Making a custom dial for this impossible watch restoration - this case defeats me

[@MrLukealbanese]

Joe, in the automotive world they call that case material 'pot metal', used to be used for doorhandles and the like on cars. It's frequently plated in Chrome and is a Zinc alloy and really is awful. Great work as always 😊

[@mikezimmermann89]

My guess on the metal is ZIMAC (a form of “pot-metal”). Awful stuff, as you say.

[@baivesan]

I was just thinking if someone in the comments would confirm my suspicion on it bein a Zinc casting alloy.

[@BrooksMoses]

@@mikezimmermann89 "ZAMAK" (or sometimes "Zamac"), actually, but yes. Zinc/aluminum alloy with a few other things. At least this one is good enough quality not to have zinc pest!

[@olivier2553]

@@mikezimmermann89 It is my guess too. Zamac is used to make things like door handles (for home) and Matchbox car. Among other things.

[@11THEFEZMAN11]

I was going to post the exact same comment. That’s pot metal

[@lfc6times]

Peace to you and your family Joe. You're on the right side of history my friend.

[@Isteak80]

"Let me get on the plank then you selfish cow" made me nearly spit out my coffee as I was not prepared lol

[@nicholasscholl7227]

Same. Had to play it for the wife. We get a chuckle out of that movie.

[@55ATA3]

Thank you for your stand, I hope that more will join to stop the hate in our world....

[@zax1972]

“He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” Francis of Assisi When I want to relax and get some like guidance I come to my brother the Nekkid Watchmaker, appreciate you man!

[@KaleemLmar]

Real wisdom is precious. Have to keep this with me for the rest of my life. Thanks buddy.

[@Njazmo]

Well said back there! Now I know I'm an artist!

[@lancedriscoll8447]

Wise words 👏

[@alancampbell1008]

Joe again you astound us. No one would ever envisage such a phoenix from the flames, another beautiful restoration. Thankyou for bringing joy.

[@ESLAMEID]

I appreciate your helping hands. You revived this bombarded old watch. Corrosion eats its parts like cancer and does not show any mercy to its age or identity. With little aid, you infused new life to this old standing survivor. Now, it can run for generations. Message delivered 💪✌️✌️✌️

[@sotvanbreslau2768]

Mate, you’re a ray of humanity, humaneness. Not sure of the wording, not a native user of English. You get my point bud. Keep on going!

[@robbyrobyn1963]

Perfectly well said!

[@timbo1863]

So good to see you back !

[@timbo1863]

If only everything that is a little bit broken and lost could be restored by your inspired craftsmanship

[@rollinglight1]

The restoration is truly remarkable, and it's delightful to hear the lively sounds of children in the background.

[@lescrooge]

I had low expectations of the case ever looking nice again. nice restoration. well done.

[@mcbhomis]

The eight service marks on the case back for that modest movement is just awesome. Imagine the stories that watch could tell.

[@MrOrionpax]

There are two kinds. You with the watch and its stories. Me with the owner and the devastation he must have felt when it was lost. I pray that someone sees this that knows

[@petervennix1906]

The case is made of zamac. That is very easy to injection mold. It is also the material that carburetors are made of. It is a zinc aluminum alloy

[@Mksz-h]

In germany we say Zinkpest. A lot of Zink cast toys from the 40 and 50 are eaten away and the corrosion are in the metal so you cant grind it away.

[@TranquilouTeam]

You're right ! It's the infamous "zamac". Once I have a very bad experience in cleaning my carburetor with ultrasonic bath.... Avoid to use the ultrasonic machine it's create worse condition after !

[@petervennix1906]

@@Mksz-h in the Netherlands we also call it zinkpest.

[@StephanJPPL]

Another brilliant work. The dial pattern is excellent ❤ Peace ✌️

[@cbayardelle]

I just love you as a person, you must be a great father, I needed to laugh a bit, thanks

[@JohnGreenwoodPhotography]

So if you drop your watch in the ocean then dry it in a bonfire, we know a guy that can bring it back to life. Great work, Joe.

[@johnburns5783]

Excellent video once again Joe. You’re a true artisan, going above and beyond 😉😉👍👍👍

[@johntwemlow6089]

Not only are you a talented craftsman, but a lover of people who are hurting. Keep fighting for peace my friend!!

[@thermionic1234567]

You’re back!! Thank God! You sir are a genius, artist, craftsman!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Keep your bright outlook brother. As for being my favorite watchmaker? You remain!

[@faiprort]

Joe: just thank you. Words are not enough to explain how much your work enriches the rest of your human community. But I will say my cares melt away when I spend time with you watching you do what you do and listening to you thinking out loud. Balm.

[@terrypack7537]

I have greatly enjoyed your work and almost every aspect of your videos. Been watching you for years now and the only bad thing about your videos is that there are not enough of them. I’ve learned a lot of history about your profession, very entertaining from your children pestering you to your talents. So thank you for sharing.

[@valkasolidor6727]

I'm much pleased by your sharing time with us and watching you redeem something neglected to a new potential. Thank you.

[@6172crew1]

Thanks for sharing, poor thing might have ended up in the bin if anyone else had taken a look at it.

[@No-jb6fy]

Amazing skill, knowledge, artistry and perseverance.

[@Chef-vg4pu]

One look at that watch, and we all know how courageous you are, fearless in fact… wow! I haven’t seen you in a while. It’s good to hear your voice, my friend.

[@Davide_Firenze]

Your mastery can only be a source of inspiration and learning. Thank you Joe for your beautiful videos that honor you for your skill

[@jens.schmitt]

You could try a first plating with copper. Builds up quite thickly, leveling pits a bit more and can be polished to a high shine. When done, a rhodium flash to barrier and then the final gold plating.

[@fredfred2363]

Not sure copper would take to Zamac alloy. Even copper strike solution might not work... I wonder if a zinc passivation plating layer would work as a "bonding" coat, prior to copper strike?

[@jerrynorton1080]

​​@@fredfred2363zamak is Zink, Aluminium, Magnesium (or variously Manganese) And (or variously Antimony) Kupfer. (Copper), and is imminently platable, especially by copper.

[@VadoVoodoo]

It's gorgeous! Great work! Between you and James Martin I get my horology fix lots!

[@federicoprice2687]

Brilliant! A rescue beyond compare, as it's re-born with a new sentiment. Great work by a master watchmaker, and good man. 🤗

[@smiling_eyes7903]

Awesome creativity & craftsmanship! Bravo! Blessings to you & your family. ❤🙏🙏🙏❤

[@chuckmontgomery7571]

A case only a mother could love. Well done, and keep speaking your truth Joe.

[@philgallagher1]

Well done, Joe. You really showed all your skills (& your heart) with this one. I didn't believe there was anything you could do with it when I first saw it, but you have made it look beautiful!

[@christopherprince3250]

Never would have thought it would have turned out so nice. Great job, Joe.

[@dunk856]

A wonderful and artistic beauty again. Thank you you are a true artisan

[@Issueforth]

Joe, glad to see you back after seeing your gap video last. Now I have some catching up to do... Glad to hear you moved forward!

[@plunder1956]

Well done for sticking to your cause Jo and wearing it proudly.

[@stupask3834]

Glad it carries on, lovely job as usual. Great viewing, Thank you : )

[@BrooksMoses]

I think for automotive restoration the usual way to deal with pitted "pot metal" like this is to plate it thickly in copper, and then polish the copper to a good surface -- which means adding enough copper to have some measurable thickness so you don't polish through it. And then the nickel or chrome plating is done on top of the copper surface. You might need to mask off the inner round parts when doing the copper plating to avoid building up thickness that makes things not fit.

[@Miss_Toots]

What a master at his work...truly stunning work ❤

[@beldarin]

Oh my, this is exactly what i needed right now, you are a legend! 😊

[@beldarin]

🇮🇪💕🇵🇸

[@vam9538]

It was well above my expectations, you did it , fruits of hard work, knowledge and skills, a cool head and beating heart went with your efforts.

[@dougwilliams8602]

Marvelous workmanship and I enjoyed your comments as you worked 👍

[@zainabkasim70]

Great job Joe, you’re on the right side Joe.

[@lenny5355]

You are the Bomb when it comes to restoring these old watches you are a true Artist Sir.

[@popeyewatch]

Beautiful restoration work, Joe! You are an inspiration and master craftsman. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations to watch winners. Don't become a pray for scammers.

[@AdreamX]

Great work, thank you for showing and keep going

[@texanasimmons1761]

You worked so hard to restore this watch. Its a shame it didnt work out as you first wanted. You at least gave it a new life.❤

[@moboeealien9859]

Wow Joe I love your dial work. What a great use for a simple laser.

[@marcusott2973]

Much awaited, much appreciated looking forward to excellent work as always from you.

[@eddiestevenson-kaatsch6306]

Quite remarkable! I do love it when 'ordinary' things are given the love more valuable items routinely receive.

[@billsmith5166]

I really liked the matte finish of the case. I would have liked to have seen the stem blued because it had a nice sort of blued look before the refurbishment. Thanks for the video!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

It looks light years better than it did!! It was worth the work just knowing someone had loved it so much. That alone made it beautiful.🐝❤️🤗

[@novembermiss]

You've worked with some truly beautiful and expensive watches, so it was nice to see a more common, inexpensive example featured for you to work your magic on. To its owner, it was very much valued and loved. You've given it a new life and I'm happy to see that you'll be wearing this Resistance watch! Onward!

[@klntym]

I would wear that watch proudly! All the work put into it by you and the story behind it would make it fascinating to me. Amazing work as always Joe!

[@pdstokes8]

That a real labour of love mate. Fair play for not binning it.

[@shervinnaimi3028]

Making the dial nekkid and dressing it up again!

[@markedis5902]

Great work as always Joe. It really makes my day when one of your videos pops up in my feed

[@kenc2257]

Great work on the case. The custom artwork on the dial is beautiful.

[@marcusott2973]

My dad is an Austrian master watchmaker, he worked for Glass in Birmingham in the early 70's. Long gone now. I wonder if he serviced that watch in the day.

[@darranheath4358]

what an awesome video again my friend, an absolute beauty of watch , the mod is sweet

[@wisamal-hakim5531]

You bring such humanity to watch restoration. I am usually so cynical of human nature. You prove me wrong. Thank you for another wonderful video one of my favourites

[@guywright7388]

Persistance paid off in the end. It's not half bad. You did another great job.

[@paulwindram3967]

Superb video as always, love the new website. Your youtube channel is a great source of relaxation (and awe) for me, thank you.

[@christianhabich8020]

Amazing work as always. With regards to the dial I have a suggestion: you could have powdercoated the dial with e.g. black instead of just painting it and then laser the surface. This is way more durable and looks fab.

[@milesgoff7261]

I giggled at the mixed metaphor at 2:35 😊

[@joekanicki5306]

Well done Joe! All I could think watching you struggle with this is “that’s it, he’s gone totally bonkers”. Peace and happiness wishes to you and yours ☮️

[@CharlesThompson-ou7wp]

You have truly been missed! Thank you for all that you bring to us! Also good to hear Trouble’s contribution!😂

[@Ikhan-b6x]

Love the influence and sentiment of the dial ❤ peace to all

[@JxH]

I've bought a couple of cheap and cheerful so-called "Frankenwatches" from watchmakers in India. I knew what to expect. One was Swiss Made "Oris" with at least some of the matching parts; looks good. The other an Indian brand with a lovely picture of Nehru on the dial; looks great! Both neat and tidy, mechanical movements of course. Great prices (under $20 shipped) and I'm perfectly happy with them. I'll do it again someday. Great fun.

[@ggghhhbbnjjjbb2330]

Interesting experiment. I love the engineering side of watchmaking. I used to do a lot of similar hand-tool work and machining at a slightly larger scale. I've always wondered how the fine markings for high-quality metal rulers, micrometers, watch faces etc. were done. Some kind of etching maybe. The precision has to be very high otherwise the eye easily sees the irregularities, and it was perfected 100 years ago or more. I would probably have replaced that nasty metal with a donor case, and probably the dial too, since the movement seemed quite nice. Interesting to learn that nickel can fill out cavities to some degree. Maybe a drop of solder might have filled it, but maybe it's no good for plating.

[@chrisjoadventures7725]

Just to get it to that state is a miracle! Great work!

[@reginapopihn9853]

Very impressive restoration. Miss your videos, and I hope you stay safe.

[@xxxxcalimeroxxxx]

You are an artist, a great watchmaker.

[@BassistInATutu]

That's a most beautiful dial bro! Love it! That watch is amazing! What an amazing rescue, and perfect way to respond to the haters.

[@gaelicstorm7]

Wonderful work, that looked a million times better than what you started with...

[@artallmon3773]

Great style on the watch. Nice work.

[@talalalmashaikhi4318]

I love it. Thank you for such amazing work and great idea....

[@davidjohnson00001]

Respect to you Joe. Thank you for your humanity.

[@philyew3617]

Beautifull result, from Sows Ear to Silk Purse. Well done Joe, your skill and patience are something to behold. Thanks for sharing. The metal without doubt is Zamak also called 'Pot Metal', In the motor industry it was often refered to as 'Monkey Metal', very unfair to Monkeys I think. The Corrosion/Erosion appeared to be typical of exposure to Salt, either lost on a Beach somewhere or in salt water. It was comparable to the kind of deterioration that used to be a common sight on car door handles or other car parts exposed to road salt. Now... Off I go to investigate a new Blogs site I just heard about😉. Thanks Joe and assistants.

[@johnburns5783]

Well done winners. Fabulous looking watches 👍👍👍

[@TheUncleRuckus]

I believe the case is made from _Zamak Metal_ it's an alloy metal made from Zink, Aluminum, Magnesium and Copper, it was used for a lot of power tool body's and by Automotive manufacturers to make Hood Ornaments, Badging, Side View Mirrors and others things back in the 50s through 80s. 👍👍

[@vicmabus1532]

Well, it certainly didn’t make it worse! Well done!

[@AnthonyFokken]

That' s incredible! Pot metal i exactly what thinking. My father taught me that term. Hey Joe, thank you so much for the content, always WATCH for new videos. Lol Every TIME you add new content, it is a surprise gift to me. I especially appreciate the new life you've brought to something that some may consider "junk". I've been labeled junk in my past, but I thank God every day that He offers redemption for us all. I love you Joe, keep up the excellence.

[@Splucked]

Another great save. The dial looks spectacular. Absolutely love it.

[@gragrn]

Another beautiful job, Joe. Well done!

[@Yehoshua_Eliyahu]

I am thoroughly impressed with your work. I only wish I could send my Seventeenth watch to you for a complete restoration 😊 Thanks for sharing 😊

[@zebairkhan8500]

Love the dial desigm, inspiring.

[@davidwarren9204]

Fantastic job man! Particularly given what you had left to work with :) And as always your quiet wisdom is a pleasure to contemplate. Thanks!

[@larrykelly2838]

Nice restoration, looks great.

[@abuhurairah6073]

As always amazing result ... Thanks Joe for the new video .. Fantastic...

[@KaleemLmar]

I was really sleepy watching this and got the message at the 25:26 time mark, it put a nice grin on my miserable face. Thanks Joe.

[@macswanton9622]

It's plain to see that the love of your craft keeps you young and satisfied. But if your eyes ever start to fail you, may I suggest you take up writing murder mysteries. You have a knack for the suspenseful

[@Binski001]

Amazing! You are the BEES KNEES. Keep up the good fight. I hope to keep you on KZbin, but will follow you on any platform.

[@wornoutwrench8128]

I enjoy everything you post Joe. Heading over to check out the new website in 3, 2, 1...

[@robertwheeler4068]

Howdy Joe!!🤗 So great to hear from you again!⌚❤🙏

[@rogerquenault7207]

Great video as always, you made the best of a bad job with that watch, when you are working with something that you are not sure what its made of you end up trying different things in the hope that something works and in the end it looks cool.

[@arzemagic]

Not a fan of the dial but it’s your watch . I would’ve much preferred ideal similar to the credor . Simple classical .

[@danielleavitt5411]

If I had to guess, the base metal would be a zamak alloy. This was used a lot in model trains in the 1960's and was infamous for zinc pest. Once is starts, there is no stopping it.

[@The63Jazz]

Great bit of work Joe