Extremely Rare Military Watch Restoration - WW2 German Trench Watch 1938

This time I´m restoring an old military watch from the WW2-Era.
It´s a Thiel with the Thiel "start"-movement. Based on the movement it should be made between 1938 and 1942.
The watch is in a really bad condition. The chrome-plating of the case is severely damaged, the glass is scratched, the movement is rusty and doesn´t work at all.
I´m removing the old chrome with my new chrome-stripper (links attached below).
After sanding and polishing the case, it´s ready for a new chrome-plating. But I need to add a layer of nickel before.
The glass will be polished and the movement cleaned. The rusty movement-parts getting a manual polish by hand.
The hour-hand is broken at the arbor but luckily it still works fine and I am able to keep the original one. I´m polishing the hands and re-blue them with my new flame-bluing-kit (links attached below again).
There is not much I can do about the dial, a little cleaning of the radium contaminated surface has to be enough, because I don´t want to damage the original painting.
After everything is cleaned, polished, re-plated and re-blued, I can re-assemble the movement with some fresh oil. After that, this watch is in a good beat (+22 seconds per day) again.
I hope you liked this restoration, if so, like, comment and subscribe ;)
Subscribe to my channel:
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Music:
"Golden Cage" by Jimena Contreras
Link to the Song:
• Jimena Contreras - Gol...
Thanks to all my patrons and subscribers!
And especially to my gold-patron:
Diego Macias
as well as my silver-patrons:
Peter Oetterli
Alessandro
Martti Künnapas
Glenn G Webb
Zachary Forrest y Salazar
John Parker
___________________________________
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___________________________________
Chrome-stripper, Degreaser and Electrolytes by ‪@RolandBetzmannRealGold‬
Link to the shop:
www.real-gold....
Flame bluing kit by ‪@DIYWatchClub‬
Link to the shop:
shop.diywatch....
Acrylic Glass Polishing Compound: amzn.to/2XIP8vF **
Case Polishing Diamond Paste: amzn.to/2Ye1MSo **
Case Polishing Wadding: amzn.to/2UlNfme **
Thermo-Tape: amzn.to/30YktME **
Fiber Glass Pen: amzn.to/2AQfpzi **
UV-Lamp: amzn.to/3iuOSJ8 **
UV-Glue: amzn.to/3ghGSZK **
Rodico: amzn.to/3eWtTN2 **
Multi-Purpose Watch-Repair-Kit: amzn.to/2XIQ7Mn **
Multitool: amzn.to/2BNryW9 **
Buffing Wheels for Multitool: amzn.to/30gJCSF **
My Camera: amzn.to/32er4BJ **
** Affiliate Links
Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This help support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@SarcastSempervirens]

People like you, who care for things, are very important for this world.

[@ares-2550]

who cares about history* not just "things"!

[@Corksy]

Most watchmakers would say restoring this watch is a waste of time given the quality of the movement and the state of the case. I really like that you take your time to restore in such detail and with such care a "hopeless" watch.

[@jackjackson8335]

Скорее всего это восстановление часов сделано по заказу как восстановление памятной для кого то вещи.

[@bghoody5665]

Okay, that reflection in the watch crystal was kinda freaky lol. Great restoration - loved the chrome strip and renewal.

[@chicagotypewriter2094]

That’s the great thing about acrylic (plastic) “crystal”; it scratches easily but is even easier to make it look better than new again! (It’s also much more shatter resistant, hence it being used on the Apollo missions in case of failure) Edit: Finally got to that part; saw what you mean!

[@chicagotypewriter2094]

@cddc 9889 in all fairness, the channel is called Red Dead Restoration

[@captainwin6333]

That and the socks. 🦶

[@Reg4x4]

10:58 💀

[@alfonosotibursio5875]

00000)0

[@winstonlanda7731]

Literally the best restoration video I've ever seen. The tools, the quality, the presentation, the professionalism, the silence. You are just one for the best channels for watch content in all of KZbin. Thanks for showing us your work and I wish you the best.

[@RedDeadRestoration]

Thanks 😊

[@frankierzucekjr]

Agreed, it's hard to believe he was able to get it looking this great. Definitely took many hours that's for sure

[@mcBelaib]

Très bonne restauration Bravo​@@RedDeadRestoration

[@whoaboutofcup]

Silence is gold.

[@oganisyan5]

That's makes quartz watches valuable))

[@mcBelaib]

Ɓravo l'artiste​

[@olltim9]

Silent service is gold😊

[@KerryCox1967]

But duct tape is silver…

[@moparkr]

loved how you left the dial pretty much alone and just polished up the crystal. the watch came out amazing!

[@joe589]

People only with passion to restore old master pieces can do such amazing work.

[@Archangeloftheandes]

I almost got emotional… you give these timepieces really another life. You are a true watch surgeon!!!!!!

[@violetraysgarage1765]

Danke! Für eine Arbeit, die der Uhr nicht ihre Geschichte nimmt, sondern sie ihr lässt. Diese Art von Arbeit ist eine Lebenseinstellung. Ein großes Bravo an Sie!

[@dannydm2133]

that would be a really fun daily wear watch with a story to tell about it.

[@walibough]

Your expertise in so many other fields (especially in metals' treatment mechanics) makes you just the perfect restorer.

[@Felix-misc]

That before and after in the reveal, with the music... it's so inspiring, it makes you think that anything can be fixed; not just watches, but people, and maybe even the world.

[@thelonemodder630]

No words can describe the amazing work you've done to this old boy. Classy and Alive💖💖!!!!

[@GenuinelyCurious120]

She identifies as a woman...

[@RedDeadRestoration]

Thanks 😊

[@fulvioplatania3091]

you’re a Maestro indeed…to see your job is a beautiful show always

[@whoaboutofcup]

I hope, he will "no words" in the future videos, like as always.

[@ChargedPulsar]

How are you sure that it's a boy?

[@bicycle-oq1eh]

outstanding skill & knowledge. I'm just wondering if polishing out the scratches etc, actually devalue the watch. I was asked to restore a victorian table, clean up all the knocks & scratches, then apply new french polish. I told the customer that it would seriously devalue it so he went off to think about it. Met him a few months later , said " I checked it out with 2 auctioneers , & told me that they agreed with me".. he said that he has the table with all the historical knocks & scratches & a conversational piece + valuable.... This chap has brilliant talent & skill with watches. You can only advise the customer. 👍👏

[@MrHardhatharry]

I really liked the mask you wore! Plus your love for old watches is evident. Noticed this one had no jewels in the movement. If the watch could talk, the stories it could tell.

[@felipe1088]

yes an coming fron a nazi sodier

[@fjones1914]

The cleaning, polishing and bluing of the hands was awesome to see being done.

[@Lush394]

These older pin pallet non-jewelled movements can be a devil to work on but you made it look easy with your methodical approach and attention to detail. Especially liked the crystal and crown restoration as others would have discarded these and replaced with new but you went to the trouble or restoring them and thus keeping as much of the originality of the watch as possible which is so important. Really great work.👍

[@LohauarMohamed]

Thèse older pin pallet non_jewellelled mouvements Can be a devil to work on but you 💖 made it look easy with your methodical approche and attention ?

[@LohauarMohamed]

❤😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😊

[@scottjones5455]

There needs to be an award for watch restoration and you need to be the first name on the trophy. I was really surprised at the accuracy with such a simple mechanism. I've never seen a watch with so few parts.

[@TAZmannTAZ]

I especially love the fact that watch is still old after the restoration

[@bicivelo]

I’m glad you didn’t change the face or the crystal. It looks amazing!!!! The metal work was really great as well. Oh and when you used the hand lathe remove the rust from the shaft. Wow!!!

[@AyazRestoration]

😊❤😊

[@ermelindowenceslauqueiroz8894]

Um relógio fabricado numa época difícil, 1942 quantas horas de angústia teria medido, mas também quanto tempo de ansiedade pelo feliz reencontro dos entes queridos. Ótimo trabalho, parabéns.

[@harshsingh1517]

This is the best watch restoration channel All of the other restorer does not give attention to the detailing of case.

[@AyazRestoration]

❤😍

[@nithin.kumar.m]

One of your finest work I must say!

[@AyazRestoration]

😊❤😊

[@gromit1996]

This was so beautifully done. Thanks for showing all the amazing steps. Some would argue that re-chroming the case is the wrong move, but in this case I think it is exactly correct in that we know it's an old watch. The dial tells the story. The case needed to be redone to keep this piece serviceable for the future, imo. Great work! I love your tools and bench and that restored cleaning machine is amazing.

[@RTC057]

Looks like an expansion of equipment used not seen in your previous videos, the appalling socks return but the hooded skull face in the reflection of the polished glass was a double take 😮. Glad to see you back, love watching your videos. Thank you

[@chunder27]

I like the way you kept as much as you could, some do not.

[@iraqrepublicangaurd]

5:31 Removing the scratches view was 👌 awesome man!!. I enjoyed watching. Thank you from the iraq

[@texgowing7359]

I would in my life never have thought anyone could turn that wreck into a thing of beauty, but by heck you did. Absolutely stunning 👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@AyazRestoration]

😊❤😊

[@sylvainglorian9504]

Really fascinating ! what a great work you made on this piece of history. The particular thing I like is you did not try to hide its age, you took advantage of it. It gives a personality to this watch and, of course, a big part of its beauty.

[@krishnachandranigam4352]

Superb working especially metal plating and tools what you have used for restoring such a old piece

[@AyazRestoration]

😊❤😊

[@loveobd628]

Unglaublich. Nicht nur, dass du für jedes Modell und vor allem jedes Problem das passende Werkzeug hast. Viel wichtiger ist, dass du die Werkzeuge allesamt richtig einsetzt und korrekt bedienst! Nicht mehr allzu selbstverständlich heutzutage. Dazu die restaurierte Elma in Aktion ... . Ein wirklich schönes Video 👍🏻

[@patrickhannon8126]

Wow!. The contrast of the patena of the dial and the fresh chrome plating is quite stunning!. Skelator strikes again!

[@knobowski]

Sehr schönes Ergebnis. Die handwerkliche Arbeit ist absolut beeindruckend!

[@uweinhamburg]

A watch that shiny in a trench would attract artillery fire from 5 kilometers away... Beautiful end result and i like that you didn't try to make the dial better than it can be!

[@lolcec81]

Комментарий в поддержку канала и ролика, а также труда мастера.

[@jatco84]

Incredible job on restoring that old classic.. Alive once again. Excellent job..!!

[@jatco84]

Giveaway Package??

[@Jayteeef]

Excellent work as always. Love the reflection at 10:59! Cheers from Canada!

[@agistan7764]

and "DNA Disposal" bin. Take British humor and dry some more it and you get a German humor :)

[@Testango]

@@agistan7764 where's the humor?

[@fredflintstone747]

Thank you for giving this watch another life, comparing to Swiss watches of its era, I can simply say that the Swiss are the best.

[@triplex86]

Excellent video. Very enjoyable to watch you bring this old watch back to life.

[@tibet1976]

I’m in awe at your skills. Thank you for twenty one minutes of satisfying relaxation. Well done

[@Jurunabada]

You sure are a master of the craft my dude. The amount of care to every detail, and to keep the watch completely original (minus the strap) was just amazing, I was sure you were going to replace parts of the movement, but I was wrong. Cheers man, you never cease to amaze me

[@roccopi5045]

Molte volte non si conoscono le competenze dell orologiaio. Grande lavoro. Complimenti.

[@vonkruel]

Absolutely fascinating. Great work & so well shot. I'm still learning about basic watch movement mechanics, but case restoration is a whole other can of worms that I'd like to open up at some point. Polishing the pivots was also very interesting to watch. Tools, tools, tools!!! Thanks so much for top tier content like this.

[@RedDeadRestoration]

Thanks 😊

[@Mekazas]

Wow. seeing the before and after at the end almost made the tears flow.

[@AyazRestoration]

😊❤😊

[@Juanjo191]

You don't have idea how much I enjoy your videos. They are so relaxing and you make such an impressive job!

[@geoffreylotz3661]

An excellent job, superb...thanks for making and uploading the video. I am envious of all your tools and machines, man......really envious.

[@AyazRestoration]

😊❤😊

[@AyazRestoration]

❤😍

[@lucashipkins]

So amazing. I could watch your videos on repeat for eternity. 😍😍😍

[@fionalang2700]

Was für ein Aufwand für eine alte Stiftankeruhr! Wirklich ein Wahnsinn!

[@alexmakarov9233]

Шикарно, именно реставрация, без новых деталей и всякого новодела.

[@rca245]

Beautiful ; and still highly radioactive

[@Mike_Hoffmann]

It's kind of like an early Timex in construction. Great job.

[@markg7963]

beautiful job! amazing craftsmanship! Thanks for saving this watch, and letting us watch....

[@mossmokwena5032]

What a beautiful restoration 👍👌

[@rajkumarnain1487]

You just can't skip a single second!! Worth watching ❤️❤️

[@fortyeighter8917]

Perfection in restoration, i usually put videos like these in ×2 speed, but for this one i enjoyed watching every nano-second in normal speed ...best restoration vid so far hands down congratulations !

[@art7727]

you are a god in restoration, such attention to detail, cool technologies, tools, machines.

[@geeber8136]

Outstanding. The owner of that watch must have been thrilled watching you bring that watch back to life.

[@connecting_pe_ople]

Отличная работа!

[@lisapino6739]

Wow! You are a true Artist/Craftsman. Your magic hands did a fantastic job on that watch. I love watching you work. I was so mesmerized by your talent. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing your next video. Stay safe and stay healthy

[@frankierzucekjr]

I can only imagine what this watch has seen, so to speak. Phenomenal job on bringing it back to life and like new again. Also very cool that the radium still glows that pretty green. Reading all I have on the Radium Girls is extremely sad, but still history and now you own a part of it. Very cool, well done. Kinda hoped you'd show it in the dark at the end tho lol

[@humbleguy4726]

Never thought you would get those deep scratches out in a million years, shows how much i know, great job my friend. Video presentation just perfect and the total restoration is something you should be very proud of. Very enjoyable to see a true artisan at work.

[@minthenry]

Tolles Video, wie immer! Schön dass du die Wasch-Station auch restauriert hast!

[@forevereuropa]

Im from Germany ( Thüringen ), very Nice Restauration! Wishing you you a happy new year!

[@Miguel_ON65]

Incredible job my friend. Congratulations for so awesome restoration. You are all a master. Excellent job.

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

Incredible restoration of such a historic piece! ⏱️

[@СергейМаресов-о6в]

Эти видео с часами можно смотреть часами 🙂🙂🙂, великолепно 👍👍👍

[@mrdmahesh]

It's good that you did not restore the dial otherwise nobody would have believed that the watch is the restored one! Master Craftsman and the artiste 😀

[@rafikbeekun830]

Une restauration incomparable d'une montre rare par un maître horloger! Merci immensément.

[@joeldeguzman1479]

I just enjoy how you restore watches. You calm my anxiety

[@dragocas1]

Благодарим за интересный видео материал.

[@miguel--rush]

Excelente trabajo..! Gracias por compartir. Felicitaciones.!!!

[@AyazRestoration]

😊❤😊

[@kutsvalery1644]

Это было Прекрасно!!! Я не зря потратил время для просмотра. Мастеру низкий поклон.

[@Wolf_K]

I love the sound of a low beat watch.

[@MyRetroWatches]

First of all that was fantastic work you shown there. Loved the camera angles on some of the shots. Proof that an old pin pallet can still get done love and was a decent trace on the TG. I really need to get into plating my last eat video I have threatened to do it so will be looking for similar liquids as yours ! I did think the mainspring looked set and possibly warped and not sure why you oiled thr bottom of the barrel like that . Never seen it done before. If it’s not an auto I don’t oil at all.

[@santhiapillaianandarajah2620]

Hiya Sir What a wonderful technique,restoring the antique watch being restored and looks like a new watch.I seen it’s a very long procedure ,cost a lot but worthwhile. We shouldn’t discard any old or even broken watches or anything,there is a way to make useful!. Good luck. Anton London

[@georgearonis9273]

Congratulations. Your insistence on detail, your love for what you do to restore the lost shine and functionality along with your talent make you not only an admirable person but also a wonderful KZbin channel for the whole world. Keep doing miracles.!!! Best regards, George

[@georgearonis9273]

@@user-kn7lr4ho8j is it a fake message or what ? I hve to be sure before any action.

[@00996580]

Wonderful 😊😊😊👍👍. Gran paciencia. Sabiduría y gadgets...

[@maximpirogov318]

What an amazing restoration 🤩 I am deeply impressed!!

[@thomj32]

Fascinating to watch and see there's a tool for every job you'd never think of, I love the presicion of it all, done by hand for a superb result

[@luisviana405]

Parabéns trabalho maravilhoso 👏👏👏👏

[@zombiedoggie2732]

I like the dial being somewhat worn but still legible. It gives the watch a look of "I have been through a war, I have my battle scars, but someone came along and gave me the TLC I needed to run again."

[@walther9161]

I want to give you ten thumbs-up! Thank you for such great production quality and expertise… and for bringing back an amazing piece from oblivion!

[@JamesMPogue]

I am impressed, with your talent. Another beautiful restored watch.

[@markiobook8639]

I particularly loved this one- it was not only a masterpiece of horology, but it had pathos and not nostalgia- but something like reflective melancholy. You start thinking not only of the man who wore this watch, but what he did- who did he kill, who killed him and in my humble opinion- the Russian Weltverdrossenheit or is this correct "mirovaya pechal" that war is the source of deep , traumatic sadness. Prayers to those all known only to God.

[@Hasio-Maszkietnik]

This man's not only a watchmaker, but a chemist!

[@aramis_aramis_2024]

Wow, that's amazing job! Respect!👍

[@rasubosu355]

Awesome 👏 just noticed the new watch cleaner 🤘

[@tamorahjean3348]

This is so much fun to watch! Thank you!

[@Toboldlygo721]

Beautiful job well done🥲😌🦁👍🏻🇩🇪

[@gabrielc8867]

Cuánta admiración por este arte, 😲👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Enygma89]

First time I'd seen something like this in a video.. no jewels / rubies.. such a nice truly mechanical sound 👌🏼

[@RedDeadRestoration]

Glad you liked it!

[@ТимофейСухов-г4я]

Молодец!!!! С юмором все. Класс!!!

[@TheducksOrg]

Interesting to see this sort of work on a very cheap watch vs rolexes or similar quality watches!

[@trex_28]

Du bist ein wahres Genie!! Super Arbeit und danke für den Erhalt dieser tollen historischen Uhr ♥️

[@ToxicMasculinity-t5q]

Magnificent sir, absolutely magnificent. The German soldier who had worn this would be proud.

[@timothybarber9849]

The reflection in the crystal put a smile on my face. Lol🫡

[@68sweetnovember]

Stunning.

[@RedDeadRestoration]

Thank you!

[@Watcheyes]

Well done, I liked to see that diy kit, that seemed very nice :)

[@GyulaJentetics]

Beautiful and job!👀👍😍💖

[@AyazRestoration]

😊❤😊

[@doom-servise]

Как всегда прекрасная работа