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Thanks, and yes the movement finish is important to me

Jan 24, 2015,12:55 PM
 

as I like a watch to be "in balance". It bothers me that the rest of the watch is so beautiful and yet the movement is finished so poorly. And I know enough about myself and this crazy hobby over 25 years that if it bothers me on Day 1, that by Day 180 it will drive me truly insane and the watch will be on its way.

It's funny you mentioned a display back - one thing I considered was asking the manufacturer to make me a solid case back. However, now I know what is under the hood, I'm not sure I could be happy in the long run.

I also agree with your comment re: it's just a 7750. For over a decade, I was truly anti-ETA and did not own a single movement of theirs. However, that changed last month when I purchased a Rose Gold Graham Chronofighter Trigger Charcoal Rush. Yes, it's an ETA 7750, but the finish is actually really nice. Of course we are not talking Patek or Vacheron, but we are talking a pretty heavily modified 7750 with custom-cut main plates, Geneve stripes, blued screws, a column-wheel chronograph, custom rotor, decent anglage, perlage on the base plate and decent polish all around. I think they did a really nice job and the watch puts a smile on my face every time I wear it. Isn't that the whole point?

So that's my big "a-ha" - never be so set in your ways that you can't allow yourself to be surprised or be too close-minded to never revisit previous assumptions.

Now if I can just find someone to give this other piece a much better looking bootay, I'll be off to the races!

Best,

NickO





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Aftermarket Movement Refinishing - Does Such a Service even Exist?

 
 By: NickO : January 24th, 2015-10:19
Dear Forum, With all the beautiful watches from the great independent's on this site, I am more than a little embarrassed to ask the following question. However, the answer is interesting to me, so I will storm on regardless I've located a watch that real...  

Not much of help but....

 
 By: Starman : January 24th, 2015-11:12
Hi Nick, Can't really answer your question, but do you actually care that much for movement finish? I think some brands do a great job on finishing their movements; some out there are truly pieces of art. But I think some of the saphire case-backs can be ... 

Thanks, and yes the movement finish is important to me

 
 By: NickO : January 24th, 2015-12:55
as I like a watch to be "in balance". It bothers me that the rest of the watch is so beautiful and yet the movement is finished so poorly. And I know enough about myself and this crazy hobby over 25 years that if it bothers me on Day 1, that by Day 180 it... 

Had the same with ETA

 
 By: Starman : January 24th, 2015-14:20
Untill I read about this movement, truly a reliable workhorse (I didn't mean to say that it is just a 7750). That made me decide to be less interested in the finishing of this particular movement; I know it is a good movement and I don't have to see it fo... 

Hi Nick, here in the states, you could try asking

 
 By: mkt33 : January 24th, 2015-14:00
Myrick Keaton @ I think he has the skill and machinery to probably do something for you... Obviously, he's got to have the time and the interest for your project but I am sure inertia can be achieved with the right negotiation :-) Hope all is well with y... 

Hi Mike, thanks for the lead

 
 By: NickO : January 25th, 2015-08:28
I will reach out to Myrick and see what is possible. Hope all is well with you, too - it has been too long! Best, NickO

It's not worth it.

 
 By: andren : January 24th, 2015-17:47
Unfortunately, having someone refinish a 7750 is going to cost more than the movement is worth provided you can find someone who is actually willing to do it.

I think your best chance would be...

 
 By: DonCorson : January 25th, 2015-03:00
to contact a watchmaking school near wherever you are and ask if they have a final year student who might be interested in doing this for you. I see no other way to have this done for a price that is less than several times the price of the movement. What... 

Finishing or Re-finishing

 
 By: David Walter : January 25th, 2015-07:53
Good advice Don . My feeling is if you want to have a better finish then you must forget "what the movement itself is worth" and never forget why you did it. Keep this in mind, putting a superb paint job on a VW still leave you with a VW

Thanks Don, good ideas!!

 
 By: NickO : January 25th, 2015-08:50
Perhaps the best route would be to source a new movement. That would probably be the most cost-effective answer. However, for some reason I have a romantic notion of wanting to make this particular ugly duckling pretty. Of course there will be financial l... 

RGM watches?

 
 By: gmark2800 : January 28th, 2015-09:11
Maybe you can contact RGM Watches.

An alternative - a donor watch with beautiful movement

 
 By: cazalea : February 5th, 2015-14:49
For example, get a Chronoswiss Opus for $4k and swap the decorated and skeletonized movement into whichever beautiful case you want. Parts will be readily available, the watch already works, and a bonus -- you won't have to pester your over-worked, under-...  

You ca find many peoples who do this, but,

 
 By: SwissBrands : February 16th, 2015-23:05
The price will not worth it !