Re-plating: what metal is this?

[nickvon]

Hello all,

I picked up a 1940's chronograph (apparently) over the weekend at a watch fair. The case has seen much better days and is in need of re-plating.

Firstly, what kind of metal is this, it looks like pewter? I assume re-plating would be easy enough, although I imagine I'd need an expensive power supply along with various chemicals which is probably a nightmare to obtain in Switzerland.

Secondly, what metal would "stick"? I'm fairly confident nickel will work, what about gold?

I'm trying to find someone who might be able to do it for me in Geneva, but if it's not outrageously expensive/complicated, would anyone recommend giving it a go oneself?

Many thanks

Nick

 

[praezis]

14 minutes ago, nickvon said:

would anyone recommend giving it a go oneself?

No.
Go to a plating company, there should be many in a watch making area like Geneva.

They will know how to build up platings on your metal (zinc?) and can give good advice.

[mikepilk]

12 hours ago, nickvon said:

Firstly, what kind of metal is this, it looks like pewter?

The bezel is plated but is the case? It looks like solid metal that has faded.  

What does it say on the case back?

[AndyGSi]

It's not just the plating but all the prep work on the case before hand.

Depending on the watch will determine if it's a cost effective repair.

[nickvon]

2 hours ago, mikepilk said:

The bezel is plated but is the case? It looks like solid metal that has faded.  

What does it say on the case back?

The caseback looks to be stainless steel but doesn’t have any writing just a reference number of sorts. 

[mikepilk]

18 hours ago, nickvon said:

Firstly, what kind of metal is this, it looks like pewter? I assume re-plating would be easy enough, although I imagine I'd need an expensive power supply along with various chemicals

Are there any areas on the case where there is still what looks like plating? It just looks like solid tarnished metal from what I can see. If it was plated, it would still be intact between the lugs, and it doesn't look any different to the sides. It's odd that the bezel is a different colour. 

I would just try to polish it, and see how it comes out. 

Plating is not that difficult - though it is a bit of an art to get perfect results. Power supplies are not expensive, about the same as the chemicals you would need. I copper plate first, as it sticks to most metals, fills defects and forms a good base layer for whatever you plate on top -  nickel in my case. 

As @praezis suggests, if you want it plating, take it to a plating company for advice.