Poor man's watch thread

[javyn]

• My old NES system and games my brother sold them years ago
• My old GI Joe toys I blew them up with firecrackers, along with my brother's GI Joes
• My old Swatch destroyed

 

[mreams99]

I have wanted to try a bronze watch for a while. I finally picked up this Aragon Hercules yesterday and gave it a little patina to start.

 

[SixOhNine]

I really like bronze watches when they're new, and some of the pics I've seen of oxidized ones look great, too, but I think it would drive me up a wall to have one to slowly turn black on my wrist.

 

[mreams99]

I really like bronze watches when they're new, and some of the pics I've seen of oxidized ones look great, too, but I think it would drive me up a wall to have one to slowly turn black on my wrist.

I don’t think it will turn black. Regular wear will keep the patina to a manageable level. I think it will eventually be a copperish-green, with darker spots in the crevices and brighter spots on the edges.

 

[FatTuesday]

Looks great!

How did you "give it a little patina..."?

 

[mreams99]

Looks great!

How did you "give it a little patina..."?

I googled different methods.

One method that sounded interesting was the potato chip method. I crushed up some salt & vinegar chips and added vinegar to make it mushy. There was another method called the Miracle-Gro method that combined Miracle-Gro fertilizer with vinegar. I decided to combine the methods so I added a spoonful of Miracle-Gro to the mix. I put the watch in this mixture and let it sit for about five hours, covered in a ziplock bag. The result was pretty intense.

I thought that this was a bit too much contrast between the darker spots and the lighter spots. So I thought I’d try the egg method. I cooked an egg in the microwave, mashed it up, and put it in a ziplock bag. I put the watch in the bag for about 1-1/2 hours. I was surprised to see that it didn’t just slightly darken the lighter areas. It seemed to lighten up the dark spots as well. I like how it turned out.

 

[FatTuesday]

I googled different methods.

One method that sounded interesting was the potato chip method. I crushed up some salt & vinegar chips and added vinegar to make it mushy. There was another method called the Miracle-Gro method that combined Miracle-Gro fertilizer with vinegar. I decided to combine the methods so I added a spoonful of Miracle-Gro to the mix. I put the watch in this mixture and let it sit for about five hours, covered in a ziplock bag. The result was pretty intense.
View attachment 1510549View attachment 1510550

I thought that this was a bit too much contrast between the darker spots and the lighter spots. So I thought I’d try the egg method. I cooked an egg in the microwave, mashed it up, and put it in a ziplock bag. I put the watch in the bag for about 1-1/2 hours. I was surprised to see that it didn’t just slightly darken the lighter areas. It seemed to lighten up the dark spots as well. I like how it turned out.

View attachment 1510556View attachment 1510557

Well, that just sounds delicious!

Watch looks good, too.

 

[mreams99]

Well, that just sounds delicious!

Watch looks good, too.

It would taste better with a little chorizo.

 

[Jazzmenco]

Seiko Presage Shippo Enamel SPB073J1 Limited Edition.

 

[Irish95]

Seiko Presage Shippo Enamel SPB073J1 Limited Edition.

View attachment 1512748

That looks very similar to the watch RogerP was showing awhile back. I like it. I always enjoy your watches/photos.

 

[Jazzmenco]

That looks very similar to the watch RogerP was showing awhile back. I like it. I always enjoy your watches/photos.

Thank you very much. It probably was @RogerP, he is an excellent enabler.....

 

[monkey66]

Just wanted to mention some crazy deals at Leonard and Church. I am not sure but I think they may be closing for good

I found them on kick-starter years ago and bought a first edition watch. Since then I have bought a couple more. New York boutique value watch house. Really nicely made for the price, sapphire crystal and Japanese Seiko / Miyota movements. Leather on straps really nice too.

I have no affiliation or relationship just a customer.

I just ordered 2 more watches because the price is too good to miss.

Leonard & Church

leonardandchurch.com

 

[Purplelabel]

I decided to restore my old 70s Seiko. New strap secured, now to polish the crystal.

 

[monkey66]

My last ever purchase from Leonard and Church, RIP. $58 down from $199.

 

[monkey66]

My first ever purchase, series 001, Kickstarter funded.