Hello to all my new friends!
Todd the beginner here.
So, i have taken on an 1884 elgin grade 96 full plate as my student watch.i managed to get it disassembled without damaging anything,but it was filthy and full of lint and small hairs. i am hoping that is why it wouldn't run. now that it is apart i am waiting on supplies to clean it properly so i started with polishing. i am attaching a couple of pics of the barrel bridge after i polished the heck out of it. i welcome any comments, criticism, or suggestions.
thanks, Todd

second pic

Just go slow and easy and pretty soon You will have it down good.
Would you care for some pamphlets and How to books via PDF?

Todd

Welcome to the club!

I know you are anxious to get the movement cleaned up, but you generally don't want to polish the plates and bridges. It removes the gilding and/or damaskeening. The cleaning solutions (you may have already ordered) will brighten the plates - that's about all you really want to do.

Good luck with your project!

Doug Weaver

Yes Patrick, i am interested in any info that will improve my knowledge, thank you.
i guess polishing was a bad idea, i figured since the plates were unadorned with any damaskeening and were just plain brass, polishing was the way to go. live and learn.
i wanted to have the nicest 19th century pocket watch on my block.
thank guys
Todd

Hi Todd,

The brass plates were gilded with gold to prevent oxidation. If you have the polished plates gold plated, it would prevent them from darkening and remain mirror-bright indefinitely!

William

Great idea William!
2 questions
i will start another thread re: plating
thanks
Todd