Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary. Bespoke Watch from Old Parts and Sleepless Nights.

This vintage restoration took everything but the kitchen sink. CNC, 3D printing, silver plating, and so much more. We end up having to make a custom dial from a sheet of brass, along with the watch indices.
This one is going to be interesting.The hardest watch restoration I've undertaken so far took me over 2 months to bring it all together, so I hope you like seeing the transformation from broken to a unique piece.
#vintagewatches #WatchRestoration #watchrepair #vintagewatch
-----------------------------------------------------------------
People that I like, that you might like! Non sponsored
Eric from the dutch Rolex forums
/ dutchrolexforum
Alec from Gentleman's Watch Services
www.youtube.com/@GWServices/v...
Chris from CLM Watchmaking
/ clm_watchmaking
Lindsay Stämpfli - Cadrans ~ Vintage ~ Dials
/ arcstampfli
Nick from Koltsov Workshop - vintage watches, serviced, original
/ notarolex
Yesterday Watches
/ yesterday_watches
--------------------------------------------------------
Oil used
Light oil (escape wheel/third wheel/fourth wheel/balance pivots): Moebius 9010
Heavy oil (centre wheel/barrel arbor/barrel/motion work): Moebius HP 1300 or Moebius D5
Pallet oil: Moebius 941/2 and Moebius 9415 pallet grease (for fast beating watches over 19,800bph)
Mainspring: Moebius 8200 grease
Keyless work and upper crown wheel: Moebius 8301 grease
Cleaning agents
Elma - WF Pro Watch Cleaning
Elma Suprol Pro
----------------------------------------------------------------
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Dial Parts
01:02 Disassembly and cleaning the watch
02:17 Winding the Mainspring
05:10 Reassembling and Oiling the watch
19:36 Designing the dial
21:13 3D Printing the dial template
23:12 Finishing up the dial design
24:51 CNC and cutting the brass sheet
29:31 Cleaning and bevelling the dial parts
33:24 Surface finishing the dial
34:35 Electrochemical cleaning and silver plating the dial
36:57 Dial feet
39:47 Fitting the indices
42:58 Crafting the Watch Strap
01:00:25 Tick Tock: Does the Watch Run?

[@seagew]

Repeatedly states that he's not by any means an expert, then proceeds to carry out a range of tasks like an absolute boss far beyond the skills of 99.9% of people. Nice work! I would love to be able to create something to that calibre (🙄) and if I could I would wear it with pride everyday!

[@user-uf2sr5mk6t]

Can’t say anything that’s not already been said…please just do whatever the hell you want & post it! Thank you David!

[@Saving-Time]

Next week, on saving time, Morris dancing: :D Or maybe some more dials. Thank you for the kind words.

[@shervinnaimi3028]

2:08 "So all I have to really put this back together is my own intelligence and knowledge, so we might be in trouble." The way that you nonchalantly slip that piece of gold into your commentary is the real charm of this channel 😂

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it the world needs more people who take themselves less seriously ;)

[@GentlemensWatchServices]

David! Everything about this is fantastically, gloriously nuts, right from “ I know! I’ll make a dial myself!” to actually doing it. Genuinely inspirational. And plenty of laughs too. Thank you for the kind words, wishing you and the lovely Mrs SavingTime a great Christmas. Alec.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you. Everyone who reads these comments. Go watch this guy; he's great. Right back at you with the Christmas wishes, sir. I still need to watch your latest one KZbin did not tell me it was out, even though i asked it to, Bloody algorithms

[@nomadhawg]

That dial is incredible. Great job!

[@GAlvarado]

This is amazing, as creatives we always want to push for perfection for the next piece however this (even as a first go) is class. Wonderful design, patience, and craft. Respect. Best wishes on more custom watches/dials. Salud!

[@michaelmiller2893]

I would say it is a lovely dial. Thank you for the inspiring video!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you, new one is coming soon

[@Peoppell]

Great dial! Well done, I can appreciate how time consuming the whole process was…you have my admiration. Regard from Sydney, Australia.

[@davidsanov3240]

You don’t have to be interested in watch making to be thoroughly entertained by this content. I watch for the comedy!! 😂😂. Please keep ‘em coming David!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you sir

[@ProtonOne11]

Pretty cool what you can acheive even with very basic tools. It may not be absolute perfection, but as you said, to master a craft, you have to start doing something, or you'll never improve and get better at it. It's really looking very good for a first try, and knowing what you would do better or different the next time is important too. Honestly i would not have expected a low cost chinese cnc to be able to make anything useful at that tiny scale.

[@Saving-Time]

It's pretty cool what you can do with limited equipment, glad you enjoyed having a look at my efforts

[@oilguygamer1744]

Absolutely Fantastic! The best thing that I have watched in a long time. I was totally riveted to the screen. I am so glad I found your channel and I will be an avid watcher. Your narration is also fantastic as is your workmanship. I also have been a watch collector and am a newbie to watchmaking. It is really interesting to me. Great stuff and long may it continue. Thank you very much.

[@Saving-Time]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind words

[@JuiGpser]

That's a lovely finished dial

[@maxegarots1507]

What a great channel. Fantastic commentary. Brilliant craftsmanship. Wow. Please more dial making.

[@richf5967]

Awesome job You’re genuinely trying to do the whole thing You’ve given us all something to aspire to

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you. I'd like to learn more, maybe not master everything, but at least know the basics of all aspects of watchmaking. I'm happy you got something out of it

[@reginaldbowls7180]

WOW! Amazing amount of work you put in here! It’s pretty impressive that you’re able to also film your process and share with the world. You should be very proud!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you so much! Filming makes it a lot more difficult but i do enjoy it.

[@xavierolle]

Thats so cool!! I would like to make some sort of skeleton watch transforming one of those vintage watches, and this has inspired me!

[@jimmykao3355]

Brilliant work David. I love the extras - strap making, dial making.... They're are already TONS of videos on watch cleaning, assembly, etc. Thanks for the work. Fascinating and great outcome!

[@Saving-Time]

Glad you like them! Thanks for letting me know :)

[@Kairosdex]

Awesome!!

[@russvolk8300]

Love this!

[@Dimian7]

Looks awesome!!!

[@garrycornel2371]

Thanks!

[@Saving-Time]

Very nice of you. Thank you!

[@markcunningham2959]

Looks good 😊

[@jeremiahleak9371]

I loved that video. Plenty of plain watch restoration videos out there, but I loved the way you explain your steps, and attempt something more complex and difficult than just putting it back together.

[@j.conxcara381]

im not a wachtmaker or jeweler or nothing, but holly mama, i absolutly love the wacht you made.¡¡¡¡¡ thanks from spain

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks for watching! Hello from Prague

[@jaychaudhry4039]

Very nice !!!!!!

[@mpruitt756]

Wonderful job!

[@patrickandkennafenwick3958]

Nice job !!

[@snuffthemagicdragon9721]

Love it!! Best wishes from Limerick Eire.

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks all best from Prague :)

[@kamran102]

Cool man! Nice design! 😁

[@xavierrouet3654]

I am amazed by the Colors : when you look upward it seems with yellow Colors with less constraint than when looking from little aside where you almost see dark numbers and light plate (sorry for the English). Thus is a really good job.

[@leothomasjohnson6698]

Yes. I love it. I’m a goldsmith, please keep making content like this I want to see your progression. Great stuff.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you. I imagine you're a tad better with a jewellery saw than me, lol, but I'll do my best. I appreciate the kind words!

[@grumpyguy8102]

Very informative and entertaining.

[@thearchibaldtuttle]

Very nice!

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks!

[@davidstewart3868]

You are incredibly talented. Keep up the amazing work.

[@robertmabry6998]

Amazing results!

[@TheImmortalSoul]

this video is a piece of art

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you glad you liked it.

[@TerryClarkAccordioncrazy]

Your humility is as impressive as your skills. The painstaking detail work really paid off in a stunning and unique result.

[@phillipdridge9775]

Looks awesome ❤❤❤

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much

[@bradcaldwell9158]

Very impressive. Well done. Thank you for sharing.

[@MrBraveservant]

Very nice looking watch you did a good job!

[@BruceFord-kx9sl]

Super effort, brilliant outcome, Cheers.

[@jamesonguti1849]

This amount of effort you have put in to give this time piece a new lease of nice is incredible. This is a fantastic job done!

[@rubenducheny2788]

Wonderful!!

[@Saving-Time]

Many thanks!

[@mushtak1963]

that was bloody awesome. Thank you

[@Saving-Time]

You are welcome glad you liked it :)

[@endy_fx]

Absolutely fantastic. I'm so impressed at the dedication to learning and improving. For a first stab at making a dial, you must be over the moon at the result. Also, since you started it, I'd like to let viewers know that David sourced a part for me, and also graciously refused to take money for it. What a gent. Happy holidays to you and Mrs ST.

[@Saving-Time]

Hey Endy It's good to see you back, mate. No worries on the part; plenty of people helped me get here, so I'm just paying it forward where I can, so to speak! I was pleased with the dial, and Mrs. ST was pleased that the huge amount of swearing and throwing things around stopped. I think during this video I used up all the swear words; there are none left for anything else. Happy holidays to you and all of yours!

[@endy_fx]

Ypu keep making the videos, and I'll keep watching them :)

[@derekcarroll7524]

Thanks I enjoyed that

[@42Hertzer]

Cool, definitely more of this!

[@Saving-Time]

I'm working on it 😀 I need to sound prof my CnC a bit or ill be sleeping on the dog bed lol

[@WatchWithMike]

Nicely done! I learned a lot.😁

[@Saving-Time]

Hey Mike, I love your channel, mate. Awesome stuff. Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you liked this one

[@SDCollectiveBand]

Looks great! Cant wait to see how much better your dials start turning out.

[@Saving-Time]

You and me both laugh. I'll do my best to be glad you liked it

[@normandeplume7533]

Groovy man!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you!

[@ygrbooks]

Nice work and great result!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@mrsispup6660]

It came out nice , good job !

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@xmarcovinzx]

This is amazing and inspiring. Thank you!

[@Saving-Time]

You are so welcome! Glad you liked it

[@originalboondi]

Bravo, simply superb.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much.

[@TheRustyHairspring]

Nice! Looks great!

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks! Glad you liked it

[@moboei]

That’s amazing thanks for sharing

[@Saving-Time]

You are welcome thank you for watching

[@andrewalfe8433]

The dial looks good. I, too, like to learn and build “things” to keep my mind occupied and one thing I have learned is the simple fact that the more you do it - the better you get at it. I say keep it up and you can only get better! So, go do more.

[@dylantosta4218]

Outstanding job.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much!

[@bertrc2569]

Well done.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you!

[@k-ozdragon]

If you're going for a brushed surface, you should use scotchbright instead of sandpaper. Sandpaper leaves a very inconsistent finish, with deep gouges that really stand out. The scotchbright pads are much more uniform, and will produce a far nicer satin finish. They come in different grades. Typically you would use the green pads for a brushed satin, or the grey (fine) pads for an even more satin look. They are not very expensive, and you can find them at most hardware stores. You can find the green pads at any grocery store. Just make sure it's the flat green pad, and not on a sponge or something like that. They are inexpensive, so I would really suggest just picking up some of the green pads when you see them, and give it a go on something to test it out. I think you will find the results are excellent. We use them in my industry for finishing work on stuff that costs thousands of dollars. There are a bunch of different types of scotchbright pads, but for just finishing the green or grey should be fine. They do also make tools with these pads on them. So if you were to try a sunburst pattern, that may also work. Though I couldn't say for sure, as that's not something I've ever tried.

[@anthonybruno2069]

Beautiful ! Fantastic dial job !

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much!

[@andresullivan2933]

I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this video

[@Saving-Time]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know.

[@donnyboon2896]

I like your homemade watch dial. 😊

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you!

[@patrickandrews4206]

Groovy job with the dial!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! Glad you liked it

[@deanbrown4083]

Job well done! Enjoy your videos and the fact that you use close up to record the work. I have learned from your videos and may attempt to try cleaning and lubricating a few of my old pocket watches. Thank you and keep the videos coming.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much!

[@Mars-zgblbl]

Thanks for this! Having watched hundreds of watch repair videos, I believe yours might be the only video on YT of a self proclaimed amateur successfully making a gorgeous dial from scratch. Cracking job!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you so much. I'm very happy you enjoyed my efforts. Cheers

[@lichtuberstromt]

Thank you so much for making this video! I've been wanting to make a dial that is similarly complex, and being able to see someone do it and point out the potential problems and how much work is involved, is incredibly helpful. I definitely underestimated the time and work required to clean up the mill work. Having a 3D printer for templates and fixtures is also something I'm going to have to do. Really impressed with how well this turned out. This looks nothing like a first try - Really lovely looking watch!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you, A 3D printer is helpful for this sort of thing; it's not 100% necessary, but it will save you quite a bit of pain and suffering. I'll have another dial video out at some point; it's a hard thing to do but I believe it's in reach of anyone who wants to put a bit of work in. Good luck to you wit yours

[@TailSpinRCSpain]

Awesome work !

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks a lot!

[@garykasper2003]

Fantastic You taught me so much!!! You are such a great teacher Words cannot express my many thanks I truly believe I have learned more on this video that any of the other of the hundreds of overhaul and service videos that have seen My complements for your superb efforts GK

[@Saving-Time]

Wonderful! Thank you I'm really happy you got so much out of it.

[@meltonplumbing9636]

Very enjoyable

[@Saving-Time]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dude28405]

I like the job you did. It looks nice.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you nice of you to say

[@yveslauwereyns6677]

Amazing video as always, was laughing the whole way through, I love it

[@Saving-Time]

Glad you enjoyed Thanks :)

[@thatwontwork9046]

Wow, incredibly nice job. Inspirational

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much!

[@lobo-1197]

Really great job. Congratulations!

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks a lot! Glad you liked it

[@ross-t6663]

Great job! I truly enjoy your videos.

[@Saving-Time]

I appreciate that!

[@royowens6427]

Fantastic.. I loved watching.. Truly an incredible piece of art.. I loved the watch.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you very much!

[@MASI_forging]

Amazing work as always 😃😃

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you. I got a couple of friends and myself some blacksmithing lessons as a Christmas present, and we are off to forge a knife. Just for fun, so wish me luck :D nice to see you back, mate

[@valengreymoon5623]

That came out quite amazing.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you I'm glad you liked it

[@MattTofield]

Great video and really impressed with your courage to have a go at a really complicated and time consuming project. It has given me inspiration to continue on my own journey. Please continue with more videos along the same line. Cheers.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! Good luck to you, and if it helps, I filled up an entire bin full of dials before I got something that I was even vaguely happy with.

[@MattTofield]

@@Saving-Time good to know 😉

[@HPayne1650]

Great video David. It’s nice to see new techniques and experiences in watchmaking. Thanks for sharing.

[@Saving-Time]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate the comment thanks

[@adamsmith6594]

OK Numbers - solder two posts to back using silver hard and corresponding drill holes and solder post using silver solder (soft) you've basically made a flat earing so you need earing posts or silver wire and make your own posts. Or position and solder straight on. These days they use microwelds to solder but we used hand held guns and two pipes with a bottle next to our legs lmao. Edit when you solder on it will leave a tiny cone of solder round the base of the post which will leave the number slightly proud. To stop that 1) File it away using much finer needle files till they sit flat. Drill through watch face. Push posts through holes. Nip ends off and file. Now either toffee hammer them flat and make a kind of rivet head by doing it (no solder method) 2) nip off flush, file flat and solder with silver soft file flat with dremmel or pendant drill and soft rubber wheel. (no idea what they're called now but that's what we used to call them. Same constancy as the ink rubber on an old school rubber. Polishing and filing nightmare had me biting my hand. The saw frame will make a lovely edge which would just need a light sand wrapped round a dremel frazing ball or old dremel drill bit. But if you want it shiny then use a pendant drill with black polishing wheel (slightly abrasive rubber) then finish off with flour sand paper. We used to get letter transfers and put them on the silver sheet and use saw frame to cut round them. We wouod practice cutting the letters out of two pence You also need finer needle files yours was like a bastard file lmao. I'd struggle with that. That effect you were looking for with brushed metal you did OK but the reason it wasn't great was paper was too rough and you can't keep angle exact. My first job every day was to make up the sanding batons. A piece of hardwood 30 cm long and 8 or 10ml by I'd guess 20ml. Sheet of sanding paper in 3 grades. Fold them round the batons and tape at one end. As you use it up you rip it round the baton to expose fresh. Hold item on a jewllers pillar to catch light and in one smooth motion slide the paper across. Never back and forth. One slide along by hand. Blowing debris off each swipe. But what we had great success with later on with was doing that then barrel rolling rings in a barrel with soapy water and metal beads. Balls and rod like beads the size of small rice. For an hour or so. Rings sanded then barrel rolled. The shanks had such crisp clean edges it was gorgeous and they had a matt finish. Good luck hope that's helped

[@Saving-Time]

It did help, and that was really helpful. Thank you for taking the time. Most appreciated. I'll keep working at it. I was hoping some people who knew more than me would chime in to tell me where I was going wrong.

[@adamsmith6594]

​@@Saving-Timeoh god no you're not going wrong you made a beautiful job of it I'm just saying what we did to get a slightly cleaner result in a fraction of the time. And er .... I am looking to do my first watch and I know its gonna end up in a bag until I watch more videos 🤣

[@jbmaximus6910]

Its a good direction. I enjoyed the video and commentary.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@jrut1941]

Wow just wow.

[@hermankriel6176]

Please, please, please make more of these!!!

[@Saving-Time]

Will do thanks for watching

[@chopsjazz1]

I enjoy your lighthearted, self-aware, self-deprecating approach to your work. Especially because your work is so F-ing precise and well finished.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you, sir. I am glad you are enjoying the content. I put my trousers on one leg at a time, the same as everyone else :)

[@pauljellybeanjones5740]

Looks amazing 👏custom name was a nice touch also ,looking forward to seeing more attempt in the future 👍

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks 👍I'm sure i'll have another go at it soon!

[@billysr10]

Beautiful watch keep the channel going

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! Will do! Glad you liked it

[@MelliKeppler]

An idea brought to reality. Unique. Something you can be proud of.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you, sir. Happy new year to you!

[@kevindegliesposti8876]

Hi David, I'm extremely impressed by your work, this is amazing to try like this and to keep going. Love it, continue like this, this is what we like.

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks, will do! Glad you liked it.

[@ctdavis3277]

Nice! Yes, please do more dial making stuffs! Thx!

[@Saving-Time]

More to come! Glad you are enjoying the videos

[@redminute6605]

The dial looks warm and casual, and not only the story behind is beautiful, but I have to say: also the dial looks really charming, despite having imperfections.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you; that's very nice to hear. Glad you liked it

[@arthurheusdens]

I’ve recently stumbled upon channel, and I have to say your cool British humor together with your knowhow is very appealing! I would like to see more of the “doing it yourself” content!

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! 😃I'll be making more in the future. Glad you liked it

[@ROYALWAND]

looks GREAT :)

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@keith8570]

Great job David well done really enjoyed the video start to end, it's great to see such a varied content.

[@Saving-Time]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you

[@marko60marko44]

Well David, I never subscribe, but your skill, humour (launched into the Swiss space program) and your soothing voice made me log on to the medium and subscribe. This is rare for me. I personally have just started tinkering with watches and broke a LH threaded screw on my first attempt at a Ricoh watch that I have fallen in love with. Its brown dial raised chapters and raised Ricoh logo that puts a smile on my face. I have yet to figure out how to get the screw out, which of course led me to watch your whole video. Bravo chap. You have some seriously good skills. Now I'm off to watch your other collection of videos.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you. I appreciate that. Alas broken screws are not uncommon, you could try one of these: www.cousinsuk.com/product/screw-extractor I think they have them on AliExpress for even cheaper than this one, if you don't mind the wait.

[@terraaustralis1000]

Really nice!! Going from straps to watch repair and to watch dial making. Amazing. Keep going.

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks, will do! Nice of you to say

[@markslater5420]

Lots of work but fascinating and much appreciated, thank you for your hard work we all appreciate it !

[@Saving-Time]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it sir.

[@paulevetts9771]

great work mate. looks fantastic.

[@Saving-Time]

Thanks a lot!

[@jonrutherford6852]

Dial is a lovely piece of work, first job or not. Eye-catching without flamboyance. As for future videos, I think you should pursue whatever projects bring you the best balance of challenge vs. satisfaction, and rest assured others will find the work just as absorbing as in this one.

[@Saving-Time]

Thank you; that's very nice of you to say. I'm happy you found it interesting

[@michaelkeats1313]

That was the best watch repair video I’ve seen for a long time. Your work on the dial was super impressive and making the strap just so good to watch. More like this please. 👍

[@Saving-Time]

Glad you liked it! Thank you very much for the kind words.