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

[@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.

[@KevinL.03303]

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

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Despite decades of oil and grime buildup, the quality of the pocket watch shined through after cleaning up. Many thanks for an excellent video. Looks like you ended up getting a bargain.

[@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!

[@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 ❤️🙏🏻

[@cosmic-fortytwo]

That is fantastic. It is nice to see a beautiful watch like this brought back to life.

[@rescuingwatches]

Agree! Thank you for watching! 🙏🏻❤️

[@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! 😁🙏🏻

[@andydray1548]

Really appreciate the way you explain everything so clearly. You missed noting the left-hand thread on the transmission wheel. Only mentioned because you are so careful with explaining everything else. Thank you for a great show.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏🏻❤️

[@Roddy1965]

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

[@rescuingwatches]

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

[@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. 👍👍

[@philipbrailey]

Very interesting.

[@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! 😁🙏🏻

[@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 😁🙏🏻

[@gordonbarr6263]

Thank you for cleaning and buffing the case

[@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 😁

[@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 😁🙏🏻

[@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 😁🙏🏻

[@giorgiogrlj]

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

[@rescuingwatches]

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

[@diegoportentoso5507]

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

[@lulul]

gorgeus! good job!

[@JohnnyKray]

Good vid, very relaxing and your voice is very soothing.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much! ❤️😁

[@socalav]

BRAVO!

[@Sestorema]

Great job 👍🙂

[@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! ❤️🙏🏻

[@lsimpson50]

Well done!

[@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.

[@stephenoconnell6255]

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

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you Stephen! Glad you enjoyed it 😊🙏🏻

[@mattburley3189]

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

[@tveksam8347]

Well done! 😅

[@jpwillm5252]

Bravo !

[@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 🙏🏻😊

[@c.b.r.2894]

Great job!

[@hawkofarabia1013]

You are talented .. i am not into vintage watches.. this one really looks amazing and the movement shocked me as well as how the dial holds up after cleaning this is a high quality watch .. great work

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much for the kind words! ❤️🙏🏻

[@garryschyman99]

Very impressive! Really enjoyed this video.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much! 🙏🏻😁

[@kevinbrianburke]

Beautiful Job!!!!

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you Kevin! 😊🙏🏻

[@cassandre4431]

Quel beau mouvement, et j'ai bien apprécié cette restauration, joli travail ! Zenith un de mes garde temps préféré, g eu un moment la Fly Back, El Primero et cette montre de poche donne envie... 😁 Merci

[@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! 😁🙏🏻

[@nickFullerton-tb7dz]

Great illustration of the ills of over oiling.

[@radarhec]

Nice job !

[@Loken_Warrior]

Great job! Really enjoyed this video.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much!🙏🏻

[@vickiefowler1429]

I love a good pocket watch! Watching one get cleaned, repaired and put right again is a joy! One of the other watch restorers I follow uses denture cleaner to soak enamel faces and it seems to work beautifully to remove dirt and stains. Thought you might like to try that as it would be less tedious and cause you less anxiety! Thanks for sharing your patience and skill with us!

[@rescuingwatches]

I’ll definetly give it a shot next time! Thanks for the tip! 🙏🏻❤️

[@bobsmeyne763]

Nicely done!

[@Turkish4224]

great work, great narration and details about technical stuff and history elements. congrats!!! subscribed

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it 🙏🏻❤️

[@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.

[@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 😊🙏🏻

[@albawehunt]

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

[@WatchRestorationCottage]

What a lovely restoration. Bravo!

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you very much! 🙏🏻

[@watchitrunning]

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 😁🙏🏻

[@soltanacraft8994]

جميل

[@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

[@boydsargeant7496]

Great job! I think I would have used denture tables for the dial cleaning and only polished the case by hand so half the scratches show.

[@rescuingwatches]

Thanks for the tips! Will give it a shot next time 😁

[@stevenboesky6692]

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

[@ForestWoodworks]

My uncle is sending me a 1907 Waltham pw to see if I can get running, so I'm checking all my watchmaking creators for pw vids. About to dive into this one!

[@rescuingwatches]

Good luck with the repair! 🤞🏻😁

[@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.

[@zZYourMineZz]

Hello ! The lift angle you inputted on your timegrapher seems a bit large, watches at that time usually had angles around 44 degrees. This means that the amplitude you recorded (of around 322) would in reality be closer to 280/270, which would still be more than great. Amplitude around or more than 310/320 degres can potentially cause damage and time fast due to knocking

[@tonyaxeman4381]

Put Your dials in denture cleaner for a few hours works great .

[@hemigod2]

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

[@KRColson]

I was going to mention that as well. Good catch.

[@lipinglin1994]

It's insane to see how it comes together after all these years when you can clean those dirt off the dials.

[@emmettrcraven5544]

I would like to know where you found those black sticks from so I can replace the ones I lost. I used them in electronics repair my whole career but now I can’t find them at home.😊

[@rescuingwatches]

You can find all the tools in Cousins uk! It’s a British supplier. Either there or in Bergeon’s website 😊

[@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.

[@jerrybaird2059]

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

[@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! 🙏🏻😊

[@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

[@tomgannon7515]

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

[@NekoNeroID]

This pocketwatch like Omega at 1920😅

[@robertparrish5542]

keep in mind that in the 1930 they were using oils based of of whale oil , yes oil mad from whales , and they used it in every kind of oils ,

[@laurentiuprisacariu9905]

well spent 50 mins of my time :)

[@elroyjohnson7996]

Denture cleaner

[@morbidproductions4674]

The watch is own is waaaaay more neglected than this.. shits gone blue and green. can't even see the face its just white mist on the face..

[@etebol]

My buen trabajo

[@Vintage_Pocket_Watch]

Great job. 👍

[@rescuingwatches]

Thank you! 🙏🏻😊