Ah crud...what have I done? (Arnie content)

[undertheradar]

So in an extreme moment of weakness last night, I bid on and won an auction for a beat to hell H558-5000. I know nothing of its condition other than what I can see in the pictures. Obviously not working, but for the $100 I paid, it might be worth a shot at restoring. I know I can get the aluminum shroud off eBay, new bezel insert from Harold, and Borel has all the gaskets, hands, crystal and other small parts, but obviously that will only go so far. I'm going to assume that the movement is beyond repair, but hope that it just needs a good cleaning and a new battery. :D

I'm hoping that even if the movement is beyond repair, I could sell the refurbished case or keep it as a spare and buy another working Arnie. What do ya think?

[Ottovonn]

You could try sending it to Jack at IWW or Jay at Motor City watch works for a complete overhaul.

[undertheradar]

Thanks for the suggestion, but nah....I have no interest in waiting 2-3 months to have work done on a watch. Much rather give it a try myself. I'm confident I can handle all the cosmetic stuff, it's really a matter of whether or not the movement is just too far gone. Sounds like I can always snag an H556 and use that movement if need be.

[romeo-1]

I think you paid too much...

You could probably restore it but it will end up costing as much as just buying a decent example. Good luck and keep us posted.

[undertheradar]

I think you paid too much...

You could probably restore it but it will end up costing as much as just buying a decent example. Good luck and keep us posted.

You're probably right. :D Adding up all the parts I might need, and it would end up costing me about $375. I guess we'll just see how it plays out.

[ec633]

Judging by the poor condition of the watch [A QUARTZ MOVEMENT-IN PARTICULAR] why would you pay 100 smackers for such a condition is beyond me!! Good luck if you could make it work again.

[undertheradar]

Judging by the poor condition of the watch [A QUARTZ MOVEMENT-IN PARTICULAR] why would you pay 100 smackers for such a condition is beyond me!! Good luck if you could make it work again.

Well...I actually enjoy the process of working on these watches and bringing them back from the dead. Up to this point my experience has only been with the cosmetic stuff, so I was more concerned with whether or not the movement was salvageable. Once I found out that I could swap another (cheaper) module over, it doesn't seem so daunting. Like I said above: adding up all the parts I'd probably need (worst case scenario) including what I paid for the watch and a donor for the movement, I'd still be less than $400, which is what these seem to be going for in decent shape.

Plus, I'll be able to say I rescued one from the scrap heap. ;)

[stuart77]

Go for it bud! You know your way around a watch, the custom work you have done and shown us has been really impressive, and It's not like it's your first watch mod/work where you have got to buy all the tools, you've already got them so why not give it a go. I can understand the enjoyment of getting your watch back from one of the well know restorers, but can really understand the enjoyment of doing that work yourself.

You've paid $100 for a bit of a challenge to restore a poor condition watch and i'm sure you'll enjoy working on it, and i'm pretty sure in a few months we'll all be drooling over your beautifully restored Arnie.

[serdal23]

+1. Bringing a dead watch into life, particularly if you are doing it by yourself has a priceless joy in it!

I hope the movement needs a very minor work, then once you give it a cosmetic treatment, we will see a lot of magnificent fotos of your awesome timepiece.

Please keep us updated on how the process goes, and good luck, Comrade.

Capt. Serdal

[ANZAC56]

Yeah go for it!!! Stuff the doomsayers, when it's finished you will enjoy it all the more, can't wait for the finished piece.