The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello,
I am now 1/2 way through the restoration of my precious Vacheron 6405 dress watch.

I bought the piece because of the following facts - original Vacheron 18K Gold case, original Vacheron dial, original and correct movement (K1001) for the watch. Basically a 1960s watch that needed a bit of love - however all original - not a mucked around piece.

The negative side was that there were no papers, no box, not the original 18K Vacheron buckle and I suspected the crown may not be original. The watch came from a recognised Vintage Watch dealer in condition being described as "requiring service and polish."

When the watch arrived I was thrilled. I instantly became a lover of Vacheron. Infact I played the snobbish Vacheron video from this site about the guy who was given a 1953 Toledo style watch from his father. I fell in love with the snobbish classical music and the "values" of the brand. (Mind you - I think the swap was not very fair! - The original 1953 piece would be worth many times more than the modern version! - oh well - VC can't be blamed fro trying to swipe the vintage piece!)

I immediately set about making the piece "beautiful."

This involved the following:-
1) Organising a full service. A rare clutch wheel was need but thankfully my watchmaker had a suitable substitute! He charged me $50- for the part!
2) I sought an appropriate strap. The strap needed to be thin - as thin as possible. In the style of the Vacheron name. I found a beautiful tan Bros Italian strap! Perfect and thin.
3) Find an appropriate buckle. The original buckle is very hard to find however I did not locate a repro modern version. OK - this is not the factory correct buckle - but I believe it is honest it use as a nice buckle in the Vacheron style. Very inexpensive at about $20-

The final part of the Vacheron restoration is the polishing. I have a seperate polisher to my watchmaker. I have today given the piece to my polisher (I only had the watch back from the watchmaker yesterday!)

Photos of work completed so far - Polish still to be completed. Sorry you can't really see the bennefit of the service. But it is keeping excellent time.

Opinions please on the buckle and my restoration efforts.

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I need more watches....

Hello,

The restoration is complete!

My polisher is a master polisher - he believes in leaving faults as removing too much is the worst possible outcome.

My Vacheron has been brought back to it's snobbish self! The polish was a very very light polish but it is quite involved as the movement and glass needs to be removed firstly. This ensure a good job is completed.

Please take a look at the results and tell me what you think! There was a slight ding at the 8 position - this was slightly touched but not removed at the cost of damaging the engine turned bezel pattern. I am very pleased with the results.

Not cheap at wholesale cost of US$95- (that is a trade price). Retail would be double that.

The lines are in existance - but the tarnish is removed. The piece shines beautifully!

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I need more watches....