Every old thing, whether it’s a hip, a home, or a car, will eventually need some major TLC if you wish it to keep its value. But when it comes to vintage timepieces, there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about the process.
Self-winding watches gained popularity in the 1920s during World War I. A self-winding watch (also known as an automatic watch) features a mainspring to turn the gears, which then turns to move the hands to wind the watch automatically.
If your self-winding watch needs restoration and repair, the cost of repair could sometimes exceed the value of the watch. Learning how to restore and repair your self-winding watch can save you money and you also learn a valuable skill at the same time!
In most self-winding watches, the tempered crystal covers the face. Some watches are also laser-sealed to prevent cracks and scratches. Part of the crystals function is to protect the dial and movement from daily wear and tear due to the constant exposure of one’s wrist, but the crystal can still get damaged. How to take the crystal apart can vary depending on the manufacturer, so please make sure to follow each manufacturer’s instructions carefully!
By Maryke Nel
Tissot 1853 Restoration
