I Do This To Every Vintage Watch I Sell…(if it needs it)

[@potgieterl]

St Gary, the patron saint of old watches.

[@MaroMarenio]

😁😆😂🤣

[@robertmckinlay7242]

On KZbin, I've only seen watches at a much higher price getting this sort of refurb. Nice to see the classic Seiko Quartz getting the love.

[@jamesluciani3284]

You have convinced me to appreciate the high quality build Quartz of the 70’s Seiko watches.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Great news!

[@MichaelMitchell-vk9lk]

That was so cool. I can’t believe how much work you do before selling a watch. Just wow

[@ILikeWatches2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@benjaminvis]

Absolutely commendable effort. Should I find myself in need, in the market or for recommendation, I won't hesitate.

[@RedWolfRedWolfRedWolf]

A man with a passion.

[@baloalpar4149]

The end result is stunning. Just thinking about it, you are bringing new life into a 50 year old time piece. Fantastic work!

[@adk7962]

Watching you buff and polish that glass was one of the most satisfying things I’ve watched in a while. Yes pun intended.

[@rhodes1591]

yea, I am just completing a collection series of 0923's ... my jewels, in quartz, are my 9923's ... they would all benefit from such a pampering.

[@raymondrichardson6061]

Very therapeutic that.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Hi Gary, Only applies on flat glass! your diamond paste will have little to no effect using your finger as diamond needs significant pressure to cut glass as its so hard, unless these are acylic. I am crystals you are restoring. I am very interested in knowing how you are holding down your abrasive paper as it looks rock solid. Thanks Pal.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Hey bud, the diamond paste works well, I’ve used macro lenses and different lighting conditions to look at the difference it makes and it really makes a bid difference even when I use my finger. I have a granite block which is machined flat to an insane level and I just have black electrical tape that I use to tape down the sides of the a4 wet&dry….works amazingly well but you get through a lot of paper and at 50p a sheet on average it soon adds up.

[@MyRetroWatches]

@@ILikeWatches2 cheers. I had some 1 micron paste here for you and forgot to send it! Honestly though diamond needs pressure. We use it here on lapping plates so it’s between the workpiece and the plate to do the cutting . Nice one on the granite sound like a surface plate again our factory is full of them lol

[@ILikeWatches2]

I used to polish sapphire crystal with car polish which doesn’t have the cutting power that diamond paste has you just have to constantly apply new product as it degrades and looses its effectiveness quickly but it does work…just slow going…the diamond paste is a game changer, much harder than car polish and does it’s thing quicker but no doubt, using a machine would be much much quicker…I used the polishing heads at the start and it was too aggressive, I started to use my finger as it give a smoother finish, no risk of pig tails

[@MyRetroWatches]

@@ILikeWatches2 your doing well mate.

[@mattys1467]

Deeply impressive 👏

[@ILikeWatches2]

Thank you

[@tomergel]

Very nice, now i'll have to try it myself Thanks for the links Gary

[@douglaswilliams8838]

Amazing. Thank you for that.

[@RobinhoodarrowsRHA]

Seriously impressed Gary

[@scottlewis2372]

That was fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

This one is being saved for later

[@martijndewet2661]

Awesome video and refurbishment! Would really be interesting to get a more in depth look on your approach, tools and consumables used, etc. :)

[@Box_13]

My friend, you have much more patience than me. Enjoyable, almost calming video.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Cool, glad you enjoyed it

[@John-P]

That was such an interesting video, often wondered how it was done, a little bit of time and effort and the finished looks fantastic, cheers Gary and keep up the good work.

[@ILikeWatches2]

I’ve improved over the last 4 months, gotten quicker and better but still improving and I find it so relaxing to do….it feels like another hobby

[@paulelliott7493]

Wow, that is a lot of time and effort spent making them really attractive, my compliments!

[@NICAsworld]

Mesmerizing video, wow! Thank you for sharing it! More as such would be cool. Did not know how much you do before selling them. I thought you use some Polywatch and some cape cod polishing cloth. But the extent you are going is impressive. So skilled. Def a watch technician. Start to service the movement and you are a watchmaker.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Thank you, high praise indeed…

[@nselleck0309]

Very Nice. And great skills you have. Love your vids. Keep rocking.... !

[@popecosh307]

Nice man I didn’t know you dabble in watchmaking. Great work. Just a helpful hint they make a paste specifically for crystal restoration called polywatch, you’re probably already aware but just in case. 😊

[@ILikeWatches2]

Yea thanks, I think it’s specifically for acrylic but I’ll have to check…👍

[@MichaelG1986]

I find these videos very relaxing to watch. I also follow a couple of watchmakers on YT that do full services and restorations in longer videos that are fascinating.

[@mattosborne652]

You do fantastic work

[@rhodes1591]

yeee, respect 🫡

[@krzysztofhadala1039]

Fantastic job!

[@ILikeWatches2]

Thank you

[@seederi]

I have this same watch with green dial... i wanted to open it up and clean the case a bit as well, but only the battery hatch opens normally. I think the previous owners never opened it fully so the gaskets on the back have dried and sealed it shut so tight it won't budge, and now the back is scratched up and tool holes are in bad shape

[@stuarthammonds6143]

loved that, thanks

[@HAL-xy3om]

Nice work!

[@mferyfirdaus]

Wow that crazy hard work

[@dirkdutzmann9250]

I am deeply impressed, great job, great video.😳 --- But way too short!🤣

[@brianmsahin]

Very enjoyable video Gary, and what fantastic results!

[@christopherhilton2539]

Loved the video Gary. I watch your store for that vintage February 1973 automatic I am looking for. Now I want to get it from you even more.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Awesome….I probably do too much on the watches but I’m still improving and I love doing it so it isn’t a chore…

[@AlexanderB.]

That was a joy to watch! How long does it take you per watch? In case the second hand doesn't hit the markers would you try to fix that? Some people prefer their vintage watch cases to remain unpolished though.

[@ILikeWatches2]

I work on a batch of watches at one time, usually around 6-8 watches and I spend roughly 3 days on them so it works out to be around 4-6 hours per watch….some do prefer unpolished and if they do, they shouldn’t buy from me but I go out of my way to try to not round off the corners, that’s why it takes me so long, I’m using very small polishing heads.

[@ILikeWatches2]

I don’t adjust the seconds hands, they are almost all perfect and if not they are fractionally off so not worth the risk in my opinion

[@stevenkelby2169]

How about the movements? Do they get any love? Decades old lubricants etc?

[@ILikeWatches2]

I test them thoroughly and only sell watches that appear to be working perfectly although a couple have slipped through that developed issues after they were sold and the buyers were refunded fully. I’m. It servicing them as it’s just not worth it, they don’t command enough money. If they buyers want to get them serviced then that’s up to them.

[@stevenkelby2169]

@@ILikeWatches2 Thanks Gary, can't argue with that! 👍 🍻

[@MaroMarenio]

Great job 👍

[@stavros_katsopr]

Please Gary, stop talking... 😋 Excellent job mate, well done. We need more of these (plus we need the machines!😂). Cheers.

[@murph8411]

Might you not be better just replacing the crystal in many cases vs the time spent trying to polish it?

[@ILikeWatches2]

I think it’s best to try and keep vintage watches as original as possible

[@popecosh307]

Sometimes it’s better sometimes not depending on the type of crystal. Me personally, I won’t polish anything harder than acrylic, takes too long…. Unless of course I can’t find a replacement then well I’ve got no choice.

[@michaelcoates7475]

Can you add a link to where you got the polishing bits that you used with the cutting liquid? They were cylindrical and you used the tip to remove the deep scratches.

[@ILikeWatches2]

It’s all on Amazon….search dremel polishing tips, koch chemie polish and I got the Menzerna polish and sand paper from eBay

[@grahamliggat7193]

G very therapeutic - definitely worth the effort. They are cracking watches. Keep up the good work. G

[@TheGamblersHand]

Cool video Gary… do you also service mechanical watches?

[@ILikeWatches2]

Not yet but I plan to learn

[@TheGamblersHand]

@@ILikeWatches2 nice… all the best with the journey ☺️

[@scowlistic]

🤯

[@WatchesOnWood]

Hope you wear some respiratory protection - amazing how the fibers and polish can get in your lungs!

[@ILikeWatches2]

I have some hepa filters constantly filtering the air and I always use a hepa filtered vacuum close the the tool when I first start as that is when fibres come off the polishing bit.

[@kenlipper874]

You're very talented! I wish I possessed those skills.

[@168lee]

👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@nedflanders3769]

Gary? Is that you?! Sorry, just had no idea you were into this type of restoration. 😊

[@wastedaga1n]

You know you are deep inside the game when you have a Creworks ultrasonic cleaner in your house.

[@ILikeWatches2]

Lol…it was £60….I thought that was reasonable

[@wastedaga1n]

Keep up the great work, Gary. The watch community appreciates you. @@ILikeWatches2

[@ILikeWatches2]

Thank you!