Oh Abel ! ...

What shall I say?! ...
Two starving, crying children upstairs ... that haven't seen their daddy for days ... :-/
And YOU are sitting in your basement with the eternal, everlasting Shakespearian question of your Subject :
I say: Shame on you!

No no ! I am, as you've already guessed ... kidding.
Wonderful work, I say.
I am usually not so much a "fan" of restauration, and prefer authentic look, as far as possible, i.e.
But in this case, and as the process in the pics has proven : WELL DONE. Really well done!

But consider, Abel: Showing pics like these ... don't expect to receive less work in the future .... and by the time you get your full work-calendar/schedule a bit relaxed, to allow some time off .... Léo will drive your Volvo. ( ! )

Cheers,
Regards,

Olaf

: Besides the everlasting discussion to refurbish a case or
: not...there's another topic which is very similar and certainly
: as crucial. The watch his face...the dial. Reluming or not??

: While originality is most important...sometimes it can be useful to
: be open for some consideration. I have a clear point of view
: personally...but that actually does not matter and can differ
: from watch to watch...it's each one for its own to take
: decisions and ventilate thoughts...

: I took a chance with a spare 1st.Execution 2446 dial of mine...not
: the most common dial around and quite valuable indeed...I bought
: it in quite "tropical" conditions. No damages or
: scratches worth mentioning but a very strong tobacco color on
: the white subdials...

: First thing I realized was the original radium would be lost...I
: could live with that...then secondly and a bit more
: crucial...it's always impossible to know what will happen with
: all the text printed on the dial while cleaning...it can be
: damaged easily and of course the value of the dial is dust in
: the wind.

: I never doubt while working on such a delicate thing...never doubt
: while working...it can go wrong and it can go right...but when
: you doubt...you're already loosing. I am quite satisfied with
: the final result, not perfect yet but getting closer and closer
: as years pass by!

: Some pictures attached;

: Step 1: Original dial (please note I already started to clean
: hour subregister before I realized I did not take a picture
: yet...);
:
:

: Step 2: Dial cleaned;
:
:

: Step 3: During relume;
:
:

: Step 4: Final result;
:
:
:
:
:
:

: Hope you like,
: abel.