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All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Unexpected Discoveries >> Gold watch?

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Gold watch? - 1/21/2006 4:58:40 PM    Mihai   Posts: 276 Joined: 1/3/2006 Status: offline Hi! Could anybody please tell me how to clean this piece? A think that is a golden watch. I found it today when looking for bottles, on Thames banks, like I allways do when free. I didn't find any marks to tell me if it is gold for sure but what else could resist the water when the mechanism inside is all rust. I'm thinking to a kind of solution to leave it in for a day and than to be able to take out the internal parts. Is there anything worth keeping from inside? Mr. Capsoda, are you around? Attachment (1) _____________________________ Mihai This whole worlds wild at heart and wierd on top Post #: 1

RE: Gold watch? - 1/21/2006 4:59:59 PM    Mihai   Posts: 276 Joined: 1/3/2006 Status: offline here is a picture of the back Attachment (1) _____________________________ Mihai This whole worlds wild at heart and wierd on top (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 2

RE: Gold watch? - 1/21/2006 5:05:37 PM    Mihai   Posts: 276 Joined: 1/3/2006 Status: offline And one from a side. It didn't have glass or back lid and the hands felt at first touch. It have a strap but not in the best shape so I took it down. Attachment (1) _____________________________ Mihai This whole worlds wild at heart and wierd on top (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 3

RE: Gold watch? - 1/21/2006 9:10:46 PM    Miles   Posts: 248 Joined: 9/6/2005 From: New York Status: offline I reccomend using a cleaning technique called electrolysis, some of the people here swear by it. Me, I've never tried it, but I know it works. (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 4

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 1:55:23 AM    capsoda Posts: 7930 Joined: 11/15/2005 From: Seminole,Alabama, USA Status: offline Hey Mihai, If its gold it does not matter what you soak it in. Acid will get every thing out of it and leave the gold clean. If its not gold then it wont matter because its not worth anything. Clean it in what ever you want if your just after the gold. _____________________________ Warren Diggin down in Dixie, USA Work is for people who don't dig bottles President, Panhandle Cruisers http://www.panhandlecruisers.org/ (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 5

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 3:47:26 AM    Mihai   Posts: 276 Joined: 1/3/2006 Status: offline I would try the electrolysis but I don't have materials and I don't know how to set one and so on... But the easy option would be the acid. Is the vinegar OK or should be a stronger one? I'm not only for gold but the historic value of this watch is zero. I can't see any markings for the maker, the interior is not completely gone so I presume it did't spent 80 years in water, so no much reasons to keep it alive. Thank you for feedback! _____________________________ Mihai This whole worlds wild at heart and wierd on top (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 6

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 9:36:40 AM    Miles   Posts: 248 Joined: 9/6/2005 From: New York Status: offline Vinegar might work, but for faster results, you could try a hydrochloric acid bath, with gloves, and goggles. Also, use the hydro outside if you're going to, it can rust metals that are nearby. (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 7

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 10:36:18 AM    Mihai   Posts: 276 Joined: 1/3/2006 Status: offline Thank you Miles, but i still don't know if I can find this acid. I don't know if we are aloud to use something like this in UK. For security reasons. I'll give it a try with the good old vinegar. If the watch is not green by tomorrow than I could try other things. Cheers! < Message edited by Mihai -- 1/22/2006 5:19:22 PM > _____________________________ Mihai This whole worlds wild at heart and wierd on top (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 8

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 12:16:59 PM    Miles   Posts: 248 Joined: 9/6/2005 From: New York Status: offline Vinegar, for bottles at least, usually takes more like 2-4 days to work. (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 9

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 12:24:05 PM    southern Maine diver Posts: 1436 Joined: 8/13/2005 From: South Berwick, Maine USA Status: offline Hi Miles... I let my gold watch soak in vineger for like five days and it loosened up some of the rust to the point that I was able to open up the case... It's still pretty dirty inside, but I'm sending it to a master jeweler/watchmaker in Seminole, Alabama for his expert opinion... Melt it down? or Keep it? Wayne Attachment (1) (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 10

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 12:46:06 PM    Mihai   Posts: 276 Joined: 1/3/2006 Status: offline Hey Wayne If mine would have been half as nice as yours I would have keep it as it is, but I guess I will mould mine in two ar three teeth. Cover some holes. _____________________________ Mihai This whole worlds wild at heart and wierd on top (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 11

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 1:18:22 PM    GuntherHess Posts: 5161 Joined: 12/13/2004 From: Frederick Maryland Status: offline its pretty easy to tell whether something is solid gold or gold plated when you dig it. Every item I have dug an item that is solid gold it didnt need any cleaning other than a rinse with soap and water. If there is any corrosion or peeling on the gold part then its just plated base metal. _____________________________ Looking for Frederick Maryland and Dr Fahrney Bottles 2008 Medicine Bottle Price Guide on CDROM http://www.mattsoldhouse.com/MC/bottles/BottleBook2008.htm email http://www.mattsoldhouse.com/MC/bottles/email.jpg (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 12

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 1:41:09 PM    southern Maine diver Posts: 1436 Joined: 8/13/2005 From: South Berwick, Maine USA Status: offline Hey Mihai... I'm not trying to rub this in your face or brag about it but here is how my watch looks now that I can open the case... Attachment (1) (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 13

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 1:42:11 PM    southern Maine diver Posts: 1436 Joined: 8/13/2005 From: South Berwick, Maine USA Status: offline Watch back cover... Attachment (1) (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 14

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 1:43:59 PM    southern Maine diver Posts: 1436 Joined: 8/13/2005 From: South Berwick, Maine USA Status: offline Back cover closeup... (I hope this comes out, cause I'm trying to show the logo and numbers inside the cover for Warren.) Attachment (1) < Message edited by southern Maine diver -- 1/22/2006 1:46:00 PM > (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 15

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 1:45:12 PM    southern Maine diver Posts: 1436 Joined: 8/13/2005 From: South Berwick, Maine USA Status: offline Well, that one came out like garbage... Oh well! He'll see it this week. I'm sending it out tomorrow. Wayne (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 16

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 2:25:22 PM    Mihai   Posts: 276 Joined: 1/3/2006 Status: offline Hey Wayne You can rub my face with that watch anytime. In fact I could try to open it for you. I work in constructions and I'm sure I can find the proper tool for this. Just sent it to me. Please! Thank you! Welcome! Don't mention it! _____________________________ Mihai This whole worlds wild at heart and wierd on top (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 17

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 2:27:28 PM    southern Maine diver Posts: 1436 Joined: 8/13/2005 From: South Berwick, Maine USA Status: offline Mihai... I'll send it to Warren first... it'll cost less!! Besides, I got a BFH too (Big **** Hammer) so if I want to try to open it myself, I'll use the tools my father told me could fix anything... a screwdriver, a pair of vice grips and a ball peen hammer (aka BFH) Wayne < Message edited by southern Maine diver -- 1/22/2006 2:29:52 PM > (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 18

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 2:29:53 PM    Mihai   Posts: 276 Joined: 1/3/2006 Status: offline Hey, we are between friends here, I'll do it for free. _____________________________ Mihai This whole worlds wild at heart and wierd on top (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 19

RE: Gold watch? - 1/22/2006 2:32:12 PM    southern Maine diver Posts: 1436 Joined: 8/13/2005 From: South Berwick, Maine USA Status: offline Or.... I could try my method... Brute strength and pure attitude! What a combination... That's how I move trees, logs and pilings underwater. (leverage helps some too) Wayne < Message edited by southern Maine diver -- 1/22/2006 2:32:52 PM > (in reply to Mihai) Post #: 20

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