Project watch from a while ago.

**Henry Krinkle** · Jan 16, 2015, 08:38 PM

I've always been fond of the Rado Starliners, which are big clean vintage pieces dating from the late fifties until the late sixties. I picked up a junker one day It was sold as non-working and from the photos I thought it was a redial. Starliners generally came on quite unusual bracelets and this one did. I paid about what the bracelet was worth and that is actually what I wanted. This is what arrived. It is one of the 38mm sizes.

The crystal is a disaster. The first surprise is an unpleasant one- a lot of what looks like dirt and grime is actually corrosion and scratches. The bracelet is dreadful.

The next surprise is nice:

The dial is in really nice shape. and not a redial.

Every surface of the watch was cleaned, sanded and polished, all by hand to keep the sharp edges. I like to put it back together, photograph it and see how it's coming. This is after the first clean and sand:

The edges are nice and sharp, but there are still swirls. There is also another nice surprise. When I put this back together:

The very clean 30J AS 1879 started working. It could use a service but it definitely runs and keeps reasonable time.

A second buffing and I did a little polish on the hands and a few touch ups to the case.

Once again:

Then:

Now:

The factory bracelet turned out a treat. Even the corrosion around the clasp is gone.