A " BIG SHOUT OUT " to member afire , a true watch maker , a true friend indeed .

[thunder58]

So a few weeks ago we had a thread regarding our watches here on the forum . Lots of members here shared there watches and stories .
As some of you know , forum member @afire is a watch extraordinaire who collects , refinishes and repairs quality watches from the 1930s , 1940s and the 1950s . All in prestigious mint condition . His favorite I believe being Gruen Watches .
I've had a old watch given to me by me grandmother when her brother passed away around 1974/5 , I was just 16 ( my uncle ) . In emailing back and forth with afire , member afire gave me an in depth description of my fine piece of jewelry ( which I had no idea what I had ) , my watch being from around 1938 . I took it to a local guy I trust and just got it back . I am just flawed as I also wish my grandmother was still alive to see this .
Thank you afire for all your kindness , knowledge and inspiration .
And now the before and after photos

 

[thunder58]

Before .......

 

[thunder58]

After ......

 

[thunder58]

Thank you again my friend @afire

 

[Ricochet]

Wow, that came out nice Rich!

 

[thunder58]

Wow, that came out nice Rich!

Oh it sure did . I'm over the moon about it

 

[juks]

Wow, what a difference! Congrats.

 

[radd]

I’m gonna watch this thread…..

 

[NJDevil]

@afire and @thunder58 This is fantastic to see....almost unbelievable but seeing the great repairs on neck breaks over the years, I know that there is truly skill that is beyond my current understanding. Congrats Rich!!!

 

[mbkri]

Thats came out nice Rich. Hope you have a good case for it.

 

[drmilktruck]

Fabulous work, @afire and congrats, Rich!

 

[afire]

What a beauty. When somebody asks me about an old watch from an ancestor, I'm usually prepared to give a disappointing response. Not this time. A quality depression-era Swiss watch cased by New York's finest casemaker in solid gold. It's a wearable work of art housing a functioning marvel of engineering and craftsmanship. What could be better than that? I'm more than happy to have helped thunder58 with some guidance on how to bring it back for a fresh new life.

 

[thunder58]

I'm more than happy to have helped thunder58 with some guidance on how to bring it back for a fresh new life.

You've done more than helped . Your encouragement and guidance has done more . It has helped to keep my family closer to my heart

 

[JC higgy]

Pretty cool, congrats!

 

[wabash slim]

It's more than just guitars, kids.
That's what I like about this place.

 

[audept]

Exceptional work, @afire !

 

[afire]

You've done more than helped . Your encouragement and guidance has done more . It has helped to keep my family closer to my heart

It’s not entirely a coincidence that I’m a Gruen man. The first vintage watch I ever owned was my grandfather’s Gruen. My dad actually remembers going to the jewelry store with his mother to pick it out as a Christmas gift when he was about 10 years old in the early 1950s. He wore it for the rest of his life, up to the mid 1990s. This isn’t a watch forum, but I think as guitar enthusiasts, many of us here get how objects can connect us to the past in a sometimes profound way.

 

[capnhiho]

What a thing of beauty!

 

[loudnlousy]

I think everybody who appreciates brilliant craftsmanship is rejoicing at this sight.
Wonderful piece and a true family jewel.

I am alwas amazed what a bunch of talented people is around at this forum. You don`t find a watch specialist on every guitarforum who is a profund vintage guitar connoiseur like @afire , as well.
@thunder58 : Enjoy this wonderful gem and keep it clean for your heirs.

 

[Merc]

@thunder58 it looks simply amazing! It’s obvious the band is new. But what else was done to it it to get it looking and likely working so great?