Restoration or Transformation - Please Don't Pass

[GLADIATOR]

You all know my views on 'restoration'!

I am fully 'right wing'.  And always, always try to leave a timepiece visually as is, or how it left the factory with any natural deterioration.  That is part of the 'provenance' of a timepiece or indeed any antique.

Restoration should be their to save a piece never to modify or improve it to what it had been.

A 'curator' from the Latin curare meaning to "take care", and that job is to manage or oversee a collection or items.  That is how I see myself, someone there to 'take care' of timepieces.

But to-day, I took a vintage timepiece, a lovely circa 1930 HEUER (Before Tag-HEUER) Chronograph and restored no, transformed it's original but sadly distressed  case into lovely original condition re-gold plated.

Why?  Because the poor condition of the case with green mildew was detracting from a rare piece, with a magnificent silvered dial and fly-back chronograph functions.

While showing my collection to a Horologist - this piece was literally 'Passed By'

Sadly, I never took pictures of the case in its original case, because I had never contemplated to re-plate it and the offer so 'sudden' I agreed without thinking.

I just felt this watch deserved better than 'Please Don't Pass Me By"

Here are the pictures of the re-plated case, courtesy of Gold Rush Jewelers in La Zenia - Spain.  Their Jeweler truly a craftsman with Gold and Diamonds

The watch.  A vintage original 1920 to 1930 HEUER Chronograph, gold plated casing, with pretty swivel lugs and 17 jewel movement.  

Edouard Heuer started making watches in 1860 at the age of 14.  His apprenticeship began in 1854.  His company was 'The First' to embark on the serial production of chronographs.

In 1920-1924 the company was listed for repeaters, fly-back seconds, chronographs, timers, sport watches.

In 1986 HEUER was acquired by TAG (Techniques D'Avant-Garde', a holding company.

The new company now called 'Tag-Heuer'

FANTATIC MOVEMENT - FlyBack Chronograph

On The Wrist -

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Gold Rush Jewelers La Zenia Spain 

Kathleen Pritchard - Swiss Timepiece vmakers

Wikipedia - curator

[aerome]

What a great looking timepiece! I agree with your thinking about restoration but in this case you rescued the timepiece from inevitable destruction by corrosion. Everything has it's place in the market and if the watch was indeed passed over, it was simply not what the "buyer" was looking for. The decision says nothing about the significance of the item.

[vincent65]

Nice old Heuer Adam - you know mine, of course!

Edit: by the way, is the movement signed 'Heuer' anywhere?

On mine, the movement and case are both marked Gübelin.

[GLADIATOR]

Thanks guys
For certain the case was disintegrating,
No name on movement but my mentor MMe Robert thinks its Landeron

Thanks again
Adam

[GLADIATOR]

UPDATE
My Mentor and friend Mme Cinette Robert commented as follows
Quote
Woh, fantastic !!
But is that really a fly-back chronograph (with « retour en vol ») or what do you mean ? (I think that is a Landeron caliber)
UNquote

MY REPLY
Fly Back. My understanding. Top Pusher starts _ stops _starts centre sweep hand
If centre sweep hand is stopped the bottom pusher will return it to zero
SO, you are correct, my error. Fly Back can be switched to zero with OUT having to be stopped first.
REALLY THANKS for correcting me.

This watch is NOT 'fly back'

That is why she is a 'true' HOROLOGIST and I am a novice!!!!

[CHIP]

Now that I like! Right size as well!

Adam, if you are a novice, what the heck are the rest of us?

You do not give yourself enough credit mate! I wish I had just a fraction of your knowledge!

[GLADIATOR]

Its a cool watch, one i had hidden away as the case was green!!
Truly I am still a novice compared to the likes of Mme Robert or Philip Poniz. These are experts.
Appreciate all your kind words and