious here - toothpaste (not gel, and make sure it doesn't have any flavor crystals and whatnot). Put a pea-sized bit on the crystal, and polish in a circular motion for a couple minutes (adding more as necessary). Use a clean part of the microfiber cloth, get it wet, and wipe all the toothpaste off.
Voila, pretty crystal again. Repeat as necessary to remove all the scratches.
Of course, you can always have a brand new one fitted, but that one looks totally salvageable to me. I've certainly brought worse back using the above method (see my posts about my Wesclox, which was way worse).
Pocket watches are a wonderful way to keep the memory of a loved one. I have two from my grandfather on display from my wifes side and we wind and set it both watches all the time. We placed their picture next to the watches and my wife smiles as she tends the watches in memory of her grandparents. Ill have to post some of them sometime.