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Sep 14, 2018, 02:38 PM
#1
It’s been a saga..
.. but it’s been worth it
My *other* Strela, bought 5 years ago as a restoration project
Also, I’d never seen this white dial version in the metal
It was in a sorry state
The watch and chrono functioned, but the second hand didn’t reset to zero, and someone had painted the hands black for visibility, and bent the hour hand
Plus, there was an odd smell of oil of wintergreen (a muscle rub), and the crystal was sticky
Polywatch reacted with whatever this was, turning the crystal opaque :-(
On the positive side, the serial number makes this an early watch with this dial, approx 1967
It's the final countdown! PM me before they're all gone!
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Post Thanks / Like - 14 Likes
happyscrappyheropup,
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Sep 14, 2018, 02:47 PM
#2
It’s been a saga..
I sent it off to my watch guy last autumn and, long story short, it had an intermittent chrono pusher problem that involved multiple returns, disassemblies, fault-finding, and eventually a replacement pusher mechanism from Russia (part cost £33, eat your heat out Rolex
And it’s now functioning perfectly and looks a million dollars
My suspicion is it has spent most of its 50 odd years in a drawer, as the case is in lovely nick, and the tachy and tele scales are unfaded red and blue
Bravo to the First Moscow Watch Factory for building it in the first place, and Steve Burridge, my watch guy, for his patience and skill for returning it to life!
It's the final countdown! PM me before they're all gone!
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Post Thanks / Like - 17 Likes
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Sep 14, 2018, 03:59 PM
#3
Your watch whisperer is a magician! That is a beautiful restoration job. Of the two watch shops I use, the only one I would trust with a job like this would charge way too much for it. It really is a labour of love. Congratulations!
Too many watches, not enough wrists.
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Post Thanks / Like - 2 Likes
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Sep 14, 2018, 04:30 PM
#4
That’s beautiful! It’s great to see such a wonderful transformation.
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
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Sep 14, 2018, 04:35 PM
#5
That's marvellous Kath. I love seeing rough old watches restored with respect.
Solve all your doubts through question mode.
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
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Sep 14, 2018, 05:12 PM
#6
That is awesome. The only problem is, now you have a dilemma as to which you like better.
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
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Sep 14, 2018, 05:53 PM
#7
Glorious.
Steve Burridge has a deservedly high reputation. I thought he’d retired, though. He must like you!
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Sep 14, 2018, 05:54 PM
#8
That is a good looking watch. Small case I'm guessing?
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
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Sep 14, 2018, 08:33 PM
#9
It’s been a saga..
Thanks everyone!
He’s made an amazing job!
Originally Posted by
tribe125
Glorious.
Steve Burridge has a deservedly high reputation. I thought he’d retired, though. He must like you!
I’m not sure he does any more
He’s still been doing stuff for his old customers, but with all the rigmarole on this one, I bet he wished he hadn’t
Originally Posted by
geoffbot
That is a good looking watch. Small case I'm guessing?
Yeah, 36mm
The perfect chrono size, I’d say :-)
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Sep 14, 2018, 08:37 PM
#10
Originally Posted by
OhDark30
Thanks everyone!
He’s made an amazing job!
I’m not sure he does any more
He’s still been doing stuff for his old customers, but with all the rigmarole on this one, I bet he wished he hadn’t
Yeah, 36mm
The perfect chrono size, I’d say :-)
For a small wristed person like yourself yes! I'm jealous.