Let’s be very clear, I’m not a watchmaker but having some basic skills can be very useful for any vintage collector. As we all know, professional watchmakers tend to be sloooooooow and take forever to service your watch. When a watch is not running and the movement needs service then you are out of luck and have no other choice than a professional watchmaker.
However, if the watch is only dirty from the outside, maybe needs just a new plexi, some tools and some basic knowledge is enough to rescue that barn find or in this case, that Ebay find. In fact, such watches that are overall intact, original and not damaged on critical parts like the dial but on the other hand look dirty and neglected, can often still be picked up for some small change.
So my excitement was great when I won the auction for this vintage Sea Hawk. I did of course do my homework, knowing it is a Ref. 7196 from around 1957. Dial has a matte creamy finish rather than a silver sunburst and the case is a good 34mm. This paticular Reference has quite pronounced lugs that gives it a good presence on the wrist. After auction end, it was time to wait a few weeks until the Ebay global shipping programs delivers from the U.S.
I already had in mind doing this report here, so I got my camera ready to shoot every step. I guess my photography skills are not matching as the first series of pictures I took without the memory card in the camera. Doh.
Anyways, step 1 after unpacking was removing that stretch bracelet and immediately bin it. I don’t get these things, they are just ugly and in this case very very dirty too. Next, opening the case back, removing the stem and then separating the full movement/dial from the case. Movement and dial were very clean, no need to do anything here.
The plexi on the other hand was lost, totally scratched and dirty. Easily pushed out of the case, measured the size (needs to be precise to 0.2mm) and ordered a new replacement plexi. Now I can clean the case, which turned out more laborious than expected. Step 1: I’m soaking it in hot water with detergent. I could invest in an ultrasound cleaner, but it’s not really needed as muscles and patience can achieve the same. A wooden stick helps with loosening up the dirt.
What turned out more tricky, the old plexi was glued into the case and that glue was a very persistent goo, that needed some paint thinner to fully remove in multiple steps. Once the dirt was removed, I gently polish the case with a Cape Cod cloth. It takes time but at least it will not over-polish a case ever. At this point I realised I had no memory card in the camera.
Couple of days later the new plexi was in the mail and it was time to put it all together again. My measuring was spot on and the plexi fitted firmly. Removing all dust and joining again the case with the movement/dial. Putting back the stem and screw on the case back was then all that was needed.
Needless to say I needed to find a new strap with the correct buckle. Rescue mission completed. I have to say, this little vintage Sea Hawk is really for my liking. Elegant with good presence, the wonderful creamy radium lume dots and that dial colour matches perfectly. If I wanted to be picky and if I were a watchmaker, there is some corrosion on the hands that could be dealt with, but no big deal.
Let’s be very clear, I’m not a watchmaker but having some basic skills can be very useful for any vintage collector. As we all know, professional watchmakers tend to be sloooooooow and take forever to service your watch. When a watch is not running and the movement needs service then you are out of luck and have no other choice than a professional watchmaker.
However, if the watch is only dirty from the outside, maybe needs just a new plexi, some tools and some basic knowledge is enough to rescue that barn find or in this case, that Ebay find. In fact, such watches that are overall intact, original and not damaged on critical parts like the dial but on the other hand look dirty and neglected, can often still be picked up for some small change.
So my excitement was great when I won the auction for this vintage Sea Hawk. I did of course do my homework, knowing it is a Ref. 7196 from around 1957. Dial has a matte creamy finish rather than a silver sunburst and the case is a good 34mm. This paticular Reference has quite pronounced lugs that gives it a good presence on the wrist. After auction end, it was time to wait a few weeks until the Ebay global shipping programs delivers from the U.S.
I already had in mind doing this report here, so I got my camera ready to shoot every step. I guess my photography skills are not matching as the first series of pictures I took without the memory card in the camera. Doh.
Anyways, step 1 after unpacking was removing that stretch bracelet and immediately bin it. I don’t get these things, they are just ugly and in this case very very dirty too. Next, opening the case back, removing the stem and then separating the full movement/dial from the case. Movement and dial were very clean, no need to do anything here.
The plexi on the other hand was lost, totally scratched and dirty. Easily pushed out of the case, measured the size (needs to be precise to 0.2mm) and ordered a new replacement plexi. Now I can clean the case, which turned out more laborious than expected. Step 1: I’m soaking it in hot water with detergent. I could invest in an ultrasound cleaner, but it’s not really needed as muscles and patience can achieve the same. A wooden stick helps with loosening up the dirt.
What turned out more tricky, the old plexi was glued into the case and that glue was a very persistent goo, that needed some paint thinner to fully remove in multiple steps. Once the dirt was removed, I gently polish the case with a Cape Cod cloth. It takes time but at least it will not over-polish a case ever. At this point I realised I had no memory card in the camera.
Couple of days later the new plexi was in the mail and it was time to put it all together again. My measuring was spot on and the plexi fitted firmly. Removing all dust and joining again the case with the movement/dial. Putting back the stem and screw on the case back was then all that was needed.
Needless to say I needed to find a new strap with the correct buckle. Rescue mission completed. I have to say, this little vintage Sea Hawk is really for my liking. Elegant with good presence, the wonderful creamy radium lume dots and that dial colour matches perfectly. If I wanted to be picky and if I were a watchmaker, there is some corrosion on the hands that could be dealt with, but no big deal.
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