If you would like to buy a T-Shirt then please click this link (thanks for your support) If you would like to look at my T-Shirts then please look here: teespring.com/stores/my-retro-watches If you would like to purchase any tools & equipment then please see my Amazon affiliate page here: Link: Link: myretrowatches.com/tool-sale-links/ I do earn a small commission from any sales. Thank you.
Thanks. That is the hard part I guess but I am just trying to show what anyone of you can achieve and its nice to give back to my subscribers. You all tune in and enjoy my content so why not. This is my second giveaway first beiny earlier in the year for 1000 subs. That watch required a bit less work...
Wow, Mike. You have a lot of persistence and patience. I quite like the cutaways where we get to see hours of work happen in a scene cut. Makes it feel a bit magical. Looking forward to the next episode.
Even if you end up completing the watch and giving it away at 10k subs then thats absolutely fine as thats how long it takes to produce quality videos such as this one, you're the one restoring the watch and giving it away as a nice gesture so we can wait if it means we get quality and informative videos. Keep up the great work Mike.
Thank you so much. I just feel its dragging on, I announced it in August. The watch did need a lot of work. The case as you can tell does take some hours to just get to this stage. one of the worst condition ones ive attempted before. Polishing will be next and I will be starting filming almost immediately
I think the casing looks amazing, any marks that remain will give character to the watch. Who ever you choose to give this watch to will be extremely lucky to have such a beautiful watch xx
There is something quite soothing I have found in polishing metals, my favourite is copper and brass but getting steels esp the harder ones to gleam is something I enjoy immensely :)
I think this is your favorite part of the restoration process, but for me it's a job reserved for magicians, I think there's almost no room for error in this task. Great job as always!
I do like case work as the difference from the start to the end is usually considerable and very rewarding. As I fall deeper down the rabbit hole though the mechanics of a watch intest me more and something I want to get better at to then have good all round skills. Thanks as always for watching.
Mr.Mike,here is a suggestion from me for cleaning the watch case and back,a very tough cleaning indeed with minimum effort.Apply the cleaning cream of cif(a surface cleaner in India with key ingredients of sodium salt of Linear Akyl Benzene,Sulphonic acid Alcohol Ethoxylate and calcium carbonate) on the surface of the case and back and wait for 1 hour.Then,clean the case and the back with Dishwash powder or solution(in India Vim) rubbing with a soft scrubber gently for a few minutes and rinse them in cleaan water.Then wipe the water on them with a soft cloth.You will have an amazing result,without much strains.Please try this method.
That caseback could be improved on a lathe type Chuck that grips it outwards. Mounted onto a drill and a series of sandpaper grades to get most of the gouges out.
I dont have a lathe mate. only at work and they are massive. you would not be able to grip from the outside in sufficiently to turn I would have thought as there is not enough to purchase on
My Retro Watches Nah, something like this to mount on a sturdy drill. Grips the caseback from the inside then you can work on the outside. www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-mini-lathe-chuck-with-mt-1-shank-65132.html
Finally got the chance to watch this video and as always you never disappoint. Again, thank you for taking the time to make this videos, they were of great help when i made my first attempt to restorate a case and i keep learning stuff. By the way, don't worry about how much time you take on this restoration, perfection takes time 😉. The case is looking marvellous and i would not worry about the remaining scars after the polishing, those are proof of what this watch has endure. Can wait to se the end results.
Diego David Reyes thank you so much. Polishing video will be filmed in a few days. I’m giving it enough time for my other subscribers to watch this one first
Hi Michael, On restoring the case, have you used a jeweller’s bench peg when sanding, etc the case. I find you get more control as you have the work pressed up to the peg, so you can control the sanding, polishing more precisely. I also use a flex drive on the rotary tool, again gives me better control. Just a thought, great videos, thanks for sharing.
Hi, I have not heard of a jewellers peg until you wrote your comment. Certainly worth looking in to. I usually use my polishing machine for these jobs. Its like a mini bench grinder with a taper spindle to take polishing mops. I am using my rotary tool as I feel more of the viewers would have this tool if they wanted to give it a try. I too have the flexi drive but I have not used it yet, in part because I dont have anywhere to clamp the hangar to for the main tool to hang from. This is a great comment Melvyn so thank you for the tip.
Amazing and laborious work! Thanks for this video as I did get some pointers specifically on brushing cases. Never heard of the tape you used and tried other types but the one you present seems to work really good!
Worth seeing if any jewellers near you have a laser welder, they can fill the small knocks quickly and easily and then you do the refinishing. Cost should be minimal if anything, worth a try.
Nice idea. Its finding the time to do that, going & getting it done etc. I will be polishing this up in the next few days so we will see how it looks from there. Thank you for your suggestion.
Another nice vid Mike, Excellent work as always. I can't get my hands on any tool steel, but I find that an old piece of plate glass does the trick. :)
yes glass is another option. I can help with the tool steel if your are UK (presume you are) post will be a bit more as its heavier. if you want a piece of steel email me michael@myretrowatches.com
Thank you John. Not sure what the purists would say here. If it were an Omega they would all be trying but a very tired old Seiko they probably would not even be watching. I think I have a nice audience with all you guys supporting me.
Hey I got my first working Seiko, well Seiko-ish it being a Lorus v733 quartz, well pleased with it and am umming and ahhing whether to transplant the movement into my broken Seiko SQ or just leave as is as it seems to share the movement with that and the two Pulsar's hehe
That's a fine comment ref eye gear. I was cutting some old metal out prior to welding a new car panel in on a Mini years ago when the disc started to fail. I wasn't wearing goggles and my eyes by luck survived but my face was a bit of a mess for a few days!!!!!!But not having learned my lesson had a piece of block paving I was cutting on a Still saw years later catch my eye and off to hospital I had to go!!!! No long term harm but....... Cheers.
We all learn the hard way. I have seen accidents in my workplace with guys not wearing toe protection shoes then drop steel on them.... I am more aware of my eyes as I only have a good one.
I am restoring the same case now! How do you know it is supposed to be brushed on top and polished on sides? I can't seem to find a NOS picture anywhere... :-(
Mainly experience from collecting Seiko for many years. I think there is a picture out there as this is also what i do in research but this was 1-2 years ago now so I do forget.
Pierre-Andre Labeau I disagree. Donor case I’ve spend at least an hour on just practicing . Weirdly though the movement does not quite fit in it like it does in the other even though they are the same reference number. Polishing should only take about an hour max as long as my prep work is good enough . We will find out soon enough . Thanks for watching sir
My Retro Watches you are most welcome and bravo for saving the original case... those big “injuries” in it looked beyond saving in the video. I’m sure the finished product will be more than any of us subscribers deserve! That Seiko is getting a new lease on life thanks to a passionate man... I’m sure the winner will be wearing it proudly ...and it can’t go wrong as your power tool is orange, my favorite color 😉 🖖
Pierre-Andre Labeau haha I admire you confidence in my ability. It will still show a few war wounds on the case , I will call that character. McLaren Orange!
My Retro Watches I was just thinking that, with your knowledge and your love of a job well done, I know a few jewelers that would be happy to have you in their staff. Knowing the sorry state of that watch at the start and sure that many would have just thrown it away, those character signs are invaluable! And I would be so happy to have a car coming from McLaren... even the smallest model... in orange of course, the original colour that Bruce also loved
Might have been easier to put the bezel in case for sanding first 👍 Perhaps possible to setup dremel at an angle in fixed jig then work bevel Off a flat surface like a router 🤔
yes fitting the bezel should have been done at the start but I was not thinking. It dawned on me near the end! I am using the rotary tool to show what can be achieved by such a tool as I would normally use my mini polishing machine as its fixed. Not everyone has one and more likely to have the hand tool so if they want to try this then watching what I do could (I hope ) be helpful. In some of my early videos you see that I have a clamp for the rotary tool which I used to great affect. I might now dig it out for the polishing video. Thanks for watching sir.
Hi Mike, great share as always. I'd like to ask about that rubberized disk, is it like the Dremel polishing bits? As an example this one: www.dremel.com/en_US/products/-/show-product/accessories/461-rubber-polishing-cylinder-point
10 hours is hardly too much time for that, it would take me 3 days for the whole thing and, gosh you're lazy. And you don't buff something like that, you shouldn't even touch it with a wheel until the final buffing.
Tomasina Covell well I’m no expert but I get good results the way I do it. What’s wrong with that. You have your opinion but don’t call me lazy as you have no reason to. Besides this is just the prep before polishing video .
If you would like to buy a T-Shirt then please click this link (thanks for your support) If you would like to look at my T-Shirts then please look here: teespring.com/stores/my-retro-watches
If you would like to purchase any tools & equipment then please see my Amazon affiliate page here:
Link: Link: myretrowatches.com/tool-sale-links/ I do earn a small commission from any sales. Thank you.
Just amazing. If I spent this much time on a watch, I'd never be able to give it to a stranger on the internet!
Thanks. That is the hard part I guess but I am just trying to show what anyone of you can achieve and its nice to give back to my subscribers. You all tune in and enjoy my content so why not. This is my second giveaway first beiny earlier in the year for 1000 subs. That watch required a bit less work...
Wow, Mike. You have a lot of persistence and patience. I quite like the cutaways where we get to see hours of work happen in a scene cut. Makes it feel a bit magical. Looking forward to the next episode.
Even if you end up completing the watch and giving it away at 10k subs then thats absolutely fine as thats how long it takes to produce quality videos such as this one, you're the one restoring the watch and giving it away as a nice gesture so we can wait if it means we get quality and informative videos. Keep up the great work Mike.
Thank you so much. I just feel its dragging on, I announced it in August. The watch did need a lot of work. The case as you can tell does take some hours to just get to this stage. one of the worst condition ones ive attempted before. Polishing will be next and I will be starting filming almost immediately
I think the casing looks amazing, any marks that remain will give character to the watch. Who ever you choose to give this watch to will be extremely lucky to have such a beautiful watch xx
Beautiful job Mike. It's an amazing transformation. Nice!
There is something quite soothing I have found in polishing metals, my favourite is copper and brass but getting steels esp the harder ones to gleam is something I enjoy immensely :)
I agree, when the polishing is done you can see the difference which is rewarding.
I think this is your favorite part of the restoration process, but for me it's a job reserved for magicians, I think there's almost no room for error in this task. Great job as always!
I do like case work as the difference from the start to the end is usually considerable and very rewarding. As I fall deeper down the rabbit hole though the mechanics of a watch intest me more and something I want to get better at to then have good all round skills. Thanks as always for watching.
Mr.Mike,here is a suggestion from me for cleaning the watch case and back,a very tough cleaning indeed with minimum effort.Apply the cleaning cream of
cif(a surface cleaner in India with key ingredients of sodium salt of Linear Akyl Benzene,Sulphonic acid Alcohol Ethoxylate and calcium carbonate) on the surface of the case and back and wait for 1 hour.Then,clean the case and the back with Dishwash powder or solution(in India Vim) rubbing with a soft scrubber gently for a few minutes and rinse them in cleaan water.Then wipe the water on them with a soft cloth.You will have an amazing result,without much strains.Please try this method.
It's looking NICE, now! 😀
Excellent work, and very informative video.
Mike, those rubber grinding disks you use; a link to those would be helpful. Nice work as usual.
Hi Super, I got them from Cousins, you will also need a mandrill for them www.cousinsuk.com/category/rubber-mini-silicon-eve
That caseback could be improved on a lathe type Chuck that grips it outwards. Mounted onto a drill and a series of sandpaper grades to get most of the gouges out.
I dont have a lathe mate. only at work and they are massive. you would not be able to grip from the outside in sufficiently to turn I would have thought as there is not enough to purchase on
My Retro Watches
Nah, something like this to mount on a sturdy drill. Grips the caseback from the inside then you can work on the outside.
www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-mini-lathe-chuck-with-mt-1-shank-65132.html
Great work well done 👍
Finally got the chance to watch this video and as always you never disappoint. Again, thank you for taking the time to make this videos, they were of great help when i made my first attempt to restorate a case and i keep learning stuff.
By the way, don't worry about how much time you take on this restoration, perfection takes time 😉. The case is looking marvellous and i would not worry about the remaining scars after the polishing, those are proof of what this watch has endure.
Can wait to se the end results.
Diego David Reyes thank you so much. Polishing video will be filmed in a few days. I’m giving it enough time for my other subscribers to watch this one first
Good progress Mike. I think a few dings here and there give the watch character.
Hi Michael,
On restoring the case, have you used a jeweller’s bench peg when sanding, etc the case. I find you get more control as you have the work pressed up to the peg, so you can control the sanding, polishing more precisely. I also use a flex drive on the rotary tool, again gives me better control.
Just a thought, great videos, thanks for sharing.
Hi, I have not heard of a jewellers peg until you wrote your comment. Certainly worth looking in to. I usually use my polishing machine for these jobs. Its like a mini bench grinder with a taper spindle to take polishing mops. I am using my rotary tool as I feel more of the viewers would have this tool if they wanted to give it a try. I too have the flexi drive but I have not used it yet, in part because I dont have anywhere to clamp the hangar to for the main tool to hang from. This is a great comment Melvyn so thank you for the tip.
nice work whit that case so far. I can't wait to see after polish.
Amazing and laborious work! Thanks for this video as I did get some pointers specifically on brushing cases. Never heard of the tape you used and tried other types but the one you present seems to work really good!
The remaining flaws in the case and such add character I think, 'I've been knocked about but I clean up nice'
It look batter than before super soft
Looking fine! I’d be proud to put this on my wrist!
Worth seeing if any jewellers near you have a laser welder, they can fill the small knocks quickly and easily and then you do the refinishing.
Cost should be minimal if anything, worth a try.
Nice idea. Its finding the time to do that, going & getting it done etc. I will be polishing this up in the next few days so we will see how it looks from there. Thank you for your suggestion.
Another nice vid Mike, Excellent work as always. I can't get my hands on any tool steel, but I find that an old piece of plate glass does the trick. :)
yes glass is another option. I can help with the tool steel if your are UK (presume you are) post will be a bit more as its heavier. if you want a piece of steel email me michael@myretrowatches.com
this looks amazing. Regardless of what the purists say, I love it. Night and day difference.
Thank you John. Not sure what the purists would say here. If it were an Omega they would all be trying but a very tired old Seiko they probably would not even be watching. I think I have a nice audience with all you guys supporting me.
Been catching up on this project , great work thank you .
Loving this series of videos sir. Looking forward now to the next one !
Hey I got my first working Seiko, well Seiko-ish it being a Lorus v733 quartz, well pleased with it and am umming and ahhing whether to transplant the movement into my broken Seiko SQ or just leave as is as it seems to share the movement with that and the two Pulsar's hehe
I see Pulsar are releasing a1979 analogue with the little lower digi display in " gold" ! Very retro! Cheers if not on point? Len.
Great restoration, amazing video! Thank you. Can you tell me what are those rubber polishing wheels please, and where may I find them? Thank you!
Called Eva wheels from cousinsuk
Great work, congratulations with the 8+K subscribers 👍
The case is looking sharp Mike.
Blast from the past
Good stuff Mike it takes a lot of patience.
That's a fine comment ref eye gear. I was cutting some old metal out prior to welding a new car panel in on a Mini years ago when the disc started to fail. I wasn't wearing goggles and my eyes by luck survived but my face was a bit of a mess for a few days!!!!!!But not having learned my lesson had a piece of block paving I was cutting on a Still saw years later catch my eye and off to hospital I had to go!!!! No long term harm but....... Cheers.
We all learn the hard way. I have seen accidents in my workplace with guys not wearing toe protection shoes then drop steel on them.... I am more aware of my eyes as I only have a good one.
Time to start LASER WELDING!😉
A piece of glass can be used in place of steel.
I am restoring the same case now! How do you know it is supposed to be brushed on top and polished on sides?
I can't seem to find a NOS picture anywhere... :-(
Mainly experience from collecting Seiko for many years. I think there is a picture out there as this is also what i do in research but this was 1-2 years ago now so I do forget.
I need a case for my seiko movement 6109-8019 so bad I can cry thinking about it :(
You have to think about finding a small CNC machine... :)
Not sure I would get that past the wife
an awesome video as always
what are your views on the HMT 17 jewels parashock hand wound movement
you reply is much awaited
Thank you . Sorry but I do not know this movement. I have not actually owned a HMT yet although I would like to look inside one soon.
@@MyRetroWatches much appreciated
thank you
Is coming along
The donor case looks to be the way to go... the original case will not take hours but days to “save” it!
Pierre-Andre Labeau I disagree. Donor case I’ve spend at least an hour on just practicing . Weirdly though the movement does not quite fit in it like it does in the other even though they are the same reference number. Polishing should only take about an hour max as long as my prep work is good enough . We will find out soon enough . Thanks for watching sir
My Retro Watches you are most welcome and bravo for saving the original case... those big “injuries” in it looked beyond saving in the video. I’m sure the finished product will be more than any of us subscribers deserve! That Seiko is getting a new lease on life thanks to a passionate man... I’m sure the winner will be wearing it proudly ...and it can’t go wrong as your power tool is orange, my favorite color 😉 🖖
Pierre-Andre Labeau haha I admire you confidence in my ability. It will still show a few war wounds on the case , I will call that character. McLaren Orange!
My Retro Watches I was just thinking that, with your knowledge and your love of a job well done, I know a few jewelers that would be happy to have you in their staff. Knowing the sorry state of that watch at the start and sure that many would have just thrown it away, those character signs are invaluable! And I would be so happy to have a car coming from McLaren... even the smallest model... in orange of course, the original colour that Bruce also loved
Might have been easier to put the bezel in case for sanding first 👍
Perhaps possible to setup dremel at an angle in fixed jig then work bevel
Off a flat surface like a router 🤔
yes fitting the bezel should have been done at the start but I was not thinking. It dawned on me near the end! I am using the rotary tool to show what can be achieved by such a tool as I would normally use my mini polishing machine as its fixed. Not everyone has one and more likely to have the hand tool so if they want to try this then watching what I do could (I hope ) be helpful. In some of my early videos you see that I have a clamp for the rotary tool which I used to great affect. I might now dig it out for the polishing video. Thanks for watching sir.
Nice one again `mb, I’ll have to follow on instagram etc as I’ve given fascistbook the elbow!
Oh dear.... well see you on insta mate
Eyes, and LUNGS ( dust)...
:)
☺
Hi Mike, great share as always. I'd like to ask about that rubberized disk, is it like the Dremel polishing bits? As an example this one: www.dremel.com/en_US/products/-/show-product/accessories/461-rubber-polishing-cylinder-point
no I dont think they are the same. I bought mine from Cousinsuk.com they are called Eve wheels.
@@MyRetroWatches Thank you for your reply. As always very helpful and very kind of you.
one bad case of you name it.
? Makes no sense.
10 hours is hardly too much time for that, it would take me 3 days for the whole thing and, gosh you're lazy. And you don't buff something like that, you shouldn't even touch it with a wheel until the final buffing.
Tomasina Covell well I’m no expert but I get good results the way I do it. What’s wrong with that. You have your opinion but don’t call me lazy as you have no reason to. Besides this is just the prep before polishing video .
@@MyRetroWatches I'm sorry dear, I was a bit harsh, you do fine work, very good for what it is. :)
I did think the hard rubber impregnated wheel was pretty cool, who sell that one?