THANK you, Lindell, for posting these before/after photos for me.

These two watches came to me as gifts from a friend who lives in upper New York State. They were as bad as they appear in these photos. Both are 11 j, the Waltham is the model 1883 I've mentioned in another thread, the Illinois a KW/KS. Both had broken balance staffs, and from all appearances hadn't seen a watch makers bench in decades.

The case on the Waltham (as can be seen in the last set of photos) was absolutely black from tarnish. They were much worse in hand than these photos show.

When I saw these photos after Chris finished the watches, my jaw absolutely dropped. Seriously.

They are a joy to behold, and I am carrying the 1883 just about every day. Heavy as the dickens, big as an alarm clock, and a great time keeper.

There was a bit more in the way of timing error in the Illinois, but it really wasn't worth it to have Chris go digging any deeper on that one, as it will be more of a conversation type piece in my collection....but DANG if it isn't keeping great time hanging on a hook in it's display bell.

Needless to say, I'm tickled pink to have these two looking and acting like new watches, and to see them brought back from EXTREME dead was a shock.

I really wanted to share my pleasure in what Chris did for me, and HIGHLY recommend him to you. The photos speak a thousand words.

Thank you again, Lindell! and thank YOU again, Chris!!!

HIGH regards! Mark

Very, very nice and excellent workmanship.

Roy.

Chris, Great Job as usual! When are you "gonna fess up" about your little elf helper?

Those are absolutely beautiful restorations!

I just traded the Waltham movement for a nice Elgin FT movement which fit perfectly in that huge case. From the looks of the extra sets of case screws, the Waltham movement wasn't the first inhabitant in the case as it was. The FT matched up with one set....so apparently an Elgin had resided in the case sometime ago in the disant past.

The 11j keywind continues to fascinate and please me, so it remains a good example of its type of watch, and of it's era for my collection!

Regards! Mark