Patek Philippe

Hello,

I have a vintage 3445 that I was considering sending in for servicing/restoration. The watch looks very good overall, but I opened the case back and noticed that the movement bridges have some fine scratches from previous overhauls by perhaps a little less than careful watchmakers. My question is whether Patek re-finishes or replaces movement bridges during the restoration/service of vinatge pieces. I've seen some occasions where they replace dials, hands, crowns, re-finish cases beautifully, but would they re-finish or replace scratched bridges on a cal. 27-460? Has anyone had any experience with this?

 

Thank you very much

... service center will probably needs to send your watch back to Geneva for examining before providing you with a specific answer to your question.  I doubt they will replace a particular movement unless you state that you are willing to pay for that spare part ( subject to availability ).  In addition, who ever the watchmaker that is going to service your watch, will judge base on his own personal experience if such part is required for replacement.  Taking apart of your patek 3445, then polishing will probably be more cost effective. 

One note ... i like to also know the total time the whole process may take, your patience will be required.  Take some pics before you send it in, then show us afterward service , a before & after picture to illustrate. 

Based on experiences that friends (not I) have had, they can make your watch virtually like new.
I think you might have to request  - and refinishing plates is a bigger deal than you might expect.
Here's a little old watchmaker showing how it's done.





But most watchmakers do not spend much time getting things pretty, they seem to prefer to get the movement running well and stop at that.

I have seen plenty of watches listed for sale described as "just restored" and I'm horrified at the lack of attention to the groove in the case or caseback,
the screwheads, the lugs (scratched from strap changes or expanding-spring, twist-o-flex bracelets used on gold watches...

The restorer needs to look for flaws and faults, and they need to ask you what to do about them. And/or you can ask for what you want. I agree with the suggestion that you take lots of pictures if the watch means a lot to you. Then think about "do I want it to look new" or "do I like this patina, that scratch, this dent which remind me of Grandpa" and so on. With Rolex, for example, it's going to be looking like brand new on the outside, by default.

Hopefully your watch does not look like this inside! It's dirty, scratched, bent, worn through the plating, etc. I think I'd pass on restoring this...









I don't have too many photos of damaged bridges and plates, but here are some cases I had the opportunity to record. Typically fixing these problems would require a visit to a specialist goldsmith who could restore  missing or damaged lugs - not just polish up what's already missing!

Note the damage to the lugs. This owner (a friend) had no idea - he used an expando-bracelet that sliced through the gold lugs.
 

He just bent the lugs in now and then to tighten the fit on the pin.

I didn't find any after shots except this one - we talked him out of the bracelet and into a nice strap. The lugs are straight now and back to original shape.





Here's a typical set of lugs - scratched up, nicked, tired. Notice the cut in the bezel from a hard impact or attempt at removal.
Normally this sort of thing will NOT get fixed by a watchmaker.

Though when I visited Patek a few years ago they mentioned sometimes they spend a whole day or more polishing a case and/or bracelet.

That takes time and money. I'd expect a repair to cost in the thousands (what ever currency you use) and take 6-18 months.

Cazalea

 

 

 

 

I think Patek can probably do almost anything you want them to do.  But there is such a thing as diminishing returns.

I inherited a 2526 a few years ago.  The only thing about it in perfect condition was, most fortunately, the dial.  I located an old-stock buckle, and sent the watch to Patek for an overhaul, new old stock PP crown, strap, cleaning, etc. etc.  It took 6+ months and cost several thousand $US.  I confess that it never actually occurred to me to polish any of the innards, probably because I plan to keep the watch and wear it regularly.

I am hugely enthusiastic about vintage watches, especially YG calatrava-style from the 40s and 50s.  Clean looks, and to tell the truth, I find the massive large watches sold these days to be uncomfortable and sometimes a bit gaudy.

I have good experience with restoration at PP. About 15 years ago I sent an amagnetic watch (Ref 3410) to Geneva which was worth of restoration as it is a rare ref. with the rare movement 27 AM 400  (only about 5000 biult in total)

The watch was really in  very bad condition, with wrong and badly redone dial, the movement plates had lost a lot of their Rhodium plating and you could see the brass below in huge areas.

To be honest - I did not expect them to replate the movement and they wanted the watch "in flesh" before they made any estimates for the costs or made any promisses if they would be able to do the work.

After about 9 month I got back a "new" watch:

Dial replaced by an original old stock one.

The complete movement had been replated and looked like new!

All scratched screws replaced, as well as the old hands.

And above all: the watch kept time within 1 sec a day (when wearing it - not when lying on the desk!!).

What they could NOT restore was the case:  it was polished and looked fine afterwards, but the "lost" profile due to former  (ab)use was not rebuilt - I think this will not be done by them. If you are lucky they may offer you a replacement case - if available - but I assume at an insane price (where you were better off to buy a new watch).

The price was about $1500.- in those days - don´t know how much it was today - one should calculate the change in currency value (indexed).

But it was worth the money and I still enjoy the watch!

Unfortunately I don´t have a picture of the movement "before" the treatment to compare "before and after".

I will show you the picture how it looks AFTER the stop in Geneve. Here you can see what perfect work they have done.

Enjoy and HAGWE

Erich