Adventures in Watch Collecting - What would you do?

pitpro
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I don't claim any knowledge about Zenith hallmarks or Lima
watchmakers. Just pointing out that I thought Danomar had
a good point that you overlooked in your explanation above him.
The the circular grain doesn't pass through the hallmarks. That's
obvious.
 
LouS
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Very simply - the circumferential graining is not standard factory caseback finish from either UG or Zenith on these gold chronographs. If you look on the image below you can see linear marks where the frankenizer went at the UG logo - looks like a mad slasher. The circumferential finish was added to camouflage the attack IMO. This is an aftermarket job.

xxDSC_0109_zpsee5a4854.jpg
 
pitpro
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LouS LouS
Very simply - the circumferential graining is not standard factory caseback finish from either UG or Zenith on these gold chronographs. If you look on the image below you can see linear marks where the frankenizer went at the UG logo - looks like a mad slasher. The circumferential finish was added to camouflage the attack IMO. This is an aftermarket job.


xxDSC_0109_zpsee5a4854.jpg
Yup, you pointed out the obliteration earlier. My comment was on the hallmarks.
 
LouS
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Ah. Well, I guess I don't perceive the hallmarks to be as sharp as you and danomar do. The details of Helvetia's face are completely effaced and the grain looks to have caught the hallmark edge as woodwrkr pointed out. I'm not sure I see anything to suggest the hallmarks were applied after the circumferential grind.
 
pitpro
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LouS LouS
Ah. Well, I guess I don't perceive the hallmarks to be as sharp as you and danomar do. The details of Helvetia's face are completely effaced and the grain looks to have caught the hallmark edge as woodwrkr pointed out. I'm not sure I see anything to suggest the hallmarks were applied after the circumferential grind.
Zoom it up.
Follow the lines from the left coming into the anvil.They are much fainter inside the anvil.
Same with the head to a lesser extent.
And there isn't even a line going into the
nick in the back of the head. Looks like a hair detail to me.
 
LouS
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you're gonna make me go dig out my macro lens....
 
pitpro
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you're gonna make me go dig out my macro lens....

you don't think that would make me change my mind, do you :)
this Photoshop filter is called Emboss
now what do you think?(but zoom it up good)
All I did was add the filter.
emboss.JPG
 
woodwkr2
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I've explained how this was done, but okay...

So you think the frankendoctor had passable hallmarking punches?
 
woodwkr2
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So you've applied a machine algorithm that is specifically programmed to exaggerate hard edges. What does that prove?
 
pitpro
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the filter exaggerates all edges.
but it looks the same to me without the
filter. lines outside the anvil-
barely anything inside it.
no idea about the punches, not going there.
 
Adam2941
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It's a beauty and I do not think the dial is a disaster. I like it. I like the whole watch just the way it is, Franken or not. Keep it, unless you only want "pure" watches in your collection (but can we ever be sure)?
 
blackwatch
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Somebody would be happy with that watch. Not the last four buyers, maybe, but somebody. Let it go to that person.
 
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