I just received two of my grandfather's old watches, and am hoping people here might have a little more information on them, and also for some advice.
The first is a military issue LeCoultre. From my web research, I think it's a 1943 RAF issue. There were 4000 issued, and lot of them were redialled with a black dial by the MOD after the war, but as best I can tell, this one is all original (possibly not the crown?). Other than it not running, quite a bit of the chrome plating being rubbed off, and a little of the bluing on the hour hand having come off, it's in very good condition. I plan to get it serviced and running again (although I tinker with watches, I only play around with cheaper vintage stuff and don't want to risk damaging it!).
My question on this one - I'm thinking of having the hour hand blued again, and was wondering what people think on having the case re-chromed?
The second watch is a Smiths, and has sadly lost its hour and second hands at some point. It does not run, and the mechanism appears jammed as the hand won't move. At this point I'd just like to find out more about it, as I've not had much luck browsing online. The dial is quite faded, and the crystal is cracked. The dial is marked 'Made in Britain', so I presume this means the Welsh factory, rather than the Cheltenham(?) one. Any information anyone can give me on this one is very much appreciated. In terms of getting this one up and running again, is it worth it?