Generally speaking, a tremendous amount of damage and loss of value takes place with antiques, including timepieces, due to inept or misguided restoration attempts.
I have a watch from the 1870s that came down in my family, so will never be sold, so value isn't my primary purpose. Because the dial is sterling, it has of course gone dark/black over the last 150 years, though the gold brightwork actually looks rather nice against that background.
Most of the sterling dial watches I see have been left aged as is rather than being restored and I wondered where people stand on this, as I have had thoughts of carefully polishing the silver portion. And if you vote for cleaning, would the best way to do that be to remove the hands and then the dial first?
Maker is Alexander Kelt of Dundee Scotland. I haven't taken the time to check the date on the sterling case but no doubt either before or during Kelt's active period.
What would you do?
The watch runs well, though no doubt it is in need of maintenance.
(BTW, the sterling watch chain is not original to the watch).
I have a watch from the 1870s that came down in my family, so will never be sold, so value isn't my primary purpose. Because the dial is sterling, it has of course gone dark/black over the last 150 years, though the gold brightwork actually looks rather nice against that background.
Most of the sterling dial watches I see have been left aged as is rather than being restored and I wondered where people stand on this, as I have had thoughts of carefully polishing the silver portion. And if you vote for cleaning, would the best way to do that be to remove the hands and then the dial first?
Maker is Alexander Kelt of Dundee Scotland. I haven't taken the time to check the date on the sterling case but no doubt either before or during Kelt's active period.
What would you do?
The watch runs well, though no doubt it is in need of maintenance.
(BTW, the sterling watch chain is not original to the watch).
