Restoring the Most Neglected Watch I’ve Ever Seen! 90+ Years Old Silver Zenith Pocket Watch

It’s not every day that we get to open a door to the past and hold a relic from the 1930s, let alone repair it! Sadly, as wristwatch production began to overshadow that of pocket watches, these once-cherished timepieces ended up relegated to the backs of drawers and forgotten for decades… (until curious watch repairers rediscovered them!)
Today I pick up a beautiful Zenith pocket watch, gifted by the Meyer-Bolliger family in July of 1932, that has certainly seen better days and needs a full restoration, including case and dial. With no time to waste, let’s dive right into it!
🔗 LINKS FROM THE VIDEO:
- The Mainspring Explained: www.vintagewatchstraps.com/ma...
- Temperature Effects in Watches: www.vintagewatchstraps.com/te...
🎥 FILMING GEAR:
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🛠️ WATCHMAKING TOOLS:
- Watch Repair Kit, Bergeon: amzn.to/48uOCDy
- Screwdrivers set, Bergeon: amzn.to/4aY0Iqm
- Bench Mat, Bergeon: amzn.to/4aPJAmo
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- Ultrasonic Cleaner, Vevor 3L: amzn.to/41Rsxfy
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📚 MY FAVOURITE WATCHMAKING BOOKS:
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- The Watch Repairer’s Manual, by Henry B. Fried: amzn.to/48LBg5A
- Watchmaking by George Daniels: amzn.to/3vrG3uB
👉 FOLLOW RESCUING WATCHES:
- Instagram: / rescuingwatches
- TikTok: / rescuingwatches
🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL:
/ @rescuingwatches
Quick note! The links in this description are Amazon Affiliate Links to some of the equipment I use for making these videos, as well as things I like. Purchasing any of the items through the links helps growing the channel.

[@petercampbell3828]

Nice old watch. The thin ring that got left behind when you removed the movement from the case is called a dust cover. I agree with your decision to polish the case. There is a difference between patina and neglect, and this was definitely a case of neglect. Denture cleaning tablets do a good job on porcelain dials.

[@gordonbarr6263]

I agree on the denture tablets

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you for the advice and the support Peter! I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😊🙏🏻

[@giorgiogrlj]

@@gordonbarr6263 I tried it few days ago with and old and neglected Omicron wristwatch and worked perfectly.

[@randyattwood]

Congrats! That was fabulous to watch. Reviving the dial had me at the edge of my seat.

[@rescuingwatches]

It had me at the edge of my seat as well! Thank you very much for the support! 😁🙏🏻

[@ygrbooks]

Thank you so much for sharing this most beautiful and instructive video with the watch-loving community on KZbin. It was a great pleasure to watch it, and I look forward to seeing more of this on your wonderful channel: 👍👌👏! As for Zenith, the future does not bode well. Their owners - LVMH - have led many companies to lots of profit for little return and no quality. The watch you restored in this video, would never be of such class and worth had it been produced today. LVMH junk like Tag "Heuer" anybody? 🤮!

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much for the kind words, it’s really appreciated! 🙏🏻😊 I gravitate towards vintage on most (if not all) of the watch brands out there, but as you say, with Zenith and Heuer the difference between their vintage pieces and modern watches is night and day!

[@WCtrainer1]

Turned out absolutely beautiful. My father had two dozens of these pocket watches from the 1800s and I've ever since been infatuated with them. 👍👍

[@francispalmer9737]

Excellent job bringing this beauty back to it's former glory. Cheers Rescuing watches.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much! I‘m glad you enjoyed it 😁🙏🏻

[@leftpastsaturn67]

Superbly filmed and narrated, first-class restoration of a beautiful timepiece. Subbed.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you for the kind words! I‘m glad you enjoyed it ❤️🙏🏻

[@ramoverde4133]

Beautiful!!! 👍 Schlieren Zürich. Famiglie Albert Meyer-Bolliger, must have been a wealthy family to give away such valuable timepieces at that time and made the recipient very proud...

[@rescuingwatches]

Agree! You don’t see that often anymore! Thank you very much for the support 😁🙏🏻

[@gordonbarr6263]

Thank you for cleaning and buffing the case

[@bearbon2]

Beautiful job! I'm in support of full restoration and polishing of vintage timepieces as when they were when new. I know there are people who value wear and patina but I don't share their preference.

[@michaelkeats1313]

Great work, the watch looks fantastic. The work on the dial was amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much Michael! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😁🙏🏻

[@Roddy1965]

Absolutely fantastic workmanship and wonderful production. What a gorgeous timepiece.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊🙏🏻

[@sandrawest2105]

Perfection! I enjoyed watching your video. Thank you for an interesting and thorough explanation of the process. And saving the dial was special. Peace💫

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you for the support Sandra! 🙏🏻 I‘m glad you enjoyed the video 😁

[@planetrocker5652]

Beautiful and I loved it so much. Thanks for sharing. Was eagerly waiting for a video from you since. Take care. Cheers

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much for the kind words! Happy you liked it! 😁🙏🏻

[@lulul]

gorgeus! good job!

[@user-gu6rg8eo5f]

Mine gussl The new watch is great! I've praised its realism many times. I really recommend checking out their selection.

[@mattburley3189]

Denture cleaning tablets that fizz up seem to give great results on enamel dials. Great video as always.

[@giorgiogrlj]

Man!!! I enjoyed every second of this video. Thanks.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much! It‘s really appreciated 🙏🏻

[@lindathimm8293]

Finally! I was waiting for a new one to come! Amazing work and keep it coming 🙌🏼

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much for the support! ❤️🙏🏻

[@philipbrailey]

Very interesting.

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

What a lovely restoration. Bravo!

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much! 🙏🏻

[@lsimpson50]

Well done!

[@MauriOsterholm]

Thank you for the very interesting video. I will certainly view it again one day. I have same watch dating back to year 1920. It came from my wife's father as he passed away. I am not experienced with pocket watches, so it was so nice to see you cleaning each part of this vintage piece. Understanding a bit more about the function is good, however I dare never do the same cleaning for the watch. Best to leave professionals do the right thing. Thumbs!

[@rescuingwatches]

Thanks for the support Mauri! I’m glad the video helped 😊🙏🏻

[@deanbrown4083]

Enjoyed the video. I collect old pocket watches and enjoy watching them being resurrected. Close up work was excellent and easy to see the process. Thank you for this video.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much for the feedback and the support! I will certainly keep working on pocket watches 🙏🏻😊

[@kevinl.7487]

Use denture cleaner for porcelain dials it removes hard to get stains especially in cracks. It works wonders without harming the finish!

[@diegoportentoso5507]

A funcionar otros 100 años ...😁👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@tveksam8347]

Well done! 😅

[@stephenoconnell6255]

Great job I think you will do very well as the explanation was spot on

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you Stephen! Glad you enjoyed it 😊🙏🏻

[@socalav]

BRAVO!

[@jpwillm5252]

Bravo !

[@Sestorema]

Great job 👍🙂

[@c.b.r.2894]

Great job!

[@hockeyrd99]

Nice job. You won't damage a PW dial like that when cleaning it. The enamel won't come off by rubbing it. I've been using the ultrasound to clean dials like that for 25 years and never ruined one. Just put it in for a minute or less, and they come up like new.. bounces all the dirt out of the cracks. If you're nervous about it, do a test on a parts watch dial.

[@chaosdojo463]

Great job! Really enjoyed this video.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much!🙏🏻

[@MLampner]

Thank you for sharing this. I emjoyed watching you progress through the work. I have a collection of pocket watches, including my Grandfathers. While mine are older they have much in common with this watch, though I have two outliers, a lever set watch and one as you descirbed with key wind and a fusee. For enamel faces I would recommend soaking them in denture cleaner. Dentures are made out of an enamel very similar to that used on watch faces. Because it has to be safe to put in a mouth it is gentle but very effective and less likely to do damage than even a mild abrasive like tooth paste. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you for the tip and the support! 🙏🏻😊

[@frodriguezpc]

Buen trabajo Ignasi! Para la esfera, prueba la proxima vez a sumergirlo en agua con una de esas pastillas para limpiar dentaduras postizas. Te ahorrará el estrés de la pasta de dientes

[@rescuingwatches]

Fantástico Fran! Muchas gracias por el consejo y por el apoyo! 😁🙏🏻

[@Vintage_Pocket_Watch]

Great job. 👍

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you! 🙏🏻😊

[@oleksii2393]

Hey Ignasi. I'm a hobby watchmaker too and I really enjoyed your work. One thing I've noticed is very high amplitude which may be caused by incorrect lift angle setting. I've got a similar Zenith pocket watch with very similar caliber (177t) and in my case the lift angle is 40 degrees.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you for the tip Oleksii! I didn’t even think about that, but I’ll definetly keep it in mind for the next one 😁🙏🏻

[@armandllaurado7482]

Hi Ignasi, I was amazed at the way you handled the restoration of this lovely pocket watch. Do you happen to rescue watches on demand as well? If so, could you please let me know how to contact you privately so that I can explain my case? If not, I’ll continue to be awaiting new thrilling restorations of these wonderful machines! 😮

[@rescuingwatches]

Hi Armand! Thank you for the feedback, I’m glad you enjoyed the video 🙏🏻😊 At the moment I only restore my own watches and they’ll keep me busy for at least 1 more year. Being that said, feel free to reach out at [e-mail], maybe I can recommend you someone 🙂

[@armandllaurado7482]

Thanks! I did so :-)@@rescuingwatches

[@thegrassyknoll7792]

The thin savonette glas is not for open face pocketwatches only for closed hunter models therefore its so thin, and flat it has to fit under a lid 😊

[@loch1957]

Polidemt denture cleaning tablets work great on ceramic dials.

[@velviaman3206]

The usual Zenith top quality with gold plated movement. Movement was made in 1906.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you for the insight! 🙏🏻😁

[@velviaman3206]

@@rescuingwatches You are welcome

[@stevenboesky6692]

did you lubricate the main spring and barrel? I did not see that in the video

[@Henky-180]

deze ceramische wijzerplaat kan ook in de ultrasoon gereinigd worden. anders met spiritus of glassex schoonmaken. mijn vader gebruikte in de jaren 60 - 70 zijn speeksel om dit schoon te krijgen, daarna met gewoon water spoelen. bleek toe ook goed te werken. kast is ook mooi geworden.

[@hemigod2]

I did not see you oil that new spring before you put the lid on the main spring barrel

[@user-wv1pj6wh4h]

A guy tried to sold me a bag full of old pocket watches all of them had some damages,, but the bag was cheapp :))

[@tomgannon7515]

instead of using toothpaste to clean the dial face you can used denture cleaner

[@jerrybaird2059]

I wonder how many hours it took to do this repair.

[@lordpurchase9189]

I would not attempt to take a good pocket watch apart, I have practiced on some scrap watch movements but its not easy especially when things go wrong like the hour hand being stuck or something else that you can't remove that is supposed to come apart. There are also so many small fragile fiddly parts, I would never remember where everything goes. I just keep my watches as time pieces, pieces of history rather than attempt to repair one, I think I'd just ruin it further so I leave well alone now. I like the big chunky pocket watches from the 1800s.

[@rescuingwatches]

Don’t give up! I’m still learning with every watch I restore and before those, there were many, many failed attempts. Thanks for the support! 🙏🏻

[@RockyAllenLane]

Is the watch for sale? Thanks.

[@rescuingwatches]

Hi! At the moment I keep all the watches as I can’t help but grow attached after the restoration. I’ll let you know it that changes though. Thanks for the support! 🙏🏻😊

[@elroyjohnson7996]

Denture cleaner