Conservation, Restoration And Refurbishment Of Watches

Watch experts tend to argue among themselves about the ethics involved in watch preservation

. It is because some watches have so much historical significance that they need to be preserved with, as much as possible, little or no changes. However, some restoration procedures will really create irreversible changes, hence giving way to a dilemma.

The practice of watch preservation is connected to the growing vintage market for timepieces. Conservationists do not really think about ethics, but on the principles of profitability and supply versus demand. When you ask a watch expert on what you should do with your vintage watch, he or she will probably give you three options. You can have it conserved, restored or refurbished. While they seem to mean the same thing, they are three entirely different principles.

Conservation

The art of conservation is pretty popular today. Due to the attractiveness of vintage watches, people want to conserve the original beauty and functionality of these timepieces. Conservation deals with making changes that are reversible. If you put a time dial as an example, refinishing it will be unacceptable. Rather, placing an additional lacquer layer for protection and stabilization will be okay, since it can readily be removed later on. This also applies to removing the watch's original coating for preservation's sake. Conservationists will always think of a way to preserve the item without doing any serious alterations to its original look. This often holds true with historically significant watches.

Restoration

Unlike conservation, restoration is a completely different approach. It is the opposite wherein irreversible changes can be considered if it means bringing back the watch's full functionality. This is a very controversial technique that permits restorers to bring back the item's previous state with prejudices and subjective assumptions on how he perceives to be its former state.

If a watch is to be restored, it is very likely that its worn out parts will be removed and faded dials will be substituted with a new one. If there is rust, it will be treated with some chemicals that may compromise its outside coating. Cases, crystals and seals will also be replaced if deemed necessary. The restorer thinks about making the item look good and fully working as in factory standard even if it means doing irreversible changes to the timepiece.

Refurbishment

Refurbishment deals with making something old look new again. Those who carry out this practice think about the notion that new looking items sell best. This is more on the aesthetic aspect. Anywhere you look around, you can see evidences that this principle is continually being used, such as in the case of refurbishing old houses and cars to make them "belong" to the present-day modern setting. Refurbishment involves too much polishing and old functioning parts may even be replaced just to make them new again.

So, what is the best approach to preserving watches? We'll, it's basically up to you whether you are more on the aesthetics, the functionality or the historical value.

by: Kurt Ross

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