Making a Silk Purse out of a Sows Ear Challenge

[Waggy]

There is an old Scottish saying that:

"You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"

Meaning that you can’t create a fine product from inferior materials. However, and just for a bit of fun, I would like to challenge all of you to show your before and after shots of the worst condition watch (swo's ear) that you have taken to a beautifully restored working watch (silk purse), and/or a current or most recent project you are working on that would qualify.

To kick things off, here is my best example (to date).

OK, your turn.....

Edited August 23, 2023 by Waggy
Typo

[rehajm]

ooooh- challenge accepted! Though I will place myself in the running for a participant trophy only and not part of the competition since I don't do case work, you folks are far better at me sourcing 404s and the vast majority of my achievements are making non runners slightly cleaner timekeeping runners. A couple of candidates...

 

...I will say however you have much work ahead as I have recently observed the work of an elderly Chinese gentleman who pulled a badly damaged Rolex from the mud of the Yangtze and using only a terry cloth towel, a rat tail file and whatever the Mandarin word for elbow grease is, transformed that mess into a gem worthy of Watches of Knightsbridge.  I wish you all bon chance... 

Edited August 23, 2023 by rehajm

[Waggy]

1 hour ago, rehajm said:

you have much work ahead as I have recently observed the work of an elderly Chinese gentleman who pulled a badly damaged Rolex from the mud of the Yangtze and using only a terry cloth towel, a rat tail file and whatever the Mandarin word for elbow grease is, transform that mess into a gem worthy of Watches of Knightsbridge

ha ha if only we could live up to his standard and learn from his teachings

[oldhippy]

I didn't know it was  Scottish. We say the same thing down here in Devon and Dorset where I used to live. 

[RichardHarris123]

Mythbusters proved that it is possible to polish a turd and have a lead balloon float. 

[Galilea]

1 minute ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Mythbusters proved that it is possible to polish a turd and have a lead balloon float. 

You're lying, no they didn't! Did they?

[RichardHarris123]

10 minutes ago, Galilea said:

You're lying, no they didn't! Did they?

Look it up.

[Galilea]

7 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Look it up.

10-4, or you could just tell me. Did you see the one where they took a foam head, like from a wig, and sent it down into the Mariana trench? That thing came back intact, and perfectly shaped, but miniature!

About this sort-of-contest, @Waggy, I assume they have to run when done, not just look great? I have options either way.

[Waggy]

I took it as a given that they would end up being runners, but hadn't really thought about it much more than that.