Is It A No-No?

[Cheaptrick]

I am just wondering what view watchmakers and hobbyist have on the idea of buying old watches which have say 17 jewel movements, then cleaning it all up and placing the movement in a brand new case which perhaps was not the original style for the watch?

 

Also perhaps a change of dial and hands etc.

 

Is this sacrilege?  

 

Or is this an acceptable idea?

 

I ask because I see many an old type watch on eBay that appears to have a decent movement but the watch as a whole seems tired and dated.

 

Am I wrong in thinking of this idea or does this already happen. 

 

 

[rogart63]

That is what people do with the Omega shom and the Seamaster 300 . They buy a 565 movement from and old Omega .Buy serviceparts from Cousinsuk or Ofrei . And build themself a new watch . Already happen is my answer . Thousands of times 

Edited May 20, 2015 by rogart63

[Cheaptrick]

The I feel better already thanks :woohoo-jumping-smiley-emoticon:

[mwilkes]

Totally in favour of it. Plenty of excellent movements out there in watches with worn out, and indeed hideous, dials and cases...

 

Think of it as 'upcycling' :-)

[ash145]

I picked up a Mido Chronometer at the weekend for not much more than old seiko money for the very same reason.It houses an ETA 2837 36000 bph offcially certified movement to 6 positions which was running 2 mins fast over 24hrs. Stripped cleaned and serviced and over the past 24hrs gained 0  and lost a mere 1 second.......1970's movement that is well worth re housing into a new case.

[Cheaptrick]

I am really glad to read that this crazy idea I had is alive and well thanks all appreciate the messages and love the 'upcycling' usage .

[Cheaptrick]

Also I have seen plenty of great watch tutorials but how do you go about cleaning a dial and the chronograph rings?

 

Is there a method or are these parts overlooked a bit?

 

Is there a good dial reseller that does unbranded dials, this is just another issue I cannot seem to find enough information about?

 

Any clues and links would be awesome thanks

[rogart63]

Depending on what movement you should use? Their are plenty dials on Ebay. Ofrei.com has a lot of unbranded dials too.

[Andyclient]

There are lots of good quality movements about at the moment due to people scrapping their gold cases. I have recased a few good quality former gold watches , I think it's nice to give them a new lease of life personally.

[Blacklab]

Totally acceptable, as long as you state this if you sell it.