Cartier

Would anyone have experience in servicing old old timepieces ?

I just recovered that tank must from long time ago( from my mum)
And was wondering how much effort (and cost)it would take to bring it back to origin look alike.

The watch is fully functioning just did not old well.

Or even if it is “refreshable” at all lol

Thanks !

Kev

It's possible to tune or repair almost any kind of mechanical watch. 

Very reassuring I was thinking of getting Cartier to service it. Are you saying an indépendant would be sufficient ?

Kev

Hello. I have had several of these gold-plated Cartier Tanks. Once the gold plating starts to fade off the exposed silver tarnishes. That's mainly what I see in your photo. If the watch is working and doesn't need servicing you can just get a dry Jewelry Wipe and clean off the tarnish. Of course you'll see the areas of the case where there is no longer gold but I find this a nice look for a vintage watch. Years ago the Cartier in New York would re-plate these watches but I'm not sure if they still do that. 

… given the watch is your mum’s ones, let’s check if it’s stil working properly, but enjoy the character and patina it has developed, it is and will be your mum patina…
It will remember you any day of your life that the watch has been on her wrist, would you better have a Must brand new on your wrist? I won’t!
But maybe getting older, I’m getting also more romantic and attached to the meaning and memory of things, so feel more than free not to consider my suggestion
But trust in this crazy hype on watches, my collection will be reduced to retain only watches that have an history worth remembering and telling to my children and siblings
Again my 2 cents, but different story if you want to sell it…
You to decide, and I’m sure you’ll decide for the best for you in any case, and I will always respect everyone’s choice
Good luck
Best
Luca

You say it is working.  First I would check how long the battery had been in place.  If more than 3 to 4 years, I would replace immediately.  Watch out for the polarity because some of the Cartier quartz movements had positive side down (facing the dial) and the battery held in place under a bridging clamp.  If a clamp, one end will have a slotted screw hole while the other end also screwed to allow the clamp to swing aside.  Check the open end of the clamp slides under the insulation when re-fixing, otherwise the battery will short.

So the pin buckle is full of (sad) history.

My mum has never been that « interested » in watches but I am sure got that one as she liked the discreet and pure design. So when she had to replace the battery she went to « normal » jeweller and he substituted the buckle and replaced it by a cheap one…

My mum thought thzre is not much difference so never asked for the buckle back although was a bit frustrated as she prefered the original design…

Typical scam from non honest jewellers though.

Anyway here we are, me loving time pieces and trying to get it justice back.

I offered her to get her the new list tank in red but she is ok with that one as the new one is a bit bigger.

Kev

Generic pin buckles come in packets of five from a wholesale supplier and are as cheap as chips. Generic straps nearly always come already fitted with a cheap buckle and sometimes with a spare second buckle in a contrasting colour so there is a choice of silver or gold at the point of sale.

Unfortunately I suspect the jeweller who replaced the strap for my mum to not being that honest and saw on front of him someone who had no clue and did not insisted in getting the buckle back though.

A shame I was not in to watches at that moment otherwise I would have clearly asked for it back immediately.

I only discovered the watch as I ws showing my interest into timepieces to my mum and she told me she had one too haha

Kev