Getting my Grandfather's watch restored...... (UPDATE)

[dnslater]

I inherited this watch last year when my grandfather passed. He was a WWII paratrooper who lied about his age to join the military at 17. From his old photos, I think the watch was worn by him while in the service. The watch runs, but I decided it was time to have a look at the movement and send it in to have it cleaned up. It is at a local watchmaker now. Thought I would post "before" photos. The movement is a Felsa 690 "Bidynator" which I'm told was the first bidirectional winding movement, and started production in 1942.

Watch is small, probably 33 or 34 mm. I will probably put it on a NATO and maybe hand it down to my daughter eventually. Will update with "After" photos. Having it serviced, having the crystal replaced, and having the dial "lightly" cleaned. Will probably have them lightly polish the case as well.

My grandfather:


The watch (text has worn off the dial, so the make is a mystery):

[Terpits]

Your grandpa looks like Edward Norton.

[dnslater]

Your grandpa looks like Edward Norton.

Fought like him too.

[moishlashen]

Cool-looking forward to after pics. Good stuff.

[streetracer101]

Cool watch and much respect for anyone who was Airborne.
On another note, I kind of wish we would go back to tucking in the tie..it looks classy imo.

[River Rat]

Cool story. My Dad also lied about his age he was 16 years old when he went into the US Navy in WW2. Some thing today you could not get away with. That's a real early self winder can't wait to see it back after service.

[kfalk]

Good deal. Looking forward to seeing the results.

[toxicavenger]

That is going to be awesome

[dnslater]

Before I took it in I notice that the hands still glowed. Read that Radium has a half life of 1600 years. Had no idea.

[River Rat]

Before I took it in I notice that the hands still glowed. Read that Radium has a half life of 1600 years. Had no idea.

They got 8 cents a dial to paint the radium on dials and I guess hands to could not find what I was looking for some thing I read about Radium girls that painted watch dials but here is a story of the last one.
http://articles.courant.com/2014-03-03/ ... o-good-job

[sinner]

Awesome. Reis Nichols?

[JBZ]

Before I took it in I notice that the hands still glowed. Read that Radium has a half life of 1600 years. Had no idea.

They got 8 cents a dial to paint the radium on dials and I guess hands to could not find what I was looking for some thing I read about Radium girls that painted watch dials but here is a story of the last one.
http://articles.courant.com/2014-03-03/ ... o-good-job

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Girls

[dnslater]

Awesome. Reis Nichols?

Rudy's watch repair, does Reis have an in house watchmaker? Seems like most places don't.

[Nomadz]

Very cool man. Funny though it's small by modern standards
It looks Perfect on your grandfather.

[T.R.]

These are some of my favorite threads that we find on DWC. Very cool. Also, never knew about Radium Girls... more cool stuff to learn.

[sinner]

Awesome. Reis Nichols?

Rudy's watch repair, does Reis have an in house watchmaker? Seems like most places don't.

Pretty sure the northside locale has a master watchmaker. Pretty expensive, though.

[dnslater]

Awesome. Reis Nichols?

Rudy's watch repair, does Reis have an in house watchmaker? Seems like most places don't.

Pretty sure the northside locale has a master watchmaker. Pretty expensive, though.

Thanks. Good to know. Windsor on the circle has one too but I had a very bad experience and won't go back. Rudy's is on Lafayette blvd but they are unfortunately moving out to Brownsburg next month.

[2canChew]

I inherited this watch last year when my grandfather passed. He was a WWII paratrooper who lied about his age to join the military at 17. From his old photos, I think the watch was worn by him while in the service. The watch runs, but I decided it was time to have a look at the movement and send it in to have it cleaned up. It is at a local watchmaker now. Thought I would post "before" photos. The movement is a Felsa 690 "Bidynator" which I'm told was the first bidirectional winding movement, and started production in 1942.

Watch is small, probably 33 or 34 mm. I will probably put it on a NATO and maybe hand it down to my daughter eventually. Will update with "After" photos. Having it serviced, having the crystal replaced, and having the dial "lightly" cleaned. Will probably have them lightly polish the case as well.

My grandfather:


The watch (text has worn off the dial, so the make is a mystery):

Certainly a very, very circulated movement used by over 30 small watch companies in the late 30's and 40''s. Most of Co's now folded with very few remaining such as>> Avalon, Rodana, Imperial, Longgines, Clinton, Alstater, Selza Clebar Heuer, Calvert, Welsbro, VTG Perfine, Lipton, Enicar, Darwil, Favre Leuba, Jean Richard, DOM, Mare Nicolet, Dukan, Delbana, Delaware, Trematic, Normandie, Ogival Fisk, Selsa, Froidevaux, and easily a dozen others!! Having said that - What we have here is the mid 40's (Leonidas) / Stainless steal back with turtle lugs
SCROLL DOWN- For images>> http://www.ebay.ie/itm/VTG-1945-LEONIDA ... 1241691354 <<Note this is the 1st edition Yours is 2nd edition

We Brothers stick together regardless of different era's and borders.

[marchone]

I hope it turns out well. It's a lovely heirloom.

[dnslater]

I inherited this watch last year when my grandfather passed. He was a WWII paratrooper who lied about his age to join the military at 17. From his old photos, I think the watch was worn by him while in the service. The watch runs, but I decided it was time to have a look at the movement and send it in to have it cleaned up. It is at a local watchmaker now. Thought I would post "before" photos. The movement is a Felsa 690 "Bidynator" which I'm told was the first bidirectional winding movement, and started production in 1942.

Watch is small, probably 33 or 34 mm. I will probably put it on a NATO and maybe hand it down to my daughter eventually. Will update with "After" photos. Having it serviced, having the crystal replaced, and having the dial "lightly" cleaned. Will probably have them lightly polish the case as well.

My grandfather:


The watch (text has worn off the dial, so the make is a mystery):

Certainly a very, very circulated movement used by over 30 small watch companies in the late 30's and 40''s. Most of Co's now folded with very few remaining such as>> Avalon, Rodana, Imperial, Longgines, Clinton, Alstater, Selza Clebar Heuer, Calvert, Welsbro, VTG Perfine, Lipton, Enicar, Darwil, Favre Leuba, Jean Richard, DOM, Mare Nicolet, Dukan, Delbana, Delaware, Trematic, Normandie, Ogival Fisk, Selsa, Froidevaux, and easily a dozen others!! Having said that - What we have here is the mid 40's (Leonidas) / Stainless steal back with turtle lugs
SCROLL DOWN- For images>> http://www.ebay.ie/itm/VTG-1945-LEONIDA ... 1241691354 <<Note this is the 1st edition Yours is 2nd edition

We Brothers stick together regardless of different era's and borders.

Fantastic! Thanks for finding this! How did you find out it was a 2nd edition?

[2canChew]

I inherited this watch last year when my grandfather passed. He was a WWII paratrooper who lied about his age to join the military at 17. From his old photos, I think the watch was worn by him while in the service. The watch runs, but I decided it was time to have a look at the movement and send it in to have it cleaned up. It is at a local watchmaker now. Thought I would post "before" photos. The movement is a Felsa 690 "Bidynator" which I'm told was the first bidirectional winding movement, and started production in 1942.

Watch is small, probably 33 or 34 mm. I will probably put it on a NATO and maybe hand it down to my daughter eventually. Will update with "After" photos. Having it serviced, having the crystal replaced, and having the dial "lightly" cleaned. Will probably have them lightly polish the case as well.

My grandfather:


The watch (text has worn off the dial, so the make is a mystery):

Certainly a very, very circulated movement used by over 30 small watch companies in the late 30's and 40''s. Most of Co's now folded with very few remaining such as>> Avalon, Rodana, Imperial, Longgines, Clinton, Alstater, Selza Clebar Heuer, Calvert, Welsbro, VTG Perfine, Lipton, Enicar, Darwil, Favre Leuba, Jean Richard, DOM, Mare Nicolet, Dukan, Delbana, Delaware, Trematic, Normandie, Ogival Fisk, Selsa, Froidevaux, and easily a dozen others!! Having said that - What we have here is the mid 40's (Leonidas) / Stainless steal back with turtle lugs
SCROLL DOWN- For images>> http://www.ebay.ie/itm/VTG-1945-LEONIDA ... 1241691354 <<Note this is the 1st edition Yours is 2nd edition

We Brothers stick together regardless of different era's and borders.

Fantastic! Thanks for finding this! How did you find out it was a 2nd edition?

Well this is what's known as a shot in the dark. First and foremost I read the corresponding serial #s. Secondly on the ebay posted watch it has a bip on the one end of the red second hand. Yours does not so I can only imagine that's an improvement. Thirdly on yours the dial is numbered in the seconds indices, which again would be an improvement. Also the winding plate on your movement is not engraved such as the one is engraved (Leonidus) on ebay. I submit this is due to the height of the war as related perhaps to (the extra cost and shipping related to engravement or outsourcing). My last point would be to suggest that the word (incabloc) or (automatic) was added above the (6 o'clock marker) hence another improvement. Factored together just seems to be the best guess not to mention a final gut instinct that I trust in.

[dnslater]

All,


I picked up this watch back today from the Watchmaker. They didn't have many options for Nato's at the shop, so I just grabbed one they had so I could wear it. They serviced the movement, put a polish on the case and replaced the crystal. I had them leave the dial untouched to preserve the look. They polished the hands and may have relumed them. I will check later, as they originally had radium lume. It wears a tad small, but I may wear it to special occasions, and hand it down to my daughter some day.

[jeckyll]

Very cool. Nice to have something like it in the family!

[T.R.]

Dammit, man. That is freaking COOL.

[matt.wu]

Looks great, Nick!