GandalfPC
01-22-2004, 06:05 AM
I think the most important thing to determine is if it is indeed rust (which will be reddish brown), or if it is perhaps the result of a previously repaired spot of rust (which will look black or grey)
If it is rust it should be taken care of, since it will continue to eat away at the watch.
Once it is taken care of, the spot that remains is purely cosmetic, especially on the winding wheel, and will not cause any problems.
If the finish on the wheel is plain you may be able to repolish it so that it is as good as new - if it is fancy your only recourse is to live with it or get a new one to replace it (usually pretty cheap, depending on which watch it is)...
Also, if you do replace it - in any circumstance where I replace a part of a watch I like to keep the old part, and pass it on to any future owner, so that nothing is lost and it may be restored in the future. You should clean the rust off it before storing it so that no further damage is done though...
Jason Goldman
Apprentice Watchmaker
If it is rust it should be taken care of, since it will continue to eat away at the watch.
Once it is taken care of, the spot that remains is purely cosmetic, especially on the winding wheel, and will not cause any problems.
If the finish on the wheel is plain you may be able to repolish it so that it is as good as new - if it is fancy your only recourse is to live with it or get a new one to replace it (usually pretty cheap, depending on which watch it is)...
Also, if you do replace it - in any circumstance where I replace a part of a watch I like to keep the old part, and pass it on to any future owner, so that nothing is lost and it may be restored in the future. You should clean the rust off it before storing it so that no further damage is done though...
Jason Goldman
Apprentice Watchmaker